You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that betrayal will come not just from outsiders, but from the very closest people in your life – family and friends. This underscores that following Jesus might mean facing opposition even from those who claim to love you, turning the most intimate relationships into sources of potential conflict and even danger.
You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just been talking about the destruction of the Temple, but his disciples shift the focus to the signs of His coming and the end of the age. He then launches into a prophecy about future persecutions his followers will face, not just from religious leaders but from their own families and friends, and even resulting in death. This intense suffering is presented as a reality that will test their faith before the ultimate end.
When Jesus spoke of suffering for him, he didn't just mean persecution from enemies. He warned of a deeper, more painful kind of betrayal.
Jesus' prophecy in Luke 21:16 cuts deep. He tells his followers that they won't just be opposed by outsiders, but by the very people they love and trust most – their parents, siblings, relatives, and friends. This isn't just a general warning about conflict; it's a specific prediction of intimate betrayal.
Think about it: Who would hurt you the most? Often, it's the people closest to us. When your own family turns against you, it's a uniquely devastating experience. Jesus knew this, and he prepared his disciples for the agony of such a betrayal, highlighting that the cost of following him could rupture even the most sacred bonds.
Why would loved ones turn against followers of Jesus? It wasn't because the followers were criminals, but because their commitment to Christ served as a stark 'testimony'.
The betrayal Jesus describes, even unto death, wasn't a consequence of the disciples' wrongdoings. Instead, their adherence to Christ and his teachings would become a 'testimony' (Luke 21:13). This means their lives, and their willingness to suffer and even die for their faith, would bear witness to the truth of Jesus' message.
When people close to you react with hostility, it can feel like a personal rejection. But Jesus frames this persecution as a divine purpose. Your faithfulness, even in the face of extreme opposition from those who should support you, serves as a powerful, undeniable witness to the reality of God's kingdom. It's a testament that the values and allegiance you hold are so profound they can override even the deepest human bonds.
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Understand the original words
paradidomi · Greek Verb
To be handed over, betrayed, or given into the power of another; often used of Jesus' betrayal and the subsequent persecution of His followers.
Jesus' words in Luke 21:16 foretold intense, personal betrayals and persecutions, which were vividly fulfilled in the early decades of the Christian church, particularly leading up to and during the turmoil of the First Jewish-Roman War.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Ascension
Jesus delivers this prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem and future persecutions during his earthly ministry. His ascension marks the beginning of the era for his disciples.
c. AD 34
Stephen's Martyrdom
Stephen, one of the first deacons, is stoned to death, marking an early instance of believers being put to death for their faith. This event escalates persecution against the nascent Christian community.
c. AD 44
James, Son of Zebedee, Martyred
King Herod Agrippa I executes James, the brother of John, by the sword, fulfilling Jesus' prediction that some disciples would be put to death.
c. AD 62
James, Brother of Jesus, Martyred
James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, is reportedly thrown from the temple courts and beaten to death by Jewish leaders, illustrating betrayal by religious authorities.
AD 66-70
First Jewish-Roman War
The Jewish revolt against Roman rule leads to widespread conflict and devastation in Judea, including the siege and destruction of Jerusalem and its temple.
c. AD 70 and onwards
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Roman legions under Titus conquer Jerusalem, destroying the Second Temple. This cataclysmic event marks the end of an era for Judaism and fulfills Jesus' prophecy of desolation.
This passage directly parallels the prediction of betrayal by family members, emphasizing the deep personal cost of following Jesus.
Mark 13:12This verse from Mark's Gospel echoes the same prophecy, highlighting the intensity and breadth of the suffering believers would face, including from those closest to them.
Acts 7:58-60The stoning of Stephen provides a stark, real-world example of the betrayal and martyrdom Jesus foretold, showing his followers being handed over by their own people.
Acts 12:1-2The execution of James by Herod demonstrates the literal fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that some believers would be put to death, even by those in positions of authority, likely instigated by others.
meyerLuke 21:16: "And 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."
Luke 21:16 . Καί ] Bengel rightly says: “non modo ab alienis.” Comp., besides, Mark 13:12 f.
bengelLuke 21:16: "And 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."
Luke 21:16 . Καὶ ὑπὸ even [Engl. Vers. not so well, ‘both’] by parents , not merely by strangers not related to you. [It is less appropriate to understand the declaration in this passage of the parents of Peter or of John ( Mark 13:3 ), than of the parents of the remaining apostles or disciples.—V. g.]— θανατώσουσιν , they shall put to death ) so…
The verse highlights that betrayal will come not just from outsiders, but from the very closest people in your life – family and friends. This underscores that following Jesus might mean facing opposition even from those who claim to love you, turning the most intimate relationships into sources of potential conflict and even danger.
Jesus has just been talking about the destruction of the Temple, but his disciples shift the focus to the signs of His coming and the end of the age. He then launches into a prophecy about future persecutions his followers will face, not just from religious leaders but from their own families and friends, and even resulting in death. This intense suffering is presented as a reality that will test their faith before the ultimate end.
Jesus has just been talking about the destruction of the Temple, but his disciples shift the focus to the signs of His coming and the end of the age. He then launches into a prophecy about future persecutions his followers will face, not just from religious leaders but from their own families and friends, and even resulting in death. This intense suffering is presented as a reality that will test their faith before the ultimate end.
"You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death." — The verse highlights that betrayal will come not just from outsiders, but from the very closest people in your life – family and friends. This underscores that following Jesus might mean facing oppos…
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Last reviewed October 2026