Devine Scripture

Matthew 10:35

What does Matthew 10:35 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:35 means

Jesus elaborates on the divisive "sword" He brings, explaining that He "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." This stark language illustrates that allegiance to Him would cut through the most fundamental human relationships. The Gospel demands a loyalty that transcends even the closest family ties, forcing individuals to choose between Christ and their blood relatives. This demonstrates the radical and transformative power of the Gospel, which reorders human priorities and exposes where true loyalties lie, even at the cost of familial harmony.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For 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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For I am come 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For 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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For I have come to put a man against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for I came to set a man at variance against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For 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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For I have come to set a man at variance with his father, and the daughter with her mother, and the daughter-in-law with her mother-in-law;

Context

Building on the declaration that Jesus came to bring a "sword" of division, this verse provides explicit examples of how this division will manifest, focusing specifically on the disruption of core family units. This deepens the understanding of the costly nature of discipleship, leading into the even broader statement about those who will become a person's enemies due to their faith.

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

v.35This passage

v.36and a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

Cross references

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

  • 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.

  • Matthew 24:10

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

  • Matthew 10:21

    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.

  • Luke 21:16

    But ye shall be delivered up even by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

  • Micah 7:5

    Trust ye not in a neighbor; put ye not confidence in a friend; keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

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