Matthew 10:21
New International Version
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.

New Living Translation
“A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed.

English Standard Version
Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,

Berean Standard Bible
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.

Berean Literal Bible
And brother will deliver up brother to death, and father, child; and children will rise up against parents and will put them to death.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

New American Standard Bible
“Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

NASB 1995
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

NASB 1977
“And brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Legacy Standard Bible
“And brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

Amplified Bible
“Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; and children will rise up and rebel against their parents and cause them to be put to death.

Christian Standard Bible
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will even rise up against their parents and have them put to death.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Brothers and sisters will betray one another and have each other put to death. Parents will betray their own children, and children will turn against their parents and have them killed.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Brother will hand over brother to death; a father will hand over his child. Children will rebel against their parents and kill them.

Good News Translation
"People will hand over their own brothers to be put to death, and fathers will do the same to their children; children will turn against their parents and have them put to death.

International Standard Version
"Brother will hand brother over for execution, and a father his child. Children will rebel against parents and have them put to death.

Majority Standard Bible
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.

NET Bible
"Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against parents and have them put to death.

New Heart English Bible
"And brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the brother will deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children will rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Weymouth New Testament
Brother will betray brother to death, and father, child; and children will rise against their own parents and will put them to death.

World English Bible
“Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And brother will deliver up brother to death, and father child, and children will rise up against parents, and will put them to death,

Berean Literal Bible
And brother will deliver up brother to death, and father, child; and children will rise up against parents and will put them to death.

Young's Literal Translation
'And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and father child, and children shall rise up against parents, and shall put them to death,

Smith's Literal Translation
And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and father child: and children shall rise up in revolt against parents, and kill them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The brother also shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the son: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and shall put them to death.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And brother will hand over brother to death, and father will hand over son. And children will rise up against parents and bring about their deaths.

New American Bible
Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.

New Revised Standard Version
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Brother will deliver up his own brother to death, and father his son; and children will rise up against their parents and put them to death.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But brother will deliver his brother to death, and a father his son, and children will rise against their parents and will put them to death.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father the child; and children will rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Godbey New Testament
And brother will deliver brother unto death, and the father the child: and children will rise up against parents, and put them to death.

Haweis New Testament
Then brother shall surrender brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Mace New Testament
then the brother shall betray his brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against their parents, and be the instruments of their death.

Weymouth New Testament
Brother will betray brother to death, and father, child; and children will rise against their own parents and will put them to death.

Worrell New Testament
"And brother will deliver up brother to death; and father, his child; and children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death.

Worsley New Testament
Brother shall betray his brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sheep among Wolves
20For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. 22You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.…

Cross References
Micah 7:6
For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.

Mark 13:12
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.

Luke 21:16
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death.

Matthew 24:10
At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,

John 16:2
They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...

Luke 12:53
They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Matthew 24:12
Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

John 15:18-21
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. ...

Jeremiah 9:4
“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander.

Ezekiel 22:7
Father and mother are treated with contempt. Within your walls the foreign resident is exploited, the fatherless and the widow are oppressed.

Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Zechariah 13:3
And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not remain alive, because you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD.’ When he prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will pierce him through.

Isaiah 66:5
You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.”


Treasury of Scripture

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.

the brother shall.

Matthew 10:34-36
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword…

Matthew 24:10
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Micah 7:5,6
Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom…

the children.

2 Samuel 16:11
And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.

2 Samuel 17:1-4
Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: …

Job 19:19
All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.

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Matthew 10
1. Jesus sends out his apostles, enabling them with power to do miracles;
5. giving them their charge, teaches them;
16. comforts them against persecutions;
40. and promises a blessing to those who receive them.














Brother will betray brother to death
This phrase highlights the intense familial betrayal that will occur as a result of allegiance to Christ. The Greek word for "brother" (ἀδελφός, adelphos) signifies not only a biological sibling but also a close relationship, emphasizing the deep personal nature of this betrayal. Historically, this reflects the early Christian experience where following Jesus often led to division within families, as some members accepted the faith while others rejected it. This division is a fulfillment of Jesus' earlier teachings that His message would bring not peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34). The use of "betray" (παραδώσει, paradosei) is significant, as it is the same term used for Judas' betrayal of Jesus, indicating a grave and deliberate act of handing over to authorities, often leading to death. This reflects the severe persecution faced by early Christians, where familial bonds were severed due to faith.

a father his child
The mention of a father betraying his child underscores the depth of division that allegiance to Christ can cause. In the ancient world, the family unit was the cornerstone of society, and the father was the head of the household, responsible for the protection and provision of his family. The Greek word for "father" (πατήρ, patēr) carries with it the connotation of authority and care, making the act of betrayal even more shocking. This phrase illustrates the radical nature of the Gospel, which can disrupt even the most fundamental social structures. It serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of discipleship and the potential for conflict when the values of the Kingdom of God clash with worldly values.

children will rise against parents
Here, the phrase "children will rise against parents" indicates a reversal of the expected order of respect and obedience within the family. The Greek verb "rise against" (ἐπαναστήσονται, epanastēsontai) suggests rebellion or insurrection, highlighting the active and aggressive nature of this conflict. In the context of first-century Jewish culture, honoring one's parents was a fundamental commandment, deeply ingrained in societal norms. This prediction of children turning against their parents would have been particularly scandalous and unsettling to Jesus' audience. It underscores the transformative and sometimes divisive power of the Gospel, which can lead individuals to prioritize their commitment to Christ over traditional family loyalties.

and have them put to death
The phrase "and have them put to death" reveals the extreme consequences of this familial betrayal. The Greek term used here (θανατώσουσιν, thanatōsousin) is a future active indicative verb, indicating a deliberate and future action of causing death. This reflects the real and present danger faced by early Christians, who were often persecuted to the point of martyrdom. Historically, this persecution was not only from external authorities but could also originate from within one's own household, as family members sought to preserve their social standing or adhere to traditional religious practices. This stark reality serves as a powerful reminder of the cost of following Christ and the ultimate sacrifice that may be required of His disciples. It calls believers to a deep and unwavering commitment to their faith, even in the face of life-threatening opposition.

(21) The brother.--The nouns are in the Greek without the article, "brother shall deliver up brother," and are thus, perhaps, more forcible as statements of what should happen often. Our English idiom, however, allows the use of the article with nearly the same meaning. The words reproduce almost verbally the prophecy of Micah 7:6, and are there followed by the prophet's expression of his faith, "Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation," answering to the "endurance" of which our Lord speaks in the next verse.

Verse 21. - The persecutors shall be found among those most closely connected with you by blood and natural affection. Observe that our Lord does not mention this until he has reminded them that they are connected by still deeper family ties with One above. The thought and partly the language of vers. 21, 22 comes in 4 Esdr. 6:24, 25, "Et erit in illo tempore debellabunt amici amicos ut inimici... et erit, omnis qui dcrelictus fuerit ex omnibus istis quibus praedixi tibi, ipse salvabitur et videbit salu-tare meum et finem saeculi mei. [5. 1. vestri]." The author is speaking of the signs of the cud of the world. It seems probable that he was acquainted with some form of the original discourse of our Lord in Mark 13:12, 13 (see ver. 17, note). (For other references somewhat similar cf. Schurer, II. 2:155.) And (δέ). In contrast to the preceding encouragement (Kubel). The brother. The omission of the article by the Revised Version throughout this verse is justified, not only by grammar, but also by the consideration that it thus becomes less possible to interpret the phrase of a false "brother" in the Church. And the father the child. Philip It. of Spain is reported to have said of the Protestants, "If it were my own son, I would bring the faggot." And the children shall rise up against their parents. The verb (ἐπαναστήσονται) is perhaps a reminiscence of Micah 7:6, other words of which arc quoted below (ver. 35). The plural suggests the plurality of cases. And cause them to be put to death; put them to death (Revised Version margin); but perhaps through the agency of others. Observe that more direct cruelty is predicated of the children than of the brothers and fathers. Past kindness received will go for nothing.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Brother
ἀδελφὸς (adelphos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

will betray
Παραδώσει (Paradōsei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3860: From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit.

brother
ἀδελφὸν (adelphon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

death,
θάνατον (thanaton)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2288: Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

a father
πατὴρ (patēr)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

[his] child;
τέκνον (teknon)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.

children
τέκνα (tekna)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.

will rise
ἐπαναστήσονται (epanastēsontai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1881: Intrans. tenses: I rise up against. Middle voice from epi and anistemi; to stand up on, i.e. to attack.

against
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

[their] parents
γονεῖς (goneis)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1118: A begetter, father; plur: parents. From the base of ginomai; a parent.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

have them put to death.
θανατώσουσιν (thanatōsousin)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2289: To put to death, subdue; pass: To be in danger of death, be dead to, be rid of, be parted from. From thanatos to kill.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 10:21 Brother will deliver up brother to death (Matt. Mat Mt)
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