Matthew 10 · Verse 18

Matthew 10:18

And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Matthew 10:18, King James Version

Matthew 10:18 in other translations

BSBOn My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
WEBYes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.
ASVyea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
YLTand before governors and kings ye shall be brought for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.
DARBYand ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.
BBEAnd you will come before rulers and kings because of me, for a witness to them and to the Gentiles.
WebsterAnd ye will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

What does Matthew 10:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
18. And ye shall be brought before governors--provincial rulers. and kings--the highest tribunals. for my sake, for a testimony against them--rather, "to them," in order to bear testimony to the truth and its glorious effects. and the Gentiles--"to the Gentiles"; a hint that their message would not long be confined to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The Acts of the Apostles are the best commentary on these warnings.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 18. And ye shall be brought, etc. This prediction was completely and abundantly fulfilled, Acts 5:26, 12:1-4, 23:33, 16:1,28,30. Peter is said to have been brought before Nero, John before Domitian, Roman emperors; and others before Parthian, Scythian, and Indian kings. They were to stand there to bear a testimony against them; or, as it might be rendered, to them. That is, they were to be witnesses to them of the great facts and doctrines of the Christian religion; and if they rejected Christianity they would be witnesses against them in the day of judgment. The fulfillment of this prophecy is a signal evidence that Christ possessed a knowledge of the future, few things were more improbable when this was uttered than that the fishermen of Galilee would stand before the illustrious and mighty monarchs of the East and the West.

(l) "And ye shall" Acts 24:1-25:27

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 Ye shall be brought before governors, etc. - "This affords a striking proof of the prescience of Christ. Who could have thought, at that time, that these despised and illiterate men could excite so much attention, and be called upon to apologize for the profession of their faith before the tribunals of the most illustrious personages of the earth?" Wakefield. By governors and kings we may understand, the Roman proconsuls, governors of provinces, and the kings who were tributary to the Roman government, and the emperors themselves, before whom many of the primitive Christians were brought. For a testimony against them and the Gentiles - That is, to render testimony, both to Jews and Gentiles, of the truth and power of my Gospel.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 10:16-42

Our Lord warned his disciples to prepare for persecution. They were to avoid all things which gave advantage to their enemies, all meddling with worldly or political concerns, all appearance of evil or selfishness, and all underhand measures. Christ foretold troubles, not only that the troubles might not be a surprise, but that they might confirm their faith. He tells them what they should suffer, and from whom…

Read the full comment on Matthew 10:16-42 →

Matthew 10:18 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiandG2532
ἐπὶepibeforeG1909
ἡγεμόναςhēgemonasgovernorsG2232
δὲdealsoG1161
καὶkaiandG2532
βασιλεῖςbasileiskingsG935
ἀχθήσεσθεachthēsestheyou will be broughtG71
ἕνεκενhenekenon account ofG1752
ἐμοῦemouMeG1473
εἰςeisforG1519
μαρτύριονmarturiona testimonyG3142
αὐτοῖςautoisto themG846
καὶkaiandG2532
τοῖςtoisto theG3588
ἔθνεσιν.ethnesinGentiles.G1484

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 10:18

  • Acts 5:25-27

    Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

  • Psalms 2:1-6

    Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. …

  • Matthew 8:4

    And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

  • Acts 24:1-26

    And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. …

  • Mark 13:9

    But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

  • Acts 23:33-34

    Who, when they came to Cesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;

  • Acts 12:1-4

    Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

  • Revelation 11:7

    And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

  • Revelation 1:9

    I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

  • 2 Timothy 1:8

    Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

  • 2 Timothy 4:16-17

    At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

  • Revelation 6:9

    And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
be.
Ps 2:1-6; Ac 5:25-27; 12:1-4; 23:33,34; 24:1-26:32; 2Ti 4:16,17
for a.
8:4; Mr 13:9; 2Ti 1:8; Re 1:9; 6:9; 11:7

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 10:17

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

  • Matthew 10:18

    And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

  • Matthew 10:19

    But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.

Read all of Matthew 10

Matthew 10:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y aun á príncipes y á reyes seréis llevados por causa de mí, por testimonio á ellos y á los Gentiles.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et vous serez menés même devant les gouverneurs et les rois, à cause de moi, en témoignage à eux et aux nations.
German
Elberfelder 1871		und auch vor Statthalter und Könige werdet ihr geführt werden um meinetwillen, ihnen und den Nationen zum Zeugnis.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		et ad præsides, et ad reges ducemini propter me in testimonium illis, et gentibus.