18. And ye shall be brought before governors--provincial rulers.
      and kings--the highest tribunals.
      for my sake, for a testimony against them--rather, "to them," in order to bear testimony to the truth and its glorious effects.
      and the Gentiles--"to the Gentiles"; a hint that their message would not long be confined to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The Acts of the Apostles are the best commentary on these warnings.

JFB.