Matthew 24:9
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
Original Language Analysis
τότε
Then
G5119
τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 19
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
παραδώσουσιν
shall they deliver
G3860
παραδώσουσιν
shall they deliver
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
2 of 19
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μισούμενοι
hated
G3404
μισούμενοι
hated
Strong's:
G3404
Word #:
11 of 19
to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
12 of 19
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐθνῶν
nations
G1484
ἐθνῶν
nations
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
15 of 19
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
διὰ
for
G1223
διὰ
for
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
16 of 19
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 16:2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.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.Luke 21:12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.Revelation 7:14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.1 Peter 4:16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.Revelation 2:13I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.Acts 7:59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.Matthew 23:34Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:Luke 11:49Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:Acts 28:22But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
Historical Context
Persecution began immediately after Pentecost. Nero blamed Christians for Rome's fire (AD 64), leading to brutal executions. Pliny the Younger's letters (AD 112) describe Christians executed merely for the name. Ten major Roman persecutions occurred before Constantine (AD 313). Jewish authorities also persecuted Christians, expelling them from synagogues (John 16:2). Today, Open Doors estimates 360 million Christians face high levels of persecution globally.
Questions for Reflection
- How should believers in comfortable contexts prepare spiritually for potential persecution?
- What does it mean practically to be hated "for my name's sake" versus for being obnoxious or unwise?
- How can the promise of persecution paradoxically strengthen faith rather than weaken it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted (τότε παραδώσουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς θλῖψιν)—The verb παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi) means "hand over, betray"—the same word used for Judas betraying Jesus. The noun θλῖψις (thlipsis) denotes tribulation, pressure, crushing distress—like grapes in a winepress. And shall kill you (καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν ὑμᾶς) shifts from persecution to martyrdom.
And ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake (ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου)—Universal hatred (πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν, all nations) because of association with Christ's name. This is cosmic-level opposition, not mere social discomfort. John 15:18-19 explains why: believers no longer belong to the world's system. Church history validates this: disciples were beaten (Acts 5:40), Stephen stoned (Acts 7), James beheaded (Acts 12), and tradition holds all apostles except John died as martyrs.