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Explanation for:
Matthew
10
:
23
And when they shall persecute you in this city, flee into another. Amen I say to you, you shall not finish all the cities of Israel, till the Son of man come.
12
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Epistle of the Church of Smyrna","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":2,"exegesis-text":"A man from Phrygia called Quintus, who had just come from that region, felt terrified when he encountered the wild animals. He was among those who had previously motivated himself and a few others to seek martyrdom on their own accord. After considerable urging, the proconsul convinced him to make an oath and present a sacrifice. Hence, dear brothers, we cannot endorse those who act on their own initiative, for the teachings of the Gospel do not support such behavior."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"These instructions were relevant during the time the apostles were commissioned to proclaim the message. Specifically, they were advised not to take the path of the Gentiles or to enter the cities of the Samaritans (Matt. 10:5, 6). This guidance indicated that they should not be intimidated by persecution, but rather avoid it when possible. Indeed, we observe that when persecution arose in Jerusalem, the believers were scattered throughout Judea, and this scattering served as a catalyst for the spread of the gospel. In a spiritual understanding, we can interpret this to mean that when we face persecution in one area—represented by a specific book of Scripture or its testimony—we should look to other passages for refuge. Even if the adversary becomes unusually relentless, the assistance of the Savior will arrive more swiftly than we yield to the weight of our foes."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Following the dire forecasts regarding the future trials awaiting the apostles during His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension—capable of causing even the most resolute to tremble—the Saviour offers a message of reassurance. His intention is to provide these followers with respite and significant encouragement. He does not urge those being persecuted to engage in battle with their aggressors but instead instructs them to flee. Recognizing that this initial phase was merely a precursor for them, the Saviour speaks to them with gentleness. His words concern not only the trials to come but also foreshadow the challenges prior to His own crucifixion and suffering, as He indicates, 'Ye cannot end the cities of Israel, till the Son of man come.' To alleviate the disciples' concerns about potentially escaping only to be found and persecuted once more, the Saviour quells such fears by assuring them, 'You will not have time to go around Palestine, but I will come to you at once.' Observe how He does not eliminate hardships but serves as a protector in times of peril. He does not promise to eradicate persecution, but states, 'Ye cannot end the cities of Israel, till the Son of man come.' The mere sight of Him is sufficient for their comfort. Notice, therefore, that He does not dispense grace indiscriminately but instead invites them to contribute their own efforts. He says, if you are frightened, flee, as indicated by His instructions to 'Flee' and 'Fear not.' Importantly, He does not instruct them to flee until they are compelled to do so, nor does He designate a specific refuge for them, but merely advises them to traverse the cities of Israel. Subsequently, He readies them for another aspect of wisdom. Initially, He relieved them of concerns about sustenance, then from the anxiety of danger; now He liberates them from the worry of disgrace. He eased their concerns about food with the declaration, 'Worthy is the labourer of his wages' (Matthew 10:10), revealing that many would welcome them. He removed their fear of danger by advising, 'Do not be anxious about how or what you will say' (Matthew 10:19), and assuring, 'He who endures to the end will be saved' (Matthew 10:22)."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"If you arrive in a town and they do not welcome you, move on to another town, and if they chase you from there, continue to flee to yet another place. This was not meant for everyone indiscriminately, but rather for a select few disciples, as the new message was just beginning and the followers were limited in number. He wished to prevent a coalition against them that could have erased their legacy from the earth, thus obstructing the dissemination of His message among the nations and His teachings to all creation. Therefore, He stated: ‘If ye be driven out of one country, flee into another.’ Had the apostles not escaped during the stoning of Stephen, they would likely have faced the same fate themselves (Acts 7:57-60, Acts 8:1). If the Lord had intended this instruction for all generations, who would dare to face martyrdom for His sake? Additionally, to indicate that He did not exclude the Apostles from the possibility of martyrdom, He reassured them—understand this clearly—not to be fearful or despondent if they encountered circumstances akin to those He experienced Himself, not fleeing from those leading Him to the Cross, as He expressed in the following words: ‘If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you’ (John 15:20). He also said: ‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul’ (cf. Matt. 10:28). Thus, we observe that those instructed to ‘flee’ each became a living testimony, offering themselves as sacrifices of praise to all nations.\\n\\nIn giving them considerable authority upon choosing them, something vital for that period, He sought to instill humility to guard against pride concerning that authority, instructing them, ‘If they drive you out of one city, flee to another’ (cf. Matt. 10:23). Likewise, while the Lord was present with them, He denied them their request, asking, ‘Do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?’ (cf. Luke 9:54). And while the disciples contemplated their mission, as He instructed not to go to the Samaritans and Gentiles (cf. Matt. 10:5), He encouraged them further with the words: ‘From one city, flee to another.’ They might have wondered what would happen if there were no cities left, which is why He uplifted their spirits, stating, ‘Truly I say to you, you will not have time to go through these cities before I come to you.’ He meant to appear to them following His resurrection, thus He reiterated that they would not have the opportunity to visit all the cities before His return to them. In essence, He aimed to send them to those towns where He intended to come Himself. The statement about ‘not having time to go round them’ signals that His powerful presence would be evident to them after His three-day resurrection. In truth, He signified that they would initially be expelled from many cities, yet He would eventually come to them. Ultimately, He did not delay, as upon His resurrection, He swiftly provided support for their fears, appearing to them, empowering them, and renewing their spirits (John 20:21-23)."},{"author-name":"Hilarius of Poitiers","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88cb92f12b3278598f946_Hilarius%20of%20Poitiers.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Lord instructs the apostles to move from one city to another, for the proclamation of His message is set to begin in Judea and extend to Greece. Through the various tribulations faced by the apostles, this message will then reach the cities of Greece and ultimately be spread to all the nations. Moreover, to indicate that the Gentiles would embrace the apostles’ proclamation while the rest of Israel would come to faith only upon His second advent, He stated, “You will not have time to go round the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” This suggests that once the mission of salvation among the Gentiles is fulfilled, Israel will be integrated into the Church, thereby increasing the number of saints at the time of His glorious return."},{"author-name":"Cyrill of Alexandria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a8ea5c988a4fc073480_Cyrill%20of%20Alexandria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"Christ instructs His followers to escape from one city to another, and then to proceed to the next. His guidance is not meant to instill fear, but rather to advise against recklessly placing themselves in harm's way, to avoid death, and to protect those who would gain from their ministry."},{"author-name":"Maximus the Confessor","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8951a1dea23713695271e_Maximus%20the%20Confessor.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":7,"exegesis-text":"What is meant by the phrase: When they persecute you in one city, flee to another? Cities symbolize safeguarding, defense, and refuge for the righteous. Figuratively, a city represents various forms of ascetic practice, such as abstaining from wine, temperance in eating, prolonged vigils, and similar disciplines that provide protection. If we find ourselves harassed by demonic influences in one of these spiritual cities, tempting us with pride or vanity related to our ascetic endeavors, we should withdraw from this highly austere conduct to avoid falling into arrogance. Instead, we should seek refuge in another virtue that does not harbor vanity, continuing this until we attain the state of passionlessness. Alternatively, one might interpret cities as representing human souls. The Savior sends His words into these souls as if they were apostles; those who are worthy receive these teachings and allow them to dwell within, while those unworthy, through their own rejection, allow these teachings to move into other receptive souls. The cities of Israel will not be neglected; they will initially house these teachings and then face exile, as the Son of Man arrives, bringing fulfillment to all things at His glorious return."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The earlier statements, along with the alarming declarations, ‘they shall betray you’ and ‘you shall be hated,’ pertain to the events following the ascension, while the current discussion addresses occurrences prior to the crucifixion. You will not have the opportunity to traverse the cities of Israel before persecution befalls you, for I shall have already approached you. When such persecution arises, He instructs them to escape, as it is the scheme of the adversary to hasten into peril and become a source of judgment for murderers, thereby harming those who might have benefitted from the proclamation of the Gospel. However, the phrase ‘as the Son of man cometh’ does not indicate the second advent, but rather refers to the coming and consolation experienced prior to the crucifixion. After the disciples were sent forth to preach, they returned to Christ and remained with Him."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"After discussing the events that will unfold following His Ascension, He returns to the occurrences that will transpire before His Crucifixion. He instructs His followers to flee, not like those who cower in fear, but as individuals who have been exiled. Gregory the Theologian offers an interpretation of this passage, suggesting that He urges them to mourn the persecuted and the downtrodden, instructing them not to retreat too far, but to move from one city to another, so as not to overlook anyone who has not yet arrived. He mentions this to provide them with comfort and reassurance, affirming that He would gather them to Himself before they had traveled through all the cities of the Jews, meaning prior to their journey across all of Palestine. This promise served as a profound source of solace for those who suffered. Indeed, He fulfilled what He had assured them."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"Flee to another\\": the apostles should not endanger their lives if they can avoid it without renouncing their Master and Savior; their existence is vital for the salvation of others, thus they must safeguard their lives and not put them at unnecessary risk; if they face persecution in one city, they should escape to another. - \\"You shall not have time to go round the cities of Israel\\": you will not have the opportunity to fulfill your current mission among the Jewish people. - “The Son of Man shall come”: in the related statement (Matt. 16:28), it is also mentioned, \\"in His kingdom.\\" This additional phrase clarifies that this does not refer to the second glorious return of the Lord for judgment at the end of time. The arrival of Jesus Christ in His kingdom is synonymous with the inauguration of this kingdom, which was made possible through His resurrection. After this, He proclaimed as Sovereign, \\"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me\\" (Matt. 28:18). Following this, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, empowering them to take the message of the kingdom's inauguration to the ends of the earth. Therefore, the Lord’s utterance can be understood as follows: \\"Before you complete the proclamation of the gospel throughout all of Palestine, My kingdom will be manifested in its power, unassailable by any adversarial force.\\" In this way, the Lord intends to reassure His disciples amidst the forthcoming trials and tribulations: \\"Do not fear or be discouraged; My kingdom will soon be made manifest, and you will be endowed with divine strength from above (cf. Acts 1:8), against which your foes will stand powerless.\\""},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"When you face persecution in one town, do not linger or put your lives at risk unnecessarily; instead, move to another place and continue to proclaim the message. Truly I tell you, you will not have traversed the towns of Israel before the Son of Man arrives. To alleviate any concerns among the disciples about fleeing from their adversaries only to be found again and persecuted, the Savior reassures them: you will not have time to travel throughout all of Palestine, for I will come to you swiftly. As you complete your mission among the Jewish cities, the Son of Man will indeed come. It is important to note that in the similar statement found in Matthew 16:28, it mentions ‘in His kingdom,’ indicating that this does not refer to the final glorious return of the Lord for judgment at the end of time. The coming of Jesus Christ in His kingdom signifies the establishment of that kingdom, which was initiated by His resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Following this, they spread the message of this newly inaugurated kingdom throughout the world. Therefore, the Lord’s message could be interpreted as: ‘No sooner will you have shared the gospel throughout all of Palestine than My kingdom will be unveiled.’ This serves as a comforting assurance to His disciples amid the trials and tribulations they were warned about: do not fear or become disheartened; My Kingdom will soon be unveiled, and you will receive the divine empowerment from above, which your adversaries will be unable to resist."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"He cautioned them that they would face significant challenges during their current and future apostolic missions, as they would be subjected to trials and beaten within the synagogues, and summoned before authorities and monarchs. Nevertheless, they should not be anxious about what to say or how to respond, for in that moment, divine revelation would provide them with the words they needed. The message of peace would be distorted by humanity's sinful desires into a rallying call for anger and animosity, forcing them to escape from their relentless pursuers from one city to another. However, they must persevere until the end, as they will not have the opportunity to visit the towns of Israel before the arrival of the Son of Man."}]}
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