Comparison of Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 21 - Mom's Bible ...

“before all these things” – Before what? Even before the onset of these “birth pains.”The somber message is that the disciples would be afflicted/beaten/persecuted, be put in prison and/or killed because ofJesus. History proves this to be true for the apostles, and has continued to be proven through the lives of believersthroughout history. Revelation 2:10, which is part of the letter to the church of Smyrna, appears to have connection tothese verses: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may betried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”This seems to tie directly to the judgment of the 5 th seal in Revelation 6.Revelation 6:9 “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, andfor the testimony which they held….”As I remember that Matthew is written with a more direct address to the Jews, it makes the phrase “ye shall be hated ofall nations for my name’s sake” take on a more particular meaning. They would be hated just for being Jews, the chosenpeople of God. They would suffer at the hands of Christian nations because they would be considered the “Christ killers.”The word for councils indicated a tribunal, especially the Sanhedrin, as suggested by the Greek, “sunedrion.” Thesynagogues were the buildings where the Jews gathered for worship. This is a direct reference to actions of Jews againstother Jews. The Jewish nation as a whole rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Those who chose/choose to follow Jesus as theSon of God were/are considered heretics. Jewish believers would suffer at the hands of their own people as well as thoseof the Gentiles.Since Mark and Luke were addressed predominantly to the Romans and Greeks, these writers emphasized being broughtbefore “kings and rulers”—again “for my name’s sake.”Mark and Luke include a statement of comfort or motivation or encouragement according to your perspective. Theunjust treatment of the disciples/believers would result in a testimony/witness/evidence on behalf of thedisciple/believer in determining rewards. This testimony would be used against the unjust religious/governmentleaders. The question becomes by whom and when they will be judged. I think the implied answer is Jesus; this is whatHe had taught the disciples.John 5:22 “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son….”