Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. 17 But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. 20 For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household!
Jesus told his disciples that he was sending them into a hostile world and they must be both shrewd and innocent as they navigated the challenges they would encounter. If they share in his mission (Mt. 10:1) they will also experience the same persecution and suffering he experienced. They will be arrested and brought before councils or Sanhedrins, and they will be punished in synagogues, which were not only places of worship but also community centers where disciplinary punishment occurred. The early Christians also worshipped in synagogues, hence the warning about being scourged in their synagogues (Js. 2:2). The Jewish religious leaders would drag the early Christians before the Roman provincial governors and even the emperor because they were preaching the Gospel. Jesus assured his disciples that the Spirit of the Father would speak through them during times of trial.
Jesus predicted that his Gospel message would create deep divisions within families. Those who belonged to the family of God were often betrayed by family members who did not believe. Everyone will hate them, but if they persevere, it will lead to salvation. Jesus told his disciples that when they were persecuted in a town they should flee from the persecution and move to another to spread the Gospel.
Scholars have debated the reference to the "Son of Man" coming. Some believe it refers to Jesus' second coming or the final judgment. Others argue that this verse reflects the historical context of the early Christian community. Some do not take it as a literal event but as symbolic of Jesus' ongoing presence and activity in the world. The present and ongoing challenges of discipleship will lead to the future fulfillment of God’s kingdom.
Jesus reminds his disciples that as they imitate him, they will share the same experiences as their teacher, including suffering. They will face similar accusations and hostility as he is facing. "Beelzebul" was a term of derision used by Jesus' opponents, accusing him of being in league with demonic forces.
Disciples will face trials and tribulations as they carry out their mission and will need wisdom, endurance, and the Holy Spirit to succeed.
Almighty God, grant us the wisdom of serpents and the innocence of doves when our faith is challenged as we encounter the trials and tribulations of life. Strengthen us to persevere with unwavering trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we share in Christ’s mission and suffering. This we pray through the same Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Sources:
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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