Matthew 10:21

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 10:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.
Matthew 10:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, etc.] Christ having fortified the minds of his disciples by the foregoing promises of divine influence and assistance, proceeds to open more largely and particularly the sorrows, troubles, and afflictions they must expect would attend the faithful ministration of his Gospel; as, that the true followers of Christ should not only be persecuted and betrayed, and delivered up into the hands of the civil magistrate, by persons that were strangers to them; but even by their nearest relations, brethren, whom the nearness of blood, should oblige to the tenderest regards to each other, to the securing of property and preserving of life: these…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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--for example, by lodging information against them with the authorities. The deep and virulent hostility of the old nature and life to the new--as of Belial to Christ--was to issue in awful wrenches of the dearest ties; and the disciples, in the prospect of their cause and themselves being launched upon society, are here prepared for the worst.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the brother shall deliver up the brother ... - Were there no evidence that this had been done, it would scarcely be “credible.” The ties which bind brothers and sisters, and parents and children together, are so strong that it could scarcely be believed that division of sentiment on religious subjects would cause them to forget these tender relations. Yet history assures us that this has been often done. If this be so, then how inexpressibly awful must be the malignity of the human heart by nature against religion! Nothing else but this dreadful opposition to God and his gospel ever has induced or ever can induce people to violate the most tender relations, and consign the best friends…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Luk 21:16. Matthew 10:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“10:21-22 Jews regularly associated family strife with the last times (see 24:9-10). Jesus experienced such conflicts as well (12:46-50). • Everyone who endures to the end refers to those who remain faithful to Jesus, to the point of death or until his return (10:23). • will be saved: Though some have taken this phrase to mean temporal deliverance from persecution (such as release from prison), the idea here is eternal salvation for those who remain faithful.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the brother shall: Mat 10:34-36, Mat 24:10; Mic 7:5, Mic 7:6; Zac 13:3; Mar 13:12, Mar 13:13; Luk 12:51-53; Luk 21:16, Luk 21:17 the children: Sa2 16:11, Sa2 17:1-4; Job 19:19 Matthew 10:22”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification