Matthew 10:25 kjv
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Matthew 10:25 nkjv
It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!
Matthew 10:25 niv
It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
Matthew 10:25 esv
It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
Matthew 10:25 nlt
Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!
Matthew 10 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 5:11-12 | "Blessed are you when people insult you... because of me... for so they persecuted..." | Persecution for righteousness/Christ's sake |
| Mt 9:34 | "The Pharisees said, 'He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.'" | Beelzebub accusation against Jesus |
| Mt 12:24 | "When the Pharisees heard it, they said, 'This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul...'" | Direct Beelzebub accusation |
| Lk 6:40 | "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." | Disciple-teacher resemblance |
| Jn 13:16 | "Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master..." | Servant not above master |
| Jn 15:18-20 | "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you... because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world..." | World's hatred for Christ & disciples |
| Jn 16:2-3 | "They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God." | Religious persecution and martyrdom |
| Acts 5:40-41 | "And when they had called the apostles... they beat them and charged them... they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name." | Joy in suffering for Christ |
| Rom 8:17 | "And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him..." | Sharing in Christ's sufferings & glory |
| 2 Cor 4:8-10 | "We are afflicted in every way... but not crushed... always carrying in the body the death of Jesus..." | Bearing Christ's suffering |
| Phil 1:29 | "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake..." | Gift of suffering for Christ |
| Phil 3:10 | "...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings..." | Intimacy through shared suffering |
| Col 1:24 | "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions..." | Completing Christ's afflictions |
| 2 Tim 2:11-12 | "The saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him..." | Enduring for future reign |
| 2 Tim 3:12 | "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." | Universal expectation of persecution |
| Heb 13:13 | "Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured." | Bearing Christ's reproach |
| 1 Pet 2:20-21 | "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example..." | Christ as example in suffering |
| 1 Pet 4:12-14 | "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial... but rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings..." | Sharing Christ's sufferings, rejoice |
| 1 Jn 3:13 | "Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you." | Expect world's hatred |
| Rev 2:10 | "Do not fear what you are about to suffer... Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." | Faithfulness in suffering unto death |
Matthew 10 verses
Matthew 10 25 Meaning
Matthew 10:25 conveys that a disciple's experience will mirror that of their master. If the world slandered Jesus, the "master of the house," by calling Him Beelzebub—accusing Him of demonic power—then His followers, His "household," should fully expect to endure similar or even greater revilement and false accusations for His name's sake. It serves as both a prophetic warning of anticipated persecution and an encouragement that sharing in the Master's suffering is a natural and even sufficient mark of discipleship.
Matthew 10 25 Context
Matthew 10 presents Jesus' commissioning of His twelve apostles for their inaugural mission. The chapter is deeply saturated with instructions, warnings, and promises regarding their imminent ministry. Jesus informs them they are being sent "as sheep in the midst of wolves" (Mt 10:16), anticipating hostility, betrayal even by family members (Mt 10:21), and being dragged before authorities (Mt 10:18). Verse 25 falls within a broader passage (Mt 10:24-33) where Jesus prepares His disciples for intense opposition, telling them not to fear those who can kill the body, but rather to fear God. The specific accusation of Beelzebub echoes earlier instances where religious leaders accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of the chief demon (Mt 9:34, 12:24), highlighting the severe, blasphemous nature of the opposition they will face. This historical context emphasizes the stark clash between the kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed and the established religious and social order.
Matthew 10 25 Word analysis
- It is enough (ἱκανόν, hikanon): This word implies adequacy, sufficiency, and fittingness. It suggests that for a disciple, reaching the standard set by the master is a satisfactory and commendable achievement. It is not "barely enough" but "quite enough," reflecting honor in conforming to the Master's experience.
- for the disciple (τῷ μαθητῇ, tō mathētē): A "disciple" (mathētēs) is more than just a student; it signifies one who adopts and lives out the teachings and lifestyle of their teacher.
- that he be as his master (ἵνα γένηται ὡς ὁ διδάσκαλος αὐτοῦ, hina genētai hōs ho didaskalos autou): "Master" (didaskalos) means "teacher." The phrase signifies the disciple becoming fully identified with and embodying the characteristics, mission, and even experiences of their teacher, Jesus.
- and the servant (καὶ ὁ δοῦλος, kai ho doulos): A "servant" (doulos) specifically denotes a slave or bondservant, implying complete ownership and devotion.
- as his lord (ὡς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ, hōs ho kyrios autou): "Lord" (kyrios) emphasizes supreme authority and ownership. The repetition of "master" and "lord" reinforces the profound bond and expected similarity between Jesus and His followers.
- If they have called (Εἰ τὸν οἰκοδεσπότην ἐκάλεσαν, Ei ton oikodespotēn ekalesan): Refers to the public and authoritative accusations made by opponents.
- the master of the house (τὸν οἰκοδεσπότην, ton oikodespotēn): This term ("household master/owner") designates Jesus as the authoritative head and provider of His spiritual "house"—the community of His followers. It roots the concept of discipleship in a deeply relational and familial context.
- Beelzebub (Βεελζεβούλ, Beelzeboul): This is a corrupted form of Baal-Zebub (lord of the flies, from 2 Kgs 1:2-6). It was a derogatory and blasphemous name for the prince of demons, Satan himself. To call Jesus "Beelzebub" was the most severe form of slander, attributing His divine power and miracles to Satan.
- how much more (πόσῳ μᾶλλον, posō mallon): This rhetorical device, an a fortiori argument, indicates a greater certainty. If the greater person (Jesus) endured such slander, then with even more certainty His lesser followers should expect the same.
- shall they call them of his household (τοὺς οἰκιακοὺς αὐτοῦ, tous oikiakous autou): "Those of his household" explicitly refers to the disciples—members of Jesus' spiritual family. They are considered an extension of Jesus, thus receiving the same opposition directed at Him.
Matthew 10 25 Bonus section
This verse highlights the scandal of Jesus for His generation: His opponents, unable to deny His miracles, chose to attribute His divine works to Satan. This was a radical rejection of God's power. For the disciples, being called by the same vile names means participating in this "offense of the cross." It establishes that persecution for believers is not an anomaly but an inherent part of their vocation, validating their walk with Christ. The expectation of slander serves to desensitize the disciples to public scorn, preparing them to focus on God's approval rather than man's. It reminds believers that if they are experiencing friction with the world, it might be a sign they are truly following the unconventional path of Christ.
Matthew 10 25 Commentary
Matthew 10:25 stands as a sobering yet empowering declaration within Jesus' missionary discourse. It clarifies that genuine discipleship involves not just receiving teaching but sharing in the entire trajectory of the Master's life, including His opposition. The initial assertion, "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master," redefines what constitutes "enough" for a follower of Christ. It implies a high calling to full conformity, seeing the disciple's resemblance to the Master—even in suffering—as the ultimate standard. The accusation of "Beelzebub" against Jesus was not a casual insult but a deeply malicious charge, questioning the very source of His divine authority and associating it with demonic power. This profound level of rejection directed at Jesus guarantees that His disciples will likewise encounter such slander and severe misunderstanding. Therefore, the verse not only warns of future trials but also validates the experience of persecution as evidence of true belonging to Christ. Enduring such reproach is a badge of honor, affirming one's identity as part of Jesus' spiritual household, enduring alongside Him. This profound solidarity offers both courage to face adversity and reassurance that such suffering aligns perfectly with the divine plan for those who follow Him.