Luke 21:16
What does Luke 21:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 21:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 21:16 means
Jesus gives a stark warning that the persecution will be deeply personal and extend even to betrayal by close family members—parents, brethren, kinsfolk, and friends. Furthermore, some disciples will be put to death. This prophecy highlights the severe and intimate nature of the suffering that commitment to Christ can bring, severing the most cherished human bonds. It underscores the complete dedication required of His followers, who must love Him above all earthly relationships, even to the point of martyrdom.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But ye shall be delivered up even by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But ye shall be delivered up even by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But you will be given up even by your fathers and mothers, your brothers and relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And ye shall be delivered up also by parents, and brothers, and kindred, and friends, and they shall put of you to death;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And you shall be betrayed by your parents and brethren and kinsmen and friends: and some of you they will put to death.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But ye will be delivered up even by parents and brethren and relations and friends, and they shall put to death [some] from among you,
Context
This verse intensifies the previous warnings about persecution (verse 12) by revealing the deeply painful reality of betrayal by loved ones and the threat of death. It expands upon the external opposition to include internal, familial division. This grim reality sets the stage for the general hatred they will face (verse 17), providing a somber backdrop against which the promise of divine preservation and ultimate victory will be reasserted.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 2:13
I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth.
- Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.
- Micah 7:5
Trust ye not in a neighbor; put ye not confidence in a friend; keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.
- Acts 7:59
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
- Revelation 6:9
And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
- Luke 12:53
They shall be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother in law against her daughter in law, and daughter in law against her mother in law.
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