King James Version

What Does Matthew 10:23 Mean?

Matthew 10:23 in the King James Version says “But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over t... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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. have: or, end, or, finish

Matthew 10:23 · KJV


Context

21

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

22

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

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. have: or, end, or, finish

24

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

25

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Beelzebub: Gr. Beelzebul


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus provides escape strategy: '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' (οταν δε διωκωσιν υμας εν τη πολει ταυτη φευγετε εις την ετεραν αμην γαρ λεγω υμιν ου μη τελεσητε τας πολεις του Ισραηλ εως αν ελθη ο υιος του ανθρωπου). 'Flee' (φευγετε) is command, not permission—preservation, not cowardice. Martyrdom isn't goal; mission is. Flight enables continued witness elsewhere. The enigmatic ending—'Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come'—admits multiple interpretations: (1) Jesus' resurrection/ascension; (2) Jerusalem's destruction (AD 70); (3) Christ's second coming. Likely (1) or (2): before exhausting Israel's cities, significant divine intervention will occur. This creates urgency: time is short; work is vast; keep moving.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Early Christians practiced strategic retreat: persecution in Jerusalem scattered believers to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1); Paul lowered in basket from Damascus (Acts 9:25); believers fled Jerusalem before Roman siege (church tradition). Flight wasn't cowardice but strategic preservation for continued ministry. 'Son of man' is Jesus' self-designation from Daniel 7:13-14. The phrase 'be come' could refer to His vindication through resurrection, enthronement at God's right hand, or judgment on Jerusalem through Rome (AD 70). The saying emphasizes mission urgency: opportunity is limited; judgment is coming; work while it's day.

Reflection Questions

  1. When is fleeing persecution wisdom rather than cowardice?
  2. How do we balance willingness to suffer with responsibility to preserve life for continued ministry?
  3. What does mission urgency teach about prioritizing gospel proclamation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
ὅταν1 of 30

when

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

δὲ2 of 30

But

G1161

but, and, etc

διώκωσιν3 of 30

they persecute

G1377

compare the base of g1169 and g1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute

ὑμᾶς4 of 30

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἐν5 of 30

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ6 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόλεις7 of 30

city

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

ταύτῃ8 of 30
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

φεύγετε9 of 30

flee ye

G5343

to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish

εἰς10 of 30

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν11 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄλλην·12 of 30

another

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

ἀμὴν13 of 30

verily

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

γὰρ14 of 30

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

λέγω15 of 30

I say

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὑμῖν16 of 30

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you

οὐ17 of 30
G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μὴ18 of 30
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

τελέσητε19 of 30

Ye shall

G5055

to end, i.e., complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt)

τὰς20 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόλεις21 of 30

city

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

τοῦ22 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰσραὴλ23 of 30

of Israel

G2474

israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)

ἕως24 of 30

till

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

ἂν25 of 30

be

G302

whatsoever

ἔλθῃ26 of 30

come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

27 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸς28 of 30

the Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ29 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπου30 of 30

of man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 10:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 10:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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