Matthew 10:36

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

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

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.

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

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

Commentary

Matthew 10:36 presents a profound and often challenging statement from Jesus to His disciples, warning them of the potential, even inevitable, divisions that His message would bring. This verse, part of a larger discourse on the cost of discipleship, reveals that following Christ can lead to conflict even within one's closest relationships.

Context

This verse is situated within Jesus' instructions to His twelve disciples as He sends them out on their first missionary journey (Matthew 10:5-42). Preceding this, Jesus declares, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34). This "sword" is not one of physical violence but of division, separating those who accept His truth from those who reject it. The immediate context, therefore, is about the radical demands of discipleship and the societal upheaval that the Gospel can cause, particularly within the family unit.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus makes it clear that following Him is not always easy or comfortable. It demands an ultimate allegiance that can supersede traditional loyalties, including family ties. This verse serves as a sober warning that commitment to Christ may bring opposition from unexpected sources.
  • Truth as a Divisive Force: The Gospel, while offering peace with God, often brings division among people. The radical truth of Jesus' claims forces a decision, and this decision can create a chasm between believers and non-believers, even within the same household.
  • Priority of Christ: This passage underscores the supreme priority of allegiance to Christ. Jesus expects His followers to love Him more than father, mother, son, or daughter (Matthew 10:37), indicating that devotion to Him must be absolute.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household" uses strong imagery. The Greek word for "foes" is echthroi (ἔχθροι), meaning enemies or adversaries. The term "household" (Greek: oikiakoi, οἰκιακοί) specifically refers to those belonging to one's own house or family members. The inclusion of "[shall be]" in the KJV, though not explicitly present in every Greek manuscript, accurately conveys the sense of an inevitable outcome for some who follow Jesus, highlighting the prophetic and warning nature of the statement.

Related Scriptures

  • Old Testament Parallel: This prophecy by Jesus echoes an Old Testament passage from Micah 7:6, which states, "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." This shows that such familial discord was a recognized sign of spiritual decline or a time of profound moral or spiritual crisis.
  • New Testament Parallels: Luke records a very similar statement from Jesus in Luke 12:51-53, reinforcing the universality of this truth.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 10:36 serves as a reminder that genuine faith may come with significant personal cost. It challenges us to:

  • Examine Our Allegiance: Are we prepared to prioritize Christ above all earthly relationships, even if it causes discomfort or division?
  • Understand Opposition: We should not be surprised if our commitment to Christ is met with resistance, even from those closest to us. This resistance can be a natural outcome of the Gospel's transformative power.
  • Cultivate Grace: While the verse speaks of division, it does not negate the call to love and pray for family members. Believers are still called to demonstrate Christ-like love even in the face of opposition, trusting God to work in hearts.

Ultimately, this verse underscores the radical and often demanding nature of true discipleship, calling believers to an uncompromising loyalty to Jesus Christ above all else.

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 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

  • 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.
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