Matthew 10:34

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 10:34 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Matthew 10:34 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
34Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Think not ye that I am come to send peace on earth, etc.] The Jews had a notion of great outward peace and prosperity in the days of the Messiah; which was grounded on several prophecies of the Old Testament, not rightly understood by them; and the disciples of Christ had imbibed the same notion: wherefore our Lord thought fit to let them know the contrary; and that they must not expect outward ease and quiet, and worldly tranquillity would attend their ministry; for though he came to be a peace maker between God and sinners, by the blood of his cross; and was both the author and donor of spiritual peace to his people; and the Gospel he brought with him, and sent them to preach, was the…”
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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
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword--strife, discord, conflict; deadly opposition between eternally hostile principles, penetrating into and rending asunder the dearest ties.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Think not that I am come ... - This is taken from Micah 7:6. Christ did not here mean to say that the object of his coming was to produce discord and contention, for he was the Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 11:6; Luke 2:14; but he means to say that such would be one of the effects of his coming. One part of a family that was opposed to Him would set themselves against those who believed in him. The wickedness of men, and not the religion of the gospel, is the cause of this hostility. It is unnecessary to say that no prophecy has been more strikingly fulfilled; and it will continue to be fulfilled until all unite in obeying his commandments. Then his religion will produce universal…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“10:34-39 Allegiance to Jesus has priority over allegiance to family. 10:34 Jesus did bring peace (John 14:27), but not of a social and political kind. Instead, Jesus calls humans to make a decision about him, which brings a sword—i.e., division (see Matt 8:21-22; 12:46-50; Luke 12:51).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that I: Jer 15:10; Luk 12:49-53; Joh 7:40-52; Act 13:45-50, Act 14:2, Act 14:4 Matthew 10:35”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification