Matthew 10 37

Matthew 10:37 kjv

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 10:37 nkjv

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Matthew 10:37 niv

"Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 10:37 esv

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 10:37 nlt

"If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.

Matthew 10 verses

Matthew 10 37 Meaning

Matthew 10:37 reveals Jesus' demand for ultimate loyalty, declaring that anyone whose affection or devotion to father, mother, son, or daughter surpasses their love for Him is deemed "unworthy" of Him. This powerful statement underscores the absolute priority of discipleship, asserting Christ's supreme claim over even the most foundational and cherished human relationships. It is not a call to abandon familial love, but rather to align all loves within the proper divine order, with Christ at the preeminent center.

Matthew 10 37 Context

Matthew chapter 10 is central to understanding Jesus' expectations for His disciples and those who would follow Him. In this chapter, Jesus sends out His twelve apostles, granting them authority to cast out demons and heal illnesses, but also warning them of the persecution and rejection they will face. He outlines the nature of their mission and the demanding requirements of true discipleship, contrasting earthly peace with the divine purpose that often brings division. Verse 37 stands as a powerful declaration within this broader discourse on the cost of following Christ. Historically, Jewish society deeply valued family lineage, honor for parents, and maintaining a strong family unit, often placing it at the core of their social and religious life, second only to the direct commands of God. Jesus' statement would have been profoundly counter-cultural, challenging a fundamental aspect of their cultural and even divinely sanctioned social fabric (Ex 20:12, Dt 5:16) by elevating His own claim above all familial bonds. It introduces a "new family" criterion, rooted in loyalty to Him.

Matthew 10 37 Word analysis

• He who loves (ὁ φιλῶν / ho philōn): This participle comes from phileō, which denotes a strong affection, friendship, or fondness. While not as profound as agapao (divine, unconditional love), in this context, it speaks to an emotional bond and deep loyalty. The "one who loves" implies a person's inner disposition and allegiance.
• father or mother (πατέρα ἢ μητέρα / patera ē mētēra): These represent the primary figures of authority, nurture, and foundational relationship in Jewish society and any culture. Respect and love for parents were paramount and divinely commanded (Fifth Commandment).
• more than Me (ὑπὲρ ἐμέ / hyper eme): The crucial comparative phrase. Hyper means "beyond," "more than," "above." It clearly establishes a hierarchy of love and commitment. This isn't about not loving one's family, but about the degree of love and priority. Jesus demands the absolute highest place in one's affections and allegiance, setting Himself above all human connections. This directly challenges any traditional Jewish understanding that might place family above personal devotion to a prophet or teacher, unless that teacher was truly Messiah.
• is not (οὐκ ἔστιν / ouk estin): A definitive negation. There is no middle ground in this comparison.
• worthy (ἄξιος / axios): This term implies being "fit," "suitable," "deserving," or "matching" a standard. It denotes having the necessary character, qualifications, or disposition. Here, "worthy of Me" means being fit to be Christ's disciple, to truly represent Him, to participate in His mission, and ultimately to share in His kingdom and inheritance. It is not about earning salvation, but about demonstrating the authentic nature of one's relationship with Him.

Words-Group analysis:

• "He who loves father or mother... is not worthy of Me": This establishes a direct correlation between misplaced ultimate love and spiritual disqualification. The emphasis is on love as allegiance and priority. The very act of placing parental love above Christ demonstrates a failure to grasp the fundamental demand of discipleship.
• "and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me": This parallel phrase extends the demand to include one's descendants, ensuring no familial tie (past generation or future generation) can compete with Christ's preeminence. It covers the entirety of a person's familial relations, showing the radical and all-encompassing nature of Jesus' claim.
• "loves... more than Me": This core comparison highlights that Jesus does not call for an absence of natural affection, but a proper ordering of affections. It's about relative priority. If the object of one's supreme love is anything or anyone other than Christ, that love becomes an obstacle to true discipleship and identity with Him. This serves as a test of authentic faith.
• "is not worthy of Me": This isn't a statement of worthiness for salvation based on works, but worthiness for deep identification with Christ and for participation in His mission. Those whose primary allegiance lies elsewhere do not meet the foundational requirement for being recognized as His genuine follower or for bearing His name and mission effectively.

Matthew 10 37 Bonus section

The intense demand in this verse showcases the eschatological and Messianic significance Jesus held for Himself. No ordinary prophet or teacher would demand such absolute allegiance, surpassing the divinely commanded honor for parents. This statement is implicitly a claim to deity, asserting that the proper relationship to God (love the Lord your God with all your heart, Dt 6:5) is now channeled through supreme devotion to Jesus Himself. It also reveals the demanding nature of the New Covenant, where the Kingdom's values may directly conflict with established human traditions and relationships, often forcing believers into difficult choices. The "worthiness" implies a qualitative state of being aligned with God's purpose through Christ, rather than a quantifiable merit system. This principle continues to challenge believers across cultures, particularly in societies with strong family-centric traditions or collectivist structures.

Matthew 10 37 Commentary

Matthew 10:37 encapsulates the radical nature of Jesus' call to discipleship, which demands absolute and unparalleled devotion. In a culture where family bonds were supremely valued and honored—a value often reinforced by the Old Testament commands—Jesus boldly asserts His own supremacy. This declaration is not a command to hate or disrespect family; such an interpretation would contradict other biblical teachings (e.g., Eph 6:1-3, Col 3:20). Instead, the phrase "more than Me" (or "hate" in Lk 14:26) is a Semitic idiom denoting a strong preference, prioritizing one thing above another to the point where the lesser love seems like hatred by comparison.

The core message is one of primary allegiance: all loves, even the most natural and divinely ordained like familial love, must be subordinated to love for Christ. If one's affections or loyalties to family members become an obstacle to following Jesus, obeying His commands, or serving His kingdom, then that person is deemed "unworthy of Me." "Unworthy" here does not mean condemnation to hell, but rather an unfitness for true, authentic discipleship—unfit to carry His message, endure hardship for Him, or fully belong to His spiritual family. True discipleship often requires profound sacrifices and choices that might lead to division or misunderstanding even within one's own household (Mt 10:34-36). This reorientation of loyalties establishes that in the kingdom of God, Christ is the ultimate familial head, and obedience to Him redefines one's true kin (Mt 12:49-50).

• Practical Examples:
  • A young person chooses to pursue missionary work in a distant land, despite parents wanting them to stay closer to home for family comfort or career.
  • An individual maintains conviction and speaks truth from scripture even if it alienates close family members who hold opposing beliefs or sinful practices.
  • Someone prioritizes spending time serving the church or engaging in kingdom work over attending certain non-essential family gatherings, reflecting a divine calling.