A swell example of quoting out of context. Here is the context:
quote:
Matthew 10:16—23 (NRSV):
'See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Matthew 10:21 is not a commandment; it is not a promotion of violence. It is a prediction. It is Jesus telling his disciples what to expect as they go about preaching the gospel.
And, in fact, reading more of the chapter shows very clearly that there is no promotion of violence. Jesus tells his disciples to 'shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town [of unbelievers]' (
Mt 10:14), not to execute the unworthy. He advises them to run away when being persecuted (
Mt 10:23); not to fight back.
Matthew 10:21 is not a promotion of violence.
Jon
Love your enemies!
™ Version 4.2
