Mat 10:23 | TNotes | STEP | 10:23 will return: Scholars are divided as to whether this refers to the second coming of Christ for his church or an earlier coming in judgment—namely, the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (see 16:28 ). • before you have reached: Jesus meant either “before you have fled through all the towns” or “before you have evangelized all the towns.” The focus on persecution in the context (see 10:17-39 ) favors the former, suggesting that the towns were like cities of refuge (Num 35:9-32 ). The emphasis is on how widespread the rejection of the message will be—i.e., “not until the whole nation has run you out of town.”

c10:17-39►

dNum 35:9-32►

‏ Matthew 10:23

10:23 ^a will return: Scholars are divided as to whether this refers to the second coming of Christ for his church or an earlier coming in judgment—namely, the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (see 16:28 ^b).

• before you have reached: Jesus meant either “before you have fled through all the towns” or “before you have evangelized all the towns.” The focus on persecution in the context (see 10:17-39 ^c) favors the former, suggesting that the towns were like cities of refuge (Num 35:9-32 ^d). The emphasis is on how widespread the rejection of the message will be—i.e., “not until the whole nation has run you out of town.”