Is this double-talk? "Some will be put to death." "Not a hair of your head will perish." There is only one logical response to this if we hold to the inerrancy and the inspiration of Scripture. God cannot lie. God cannot contradict Himself.
So what's the answer? The ESV Study Bible notes: "In light of the prediction that some disciples will be "put to death" (v. 16), it is best to take not a hair of your head will perish as a metaphorical way of saying that God’s people will suffer no eternal spiritual harm." I think that this is the only answer that is reasonable.
But this leads to a deeper issue ....
It seems that when Jesus gave promises, He gave them in light of time and eternity. So when we read promises like “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19, ESV), it is important to see this eschatologically -- encompassing all time. Paul, when under Roman arrest could write confidently in Philippians 1:19 (ESV), ". . .
for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance." Whether through life or death it was all deliverance! They Jewish captives in Babylon understood this too. In Daniel 3:16–18 (ESV), we read:
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
The three captives understood that God's care and deliverance encompassed all time and eternity. So the deeper issue for Christians is to read the promises of God with that eye looking to the glorious future. Christ does not promise your best life now! He promises your best life now ... and forever.
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