Matthew 10:35 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

NIV: For I have come to turn " ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—

NASB: For I came to TURN A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW;

CSB: For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;

NLT: ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;

Many Jewish people believed the Messiah's arrival would immediately bring a new age of peace and prosperity to Israel. Jesus, though, never taught this. Instead, He warned that His arrival on earth would bring a new era of division between Israelites. Later, belief in Him would become a dividing line between Gentiles, as well. In the prior verse, He referred to the effect of His ministry as bringing a "sword." The specific Greek term He used is the same as found in Hebrews 4:12: a reference to a razor-sharp blade used to trim meat.

He now tells His disciples He has come to set fathers and sons against each other. The same will be true for mothers and daughters, as well as mothers-in-law and their daughters-in-law. Those who do not believe in Jesus will turn on those in their families who do (1 Peter 4:3–4; John 15:18–21).

This language would have been very familiar to Israelites who had grown up hearing the Old Testament Scriptures. Micah wrote about a time in Israel's history, under the rule of King Ahaz, when Israelites distrusted and turned on each other, even those in their own families (Micah 7:6). Jesus now reveals that the same will happen again in response to the coming of the Messiah, Himself. This may have begun during Jesus' ministry on earth, but it took root and expanded after His death, resurrection, and return to heaven.

Matthew 10:34–39 contains some of Jesus' most challenging words. As usual, they can be easily misinterpreted when taken out of context. Christ's arrival in the world will bring division to Israel, as even family members turn on each other over the issue of whether He is the Messiah. Jesus says those who love family more than Him are not worthy of Him. He further heightens this idea of radical loyalty by comparing it to carrying one's own cross: a metaphor for death. Those who do follow Him, though, will find the life that is true. Those who go their own way will lose their lives, no matter what they find on earth. This passage follows Jesus' instructions to the Twelve as they prepare to spread the gospel (Matthew 10:5–7).

Jesus gives His authority over disease, demons, and even death to His twelve hand-picked apostles. He gives them instructions in preparation both for a short-term trip to the towns of Galilee and their ministry after He has left the earth. First, they will preach His message of the kingdom in Israelite towns as they heal and cast out demons to demonstrate His power. Later, they will suffer great persecution as they represent Him before both Jews and Gentiles. They should not be afraid, though, and trust their Father to be with them and to reward them.

Jesus has recently expressed compassion for the people of Israel, who are spiritually lost. Matthew 10 is a record of Jesus' instructions to His twelve core apostles, as He sends them on a short-term trip to the towns of Galilee. He also includes warnings and encouragements about the persecution they will eventually experience. In chapter 11, Jesus will continue to proclaim truth to the people of Israel, leading to further conflict with local religious leaders.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.