Devine Scripture

Matthew 10:28

What does Matthew 10:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:28 means

Jesus addresses the ultimate fear in the face of persecution. He commands: "And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul." This acknowledges that humans can inflict physical death, but their power is limited; they cannot touch the eternal soul. Instead, He directs true fear towards God: "but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." This solemn warning redirects anxiety from temporal suffering to eternal consequences, reminding His disciples that their ultimate allegiance and fear belong to God alone, who holds ultimate power over both physical and spiritual destiny.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And have no fear of those who put to death the body, but are not able to put to death the soul. But have fear of him who has power to give soul and body to destruction in hell.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And be not afraid of those killing the body, and are not able to kill the soul, but fear rather Him who is able both soul and body to destroy in gehenna.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And be not afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; but fear rather him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Context

Building on the command for fearless public proclamation, this verse presents the ultimate theological reason for such courage: the distinction between human power over the body and God's ultimate power over both body and soul. It provides the deep motivation for overcoming the fear of human persecution, immediately leading into a comforting assurance of God's providential care over their lives.

v.27What I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the house-tops.

v.28This passage

v.29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father:

Cross references

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

  • 2 Timothy 4:6

    For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come.

  • Hebrews 12:28

    Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe:

  • Acts 20:23

    save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

  • Hebrews 10:31

    It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

  • Matthew 5:22

    but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.

  • Isaiah 8:12

    Say ye not, A conspiracy, concerning all whereof this people shall say, A conspiracy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be in dread thereof.

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