Matthew 10:24
What does Matthew 10:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 10:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 10:24 means
Jesus states a fundamental principle: "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord." This proverbial saying grounds the disciples' expected suffering squarely in Jesus' own experience. If Jesus, their Master and Teacher, faced opposition and hatred, then His followers should anticipate no less. It corrects any misconception that following Christ would lead to an easy life, reminding them that their path would mirror His. This prepares them psychologically and spiritually for hardship, aligning their identity with His, even in suffering.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949A disciple is not greater than his master, or a servant than his lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his lord;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The disciple is not above the master, nor the servant above his lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The disciple is not above his teacher, nor the bondman above his lord.
Context
This verse introduces a key theological principle that undergirds all the previous warnings about persecution. It explains *why* the disciples should anticipate suffering, connecting it directly to Jesus' own experience. This principle then immediately leads into a more pointed application of this truth, specifically addressing the accusations leveled against Jesus and, by extension, against His followers.
v.23But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone through the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
v.24This passage
v.25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household!
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 15:20
Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
- Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- John 13:16
Verily, verily, I say unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.
- 2 Samuel 11:11
And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in booths; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open field; shall I then go into my house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.
- Luke 6:40
The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when he is perfected shall be as his teacher.
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