Devine Scripture

Matthew 10:33

What does Matthew 10:33 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:33 means

In solemn contrast to the promise for those who confess, Jesus warns: "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven." To "deny" Jesus implies a refusal to acknowledge Him, perhaps out of fear or convenience, especially in the face of persecution. This act of disloyalty carries a terrifying consequence: Jesus Himself will refuse to acknowledge that person before God the Father in the day of judgment. This underscores the absolute necessity of unwavering commitment to Christ, warning against apostasy and prioritizing earthly safety over eternal salvation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But if anyone says before men that he has no knowledge of me, I will say that I have no knowledge of him before my Father in heaven.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and whoever shall deny me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in the heavens.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in [the] heavens.

Context

This verse presents the dire counterpoint to the promise in the preceding verse, detailing the negative consequence for those who reject Christ. It completes the crucial teaching on the eternal significance of confessing or denying Jesus. This deep theological principle then leads to a surprising, yet vital, clarification about the nature of the peace Christ brings, often mistakenly viewed as purely worldly harmony.

v.32Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven.

v.33This passage

v.34Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 14:72

    And straightway the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word, how that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

  • Luke 9:26

    For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.

  • Mark 8:38

    For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man also shall be ashamed of him, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

  • 1 John 2:23

    Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also.

  • 2 Peter 2:1

    But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

  • Matthew 26:70

    But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

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