What is the meaning of Matthew 10:35? a man against his father • Jesus states plainly, “For I have come to turn a man against his father” (Matthew 10:35). His coming forces a choice of ultimate loyalty. • Cross references show the same truth: Luke 12:51–53 speaks of households divided; Matthew 10:37 reminds that loving father or mother more than Christ makes one “unworthy” of Him. • Scripture still commands honor for parents (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1–3). The clash arises not because Christ cancels that command, but because some fathers will reject the gospel while their sons embrace it. • The Lord’s words are literal: following Him can sever even the tightest earthly bond. Yet the intent is not to encourage rebellion; it exposes the unavoidable conflict between allegiance to Christ and allegiance to unbelief (John 15:18–19). a daughter against her mother • “A daughter against her mother” pictures the intimate mother-daughter relationship fractured when one side rejects Christ. • Micah 7:6—quoted by Jesus here—portrays end-times corruption when family ties fail; Christ applies it to His own ministry. • The gospel does not discriminate by age or gender; every heart must decide (Acts 16:14-15; Galatians 3:28). • Obedience to Christ might mean a daughter respectfully refusing to join her mother in unbelieving practices (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). The division is moral and spiritual, not malicious. a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law • Jesus continues: “a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” He presses the illustration to the extended family, highlighting that no household tier is exempt. • In ancient Israel, a daughter-in-law often lived under her husband’s family roof; such close quarters make spiritual disagreement especially sharp (Ruth 1:15-18 shows a positive example, but here Jesus gives the opposite). • First Peter 3:1-2 encourages believing wives to win unbelieving husbands “without a word,” yet notes possible suffering (1 Peter 3:14-17). The same dynamic applies to in-law relationships. • Again, Christ predicts division, He does not prescribe hostility. Romans 12:18 calls believers to live at peace “if it is possible.” Sometimes it is not possible because loyalty to Christ is non-negotiable. summary Matthew 10:35 teaches that Jesus’ coming inevitably exposes who stands with Him and who does not. When family members part ways over that choice, even the closest relationships can fracture. Honor, love, and peacemaking remain Christian duties, yet they never outrank allegiance to the Lord. Christ tells the truth in advance so His followers will not be shaken when loyalty to Him costs them the comfort of unanimous family support. |
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