But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;

MATTHEW 10:17KJV
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Matthew 10:17 (KJV)

What does Matthew 10:17 mean?

Matthew 10:17 warns Jesus’ followers to be cautious around people, because some will hand them over to local councils and have them beaten in synagogues. The verse prepares the disciples for opposition and mistreatment as they carry out their mission.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His twelve disciples as He sends them out to spread His message. He tells them plainly that not everyone will welcome them; some will actively oppose them, even using religious and legal authorities to punish them. The mention of councils and synagogues points to official Jewish community settings where such punishments could happen.

The Greek behind Matthew 10:17

  • The word for "beware" is προσέχετε (prosechete), which means to pay close attention or be on guard. Jesus is not just telling the disciples to be generally careful, but to be alert and watchful for real dangers from people.
  • The term "deliver you up" is παραδώσουσιν (paradōsousin), often used for being handed over to authorities. This word carries a sense of betrayal or being given up to those who mean harm, not just a neutral transfer.
  • "Councils" is συνέδρια (synedria), referring to local Jewish governing bodies, not just any group. This shows the opposition could come from respected community leaders, not just random individuals.
  • "Scourge" is μαστιγώσουσιν (mastigōsousin), meaning to whip or flog. This was a severe physical punishment, highlighting the seriousness of the threat.

Why Matthew 10:17 matters

  • Matthew 10:17 clarifies that following Jesus could bring real, even painful, consequences from both religious and community leaders, not just from outsiders or strangers.
  • The verse emphasizes that opposition might come from within familiar religious settings, not only from outside enemies, which would have been a sobering warning for the disciples.
  • This warning sets the tone for the rest of Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 10, helping readers understand the risks and seriousness of the mission He is giving to His followers.

Where else these words appear

“scourge” Greek G3146 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
  • Mark 10:34 And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.
  • John 19:1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

“councils” Greek G4892 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
  • Acts 4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
  • Acts 22:30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

“beware” Greek G4337 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
  • Luke 20:46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
  • 1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

“synagogues” Greek G4864 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
  • Luke 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
  • Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.