Matthew 10:34-36

[1992joshbrown]

I am a new Christian who has just started attending church and learning the path of God. Upon reading the Bible, I came across some verses I couldn't quite understand. I don't want to seem like I'm questioning the Bible so I don't really want to ask my pastor in church. I'm glad I found this forum. : )

My question is regarding Matthew 10:34-36 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household."

I was quite shocked when I read this verse, cause to non-religious people, this would seem like a very bad thing. What did Jesus really mean?

 

[fm107]

Jesus is speaking about the division/conflict/persecution etc that will take place because of him. Because some choose to follow him and become christians.

It's because of Jesus that christians are persecuted. Many a time people become christians and the rest of their family remain non christian but will heap abuse on even their own family member.

So when Jesus is talking about the sword, that's metaphoric for conflict / pains / mistreatment / persecution towards his followers. So, in conclusion, Jesus did bring a sword in that sense.

Personal peace can be found in Jesus, but world peace Jesus did not bring. In his millennial kingdom, when he comes back a second time, then he will bring peace to the world. But for now, the world remains in unrest and christians will find themselves in conflict with the people of the world because of Jesus whom they claim as their Lord.

Here's some scriptures which you may find helpful:

John 15:18
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

John 15:19
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

John 15:20
Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

John 15:21
They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.

 

[Bobinator]

The truth is very difficult to receive. Speak it and live it, and people are going to have a problem with you. It's worse than a woman asking her significant other if her outfit makes her look fat. All of a sudden, his significance comes into question.

 

[Peripatetic]

Here is how the ESV Study Bible explains it:

Sword is a metaphor for the inevitable separation between those who believe in Christ and those who do not, even within a family (i.e., faith in Christ may set a man against his father). Jesus’ own family opposed him before they came to recognize his true identity (13:53–58; Mark 3:21; John 7:3–5). Thus, whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. Jesus asked for unqualified allegiance, something even the most esteemed rabbi did not demand. The central point of Matt. 10:34–37 is that love of God and his kingdom must take precedence over every other human relationship.

And here is the explanation from the Bible Knowledge Commentary:

Jesus said He had come at this time not … to bring peace to the earth … but a sword which divides and severs. As a result of His visit to earth, some children would be set against parents and a man’s enemies might be those within his own household. This is because some who follow Christ are hated by their family members. This may be part of the cost of discipleship, for love of family should not be greater than love for the Lord (v. 37; cf. comments on Luke 14:26). A true disciple must take his cross and follow Jesus (cf. Matt. 16:24). He must be willing to face not only family hatred, but also death, like a criminal carrying his cross to his own execution. In addition, in those days a criminal carrying his cross was tacitly admitting that the Roman Empire was correct in executing its death sentence on him. Similarly Jesus’ followers were admitting His right over their lives. In so doing one would find his life in return for having given it up to Jesus Christ (cf. comments on 16:25).

Those aren't scripture, but they may provide some insight.

 

[parsley]

Also, think about how Jesus' trial outcome drove people apart back then. The political emotions were already heightened, with Jews wanting to rule their homeland, while the Romans were overseeing it.

The Jews who believed that Jesus was the Messiah also had to take a stand, when their families could have felt they were betraying the faith. They followed a man that some believed would oppose the Roman government to restore their Jewish rule (not Jesus' intent)... so the Romans were also on edge.

Guards were placed outside His tomb to make sure nothing more went on. Jesus' trial showed both groups not wanting to take responsibility for a decision. Division could lead to riots and possibly revolt.

There seem to be several aspects to what Jesus said, and maybe He kept His words short so people would continue to think on it.

 

[timf]

John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

 

[insurchoftruth]

I believe the verse is talking about disagreement between a born again christian, and his relatives, the people he lives with, especially, if his relatives are not born again christians. That is a disagreement between believers and non believers.

 

[ChristianLife08]

I am a new Christian who has just started attending church and learning the path of God. Upon reading the Bible, I came across some verses I couldn't quite understand. I don't want to seem like I'm questioning the Bible so I don't really want to ask my pastor in church. I'm glad I found this forum. : )

My question is regarding Matthew 10:34-36 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household."

I was quite shocked when I read this verse, cause to non-religious people, this would seem like a very bad thing. What did Jesus really mean?

Don't ever be afraid of asking questions. any loving and faithful leader to Gods flock will be happy to answer any questions when in doubt.

So, Matthew 10. This verse can be hard to understand as a new believer. let's keep it into context though. Christ obviously isn't speaking about a literal sword, and coming to physically divide them. But He is speaking more about His ministry and the spiritual facet. After these verses He gives a more clearer picture, "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." So Christ is speaking about ones devotion to Him compared to any possible distractions on this earth, even our own family if it may occur.

As for the sword, also keep in mind that Hebrews 4:12 speaks of Gods word, or truth, as a double-edged sword. " For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Be blessed