Matthew 10:24 kjv
The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
Matthew 10:24 nkjv
"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
Matthew 10:24 niv
"The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.
Matthew 10:24 esv
"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
Matthew 10:24 nlt
"Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master.
Matthew 10 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 10:25 | "It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his master..." | Direct follow-up, expectation of shared experience. |
| Lk 6:40 | "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher." | Parable of the blind guide, disciple becoming like. |
| Jn 13:16 | "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him." | Jesus models humility by washing feet; true leadership. |
| Jn 15:20 | "Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you..." | Direct warning of shared persecution. |
| Jn 13:3-5 | "Jesus... rose from supper and laid aside His garments... and began to wash the disciples’ feet..." | Christ's example of servanthood and humility. |
| Phil 2:5-8 | "...Christ Jesus... made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant..." | Christ's supreme example of humbling Himself. |
| 1 Pet 2:21 | "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps..." | Following Christ's suffering example. |
| Rom 8:17 | "...if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." | Shared suffering leading to shared glory. |
| Heb 2:10 | "For it was fitting for Him... to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." | Christ's own perfection through suffering. |
| Mt 20:25-28 | "Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant... Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve..." | Kingdom leadership is servanthood, mirroring Christ. |
| 1 Cor 4:1-2 | "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." | Apostolic understanding of being Christ's servants. |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." | Universal principle of persecution for the godly. |
| Gen 37:2 | "...Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers... brought a bad report..." | Prefiguration of one sent, being betrayed/hated. |
| Isa 50:4-7 | "The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary... I gave My back to those who struck Me..." | Suffering Servant prophecy of Isaiah. |
| Isa 53:3 | "He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief..." | Describes the suffering Christ experienced. |
| Psa 118:22 | "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone." | Foreshadows Christ's rejection and ultimate exaltation. |
| Jer 11:18-19 | "The Lord has given me knowledge of it... like a docile lamb brought to the slaughter..." | Prophet Jeremiah's experience of persecution. |
| Mt 23:8-10 | "But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ... You have one Father... one Leader, the Christ." | Against human hierarchical superiority in teaching. |
| Gal 1:10 | "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ." | Paul's commitment to Christ, not popular approval. |
| Rev 1:9 | "I, John, your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ..." | Shared tribulation as part of Christian identity. |
Matthew 10 verses
Matthew 10 24 Meaning
Matthew 10:24 states a foundational principle for discipleship: "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master." This verse establishes that followers should not expect a status, privilege, or treatment superior to that of their leader or instructor. Instead, it implies a shared experience, particularly in suffering and persecution, as the subsequent verse clarifies. It underscores the humility and identification required of those who genuinely follow Christ.
Matthew 10 24 Context
Matthew chapter 10 records Jesus commissioning His twelve apostles, sending them out with authority to heal, cast out demons, and preach the Kingdom of Heaven. He gives them specific instructions, cautions them about potential dangers, and prepares them for the opposition they will face. The preceding verses (Mt 10:16-23) vividly describe the nature of this opposition: "sheep in the midst of wolves," betrayal by family, arrests, trials before governors and kings, and widespread hatred for His name's sake. Within this discourse, Matthew 10:24 serves as a grounding principle, an explanation for why they will face such difficulties. Jesus presents Himself as their archetype: just as the Teacher and Master endured rejection and suffering, so too must His disciples and servants. This instruction was critical for the Jewish cultural context, where the relationship between a Rabbi (teacher) and his talmidim (disciples) was one of deep dedication and imitation; disciples aspired to embody their Rabbi's teachings and lifestyle, thus sharing in his experience. The Jewish prophetic tradition also demonstrated a history of God's messengers facing persecution, which would have resonated with the disciples.
Matthew 10 24 Word analysis
- A disciple (μαθητὴς - mathētēs): Refers to a learner, student, or apprentice. In the Biblical context, particularly concerning Jesus, it implies not just intellectual assent but a committed follower who adopts the lifestyle, teachings, and mission of the teacher. It speaks of a bond beyond mere instruction, embracing a whole-person identification.
- is not (οὐκ ἔστιν - ouk estin): A strong negative expression. It means "it absolutely is not" or "it certainly does not exist." This negation emphasizes the unlikeliness or impropriety of the disciple being above the teacher.
- above (ὑπὲρ - hyper): Signifies "over," "beyond," or "superior to." The core meaning is one of rank or status.
- his teacher (διδάσκαλον - didaskalon): An instructor, one who teaches doctrine or truth. Jesus Himself is consistently called "Teacher" by His disciples and others, establishing His ultimate authority and source of wisdom.
- nor (οὐδὲ - oude): A conjunction meaning "and not" or "neither." It connects the two analogous clauses, reinforcing the truth of the first with a second, similar principle.
- a servant (δοῦλος - doulos): A bond-servant, a slave. This term denotes complete submission, dependence, and ownership. Unlike a hired hand, a doulos has no independent will and lives completely at the master's disposal.
- his master (κύριος - kyrios): Owner, lord, or supreme authority. For believers, Kyrios is a title for God and for Jesus Christ, signifying His absolute Lordship and sovereignty.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- A disciple is not above his teacher: This sets the standard for the follower's position. The disciple is there to learn, imitate, and submit to the teacher's authority and ways, not to surpass or operate independently of them. It speaks to humility and the order of authority in the Kingdom of God. It directly foreshadows that if the Teacher (Jesus) suffered rejection and persecution, so too will His dedicated followers.
- nor a servant above his master: This parallel statement deepens the meaning. While "disciple/teacher" implies learning and following, "servant/master" emphasizes total devotion, obedience, and identity. A servant fully identifies with the master's destiny, purpose, and treatment. It implies that if the Master endures hardship or opposition, the servant cannot expect to escape it simply by being a servant. Both analogies reinforce that the experience of the follower will mirror that of the leader, especially concerning external reception.
Matthew 10 24 Bonus section
This verse subtly prepares the disciples for what is articulated in the immediate follow-up: "It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his master" (Mt 10:25a). The phrase "not above" points to the fact that their shared experience will be on par with Jesus's. If the master of the house was called Beelzebul (Mt 10:25b), then his household will also be slandered and reviled. The inherent logic is one of identity and loyalty. To bear the name of Christ is to invite the same scorn He endured. Moreover, this principle isn't solely about suffering; it also encompasses learning and imitation in every aspect of life. The goal of a disciple is to become like the teacher in character, conduct, and mission. This teaching acts as both a sobering warning and a tremendous validation: persecution for Christ's sake is a badge of honor, affirming one's true alignment with the Master. It is also an implicit call to unwavering courage, knowing that the outcome is ultimately in the Master's hands.
Matthew 10 24 Commentary
Matthew 10:24 is a profound and practical truth setting the expectation for those who follow Christ. Jesus here calibrates the mindset of His disciples, preempting any notions of preferential treatment or ease in their ministry. By stating that a disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master, Jesus fundamentally declares that His followers will share in His own experiences, particularly rejection, misunderstanding, and persecution. He, their ultimate Teacher and Master, endured such things (and would soon go to the cross), and therefore, His genuine disciples must anticipate similar treatment. This verse prepares them not to be disillusioned when hardship arises but to understand it as a mark of true discipleship and identification with Him. It calls for humility, a willingness to suffer for the sake of the Master's name, and a sober understanding that their calling involves sacrifice, just as His ministry did.
- Example: A follower of Christ should not be surprised or offended when their commitment to Biblical truth leads to social ostracism or ridicule, just as Christ Himself was mocked and rejected by the world.
- Example: Those who preach Christ's message of repentance and salvation might face opposition or accusations of intolerance, reflecting the world's antagonism towards the Master Himself.