Mark 13:9 — Jesus's prediction of persecution for his disciples as evidence that persecution was anticipated from the beginning

Mark 13:9: "Be on your guard for they will deliver you over to councils and you will be beaten in synagogues and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake." Mike notes that even skeptics who deny Jesus said this must then admit it was written after the fact because persecution was actually happening — either way, the text confirms early church-wide persecution.