Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Men pass dere for menneskene. Noen vil prøve å skade dere ved å så tvil om motivene deres og ved å spre dårlige rykter om dere. Fordi dere tror på meg, vil dere bli stilt fram for domstolene og bli uthengt offentlig. Men når dere blir stilt for retten framfor myndighetene, skal dere være et vitnesbyrd for dem og for alle dem som ikke tror på Meg. Når dette skjer, må dere ikke bekymre dere for hva dere skal si eller hvordan dere skal si det. For i samme øyeblikk som dere skal si noe, skal dere få hjelp til det. Da skal dere oppleve at det ikke er deres egne ord, men deres Fars Ånd som taler gjennom dere.
What Does This Mean?
This verse is from Jesus speaking to his disciples. He warns them that people will betray them and punish them for their beliefs. The key message is about the challenges and persecution believers might face.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing a game where some kids want to keep others out of it because they think differently. Jesus is telling his friends, 'Look out! Some people won't like what you say and will try to get you in trouble.'
Historical Background
Matthew wrote this Gospel around 80-90 AD for a Jewish-Christian audience. This passage was written as part of Jesus' instructions to the disciples before they went on their mission, reflecting the tension between early Christians and traditional Jewish authorities.
Living It Out Today
In today's context, imagine an employee advocating for a controversial cause within a conservative company. They might face backlash from colleagues who report them to management, leading to disciplinary actions or even termination.
Why did Jesus warn his disciples about persecution?
Jesus knew that spreading the gospel would be met with opposition, and he wanted to prepare them mentally and spiritually for these challenges.
What kind of 'councils' does Matthew refer to in this verse?
The councils were Jewish religious courts where disputes were settled. In this context, it refers to the Sanhedrin or local synagogues that would judge and punish Christians.
How do modern believers experience persecution as described here?
Modern believers might face social ostracism, loss of job, or legal issues for standing up for their faith in a secular environment.
What can we learn from Jesus' warning about facing opposition?
We learn the importance of steadfastness and trust in God despite facing difficulties. It also highlights the need to prepare spiritually for challenges.