Devine Scripture

Matthew 10:34

What does Matthew 10:34 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:34 means

Jesus issues a challenging statement: "Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." This immediately counters a popular expectation of the Messiah bringing universal political peace or easy social harmony. The "sword" symbolizes division, conflict, and separation. Jesus' coming, rather than uniting everyone in worldly peace, would inevitably divide people based on their response to Him. This highlights the radical, uncompromising nature of His truth, which demands a choice and often creates deep divisions, even within the closest relationships, rather than simply ensuring comfortable coexistence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Do not have the thought that I have come to send peace on the earth; I came not to send peace but a sword.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Ye may not suppose that I came to put peace on the earth; I did not come to put peace, but a sword;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Do not think that I have come to send peace upon the earth: I have not come to send peace, but a sword.

Context

This verse introduces a challenging revelation about the true nature of Christ's mission, explicitly countering common expectations of universal peace. It provides a stark explanation for the division and hatred the disciples will experience, directly leading into the specific familial divisions that will arise because of allegiance to Him, illustrating the penetrating power of His "sword."

v.33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

v.34This passage

v.35For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law:

Cross references

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

  • Acts 14:4

    But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

  • Acts 13:45

    But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.

  • Acts 14:2

    But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren.

  • Jeremiah 15:10

    Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have not lent, neither have men lent to me; yet every one of them doth curse me.

  • John 7:40

    Some of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, This is of a truth the prophet.

  • Luke 12:49

    I came to cast fire upon the earth; and what do I desire, if it is already kindled?

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