In Mark’s Gospel (13.13) he who endures to the end is placed in the context of the need for faithfulness during a time of persecution. But for Matthew the emphasis is different; this saying signifies the need for standing firm against false prophets and for showing love in a world where evil is constantly spreading. In fact, the “wickedness” of which Matthew speaks in verse 12 is probably no less than the opposite of love.

Will be saved: this verse is identical to 10.22b. Translators should see comments there. Will be saved here is definitely used in the full Christian sense of one’s final salvation.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .