You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.
Parallel translations
- WEB Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.
- KJV And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
- BSB On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
- NKJV You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
- NASB and you will even be brought before governors and kings on My account, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Believers will be dragged before rulers, turning their trials into opportunities to witness. Even opposition serves the spread of the gospel to the nations.
Overview
Jesus foresees His followers testifying before governors and kings, with the persecution itself becoming a platform for the gospel before Jews and Gentiles alike. Paul before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa illustrates this (Acts 24-26). What enemies intend for harm God turns to the advance of His kingdom among all peoples.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Matt 8:4Jesus said to him, “See that you tell nobody, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
- Mark 13:9But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them.
- Acts 5:25–27One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.”
- Acts 24:1–26After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.
- Ps 2:1–6Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?
- Acts 23:33–34When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
- 2 Tim 1:8Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God,
- Rev 1:9I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God’s Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
- Rev 11:7When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.
- Rev 6:9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had.
- Acts 12:1–4Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly.
- 2 Tim 4:16–17At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 10:18 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.