Matthew 10:35

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.

For {G1063} I am come {G2064} to set {G1369} a man {G444} at variance {G1369} against {G2596} his {G846} father {G3962}, and {G2532} the daughter {G2364} against {G2596} her {G846} mother {G3384}, and {G2532} the daughter in law {G3565} against {G2596} her {G846} mother in law {G3994}.

For I have come to set

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.

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:

Matthew 10:35 presents a challenging declaration from Jesus, emphasizing the profound and sometimes divisive impact of true discipleship. This statement comes amidst His instructions to the twelve apostles as He sends them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Matthew 10, where Jesus prepares His disciples for the mission ahead. He warns them of persecution (Matthew 10:16), the need for courage, and the radical commitment required to follow Him. The preceding verse, Matthew 10:34, explicitly states, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." This "sword" is not literal warfare, but rather the sharp division that the truth of the Gospel would inevitably create, even within the closest family units. In Jewish culture, family loyalty was paramount, making this statement particularly stark and counter-cultural.

Key Themes

  • The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus makes it clear that following Him demands ultimate allegiance, even above traditional family bonds. This highlights the radical nature of commitment to the Kingdom of God.
  • Truth as a Divisive Force: The message of Christ, while offering ultimate peace with God, often creates conflict with worldly values and allegiances. The "variance" or division arises when some accept Christ's call and others reject it, leading to spiritual separation even within families.
  • Prioritizing Christ: This verse underscores the necessity of placing Jesus first in one's life. The family divisions are not Jesus' desired outcome, but a consequence of the choice to follow Him, which may lead to alienation from those who do not share that commitment.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "variance" translates the Greek word dichazo (διχάζω), which means "to divide into two parts," "to set at variance," or "to separate." This strongly emphasizes the idea of a split or schism. It's not about Jesus actively promoting discord for its own sake, but acknowledging the inevitable consequence of His truth encountering a world unwilling to fully embrace it. The imagery of a "sword" (machaira) in the preceding verse further reinforces this idea of a decisive cut or separation.

Related Scriptures

This theme is echoed in other parts of the Gospels:

  • Luke 12:51-53 provides a direct parallel to this teaching, reinforcing the idea of division.
  • Matthew 10:37 immediately follows, stating, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me." This clarifies the reason for the division.
  • Luke 14:26 presents an even stronger statement about "hating" family in comparison to loving Christ, emphasizing the absolute priority of allegiance to Him.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 10:35 serves as a powerful reminder that following Jesus can be challenging and may involve difficult choices. It encourages us to:

  • Examine Our Loyalties: Are we truly putting Christ first, even when it means going against cultural norms or family expectations?
  • Be Prepared for Opposition: Understand that living out one's faith authentically may lead to friction, even with loved ones who do not share the same convictions.
  • Find Peace in Christ: While external peace may be disturbed, the internal peace that comes from a right relationship with God remains. This verse is not an endorsement of unnecessary conflict, but a realistic warning about the inevitable consequences of choosing Christ.

Matthew 10:35, therefore, is not a call for familial strife, but a stark prophecy of the spiritual separation that occurs when some embrace the light of the Gospel and others cling to darkness. It underscores the profound and transformative nature of true discipleship, demanding an allegiance to Christ that transcends all other earthly bonds.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Micah 7:5

    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

    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.

  • Matthew 10:21

    And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against [their] parents, and cause them to be put to death.

  • Luke 21:16

    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.

  • Mark 13:12

    Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against [their] parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

  • Matthew 24:10

    And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

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