Matthew 10:18

“And who is there who would not be astonished at this prediction: “Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles;” and at any others which He may have delivered respecting the future persecution of His disciples?” — editor's note: Matt. x. 18.

“For, that these results were both predicted by Him, and es­tablished by divine answers proceeding from Him, is clear from His own words: “Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testi­mony against them and the Gentiles.”” — editor's note: Matt. x. 18.

“…responses those utterances of His, such as, “Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gen­tiles;” and, “Many shall say unto Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not eaten in Thy name, and drunk in Thy name, and in Thy name cast out devils?” — editor's note: Matt. x. 18.

“And to the disciples He was wont to say, “And ye shall stand before governors and kings for My sake; and they shall scourge some of you, and slay you, and persecute you from city to city.”” — editor's note: Matt. x. 17, 18.

“…fulfilled in him, which through divine knowledge he declared to his disciples, that they should be brought before kings on account of their testimony unto him.” — editor's note: Cf. Matt. x. 18

“And again, “Because ye shall stand before kings and powers, and the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the son, and he that endureth to the end shall be saved;” and “To him that overcometh will I give to sit on my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down on the throne of my Father.”” — editor's note: Matt. x. 18; xxi. 22.

“The name of “Martyrs,” unto whom Jesus foretold, that they should confess Him even before kings, is derived hence.” — editor's note: Matt. x. 18.

Chapter XXX.—Of the Section Where It is Recorded, that Being Moved with Compassion for the Multitudes, He Sent His Disciples, Giving Them Power to Work Cures, and Charged Them with Many Instructions, Directing Them…

“And again, “Ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for My sake.” ( Matt. x. 18.)” — the author cites it

“Did He not call the twelve, and say unto them, ‘Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake,’ and, ‘they shall scourge you in the synagogues’? ( Matt. x. 18, 17 ).” — the author cites it

“Therefore He said also,” — editor's note: Matt. x. 17, 18.

“Now He had indeed already spoken this very injunction, when He sent them, saying, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles” (for, saith He, “I send you as sheep in the midst of wolves,” and, “ye shall be brought before kings and governors”)but now with more intensity and severity.” — editor's note: Matt. x. 5, 16, 18.

Having removed all care and anxiety from the Apostles, and armed them with the miraculous powers, He proceeds to foretell the evils which should befal them. First, that they might know his knowledge of the future;…

For he who undertakes the office of preacher ought not to do evil, but to suffer it, and by his meekness to mollify the wrath of the angry, and by his wounds to heal the wounds of sinners in their affliction. And…

He calls the Scribes and Pharisees who are the clergy of the Jews, “wolves.”

The wolves indeed are all such as should pursue the Apostles with mad fury.

Their consolation under their hardships was the excellent power of Him who sent them; wherefore He puts that before all, “Lo, I send you.” Be not dismayed, though you be sent into the midst of wolves; for I am able…

“Wise,” that they might escape snares; “simple,” that they might not do evil to others. The craft of the serpent is set before them as an example, for he hides his head with all the rest of his body, that he may…

The serpent moreover seeks out narrow chinks through which it crawls to draw off its old skin; so the preacher passing through the narrow way lays aside the old man.

Beautifully the Lord bids the preacher have the wisdom of the serpent; because the first man was beguiled by a serpent; as though He had said, The foe is subtle to deceive, be ye therefore wise to rescue; he…

He first attempted the softer sex, allured her by hope, and promised a share of immortality. Do you in like manner seize every opportunity, look well into each man’s nature and inclination, use wisdom of speech,…

But as we ought to have the wisdom of the serpent, that we should not be hurt in any deadly part, so also we should have the simplicity of the dove, not to retaliate when we are hurt, nor to avenge ourselves on those…

The Lord unites these two thing; because simplicity without wisdom might be easily deceived, and wisdom is dangerous unless it be tempered with simplicity that does no man hurt.

The harmlessness of doves is shewn by the assumption of that form by the Holy Spirit; as the Apostle speaks, “In malice be ye children.”

What is harder than these commands? It is not enough that we suffer ill, but we must not be angry thereat, as is the dove’s nature, for anger is extinguished not by anger, but by meekness.

That by the wolves above He intended men, He shews when He adds, “Take heed of men.”

Ye have indeed need to be wise as serpents, for, as they are wont to do, “they will deliver you to councils,” forbidding you to preach in My name; then if ye be not corrected, “they will scourge you,” and at length…

Who will endeavour to extort from you either to be silent or to temporize.

How wonderful that men who had never been beyond the lake in which they fished, did not straighway depart from Him on hearing these things. It was not only of their goodness, but of the wisdom of their Teacher. For…

Either that they had presented to the death, or that they had seen and were not changed. For the death of the saints is to the good an aid, to the bad a testimony; that thus the wicked may perish without excuse in…

This was matter of consolation to them, not that they sought the punishment of others, but that they were confident that in all things they had One present with them, and all-knowing.

And by this their testimony not only was all excuse of ignorance of His divinity taken away from their persecutors, but also to the Gentiles was opened the way of believing on Christ, who was thus devotedly preached…

Matthew 10:18 and Mark 13:9 share the same wording (10 words).

Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.

Cited together in Against Celsus II.13.

Cited together in Church History Martyrs of.6.

Cited together in Against Celsus II.13.

Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.

Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.

Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.

Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.

Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.

Cited together in Epistles Letter 25.

Cited together in Gregory the Great on Matthew 10:16–18 (Catena Aurea).