And you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake.”​—Matthew 10:16-18.

You can appreciate, though, that these words are also meant for those who will share in the preaching work after Jesus’ death and resurrection. This is shown by his saying that his disciples will be “hated by all people,” not just by those to whom the apostles are being sent to preach. Furthermore, we do not read of the apostles’ being brought before governors and kings during this short preaching campaign in Galilee nor of their being delivered up to death by family members.

Clearly, Jesus has the future in mind in saying these things to the apostles.