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Mat_10:18. Καὶ … δέ ] and … but (always separated except in the epic poets), is of the nature of a climax, introducing still another circumstance, whereupon δέ follows this new and emphasized thought. Hartung, Partikell. I. p. 181 f.; Klotz, ad Devar. p. 645; Baeumlein, Partik. p. 148 f.
ἡγεμόνας ] comprises the three kinds of provincial chief magistrates, propraetors, proconsuls, and procurators. Fischer, de vit. Lex. N. T. p. 432 ff.
εἰς μαρτύριον … ἔθνεσιν ] as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles, i.e. those wrongs and that violent treatment have this as their object, that (through your confession and demeanour) a testimony regarding me may be given to the Jews and the Gentiles. Comp. Mat_8:4, Mat_24:14. Let it be observed: (1) that it is arbitrary to refer εἰς μαρτύριον , as is usually done, merely to the last point, καὶ ἐπὶ ἡγεμόνας , etc., seeing that everything, in fact, from παραδώσουσι onwards, belongs to one category and has one common aim; (2) that αὐτοῖς , therefore, cannot point to the ἡγεμόνας and βασιλεῖς , to whom it is commonly referred (Baumgarten-Crusius, Bleek), though not in keeping with the distinction expressed by καὶ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν , for the truth is, the procurators and kings were Gentiles also; but that, as is at once suggested to the reader by this adding on of καὶ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν , it rather refers to the Jews (Maldonatus, Bengel, Lange, Hilgenfeld, Schegg, following Theophylact), who ( αὐτῶν , Mat_10:17) are the active subjects of παραδώσουσι , μαστιγώσουσιν , and partly also of ἀχθήσεσθε ; (3) that, according to the context, τοῖς ἔθνεσιν , to the Gentiles, refers to the ἡγεμόνας and βασιλεῖς , and their Gentile environment; (4) and lastly, that the further reference of μαρτύριον is to be gathered from ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ : a testimony of me, regarding my person and work. The dative case, however, is that of reference as regards the μαρτύριον ; to define more specifically would be an unwarrantable liberty. This is applicable to the view adopted since Chrysostom: εἰς ἔλεγχον αὐτῶν (Theophylact, Euth. Zigabenus, Erasmus, Beza, Maldonatus, Kuinoel), although this is included in that general reference.