Matthew 24 10

Matthew 24:10 kjv

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

Matthew 24:10 nkjv

And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.

Matthew 24:10 niv

At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,

Matthew 24:10 esv

And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.

Matthew 24:10 nlt

And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 10 Meaning

Matthew 24:10 describes a critical internal turning point within the believing community during the period preceding the Lord's return and the end of the age. It foretells a widespread spiritual apostasy and betrayal, stating that many who profess faith will be caused to stumble or abandon their convictions. This falling away will manifest not only as an internal spiritual failure but also through active treachery and mutual hatred among those who were once associated, where they will betray one another.

Matthew 24 10 Context

Matthew chapter 24 is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, delivered on the Mount of Olives. The disciples had asked Him three questions: when the temple would be destroyed, what would be the sign of His coming, and what would be the sign of the end of the age (Mt 24:3). Jesus' answer addresses these in a layered prophecy, warning against deception, false messiahs, and growing tribulation. Verse 10 appears after Jesus describes global distress (wars, famines, earthquakes), increased persecution of His followers, and the rise of false prophets. It immediately precedes the prophecy that "the love of many will grow cold" (v. 12), forming a sequential unfolding of events and spiritual conditions that intensify prior to His ultimate return. The "then" ("τότε") signifies that this falling away is a direct consequence and an accelerated development following the previously mentioned tribulations and deceptions, particularly those sown by false prophets.

Matthew 24 10 Word analysis

• Καὶ (Kai) - And: A simple conjunction connecting this prophecy to the preceding events of increased tribulations, persecutions, and the emergence of false prophets. It signifies a natural, perhaps inevitable, progression in the unfolding end-time scenario.
• τότε (Tote) - then: This temporal adverb denotes a consequence or a next stage in the sequence of end-time events. It signifies that following the general distress and the specific persecutions of believers, and especially after the influence of "many false prophets" (v. 11), a major internal crisis will occur within the broader believing community. This is not merely happening at that time, but as a result of the preceding conditions.
• σκανδαλισθήσονται (skandalisthesontai) - will be offended / will stumble / will fall away: Derived from skandalon, a "stumbling block" or "snare." In a moral or spiritual sense, it means to be led to sin, to apostatize, or to lose faith. The passive voice indicates that they are caused to stumble or fall away, often implying external pressures or temptations. It speaks to a profound erosion of faith and commitment. This word points to a betrayal of faith itself.
• πολλοὶ (polloi) - many: This word suggests a significant number, not everyone, but a substantial proportion of those who had at least an outward profession of faith. It implies a wide-scale phenomenon within the visible church or community. This emphasizes that the apostasy will not be a fringe occurrence but a pervasive trend.
• καὶ (kai) - and: Connects the act of falling away to the active betrayal that follows.
• ἀλλήλους (allelous) - one another / each other: This reciprocal pronoun is crucial. It indicates that the betrayal and hatred are occurring within the community of professing believers, directed by former associates or co-believers against one another. It's not primarily external enemies, but internal conflict.
• παραδώσουσιν (paradōsousin) - will betray / will hand over: The verb paradidōmi (to hand over, deliver up, betray) is notably used to describe Judas's betrayal of Jesus (Mt 26:15-16, 27:3) and also frequently used by Jesus to predict His own "being handed over" to suffering. Here, it denotes an active and malicious delivery of fellow believers to authorities for persecution, judgment, or death. It speaks to a deep loss of loyalty and even a hostile identification with the persecutors.
• καὶ (kai) - and: Connects betrayal to the emotional state of hatred.
• μισήσουσιν (misēsousin) - will hate: This signifies an intense, active animosity, the very opposite of the agape love commanded by Christ (Jn 13:34-35). This hatred further reinforces the breakdown of internal community, implying a direct and strong opposition, potentially driven by self-preservation, fear, or disillusionment.
• ἀλλήλους (allelous) - one another / each other: Repeats the reciprocal pronoun, confirming that this hatred is mutual and directed inwardly within the group, rather than exclusively against outsiders.

Words-group analysis:

• "τότε σκανδαλισθήσονται πολλοὶ" (then many will be offended/stumble/fall away): This phrase signifies a specific moment (after preceding events) when a broad spiritual falling-out will occur. This is often the initial phase – faith weakens, and adherence becomes fragile. The passive voice suggests that external pressures or internal temptations lead them to this state. It highlights the impact of tribulation and false teaching on faith itself.
• "καὶ ἀλλήλους παραδώσουσιν" (and one another will betray/hand over): This marks a progression from passive stumbling to active malevolence. Those who have stumbled then become agents of destruction, specifically targeting those within their former fellowship. This betrayal is often rooted in a desire to escape persecution themselves, to gain favor with authorities, or out of disillusionment and malice. This internal betrayal signifies the extreme test of community bonds.
• "καὶ μισήσουσιν ἀλλήλους" (and one another will hate): This culminates the descent into spiritual and moral decay, indicating that not only is faith abandoned and trust broken, but positive affection is replaced by profound hostility. The hatred among former fellow-believers signifies a complete collapse of Christ's new commandment of love. This spiritual barrenness and antagonism within the visible church foreshadows the ultimate spiritual battle.

Matthew 24 10 Bonus section

The fulfillment of Matthew 24:10 is not limited to a singular future event but can be seen as a recurring pattern of apostasy and internal conflict throughout church history, escalating as the "end times" draw closer. This process serves as a refining fire, revealing true believers from mere professors. It highlights the danger of "tribulation-caused apostasy," which aligns with the "stony ground" hearer in the Parable of the Sower (Mt 13:20-21). This verse particularly challenges the idea of universal faithfulness in the final days, asserting a widespread sifting process. The increasing intensity of "in-house" betrayal and hatred stands in stark opposition to the church's divine call to unity and love, functioning as a significant prophetic sign of the worsening spiritual climate before the Second Coming.

Matthew 24 10 Commentary

Matthew 24:10 vividly paints a picture of profound spiritual crisis and internal breakdown within the professing Christian community during the challenging "end times." It's not just about external persecution, but a decay that starts from within. The "stumbling" (σκανδαλισθήσονται) implies that pressures, whether from the tribulation Jesus just described or from the deceit of false prophets, will cause many to abandon their faith, their commitment to Christ wavering and eventually breaking. This initial defection is compounded by active malice: those who fall away, or even those who remain outwardly but compromise, will then turn on their former brethren. The act of "betrayal" (παραδώσουσιν) evokes the image of Judas handing over Jesus, indicating a profound and deliberate breach of trust, delivering fellow believers into the hands of persecutors. This leads to the ultimate expression of spiritual collapse: "hatred" (μισήσουσιν) for "one another." This active animosity stands in stark contrast to the love that is meant to characterize Christ's followers.

This verse serves as a crucial warning. It implies that in times of intense pressure, not all who claim allegiance to Christ will persevere. Their faith, if superficial, will buckle under trial, leading to apostasy and even open hostility towards true believers. The consequence of such widespread ungodliness, as stated in Matthew 24:12, is that "the love of many will grow cold." This chilling sequence underscores the importance of genuine, rooted faith, endurance, and discerning spiritual steadfastness. It calls believers to cultivate deep love, unwavering loyalty to Christ, and vigilance against both external threats and internal decay, reminding them that their greatest trials may come from within the very ranks they once called brothers and sisters.