Matthew 10:36

KJV

And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} a man's {G444} foes {G2190} shall be they of his own {G846} household {G3615}.

Complete Jewish Bible

a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, so that a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.

Berean Standard Bible

A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

American Standard Version

and a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 10:36, a challenging statement from Jesus, reveals the profound and often painful reality that allegiance to Him can create division even within the most intimate family relationships. As part of His instructions to the disciples regarding the cost and nature of their mission, this verse underscores that the Gospel, while bringing peace with God, can paradoxically act as a "sword" of separation among people, demanding an ultimate loyalty to Christ that may supersede traditional familial bonds.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jesus' extensive discourse to His twelve disciples as He commissions them for their first missionary journey in [Matthew 10](/matthew/10 "Matthew 10 - Instructions to the Disciples"). The preceding verse, [Matthew 10:34](/matthew/10-34 "Matthew 10:34 - Jesus Brings a Sword"), 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 one of physical violence but of profound spiritual and relational division, separating those who embrace Jesus' truth from those who reject it. [Matthew 10:36](/matthew/10-36 "Matthew 10:36 - Foes from One's Household") then particularizes this division, focusing on the family unit, which was the foundational social structure in ancient Jewish society. The subsequent verses, [Matthew 10:37-39](/matthew/10-37-39 "Matthew 10:37-39 - The Cost of Discipleship"), further elaborate on the radical demands of discipleship, emphasizing that love for Christ must transcend all other loves, even family, and that true followers must be willing to take up their cross.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, the family (the _beth 'av_ or "father's house") was the primary unit of identity, security, and social structure. Loyalty to family was paramount, deeply ingrained in cultural norms and religious tradition, as seen in the emphasis on honoring parents in the Ten Commandments ([Exodus 20:12](/exodus/20-12 "Exodus 20:12 - Honor Your Father and Mother")). The expectation for the Messianic age was often one of universal peace and harmony, a restoration of all relationships. Jesus' declaration in [Matthew 10:34-36](/matthew/10-34-36 "Matthew 10:34-36 - Division, Not Peace") would have been profoundly counter-cultural and shocking. It challenged the very fabric of societal cohesion by suggesting that allegiance to Him could fracture the most sacred of bonds. This prophetic warning also echoes the [Micah 7:6](/micah/7-6 "Micah 7:6 - Family Discord Prophecy") lament about internal family strife as a sign of moral decay, but Jesus recontextualizes it as a consequence of His transformative, truth-bringing mission.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **The Cost of Discipleship**, making it unequivocally clear that following Jesus is not a path of universal ease or social acceptance, but one that may demand ultimate allegiance, even at the expense of familial harmony. Secondly, it underscores the **Divisive Nature of Truth**. The Gospel, while offering reconciliation with God, often creates a chasm between those who accept and those who reject its radical claims, forcing a decision that can lead to relational rupture. This is not a division Jesus desires for its own sake, but an inevitable byproduct of His truth confronting human sin and unbelief. Finally, it emphasizes the **Supreme Priority of Christ**, demonstrating that devotion to Jesus must be absolute, transcending all other earthly loyalties, as further articulated in [Matthew 10:37](/matthew/10-37 "Matthew 10:37 - Loving Christ More Than Family").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **foes (Greek, _echthrós'_):** From a primary root meaning "to hate," this word signifies someone who is hateful (odious) or actively hostile. In this context, it refers to adversaries or enemies. Jesus' use of this term emphasizes that the opposition faced by His disciples would be genuine hostility, not merely disagreement, and shockingly, it would arise from within their most trusted circles.
* **household (Greek, _oikiakós'_):** Derived from _oikia_ (house), this term specifically denotes those belonging to one's own house or family members. It refers to intimate relatives—parents, siblings, children—underscoring the painful intimacy of the division Jesus foretells. The term highlights that the "foes" are not distant strangers but those with whom one shares the deepest bonds.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And a man's foes":** This opening phrase, linked by "And" (G2532, _kai_), connects directly to Jesus' preceding statement about bringing a "sword" ([Matthew 10:34](/matthew/10-34 "Matthew 10:34 - Jesus Brings a Sword")). The "man" (G444, _anthrōpos_) here is generic, referring to any person who chooses to follow Christ. The term "foes" (G2190, _echthrós_) immediately establishes the nature of the opposition: not just disagreement, but active hostility or enmity.
* **"[shall be]":** While the verb "shall be" is supplied in the KJV (it's implicit in the Greek), it accurately conveys the prophetic and inevitable nature of this outcome for some. Jesus is not merely describing a possibility but declaring a future reality for many of His followers, indicating that such conflict is a natural, though painful, consequence of embracing His truth.
* **"they of his own household":** This climactic phrase identifies the shocking source of this enmity. "Household" (G3615, _oikiakós_) refers to one's immediate family—parents, siblings, children, and close relatives. This is the most devastating aspect of Jesus' warning: the deepest opposition to one's faith might come from those with whom one shares the closest bonds and from whom one would expect support and love. It highlights the radical nature of Christian commitment, which demands a loyalty that can supersede even the most fundamental human allegiances.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 10:36 employs several potent literary devices to convey its challenging message. The verse functions as a **Prophecy** or **Foreshadowing**, predicting a difficult reality for those who commit to Christ. It also uses **Irony**, as the expected source of peace and security—one's own family—becomes the source of conflict. This is intensified by the implied **Metaphor** of the "sword" from [Matthew 10:34](/matthew/10-34 "Matthew 10:34 - Jesus Brings a Sword"), which extends into this verse, portraying the Gospel as a divisive force that cuts through societal and familial bonds. The statement itself carries a strong sense of **Hyperbole** not to exaggerate falsehood, but to emphasize the extreme and unexpected nature of the division, ensuring the disciples grasp the radical demands and potential costs of their mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 10:36 profoundly articulates the radical demands of discipleship, revealing that following Christ often entails a reordering of earthly loyalties, even those as fundamental as family. This is not a call to hate one's family, but to love Christ supremely, recognizing that His truth can expose and divide hearts, even within the closest relationships. The verse highlights the exclusive and all-encompassing nature of allegiance to the Kingdom of God, which demands a higher priority than any human institution or bond. It underscores that the Gospel, while ultimately bringing peace with God, can initially bring relational strife as it confronts unbelief and calls for a decisive choice. This tension reflects the spiritual warfare inherent in proclaiming God's truth in a fallen world, where the light of Christ inevitably exposes darkness, leading to opposition from unexpected quarters.

* [Micah 7:6](/micah/7-6 "Micah 7:6 - Prophecy of Familial Strife"): "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."
* [Luke 12:51-53](/luke/12-51-53 "Luke 12:51-53 - Jesus Brings Division"): "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 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."
* [Matthew 10:37](/matthew/10-37 "Matthew 10:37 - Loving Christ Above All"): "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 10:36 serves as a sober and essential warning for all who would follow Christ, reminding us that genuine faith is not always met with affirmation, especially from those closest to us. It challenges us to examine the depth and sincerity of our allegiance: are we prepared to prioritize Christ above all earthly relationships, even if it causes discomfort, misunderstanding, or outright opposition from family members? This verse does not advocate for breaking family ties or fostering animosity, but rather for understanding that our ultimate loyalty belongs to God. It calls us to cultivate a steadfast faith that remains unswayed by familial pressure or rejection, while simultaneously maintaining a posture of love, grace, and prayer for those who oppose us. We are reminded that the Gospel's transformative power can be disruptive before it is unifying, and that our call is to remain faithful to Christ, trusting Him with the outcome of our relationships.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for me to love Jesus more than my closest family members, and how might this manifest in my daily life?**
* **How do I respond when my faith is misunderstood or opposed by those within my own household?**
* **In what ways can I demonstrate Christ-like love and grace to family members who may be hostile to my faith, without compromising my convictions?**
* **Am I prepared for the potential relational costs that true discipleship might entail, and how can I spiritually prepare for such challenges?**

### FAQ
**Does Jesus want us to hate our families?**

Answer: Absolutely not. Jesus is not advocating for hatred or the deliberate destruction of family relationships. Rather, He is warning His disciples about an inevitable consequence of His truth in a fallen world: when one chooses to follow Him, the radical nature of that commitment may expose spiritual divides, leading to opposition even from those within one's own family. The call is to prioritize Him supremely, above all other loves and loyalties, as seen in [Matthew 10:37](/matthew/10-37 "Matthew 10:37 - Loving Christ More Than Family"). This prioritization can, unfortunately, be perceived as a threat by those who do not share the same commitment, leading to friction or outright hostility, but it is not a call to abandon love for family.

**How can I reconcile this verse with the biblical emphasis on family unity and honoring parents?**

Answer: The Bible consistently upholds the importance of family and honor for parents ([Ephesians 6:1-3](/ephesians/6-1-3 "Ephesians 6:1-3 - Children Obey Your Parents")). Matthew 10:36 does not negate these commands but places them within the context of ultimate allegiance. When loyalty to Christ conflicts with family expectations that compromise one's faith, Christ must take precedence. This is a spiritual hierarchy, not a social one designed to break families. The tension arises when the Gospel's truth creates a division between belief and unbelief, forcing individuals to choose whom they will serve. The goal remains to love and pray for family members, hoping for their reconciliation to God, even in the face of their opposition.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 10:36, though a stark warning, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not only in the experience of His followers but preeminently in Jesus Himself. He, the Prince of Peace ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace")), paradoxically brought a "sword" of truth that divided humanity, ultimately leading to His own rejection and crucifixion, even by "His own" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own")). Jesus experienced the ultimate familial alienation when He cried out from the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Cry of Dereliction")), bearing the full weight of humanity's sin and separation from God. Yet, through His sacrifice, He established a new family, the church, where those who do the will of His Father are considered His true "brother, and sister, and mother" ([Matthew 12:50](/matthew/12-50 "Matthew 12:50 - Doing the Will of God")). Thus, the division Jesus spoke of ultimately leads to a deeper, eternal unity in Him, where believers are adopted into God's family ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")) and find their ultimate belonging and peace, even if it comes at the cost of earthly familial harmony.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Jeremiah 12:6

For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.

Psalms 41:9

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up [his] heel against me.

Job 19:13

He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me.

Job 19:19

All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.

Genesis 4:8

¶ And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

Genesis 4:10

And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.