Matthew 6:24

KJV

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

KJV (with Strong's)

No man {G3762} can {G1410} serve {G1398} two {G1417} masters {G2962}: for {G1063} either {G2228} he will hate {G3404} the one {G1520}, and {G2532} love {G25} the other {G2087}; or else {G2228} he will hold {G472} to the one {G1520}, and {G2532} despise {G2706} the other {G2087}. Ye cannot {G3756}{G1410} serve {G1398} God {G2316} and {G2532} mammon {G3126}.

Complete Jewish Bible

No one can be slave to two masters; for he will either hate the first and love the second, or scorn the second and be loyal to the first. You can't be a slave to both God and money.

Berean Standard Bible

No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

American Standard Version

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 6:24 presents one of Jesus' most unequivocal declarations regarding ultimate allegiance, asserting the inherent impossibility of serving two competing masters—specifically, God and "mammon" (wealth personified). This profound statement underscores the exclusive nature of true devotion, revealing that the human heart cannot simultaneously give its supreme loyalty to both divine and material pursuits. It highlights an unavoidable choice, where one's affections and priorities will inevitably gravitate towards one master while diminishing the other, thereby exposing the true object of one's trust and service.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful culmination of a significant segment within Jesus' [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5-7 "Matthew 5-7 - The Sermon on the Mount"), specifically following His teaching on genuine treasure (Matthew 6:19-21) and the "eye as the lamp of the body" (Matthew 6:22-23). Having established that one's treasure indicates the heart's true location, and that spiritual perception is vital, Jesus then delivers this absolute principle. It directly precedes and lays the groundwork for His subsequent exhortation against anxiety and worry about material needs in [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry"), demonstrating that divided loyalties are the root cause of such anxieties. The entire section is designed to reorient disciples' priorities from earthly accumulation to heavenly devotion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, the concept of "master" (Greek: _kyrios_) was deeply rooted in the institution of slavery or bonded servitude. A slave belonged entirely to one master, whose will was absolute and whose provision was the slave's sole reliance. The idea of serving two masters simultaneously was not merely impractical but legally and socially impossible; a slave could not divide their ultimate allegiance or render full obedience to two different owners. "Mammon" (Greek: _mammonas_) is a transliteration of an Aramaic word for wealth or property. While wealth itself was not inherently evil, the cultural context often saw it as a source of security, power, and status, tempting people to place their ultimate trust in it rather than in God. Jesus' teaching directly confronts this prevalent societal inclination to prioritize material gain.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme is **Exclusive Loyalty**, emphasizing that God demands and deserves singular, undivided devotion. This verse powerfully articulates the **Incompatibility of Masters**, making it clear that God and "mammon" represent fundamentally opposing value systems and cannot coexist as supreme authorities in one's life. It underscores the **Heart's True Allegiance**, revealing that our actions, affections, and investments of time and resources ultimately expose whom we truly serve, aligning with Jesus' teaching that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" in [Matthew 6:21](/matthew/6-21 "Matthew 6:21 - Where Your Treasure Is"). Furthermore, it serves as a profound **Warning Against Materialism and Idolatry**, cautioning against the subtle or overt ways in which the pursuit of worldly gain can usurp God's rightful place in a person's life, echoing warnings found throughout the Old Testament against serving other gods, such as in [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love the Lord Your God with All Your Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **serve (Greek, _douleúō_):** This verb means "to be a slave to" or "to render obedience to." It implies absolute submission, ownership, and devotion. It's not merely about performing tasks for someone, but about belonging to them entirely. A slave's life, resources, and will are completely at the disposal of their master.
* **masters (Greek, _kýrios_):** From a root meaning "supremacy," this noun refers to one who is "supreme in authority," a "controller," or "Master." In this context, it signifies an owner or lord who holds ultimate authority and to whom one owes complete allegiance and obedience.
* **mammon (Greek, _mammōnâs_):** Of Chaldee origin, this term refers to "confidence," specifically "wealth" or "avarice," which Jesus personifies here. It is not merely money or possessions, but the spirit of materialism, the pursuit of worldly gain, or the trust placed in wealth as a source of security, status, or ultimate fulfillment, thus setting it up as a rival deity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"No man can serve two masters:"** This opening declaration is an absolute, non-negotiable truth, not a mere suggestion. The Greek word for "can" (_dýnamai_) signifies ability or possibility, making it clear that it is fundamentally impossible for a single individual to render full, undivided, and supreme allegiance to two different authorities simultaneously. The nature of "service" (slavery) demands exclusive devotion.
* **"for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other."** This clause explains the inevitable outcome of attempting to divide ultimate loyalty. "Hate" (_miséō_) and "love" (_agapáō_) are used here in a comparative sense, indicating a preference or prioritization rather than emotional animosity. To "hate" one master means to love them less, to de-prioritize them, or to be less devoted to them. Conversely, "hold to" (_antéchomai_) implies adhering firmly, supporting, or caring for, while "despise" (_kataphronéō_) means to disesteem or think against. The parallelism emphasizes that a choice, whether conscious or unconscious, will always be made, resulting in a primary allegiance to one and a secondary, diminished, or rejected allegiance to the other.
* **"Ye cannot serve God and mammon."** This is the direct application of the universal principle to the specific, critical choice facing humanity. "God" (Greek: _theós_) represents the supreme Divinity, the Creator and sustainer of all, who demands absolute worship and trust. "Mammon," as previously analyzed, embodies the spirit of worldly wealth and materialism when it becomes an object of ultimate trust or pursuit. Jesus explicitly states the utter incompatibility of these two masters, making it impossible to give ultimate devotion to both. One's life will inevitably be ordered around the values and demands of one or the other.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in Matthew 6:24 to convey His message with clarity and force. The primary device is **Personification**, where "mammon" (wealth) is treated not merely as a commodity but as a rival master or deity, capable of demanding service and allegiance. This elevates the pursuit of wealth to a spiritual battle, making it clear that it competes directly with God for the heart's devotion. Another key device is **Antithesis**, setting up a stark contrast between two opposing forces: God and mammon. This creates a clear, undeniable choice, highlighting the mutually exclusive nature of their demands. Furthermore, the use of strong verbs like "hate" and "love," "hold to" and "despise," while perhaps bordering on **Hyperbole** in their intensity, serves to emphasize the profound and unavoidable conflict of loyalties, making it impossible to remain neutral or serve both masters equally. The structure of the statement, moving from a general principle ("No man can serve two masters") to a specific, critical application ("Ye cannot serve God and mammon"), is a form of **Deductive Reasoning**, reinforcing the absolute nature of the truth being conveyed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 6:24 is a foundational statement on the nature of worship and the exclusivity of God's claim on human hearts. Theologically, it asserts God's sovereignty and His demand for singular devotion, echoing the first commandment against having other gods before Him. It reveals that the pursuit of wealth, when it becomes an ultimate end or source of security, functions as an idol, directly challenging God's rightful place. This verse highlights the spiritual reality that our ultimate allegiance shapes our worldview, values, and life choices, demonstrating that divided loyalties inevitably lead to spiritual compromise and internal conflict. It calls for a radical reorientation of priorities, where God's kingdom and righteousness are sought above all else.

* [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love God with All Your Heart"): "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
* [Luke 16:13](/luke/16-13 "Luke 16:13 - No Servant Can Serve Two Masters"): "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
* [1 Timothy 6:10](/1_timothy/6-10 "1 Timothy 6:10 - The Root of All Evil"): "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 6:24 serves as an enduring challenge to every believer, compelling us to honestly examine the true allegiances of our hearts. In a world saturated with consumerism and the relentless pursuit of material gain, Jesus' words cut through the noise, forcing us to confront whether our lives are genuinely ordered around God's will or the demands of wealth. This verse calls us to a radical re-evaluation of our priorities, asking where our time, energy, and deepest affections are truly invested. If we find ourselves experiencing internal conflict, anxiety, or a sense of spiritual compromise, it may be a direct result of attempting to navigate the impossible task of serving two masters. The path to spiritual freedom and peace lies in wholeheartedly choosing God as our sole Master, trusting Him for our provision, and aligning our lives with His kingdom values. This commitment liberates us from the tyranny of materialism and invites us into a life of undivided devotion, where true riches are found in Christ alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What areas of my life reveal where my ultimate trust and security truly lie—in God or in material things?**
* **How does the pursuit of wealth or possessions subtly (or overtly) compete with my devotion to God in my daily decisions?**
* **Am I experiencing any inner conflict or "double-mindedness" that might stem from attempting to serve both God and mammon?**
* **What practical steps can I take to reorient my priorities and more fully commit to serving God as my one true Master?**

### FAQ
**Does "mammon" refer only to money, or something broader?**

Answer: While "mammon" (Greek: _mammōnâs_) is often translated as "money" or "wealth," Jesus' use of it here, particularly in personifying it as a "master," indicates a broader meaning. It encompasses not just physical currency or possessions, but the entire system of worldly values, security, and trust that is placed in material things. It represents the spirit of materialism, greed, and the pursuit of earthly gain as an ultimate end or source of fulfillment. Therefore, serving "mammon" means placing one's ultimate trust, hope, and allegiance in wealth or worldly success rather than in God. It's about where one's heart finds its ultimate security, as Jesus teaches in [Matthew 6:21](/matthew/6-21 "Matthew 6:21 - Where Your Treasure Is").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 6:24, though a stark warning, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the singular Master worthy of all devotion, demonstrating perfect, undivided allegiance to the Father. Unlike fallen humanity, who are prone to divided loyalties, Jesus lived a life utterly free from the allure of mammon, choosing poverty and dependence on God over worldly riches, as seen in His lack of a place to lay His head ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")). He perfectly embodied the principle of seeking first God's kingdom and righteousness ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")), showing that true security and provision come from the Father alone. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ frees us from the bondage of sin, which includes the idolatry of mammon, enabling us to truly "serve God" by the power of the Holy Spirit. He calls us to follow Him, to take up our cross ([Matthew 16:24](/matthew/16-24 "Matthew 16:24 - Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me")), and to surrender all to Him, thereby making Him our sole Lord and Master. In Christ, the impossible becomes possible: we can genuinely serve God alone, for He has overcome the world and its deceptive allurements ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - I Have Overcome the World")).

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

1 John 2:15

Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 2:16

For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Luke 16:13

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

James 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

1 Timothy 6:9

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Galatians 1:10

¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.