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Luke 21:16

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And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and [some] of you shall they cause to be put to death.

And {G1161} ye shall be betrayed {G3860} both {G2532} by {G5259} parents {G1118}, and {G2532} brethren {G80}, and {G2532} kinsfolks {G4773}, and {G2532} friends {G5384}; and {G2532} some of {G1537} you {G5216} shall they cause to be put to death {G2289}.

You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends; some of you they will have put to death;

You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death.

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.

Commentary

Luke 21:16 is a sobering prophecy from Jesus, delivered as part of His Olivet Discourse, where He foretells the severe persecution His disciples would face. This particular verse highlights the uniquely painful nature of this opposition: betrayal not just by enemies, but by those closest to them.

Context

This verse is found within Jesus' detailed predictions of future events, often referred to as the Olivet Discourse (Luke 21:5-38). Following His prophetic words about the destruction of the Temple and signs of the end times, Jesus shifts focus to the personal trials His followers would endure. He warns them they will be arrested, brought before rulers, and hated for His name's sake (Luke 21:12-15). Verse 16 deepens this warning, revealing the intimate source of some betrayals, a theme also present in Matthew 10:21 and Mark 13:12.

Key Themes

  • Betrayal from Within: The most striking element is the source of betrayal: "parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends." This emphasizes the profound pain and isolation that persecution can bring, as even natural bonds of affection are broken due to allegiance to Christ. This echoes the prophecy in Micah 7:6.
  • Cost of Discipleship: Jesus clearly outlines the potential cost of following Him, which for some, would include martyrdom ("some of you shall they cause to be put to death"). This serves as a stark reminder that faith in Christ may lead to suffering, aligning with His teaching that true disciples must take up their cross daily.
  • Divine Foreknowledge: Jesus' precise predictions demonstrate His divine knowledge and authority. He prepares His disciples not to be surprised by these hardships, but to endure them with faithfulness, knowing He had foretold them.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "betrayed" is paradidomi (παραδίδωμι), which means "to hand over," "deliver up," or "betray." It is the same powerful word used to describe Judas's betrayal of Jesus (e.g., Matthew 26:15). This suggests a deliberate act of turning someone over to authorities for judgment or punishment. The phrase "cause to be put to death" uses thanatoo (θανατόω), literally "to put to death," indicating actual execution or martyrdom.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 21:16 offers several important insights:

  • Expect Opposition: While not all believers will face physical martyrdom, this verse reminds us that opposition to faith is not uncommon. It may manifest as social ostracization, professional setbacks, or familial tension due to one's commitment to Christ.
  • Strengthen Your Resolve: Knowing that such trials were foretold by Jesus should strengthen our resolve to remain steadfast. Our allegiance to Christ must transcend all earthly relationships, even the most cherished ones.
  • Rely on God's Grace: Jesus promised His disciples wisdom and utterance that their adversaries could not gainsay (Luke 21:15). Even in the face of betrayal and death, God provides the grace and strength needed to endure and bear witness to His truth. Remember that Christ has overcome the world.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 12:53 (6 votes)

    The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

  • Revelation 6:9 (4 votes)

    ¶ And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

  • Micah 7:5 (3 votes)

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

  • Micah 7:6 (3 votes)

    For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies [are] the men of his own house.

  • Jeremiah 9:4 (3 votes)

    Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.

  • Acts 12:2 (2 votes)

    And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

  • Acts 7:59 (2 votes)

    And they stoned Stephen, calling upon [God], and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.