When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just giving practical advice on avoiding trouble; he's highlighting the urgency of their mission. He’s saying there won't be enough time to reach every single town before a significant "coming" of the Son of Man, implying their work needs to move with haste and purpose. This "coming" is often understood as the destruction of Jerusalem, a powerful divine intervention that would mark a pivotal moment for Israel and the disciples' mission.
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is instructing his disciples on how to handle persecution as he sends them out to preach the good news throughout Israel. He tells them not to be afraid of facing hardship, but to exercise wisdom and prudence, fleeing to another town if they are driven out of one. This instruction implies that their mission would not be fully completed before a significant event—the coming of the Son of Man—which many scholars connect to the destruction of Jerusalem.
When Jesus told his followers to flee persecution, was he encouraging them to give up easily? Or was there a deeper strategy at play?
Jesus' command to 'flee to another' city when persecuted isn't about avoiding hardship at all costs. It's a strategic instruction, a form of "wisdom of the serpent" (Matthew 10:16) aimed at preserving the messengers and their message.
Jesus mentions the 'coming of the Son of Man' in relation to the disciples' mission. What exactly does this 'coming' refer to in this context?
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The phrase 'till the Son of Man comes' is a key to understanding the timing and scope of Jesus' message. While 'the coming of the Son of Man' often refers to his final, glorious return, here it has a more immediate application.
Understand the original words
diōkō · Greek Verb
The act of causing suffering, harassment, or affliction to others, especially because of their religious beliefs or commitment to the truth of God.
huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun Phrase
A messianic title used by Jesus, derived from Daniel 7:13-14, referring to the heavenly figure who has authority from God to judge and establish the kingdom.
Jesus' words in this verse are a strategic instruction for His disciples, guiding their mission in Israel. The 'coming of the Son of Man' likely refers to the imminent destruction of Jerusalem, a significant judgment that marked the end of the old covenant era and the completion of their immediate task among the Jewish people.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus calls his first disciples and begins his public ministry, teaching and healing throughout Galilee and Judea.
c. AD 30— this verse
Missionary Instructions Given
Jesus commissions his twelve apostles, sending them out with specific instructions to preach the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven, heal the sick, and raise the dead.
c. AD 30-33
Apostolic Preaching in Israel
The apostles travel throughout the cities of Israel, preaching the gospel and facing persecution, fulfilling Jesus' command to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
c. AD 30-33
Persecution and Flight
As predicted, the apostles face increasing opposition and are forced to flee from town to town to continue their mission, a pattern that would continue throughout the early church.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman army, led by Titus, destroys Jerusalem and the Second Temple, marking a pivotal moment in Jewish and Christian history and fulfilling prophecies of judgment.
This passage also warns Jesus' followers about persecution, highlighting that they will be arrested and brought before synagogues and prisons. It underscores the reality of opposition faced by believers, similar to what Matthew 10:23 addresses.
Acts 8:1This verse describes a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, causing believers, except the apostles, to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria. This scattering mirrors Jesus' instruction to flee to another town when persecuted.
Jeremiah 7:29In the Old Testament, God rebukes Israel for their rejection and instructs them to 'cut off your hair, cast it away.' This relates to the idea of leaving a place or rejecting something due to disobedience or impending judgment, echoing the disciples' need to flee from rejecting cities.
Matthew 24:14This verse states that the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations before the end comes. This connects to Matthew 10:23's timeframe, suggesting that the disciples' mission within Israel would continue until a significant eschatological event, aligning with the broader scope of God's redemptive plan.
John 16:33Jesus tells his disciples, 'In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.' This verse provides the overarching encouragement and perspective for facing persecution, reminding believers that Christ's victory provides peace amidst worldly troubles, which is essential context for Jesus' practical instructions in Matthew 10:23.
barnesMatthew 10:23: "But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come."
When they persecute ... - The apostles were not permitted to "throw away" their lives. Where they could preserve them without denying their Lord, they were to do it. Yet all the commands of Christ, as well as their conduct, show that they were rather to lay down their lives than deny their Saviour. We are to pr…
bensonMatthew 10:23: "But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come."
Matthew 10:23 . But, &c. — As if he had said, I do not say this with a view to encourage you to rush upon martyrdom before you have a plain and lawful call to it; on the other hand, it will rather be your duty to prolong your useful lives to the utmost limits you lawfully may. Therefore, when they persecute you…
Jesus isn't just giving practical advice on avoiding trouble; he's highlighting the urgency of their mission. He’s saying there won't be enough time to reach every single town before a significant "coming" of the Son of Man, implying their work needs to move with haste and purpose. This "coming" is often understood as the destruction of Jerusalem, a powerful divine intervention that would mark a pivotal moment for Israel and the disciples' mission.
Jesus is instructing his disciples on how to handle persecution as he sends them out to preach the good news throughout Israel. He tells them not to be afraid of facing hardship, but to exercise wisdom and prudence, fleeing to another town if they are driven out of one. This instruction implies that their mission would not be fully completed before a significant event—the coming of the Son of Man—which many scholars connect to the destruction of Jerusalem.
Jesus is instructing his disciples on how to handle persecution as he sends them out to preach the good news throughout Israel. He tells them not to be afraid of facing hardship, but to exercise wisdom and prudence, fleeing to another town if they are driven out of one. This instruction implies that their mission would not be fully completed before a significant event—the coming of the Son of Man—which many scholars connect to the destruction of Jerusalem.
"When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes." — Jesus isn't just giving practical advice on avoiding trouble; he's highlighting the urgency of their mission. He’s saying there won't be enough time to reach every single town before a significant "c…
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Last reviewed October 2026