Matthew 10:17

Beware. Gr. prosecho, “to take heed.” Christ now sets forth a concrete example of the wariness that should characterize the Christian worker in his labor; he is to “beware of men,” that is, of men who are not guided in their thinking by the Holy Spirit, for such are in greater or less degree responsive to the promptings of Satan.

Councils. That is, the local courts of justice or the little sanhedrins, thought to have consisted of 23 members (see on ch. 5:22). Such local courts were to be found in various Jewish communities except Jerusalem, where the Great Sanhedrin met.

Scourge you. The deacon, or chazzan, was usually the one who administered a flogging (see p. 56). The law of Moses provided for flogging (Deut. 25:1-3). Forty stripes was the maximum penalty. It was customary to administer no more than 39 strokes — withholding the last implied mercy. Paul received such treatment five times (2 Cor. 11:24).