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 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 10:21 | "Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child..." | Parallel prediction of familial betrayal and death for Christ. |
| Mark 13:12 | "Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child..." | Parallel prediction of betrayal leading to death. |
| Luke 12:53 | "Father will be divided against son and son against father..." | The divisive nature of Christ's message, splitting families. |
| Matt 10:36 | "And a person's enemies will be those of his own household." | Reinforces the idea of internal, familial opposition. |
| Mic 7:6 | "For the son dishonors the father, the daughter rises against her mother..." | Old Testament prophecy showing familial breakdown, echoes betrayal theme. |
| Matt 24:9 | "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death..." | Broader prediction of persecution and martyrdom. |
| Jn 16:2 | "They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when..." | Religious persecution and martyrdom. |
| Acts 7:59-60 | "While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'" | Early Christian martyr, demonstrating fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy. |
| Acts 12:2 | "He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword." | Martyrdom of an apostle, historical fulfillment. |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." | General principle of persecution for all who follow Christ. |
| Phil 1:29 | "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not..." | Believers are granted both faith in Christ and suffering for Him. |
| 1 Pet 4:12 | "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you..." | Expectation of trials and suffering for believers. |
| 1 Cor 4:9 | "...God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men condemned to death..." | Apostles faced extreme hardship and constant threat of death. |
| Rev 6:9-11 | "...the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God..." | Vision of martyrs awaiting justice, showing continued persecution. |
| Rev 20:4 | "Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony..." | Future scene affirming the martyrdom of many for Christ. |
| Lk 21:12 | "But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you..." | Immediate preceding context describing arrest and persecution. |
| Lk 9:23 | "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross..." | Call to radical discipleship, implying suffering and death. |
| Jn 15:18 | "If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you." | Believers will suffer the same hatred Christ endured. |
| Heb 11:37 | "They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword..." | Examples of extreme persecution endured by faithful throughout history. |
| Rom 8:35 | "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress..." | God's unfailing love in the midst of suffering and persecution. |
| Heb 10:32 | "But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured..." | Reminder of past endurance in great suffering. |
| Ps 27:10 | "For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in." | David's experience of abandonment and God's faithfulness (analogous theme). |
Luke 21 verses
Luke 21 16 Meaning
Luke 21:16 foretells the severe persecution and betrayal that followers of Jesus will endure. It specifically highlights that this opposition will come not only from external enemies but even from one's closest relations – parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. The verse also soberly states that these betrayals will lead to the death of some disciples. It underscores the profound cost of discipleship and the divisive nature of loyalty to Christ in a hostile world.
Luke 21 16 Context
Luke 21:16 is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, delivered to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. The preceding verses (21:7-11) describe future tribulations like false christs, wars, earthquakes, famines, and pestilences, warning disciples against deception. Immediately prior (21:12-15), Jesus predicts that His followers will be arrested, persecuted, delivered up to synagogues and prisons, and brought before kings and governors for His name's sake. He promises divine wisdom for their testimony in these trials. Verse 16 specifically intensifies these warnings by pointing to the betrayal from within their closest social circles—their own families and friends. This grim prophecy, along with the promise of some being put to death, underscores the extreme sacrifices required for faithfulness during a time of intense tribulation. Historically, this prophecy resonated strongly with the early Christian community, who indeed experienced severe persecution from both Jewish authorities and the Roman Empire, often leading to ostracization and even betrayal by their own family members due to their newfound faith in Christ. The Gospel message, while offering peace, inherently brings division to those who oppose it, even within households.
Luke 21 16 Word analysis
- You will be betrayed (παραδοθήσεσθε - paradothēsesthe): This is from the Greek verb paradidomi (παραδίδωμι), which means "to hand over," "to deliver," or "to betray." It's the same term used for Judas "betraying" Jesus. In this context, it implies an active, deliberate handing over of followers to authorities for judgment or punishment. Its use highlights that this isn't passive opposition but an active turning over by trusted individuals. The passive voice emphasizes the believers as the recipients of this treachery.
- even by (καί ὑπὸ - kai hypo): The inclusion of "even by" or "also by" emphasizes the unexpected and particularly cruel source of betrayal. It suggests a higher degree of difficulty or pain because the betrayal comes from those who should be most loyal and protective.
- parents (γονέων - goneōn): Greek for "progenitors" or "parents." This highlights a fundamental and sacred familial bond being broken.
- brothers (ἀδελφῶν - adelphōn): Referring to male siblings, but often broadly used for close family or fellow community members. Here, in conjunction with "parents" and "relatives," it specifically denotes immediate family.
- relatives (συγγενῶν - syngenōn): Greek for "blood relatives" or "kin." This expands the circle of betrayal beyond the immediate household to the extended family network, which was highly significant in ancient societies.
- and friends (καὶ φίλων - kai philōn): This addition shows the complete rupture of social ties. Friendship was also a strong bond, often built on shared trust and loyalty. Its inclusion means betrayal will come from all levels of personal relationships.
- and they will put (καὶ θανατώσουσιν - kai thanatōsōsin): From thanatoō (θανατόω), meaning "to put to death" or "to kill." It is an active verb indicating direct, fatal action.
- some of you (ἐξ ὑμῶν - ex hymōn): This phrase indicates that not all believers will face death, but a significant number will. It sets a sober expectation for martyrdom without declaring it as the universal outcome for all. The prediction highlights the ultimate cost of discipleship for many.
Luke 21 16 Bonus section
- The radical nature of these predictions implies a deliberate separation that the Gospel brings between those who accept Christ and those who reject Him, even within families.
- The severity of the prophecy serves to test the authenticity of faith; true commitment to Christ transcends the most sacred human bonds and the fear of death itself.
- Historically, this passage proved crucial for early Christians, preparing them mentally for the familial and state persecutions they would indeed face. It confirmed that their suffering was part of God's sovereign plan and Christ's prior warnings, not an indication of His absence.
- This verse provides a counter-cultural theological statement: loyalty to the Kingdom of God and Christ's will is presented as superior to traditional allegiances, including familial ones, when those allegiances demand a compromise of faith.
Luke 21 16 Commentary
Luke 21:16 delivers a severe and unsettling prophecy concerning the tribulations awaiting those who commit to Jesus Christ. Far from promising an easy path, Jesus warns of a deeply personal and agonizing form of persecution: betrayal from one's innermost circle—family members and trusted friends. This particular form of betrayal is intensely painful as it shatters fundamental human bonds and communal safety nets that were paramount in ancient society. The use of "betrayed" (paradidomi) carries echoes of Judas's actions toward Jesus Himself, connecting the disciples' future suffering directly to Christ's own path of sacrifice. Furthermore, the prediction that some will be "put to death" underlines the ultimate stakes involved in faithfully following Christ; it is a call to radical, uncompromising discipleship, even unto martyrdom. This verse is not meant to incite fear, but rather to prepare believers for the stark reality of the world's opposition to Christ's kingdom, empowering them for steadfast endurance and a testimony that rises above the cost of earthly ties. The fulfillment of these words is well-documented throughout church history, from the early Christian martyrs to present-day persecuted believers globally, who continue to face immense pressure and personal cost for their faith. It highlights that allegiance to Christ must supersede all earthly loyalties, a difficult but essential truth for authentic discipleship.