Matthew 10:34-36 - Not Peace, but a Sword.
Matt 10:34-36: Not Peace, but a Sword.
Matt 10:34-36 (KJV) Think not that I am come to send peace on
earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a
man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her
mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a
man's foes shall be they of his own household.
DEVOTIONAL PEARL
Shortly before His crucifixion Christ had bequeathed to His
disciples a legacy of peace. "Peace I leave with you," He said, "My peace
I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not
your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27. This
peace is not the peace that comes through conformity to the world.
Christ never purchased peace by compromise with evil. The peace that
Christ left His disciples is internal rather than external and was ever
to remain with His witnesses through strife and contention. Christ
said of Himself, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I
came not to send peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34. The Prince of
Peace, He was yet the cause of division. He who came to proclaim glad
tidings and to create hope and joy in the hearts of the children of men,
opened a controversy that burns deep and arouses intense passion in the
human heart. And He warns His followers, "In the world ye shall have
tribulation." "They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you,
delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before
kings and rulers for My name's sake." "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." John 16:33; Luke 21:12, 16. This
prophecy has been fulfilled in a marked manner. Every indignity,
reproach, and cruelty that Satan could instigate human hearts to devise,
has been visited upon the followers of Jesus. And it will be again
fulfilled in a marked manner; for the carnal heart is still at enmity with
the law of God, and will not be subject to its commands. The world
is no more in harmony with the principles of Christ today than it
was in the days of the apostles. The same hatred that prompted the
cry, "Crucify Him! crucify Him!" the same hatred that led to the
persecution of the disciples, still works in the children of disobedience.
The same spirit which in the Dark Ages consigned men and women to
prison, to exile, and to death, which conceived the exquisite torture of
the Inquisition, which planned and executed the Massacre of St.
Bartholomew, and which kindled the fires of Smithfield, is still at work with
malignant energy in unregenerate hearts. The history of truth has ever
been the record of a struggle between right and wrong. The
proclamation of the gospel has ever been carried forward in this world in the
face of opposition, peril, loss, and suffering. {AA 84}
THE FOLLOWING IS FOR THOSE WHO DESIRE DEEPER STUDY:
CONTENT; What's in the verse; Translations; Paraphrase; Word
Study:
Matt 10:34-36 (KJV) Think not that I am come to send peace on
earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a
man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her
mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a
man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Matt 10:34-36 (CWR) Sometimes the gospel is like a two-edged
sword: it brings the good news of salvation on one hand, but accepting
it can also bring persecution. 35 It can even drive families apart,
such as fathers from their sons, or mothers from their daughters, and
those who are related by marriage from their in-laws. 36 In fact, a
disciples enemies could come from his own family.
CONTEXT; What's around the verse; Overview; Topic:
Overview
Jesus commissioned the Twelve (10:1-4). He instructed them on an
immediate preaching mission (vv. 5-16), and spoke of future challenges
(vv. 17-31). Jesus explained what He expects of disciples (vv. 32-39)
and the disciple's reward (vv. 40-42). A demoralized John was
encouraged (11:1-6) and praised (vv. 7-19) by Jesus, who damned the cities
that refused to repent despite His miracles (vv. 20-24). Yet the
weary who come to Jesus will find rest (vv. 25-30). [The 365-Day
Devotional Commentary]
Chapter Topics
1 Christ sendeth out his twelve apostles, enabling them with
power to do miracles, 5 giveth them their charge, teacheth them, 16
comforteth them against persecutions: 40 and promiseth a blessing to those
that receive them. [SDA Commentary]
Chapter Summary
Jesus sends His twelve disciples out to teach and preach. He
equips them for this ministry with power over demons and diseases
(10:1-5). Their powers, however, were not to be used for selfish purposes.
Like Christ, they were to travel in poverty, dependent on the
willingness of those to whom they ministered to meet their basic needs for
food and lodging (vv. 6-15). Jesus warns them to expect hostility as
well as welcome--something believers throughout the ages have known.
Their goal, as ours, is not to be successful or popular, but to live
humbly as Jesus did, taking His trust in the Father as our example, and
refusing to fear man (vv. 16-31). The message the disciples carry is the
most critical in the world. It's not a message intended to bring
earthly peace, for it will stir up opposition. Yet its acceptance or
rejection determines each person's eternal destiny (vv. 32-42). [Victor
Bible Reader's Companion]
Section Headings
The Meaning of Discipleship
Jesus prepares the disciples for persecution (10:17-42)
Jesus, the cause of dissension (10:34-36)
Tell People About Your Faith
Not Peace, but a Sword (10:34-39)
CROSS REFERENCES; What's in verses elsewhere.
Genesis 3:15 (KJV) And I will put enmity between thee and the
woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and
thou shalt bruise his heel.
Micah 7:6 (KJV) For the son dishonoureth the father, the
daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her
mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.
John 7:40-52 (KJV) Many of the people therefore, when they
heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. [41] Others
said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of
Galilee? [42] Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed
of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? [43]
So there was a division among the people because of him. [44] And
some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. [45]
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they
said unto them, Why have ye not brought him? [46] The officers
answered, Never man spake like this man. [47] Then answered them the
Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? [48] Have any of the rulers or of the
Pharisees believed on him? [49] But this people who knoweth not the law
are cursed. [50] Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus
by night, being one of them,) [51] Doth our law judge any man,
before it hear him, and know what he doeth? [52] They answered and said
unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of
Galilee ariseth no prophet.
Luke 12:49-53 (NIV) "I have come to bring fire on the earth,
and how I wish it were already kindled! [50] But I have a baptism to
undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! [51] Do you think
I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. [52]
From now on there will be five in one family divided against each
other, three against two and two against three. [53] They will be
divided, father against son and son against father, mother against
daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against
daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart.
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?
How can it improve my relationship with Jesus.
Peace Compare John 14:27. Four references to peace may be
mentioned: (1) "Peace with God" (Rom 5:1); this peace is the work of Christ
into which the individual enters by faith (Eph 2:14-17; Rom 5:1). (2)
"Peace from God" (Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:3, etc.), which is to be found in
the salutation of all the epistles bearing Paul's name, and which
emphasizes the source of all true peace. (3) "Peace of God" (Phil 4:7),
inward peace, the state of the soul of the Christian who, having
entered into peace with God, has committed all his anxieties to God
through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (Luke 7:50; Phil
4:6-7); this phrase emphasizes the quality or the nature of the peace
granted. And (4) peace "on earth" (Ps 72:7; 85:10; Isa 9:6-7; 11:1-12),
universal peace on the earth made new. [Scofield SB mod]
Christ is the Prince of Peace. He it was who brought the peace
of heaven to earth and imparted it to men (see on John 14:27).
However, when a man makes peace with God (see Rom. 5:1) he is frequently
counted by the world as an enemy (see 1 John 3:12, 13). Christ came to
set sinners at peace with God, but in so doing He also inevitably
set them at variance with all who refuse the offer of peace (see on
Matt. 10:22). The Christian must never seek, or be content with, the
peace that comes through compromise with evil. For the true Christian
it is not a matter of peace at any price. [SDA Commentary]
At first glance this saying sounds like a contradiction of Isa
9:6 ("Prince of Peace"), Lk 2:14 ("on earth peace to men") and Jn
14:27 ("Peace I leave with you"). It is true that Christ came to bring
peace--peace between the believer and God, and peace among men. Yet the
inevitable result of Christ's coming is conflict--between Christ and the
antichrist, between light and darkness, between Christ's children and the
devil's children. This conflict can occur even between members of the
same family (vv. 35-36). [NIV SB]
Jesus is not denying the personal peace which comes to those who
have received Christ (Rom 8:6). The history of Christianity has
verified the claim of Jesus that men would be divided harshly, even
within family units, over the gospel of Christ. No division is any more
clearly drawn than that between holiness and sinfulness. [Believer's
SB]
Jesus' message will not be received by everyone, for the gospel
runs at cross purposes with the values and vision of the world. Thus,
in some cases it will cause conflict. Its call reverses worldly
priorities so that God takes first place even before family relationships.
Family members who do not accept Christ's invitation to the cross will
fight against those who do. Jesus did not intend to cause conflict,
but the natural reaction of the unbeliever is to oppose all who live
out Christ's message. [Disciple SB]
There is an alarming indifference in regard to the doctrines
which are the pillars of the Christian faith. The opinion is gaining
ground, that, after all, these are not of vital importance. This
degeneracy is strengthening the hands of the agents of Satan, so that false
theories and fatal delusions which the faithful in ages past imperiled
their lives to resist and expose, are now regarded with favor by
thousands who claim to be followers of Christ. The early Christians were
indeed a peculiar people. Their blameless deportment and unswerving
faith were a continual reproof that disturbed the sinner's peace.
Though few in numbers, without wealth, position, or honorary titles,
they were a terror to evildoers wherever their character and
doctrines were known. Therefore they were hated by the wicked, even as
Abel was hated by the ungodly Cain. For the same reason that Cain
slew Abel, did those who sought to throw off the restraint of the
Holy Spirit, put to death God's people. It was for the same reason
that the Jews rejected and crucified the Saviour--because the purity
and holiness of His character was a constant rebuke to their
selfishness and corruption. From the days of Christ until now His faithful
disciples have excited the hatred and opposition of those who love and
follow the ways of sin. How, then, can the gospel be called a message
of peace? When Isaiah foretold the birth of the Messiah, he
ascribed to Him the title, "Prince of Peace." When angels announced to
the shepherds that Christ was born, they sang above the plains of
Bethlehem: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will
toward men." Luke 2:14. There is a seeming contradiction between these
prophetic declarations and the words of Christ: "I came not to send peace,
but a sword." Matthew 10:34. But, rightly understood, the two are in
perfect harmony. The gospel is a message of peace. Christianity is a
system which, received and obeyed, would spread peace, harmony, and
happiness throughout the earth. The religion of Christ will unite in close
brotherhood all who accept its teachings. It was the mission of Jesus to
reconcile men to God, and thus to one another. But the world at large are
under the control of Satan, Christ's bitterest foe. The gospel
presents to them principles of life which are wholly at variance with
their habits and desires, and they rise in rebellion against it. They
hate the purity which reveals and condemns their sins, and they
persecute and destroy those who would urge upon them its just and holy
claims. It is in this sense--because the exalted truths it brings
occasion hatred and strife--that the gospel is called a sword. {GC 46}
Shortly before His crucifixion Christ had bequeathed to His
disciples a legacy of peace. "Peace I leave with you," He said, "My peace
I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not
your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27. This
peace is not the peace that comes through conformity to the world.
Christ never purchased peace by compromise with evil. The peace that
Christ left His disciples is internal rather than external and was ever
to remain with His witnesses through strife and contention. Christ
said of Himself, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I
came not to send peace, but a sword." Matthew 10:34. The Prince of
Peace, He was yet the cause of division. He who came to proclaim glad
tidings and to create hope and joy in the hearts of the children of men,
opened a controversy that burns deep and arouses intense passion in the
human heart. And He warns His followers, "In the world ye shall have
tribulation." "They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you,
delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before
kings and rulers for My name's sake." "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." John 16:33; Luke 21:12, 16. This
prophecy has been fulfilled in a marked manner. Every indignity,
reproach, and cruelty that Satan could instigate human hearts to devise,
has been visited upon the followers of Jesus. And it will be again
fulfilled in a marked manner; for the carnal heart is still at enmity with
the law of God, and will not be subject to its commands. The world
is no more in harmony with the principles of Christ today than it
was in the days of the apostles. The same hatred that prompted the
cry, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" the same hatred that led to the
persecution of the disciples, still works in the children of disobedience.
The same spirit which in the Dark Ages consigned men and women to
prison, to exile, and to death, which conceived the exquisite torture of
the Inquisition, which planned and executed the Massacre of St.
Bartholomew, and which kindled the fires of Smithfield, is still at work with
malignant energy in unregenerate hearts. The history of truth has ever
been the record of a struggle between right and wrong. The
proclamation of the gospel has ever been carried forward in this world in the
face of opposition, peril, loss, and suffering. {AA 84}
Conflict and disagreement will arise between those who choose to
follow Christ and those who don't..... Christian commitment may separate
friends and loved ones. In saying this, Jesus was not encouraging
disobedience to parents or conflict at home. Rather, he was showing that his
presence demands a decision. Because some will follow Christ and some
won't, conflict will inevitably arise. As we take our cross and follow
him, our different values, morals, goals, and purposes will set us
apart from others. Don't neglect your family, but remember that your
commitment to God is even more important than they are. God should be your
first priority. [Life Application SB]
If a person cannot go to God, it is because he has something
secret which he does not intend to give up--he may admit his sin, but
would no more give up that thing than he could fly under his own
power. It is impossible to deal sympathetically with people like that.
We must reach down deep in their lives to the root of the problem,
which will cause hostility and resentment toward the message.... Deal
with people where they are, until they begin to realize their true
need. Then hold high the standard of Jesus for their lives. Their
response may be, "We can never be that." Then drive it home with, "Jesus
Christ says you must." "But how can we be?" "You can't, unless you have
a new Spirit" There must be a sense of need created before your
message is of any use. Thousands of people in this world profess to be
happy without God. But if we could be truly happy and moral without
Jesus, then why did He come? He came because that kind of happiness and
peace is only superficial. Jesus Christ came to "bring ... a sword"
through every kind of peace that is not based on a personal relationship
with Himself. [My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers]
The Christian will be sure to make enemies. It will be one of
his objects to make none; but if to do the right, and to believe the
true, should cause him to lose every earthly friend, he will count it
but a small loss, since his great Friend in heaven will be yet more
friendly, and reveal himself to him more graciously than ever. O ye who
have taken up his cross, know ye not what your Master said? "I am
come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter
against her mother; and a man's foes shall be they of his own
household." Christ is the great Peacemaker; but before peace, he brings war.
Where the light cometh, the darkness must retire. Where truth is, the
lie must flee; or, if it abideth, there must be a stern conflict,
for the truth cannot and will not lower its standard, and the lie
must be trodden under foot. If you follow Christ, you shall have all
the dogs of the world yelping at your heels. If you would live so as
to stand the test of the last tribunal, depend upon it the world
will not speak well of you. He who has the friendship of the world is
an enemy to God; but if you are true and faithful to the Most High,
men will resent your unflinching fidelity, since it is a testimony
against their iniquities. Fearless of all consequences, you must do the
right. You will need the courage of a lion unhesitatingly to pursue a
course which shall turn your best friend into your fiercest foe; but
for the love of Jesus you must thus be courageous. For the truth's
sake to hazard reputation and affection, is such a deed that to do it
constantly you will need a degree of moral principle which only the Spirit
of God can work in you; yet turn not your back like a coward, but
play the man. Follow right manfully in your Master's steps, for he
has traversed this rough way before you. [Morning and Evening by
Charles H. Spurgeon]
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