Matthew 10:36 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And a person 's enemies will be those of his own household.

NIV: a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

NASB: and A PERSON’S ENEMIES will be the members of his household.

CSB: and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

NLT: Your enemies will be right in your own household!’

KJV: And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

NKJV: and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’

It's hard to imagine a more terrible scenario than families turning on each other. To share a living space with one's worst enemy creates the worst kind of strife. It cannot go on. If it continues on a wide scale, the society will break down.

What could possibly cause this kind of separation within Israel's families? Jesus says it is Him. His arrival, and the challenge of truth, will provoke exactly this kind of friction within and between the families of Israel (Matthew 10:34–35). Those families will divide over the issue of whether Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. Those who reject such belief as blasphemy will turn on those of their own household who acknowledge Jesus as the Lord.

Jesus is warning His apostles that this will happen within their own families and those of the people they preach the truth to. After all, Jesus' claim to be the Messiah caused division in His own hometown (Matthew 13:53–58) and with His immediate family members (Mark 3:21). He makes clear in the following verses that if it becomes a choice between family and faith in Him, His followers must choose Him or be found unworthy of Him.

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.