Matthew 10:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

NIV: Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

NASB: Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

CSB: Don't assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

NLT: Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

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

NKJV: “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

In the years leading up to Christ's birth, many Israelites believed the arrival of the Messiah would immediately bring a time of great peace and prosperity to Israel. Even Jesus' disciples may have believed this. Jesus has shown through His teaching and miracles that He is, in fact, the Messiah. Now, though, He wants to help His followers understand that the season of political peace will not come soon.

Instead, His arrival will bring great division to the world. He has come to bring a sword. Jesus is not describing the sword of God's judgment, nor one of military action, or of personal violence. The item Jesus refers to here is the Greek term machairan, most often used for large knives such as those used by fisherman. The main purpose of those blades was to separate different parts of a cut of meat—this is the same term used in the book of Hebrews to depict Scripture's ability to separate truth and error (Hebrews 4:12).

In other words, Jesus' message will naturally create division; this "sword" will divide the world into those who believe in Him and those who do not. His arrival will bring great conflict as those who reject Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God will turn in hatred against those who hear and believe (1 Peter 4:3–4; John 15:18–21), including the members of one's own family.

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.