Devine Scripture

Matthew 10:21

What does Matthew 10:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:21 means

Jesus reveals an even more painful dimension of persecution: internal familial betrayal. He warns that "brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death." This dramatic language indicates the radical division the Gospel would cause, tearing apart the deepest human bonds. Loyalty to Christ would supersede family loyalties, leading to horrific betrayals. This highlights the intensely personal and costly nature of discipleship, demanding a complete allegiance to Jesus even in the face of ultimate familial sacrifice, foreshadowing the coming Christian persecutions.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And brother will give up brother to death, and the father his child: and children will go against their fathers and mothers, and put them to death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and father child, and children shall rise up against parents, and shall put them to death,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The brother also shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the son; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and shall put them to death.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But brother shall deliver up brother to death, and father child; and children shall rise up against parents and shall put them to death;

Context

Following the warnings about external persecution and promised divine assistance, this verse introduces a far more intimate and painful form of suffering for the disciples: betrayal within their own families. This intensifies the cost of discipleship, moving beyond public trials to personal anguish, and sets the stage for the broader hatred they will face for Jesus' sake.

v.20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you.

v.21This passage

v.22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 12:51

    Think ye that I am come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

  • Zechariah 13:3

    And it shall come to pass that, when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of Jehovah; and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

  • Matthew 24:10

    And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another.

  • Matthew 10:34

    Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

  • 2 Samuel 16:11

    And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, who came forth from my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more may this Benjamite now do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for Jehovah hath bidden him.

  • Mark 13:12

    And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child; and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

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