Matthew 10:17 – 20

“Evil people will capture you and question you – even flog you. Just suffer silently, waiting for your time to give your witness – even before rulers and ‘Gentiles.'” (Pharaphrase) This is, as I think of it, Matthew’s first clear reference to non-Jews in his Gospel.  Already, at this early stage, the door was opening for the Gentiles to enter the Kingdom. Matthew picks up the theme and pursues it with joy in his writing.