So bitter would be the enmity to the gospel that even the tenderest earthly ties would be disregarded. The disciples of Christ would be betrayed to death by the members of their own households. "Ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake," He added; "but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Mark 13:13. But He bade them not to expose themselves unnecessarily to persecution. He Himself often left one field of labor for another, in order to escape from those who were seeking His life. When He was rejected at Nazareth, and His own townsmen tried to kill Him, He went down to Capernaum, and there the people were astonished at His teaching; "for His word was with power." Luke 4:32. So His servants were not to be discouraged by persecution, but to seek a place where they could still labor for the salvation of souls.

Så bittert ville fjendskabet mod evangeliet blive, at der ikke ville blive taget hensyn til selv de stærkeste jordiske bånd. Kristi disciple ville blive forrådt til døden af medlemmer af deres egen familie. "I skal hades af alle for mit navns skyld," tilføjede han, "men den, som holder ud indtil enden, han skal blive frelst." Mark. 13,13. Men han forbød dem at udsætte sig for forfølgelse, hvis det ikke var nødvendigt. Han selv forlod ofte en arbejdsmark til fordel for en anden for derved at undfly dem, der stræbte ham efter livet. Da man forkastede ham i Nazaret og hans egne bysbørn forsøgte at dræbe ham, drog han ned til Kapernaum, og der undrede folket sig over hans lære, "thi han talte med myndighed". Luk. 4,32. På samme måde skulle hans disciple ikke tabe modet, hvis de blev forfulgt, men opsøge et andet sted, hvor de stadig kunne arbejde for sjælenes frelse.