“But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.”
Matthew 10:23 — Greek Interlinear
Church Fathers on Matthew 10:23
Having foretold the fearful things which should come upon them after His Cross, resurrection, and ascension, He leads them to gentler prospects; He does not bid them presumptuously to offer themselves for persecution, but to fly from it; 'When they persecute you in this city, flee ye to another.' For because this was the first beginning of their conversion, He adapts His words to their state.
This must be referred to the time when the Apostles were sent to preach, when it was said to them, 'Go not into the way of the Gentiles;' they should not fear, but may shun persecution. This we see the believers did in the beginning, when on a persecution arising in Jerusalem they were scattered throughout all Judaea, and thus the season of tribulation was made the seedtime of the Gospel.
Not that the Saviour was unable to protect His disciples, does He here bid them fly, and Himself give them an example of it, but He instructed man’s weakness, that he should not presume to tempt God, when he has anything that he can do for himself, but should shun all evils.