Matthew 10:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

Complete Jewish Bible:

On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as a testimony to them and to the Goyim.

Berean Standard Bible:

On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.

American Standard Version:

yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} ye shall be brought^{G71} before^{G1909} governors^{G2232} and^{{G2532}{G1161}} kings^{G935} for my^{G1752} sake^{G1700}, for^{G1519} a testimony^{G3142} against them^{G846} and^{G2532} the Gentiles^{G1484}.

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Commentary for Matthew 10:18

Matthew 10:18 is part of the Gospel according to Matthew, which is one of the four canonical Gospels in the New Testament. This verse is situated within the broader context of Jesus' instructions to his twelve disciples as he sends them out to spread his teachings. In this specific verse, Jesus is preparing his disciples for the persecution they will face, warning them that they will be brought before authorities such as governors and kings.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the first century AD, a time when the early Christian community was often at odds with the Roman Empire and its local authorities. The governors and kings mentioned would likely have been Roman-appointed officials or client kings who ruled on behalf of Rome. Jesus' prediction reflects the political tensions and the potential legal consequences his followers might encounter due to their association with a movement that was seen as subversive to the established order.

The themes of Matthew 10:18 include persecution, witness, and the confrontation between the emerging Christian faith and the secular powers of the time. Jesus foretells that his disciples will be persecuted not merely as a result of random chance but "for [his] sake," indicating that their suffering will be directly related to their allegiance to him and the proclamation of the Gospel. The phrase "for a testimony against them and the Gentiles" suggests that the disciples' witness in these trials will serve as a divine indictment against those who oppress them, both Jews ("them") and non-Jews ("the Gentiles"). This testimony is not only a declaration of Christian faith but also a moral and spiritual challenge to the prevailing authorities.

In essence, Matthew 10:18 encapsulates the hardships faced by early Christians and the courage required to stand firm in one's faith in the face of powerful opposition. It speaks to the enduring theme of the Christian call to bear witness to the truth, regardless of the personal cost. This verse also highlights the tension between the Kingdom of God as proclaimed by Jesus and the kingdoms of the world, setting the stage for a central dynamic that would shape Christian history and theology.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G71
   There are 97 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄγω
   Transliteration: ágō
   Pronunciation: ag'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce:--be, bring (forth), carry, (let) go, keep, lead away, be open.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1909
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπί
   Transliteration: epí
   Pronunciation: ep-ee'
   Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
   
4. Strong's Number: G2232
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἡγεμών
   Transliteration: hēgemṓn
   Pronunciation: hayg-em-ohn'
   Description: from ἡγέομαι; a leader, i.e. chief person (or figuratively, place) of a province:--governor, prince, ruler.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
6. Strong's Number: G935
   There are 107 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βασιλεύς
   Transliteration: basileús
   Pronunciation: bas-il-yooce'
   Description: probably from βάσις (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively):--king.
   
7. Strong's Number: G1752
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἕνεκα
   Transliteration: héneka
   Pronunciation: hi'-nek-en
   Description: of uncertain affinity; on account of:--because, for (cause, sake), (where-)fore, by reason of, that.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1700
   There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐμοῦ
   Transliteration: emoû
   Pronunciation: em-oo'
   Description: a prolonged form of μόχθος; of me:--me, mine, my.
   
9. Strong's Number: G1519
   There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰς
   Transliteration: eis
   Pronunciation: ice
   Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
   
10. Strong's Number: G3142
    There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μαρτύριον
    Transliteration: martýrion
    Pronunciation: mar-too'-ree-on
    Description: neuter of a presumed derivative of μάρτυς; something evidential, i.e. (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the Decalogue (in the sacred Tabernacle):--to be testified, testimony, witness.
    
11. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1484
    There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔθνος
    Transliteration: éthnos
    Pronunciation: eth'-nos
    Description: probably from ἔθω; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan):--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.