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Psalm 2:1-6
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? …

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…

Acts 12:1-4
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forthhis hands to vex certain of the church…

for a.

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.

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.

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;

you will be brought before governors and kings
This prophecy was fulfilled in the lives of the apostles and early Christians, as seen in the Book of Acts. For example, Paul stood before governors like Felix and Festus, and King Agrippa (Acts 24-26). This phrase highlights the political and judicial challenges faced by early Christians and the spread of the Gospel into the higher echelons of society. It also reflects the Roman legal system, where provincial governors and client kings had significant authority.

as witnesses to them
The disciples' trials before rulers serve a dual purpose: not only are they being judged, but they also have the opportunity to testify about Jesus Christ. This aligns with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the call to be witnesses "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The legal settings become platforms for evangelism, demonstrating God's sovereignty in using persecution to advance His kingdom.

and to the Gentiles
This phrase emphasizes the universal scope of the Gospel. While Jesus' initial ministry focused on the "lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 15:24), His mission ultimately extends to all nations. The inclusion of Gentiles fulfills Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah being a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6). The early church's outreach to Gentiles, as seen in the ministries of Peter and Paul, reflects this divine plan.

Jesus grounds everything in personal allegiance to Himself. The persecution that follows is not random; it is explicitly “on My account.” By identifying with Christ, the disciples step into the same opposition He faced (Matthew 5:11 – “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me,”).John 15:21 adds, “They will treat you this way because of My name.” The verse assures believers that suffering for Christ is neither failure nor accident; it is a confirmation of genuine discipleship.

The wording points to compulsion, not choice. Followers of Jesus will at times be dragged into hostile settings. Acts repeatedly illustrates this: “King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them” (Acts 12:1). Paul later testifies, “When they had brought Paul down to Caesarea” (Acts 23:33). The promise prepares hearts ahead of time, so surprise or discouragement does not derail faith.

High‐ranking officials are in view, the very people who shape earthly power structures. Scripture offers living examples:

• Paul before Governor Felix (Acts 24)

• Paul before Governor Festus and King Agrippa (Acts 25–26)

• Jesus Himself before Pilate and Herod (Luke 23)

These encounters affirm God’s sovereignty: even the most daunting courtroom is merely another venue for the gospel (Proverbs 21:1).

Being “brought” is not the main point; bearing witness is. The word echoesActs 1:8—“You will receive power… and you will be My witnesses.” Peter later counsels, “Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). Trials become pulpits where the authenticity of the gospel shines.

The testimony targets two audiences:

• “them” — the Jewish authorities standing in continuity with Israel’s covenant story

• “the Gentiles” — nations formerly outside the covenant now invited in (Isaiah 49:6;Acts 13:46-47)

Acts 9:15 records the Lord’s word about Paul: “He is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” Opposition therefore serves a missionary purpose, extending the reach of the good news.

Matthew 10:18 is Jesus’ sober but hope‐filled forecast: allegiance to Him will provoke forced appearances before powerful rulers, yet those arenas become divinely arranged stages for gospel witness to both Israel and the nations. Persecution, then, is not a detour from ministry but a God-ordained means to advance it.

Against them.--Rather,unto them. The word is simply the dative of the person to whom we address our testimony, not involving necessarily any hostile or even reproving purpose.