Mt. 10:23 - Confusing Passage

[Achilles6129]

"16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so [r]be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20 For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

23 “**But whenever they persecute you in [t]one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes." Mt. 10:16-23 (NASB)

This passage has troubled interpreters because of its apparent eschatological import. I, personally, am confused as to whether the passage refers to the 1st century or whether it refers to the end times. I’ve also heard that the passage may even refer to the resurrection. Any help would be appreciated.**

 

[sousley]

It is typically referred to by the Early Church Fathers to be related to the destruction of the Temple in AD70. This event was seen as the fulfillment of Jesus words in Matt 24 that “this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done”; further, that this act was one of Divine intervention (the Son of man comes). As a matter of history, the events did come to pass; when the temple was destroyed, the Christians did flee to Pella in the Decapolis.

 

[R_C]

Biblical and prophetic passages never have only one meaning. God’s thoughts are very profound and mysterious.

Since Israel was scattered to the four corners of the world, one may argue that there is also an end-of-time prophecy here.

 

[mikekle]

"16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so [r]be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20 For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

23 “But whenever they persecute you in [t]one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes." Mt. 10:16-23 (NASB)

This passage has troubled interpreters because of its apparent eschatological import. I, personally, am confused as to whether the passage refers to the 1st century or whether it refers to the end times. I’ve also heard that the passage may even refer to the resurrection. Any help would be appreciated.I think it refers to end times, as we know to practice christianity will be a crime in those times, so its likely people will be turning each other into police, including relatives and family members…those will be rough times!