Matthew Chapter 10 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
παραδώσει
shall deliver up
G3860
παραδώσει
shall deliver up
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
1 of 17
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
ἀδελφὸν
the brother
G80
ἀδελφὸν
the brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
3 of 17
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἀδελφὸν
the brother
G80
ἀδελφὸν
the brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
4 of 17
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
5 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
θάνατον
death
G2288
θάνατον
death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
6 of 17
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πατὴρ
the father
G3962
πατὴρ
the father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
8 of 17
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπαναστήσονται
shall rise up
G1881
ἐπαναστήσονται
shall rise up
Strong's:
G1881
Word #:
11 of 17
to stand up on, i.e., (figuratively) to attack
ἐπὶ
against
G1909
ἐπὶ
against
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
Cross References
Matthew 24:10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.Zechariah 13:3And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.2 Samuel 16:11And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.Job 19:19All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.
Historical Context
Ancient cultures were intensely family-centered. Honor and shame were collective, not individual. One family member's religious deviance brought shame on the entire family. Jewish families considered Christian faith apostasy warranting disownment. Roman families faced similar dynamics when members converted. Early Christian martyrologies record family betrayals: relatives turning Christians over to authorities to preserve family honor. Pliny's letters to Trajan describe children informing on Christian parents. Jesus' prediction proved tragically accurate.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we maintain Christian faithfulness when family opposes our faith?
- What does this passage teach about the relationship between family loyalty and Christ loyalty?
- How can we love family members while prioritizing allegiance to Christ?
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus warns of family betrayal: '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' (παραδωσει δε αδελφος αδελφον εις θανατον και πατηρ τεκνον και επαναστησονται τεκνα επι γονεις και θανατωσουσιν αυτους). This horrifying prediction describes family members betraying one another to death because of Christian faith. Jesus' coming brings 'not peace but a sword' (10:34), dividing families. Faith loyalty supersedes family loyalty, creating conflict when family opposes Christ. This isn't ideal but reality: gospel demands allegiance that threatens those who reject it. Family persecution is particularly painful—betrayal by those closest—yet Jesus predicts it to prepare disciples.