It is striking that this verse makes no reference to resistance or aggressive pushback or any form of panic or despair. Instead, there is a sense of calm. The reason, of course, is the glorious reality of Revelation 13:8: their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. The beast may kill, but death is no horror for the child of God, the offspring of the woman. Paul was imprisoned on account of the gospel and aware that he might well be killed, but he conveyed no sense of alarm, “for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.