Luke 21:16 kjv
And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Luke 21:16 nkjv
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
Luke 21:16 niv
You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.
Luke 21:16 esv
You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.
Luke 21:16 nlt
Even those closest to you ? your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends ? will betray you. They will even kill some of you.
Luke 21 verses
MeaningLuke 21:16 prophesies the severe persecution of Jesus' disciples, specifically highlighting the heartbreaking reality that believers would be betrayed and delivered up even by their closest family members—parents, siblings, kinsfolk, and friends—resulting in some being put to death for their faith. This verse underscores the radical cost of following Christ and the division that commitment to Him would bring into traditional family and social structures.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mic 7:6 | "For the son dishonors the father, the daughter rises... enemies are... own household." | Prophecy of family division. |
| Mt 10:21 | "Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child..." | Direct parallel, betrayal by family leading to death. |
| Mk 13:12 | "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child..." | Direct parallel, family betrayal. |
| Mt 10:37 | "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me..." | Loyalty to Christ supersedes family bonds. |
| Lk 12:53 | "Father will be divided against son and son against father..." | Christ bringing division. |
| Lk 14:26 | "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother..." | Radical commitment to Christ above family. |
| Jn 15:20 | "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also..." | Disciples will suffer persecution as Jesus did. |
| Jn 16:2 | "They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when..." | Persecution from religious authorities. |
| Jn 16:33 | "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome..." | Christ's promise amidst tribulation. |
| Acts 7:59-60 | "And they stoned Stephen... crying out, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!'" | Example of martyrdom, early church. |
| Acts 12:2 | "He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword." | Example of an apostle's martyrdom. |
| Rev 6:9-11 | "I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word..." | Souls of martyrs under the altar. |
| Rev 12:11 | "And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word..." | Martyrs triumph through Christ. |
| Rev 20:4 | "I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus..." | Resurrected martyrs in final judgment. |
| Mt 5:11-12 | "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you..." | Beatitude for the persecuted. |
| Phil 1:29 | "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not..." | Suffering for Christ is a gift. |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." | Universal truth about persecution. |
| 1 Pet 4:16 | "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let..." | Enduring suffering for Christ glorifies God. |
| Lk 21:12 | "But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you..." | Immediate context, general persecution. |
| Lk 21:17 | "and you will be hated by all for my name's sake." | Immediate context, universal hatred. |
| Lk 21:19 | "By your endurance you will gain your lives." | Command to endure through tribulation. |
| Dan 11:33 | "And those who are wise among the people shall make many understand, though..." | Prophetic suffering of God's people. |
| Lk 12:11 | "When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities..." | Promise of divine enablement in witness. |
ContextLuke 21:16 is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse (Luke 21:5-36), delivered shortly before His crucifixion. This specific passage (vv. 12-19) focuses on the immediate future for His disciples, predicting the intense persecution they would face. It warns of imprisonment, trials before rulers, and hostility from society. Verse 16 deepens this warning by prophesying that betrayal would come from the most trusted relationships—family and close friends—culminating in some disciples being martyred. The broader chapter then expands to the destruction of Jerusalem, signs of the end times, and calls for vigilance. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled in the early church as Christians were often denounced to Roman authorities by their pagan relatives, and later, during various periods of persecution. The close-knit nature of Jewish and Roman family structures would make such betrayal particularly devastating.
Word analysis
- And ye shall be betrayed: The Greek verb is paradōsousin (παραδώσουσιν), from paradidomi, meaning "to hand over, deliver up, betray." This verb is also used for Judas's betrayal of Jesus, highlighting the grave nature and specific intent behind these actions. It implies an active, deliberate handing over for judgment or punishment.
- both by parents: Greek goneōn (γονέων), referring to biological parents. This is profoundly shocking in a culture where filial piety was paramount and family loyalty was foundational to identity and safety.
- and brethren: Greek adelphōn (ἀδελφῶν), meaning brothers and sisters. This encompasses both literal siblings and wider community members in a family-like bond, emphasizing the depth of relational rupture.
- and kinsfolks: Greek syggenōn (συγγενῶν), denoting blood relatives, extended family. This broadens the circle of betrayal beyond the nuclear family, indicating a pervasive threat from within one's own clan.
- and friends: Greek philōn (φίλων), meaning companions or loved ones. The inclusion of "friends" indicates that not even chosen social bonds, built on trust and shared experiences, would be immune to this betrayal.
- and some of you shall they cause to be put to death: The Greek verb thanatōsousin (θανατώσουσιν), from thanatoō, meaning "to put to death" or "kill." This indicates actual martyrdom, the ultimate sacrifice, directly resulting from the betrayals mentioned. It specifies that while many will be persecuted, some will face capital punishment for their faith.
- "And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends": This specific grouping of relational categories highlights the comprehensive and devastating nature of the betrayal. It's not just enemies from outside, but the collapse of internal, trusted circles, stripping away common societal refuges. It challenges the assumption that family and friends would be safe havens.
CommentaryLuke 21:16 delivers a sobering prophecy, confronting believers with the reality that their deepest attachments—family and friendship—could become instruments of their persecution and even death. Jesus doesn't soften the blow; He reveals the radical opposition the Gospel provokes, even within one's own household, as spiritual allegiance to Him transcends blood ties. This was fulfilled repeatedly in the early church, as pagan and even Jewish relatives would denounce Christian converts to Roman authorities, leading to arrests, trials, and executions. The verse calls for an unreserved commitment to Christ, implying that following Him may require valuing Him above all human relationships, no matter how cherished. It assures disciples that suffering for His name, though painful, is a direct fulfillment of prophecy, thereby giving it divine purpose and confirming the path of faithfulness. For example, a young person who commits to Christ despite the hostility of an unsupportive family might find themselves disowned or reported for their faith; a parent who faces the alienation of their adult children because of their stand for Christ; or a friend who reports another for their faith in oppressive regimes. These illustrate the stark reality predicted by Jesus.
Bonus sectionThis verse is not just a historical prediction but holds a timeless warning. It underscores the spiritual conflict that penetrates even the most intimate human relationships when Christ's lordship is proclaimed. The severe nature of this prophecy also served to prepare the disciples for what awaited them, preventing disillusionment when such betrayals occurred. Jesus' words imply that the test of true discipleship includes steadfastness in the face of familial opposition. It reminds us that our primary identity is in Christ, and loyalty to Him must supersede all other loyalties, no matter how painful the cost. This aspect challenges the natural human tendency to seek comfort and safety within established social and family networks, instead urging radical reliance on God's provision.