But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.
Christ sends you as sheep into wolves' jaws, so you must learn to combine the serpent's cunning with the dove's innocence. He forewarned the disciples of sufferings to come, not to shake their faith, but to steel it; when troubles arrive as He predicted, they will confirm rather than destroy what you believe.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 10:16-42
Christ came not to give the world outward peace and tranquility, as the Jews mistakenly expected from the Messiah; His Gospel is a sword that divides families and separates His people from the world's principles and practices. Not that He intended to foment discord, but through men's malice this became the inevitable consequence of His coming.
AI summary
The Samaritans, though descended from pagan colonists, had adopted Jewish religion with admixtures of their own, placing them between Jews and Gentiles. When the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, the apostles' prohibition was lifted: they were to witness first in Jerusalem and Judea, then in Samaria, then to the uttermost earth.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 10:5-42