But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
But take heed to yourselves: for - "before all these things" (Luke 21:12); that is, before these public calamities come,
They shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten. These refer to ecclesiastical proceedings against them.
And ye shall be brought before rulers and kings (before civil tribunals next), for my sake, for a testimony against them - rather 'unto them' х eis (G1519) marturion (G3142) autois (G846)] - to give you an opportunity of bearing testimony to Me before them. In the Acts of the Apostles we have the best commentary on this announcement. (Compare Matthew 10:17-18.)