Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
2 of 26
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
φοβηθήτε
fear
G5399
φοβηθήτε
fear
Strong's:
G5399
Word #:
3 of 26
to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere
ἀπὸ
G575
ἀπὸ
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
4 of 26
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τὸν
him which
G3588
τὸν
him which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
him which
G3588
τὸν
him which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμα
body
G4983
σῶμα
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
8 of 26
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
τὸν
him which
G3588
τὸν
him which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὴν
soul
G5590
ψυχὴν
soul
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
11 of 26
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
12 of 26
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
φοβηθήτε
fear
G5399
φοβηθήτε
fear
Strong's:
G5399
Word #:
15 of 26
to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere
τὸν
him which
G3588
τὸν
him which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ψυχὴν
soul
G5590
ψυχὴν
soul
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
21 of 26
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σῶμα
body
G4983
σῶμα
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
23 of 26
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
Cross References
Revelation 2:10Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.James 4:12There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?Jeremiah 5:22Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?Isaiah 51:12I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;Ecclesiastes 5:7For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.1 Peter 3:14But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;Isaiah 66:2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.Psalms 119:120My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.Matthew 25:46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.Hebrews 10:31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Historical Context
Disciples faced persecution from religious authorities (Acts 4:1-3, 5:17-18) and civil powers (Acts 12:1-3). Jesus prepares them for martyrdom by establishing proper fear hierarchy. 'Gehenna' referred to Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem where refuse burned, symbolizing final judgment. Jewish martyrdom theology (2 Maccabees 7) emphasized faithfulness despite bodily death, trusting resurrection. Early Christian martyrs embodied this teaching, fearing God more than execution. The promise addressed real threats, not hypothetical persecution.
Questions for Reflection
- How does proper fear of God eliminate unhealthy fear of human threats?
- What is the relationship between reverent awe of God and confidence in His protection?
- What temporal fears need reordering in light of eternal realities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus reorders fears: 'And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell' (Greek: φοβεῖσθε δὲ μᾶλλον τὸν δυνάμενον καὶ ψυχὴν καὶ σῶμα ἀπολέσαι ἐν γεέννῃ, 'fear rather the one able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna'). The command distinguishes temporal versus eternal threats. Humans can only kill the body (σῶμα) - temporal harm. God can destroy both soul (ψυχή) and body in hell (γέεννα, Gehenna) - eternal judgment. This isn't fear as terror but reverent awe that prioritizes eternal over temporal consequences. Right fear of God eliminates paralyzing fear of humans.