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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus declares that it’s enough for his followers to share the same fate as their Master. The truly shocking part isn't just that they'll be slandered, but that Jesus, the "Master of the house," is already being called Beelzebul, a name deeply contemptuous, implying he's the "lord of dung" or the "master of idolatry." This reveals the intense, blasphemous hatred leveled against Jesus himself, setting the stage for the persecution his disciples would face.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is sending his disciples out on a mission, commissioning them to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick, but also warning them of the opposition they will face. He tells them they will be hated and persecuted, even by their own families, and that they should expect to be treated no better than he is. This passage directly follows Jesus' teaching on the dangers and difficulties of discipleship.
Ever feel like the world just doesn't 'get' you because you follow Jesus? This verse reveals why that's not a bug, but a feature of discipleship.
Jesus is leveling with His disciples about what it means to follow Him. He uses a common proverb: 'It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.'
Think about it: a disciple learns from their teacher, a servant imitates their master. It's natural to adopt their ways, their speech, and yes, even their reputation. Jesus isn't saying it's ideal to be treated badly, but that it's expected given who He is and who they are following.
This isn't about earning suffering, but about understanding that the world's rejection of Christ will naturally extend to those who belong to Him. The same forces that opposed Jesus will oppose His followers.
Why 'Beelzebul'? This wasn't just a random insult; it was a loaded term designed to associate Jesus with the vilest forms of paganism and demonic power.
The term 'Beelzebul' (or 'Beelzebub') carried immense weight. Originally, it might have referred to a Philistine deity, the 'Lord of the Flies.' But for Jesus' contemporaries, the Jews had repurposed it into a deeply contemptuous name.
Scholars suggest they twisted it to mean 'Lord of Dung' or 'Lord of the Dwelling' (referring to a dwelling of demons). This was their way of saying that Jesus, the 'Master of the House' (God's house, the people of God), was in league with the absolute worst of spiritual evil.
By calling Jesus 'Beelzebul,' they weren't just disagreeing with Him; they were projecting onto Him the ultimate spiritual impurity and corruption. It was a blasphemous accusation designed to alienate and condemn.
Ask a follow-up
If the world hated the divine 'Master of the House,' what does that imply about how they'll treat His 'household' – us?
Jesus uses a logical progression: If I, the Master of this household of faith, am being called the absolute worst names ('Beelzebul'), then don't be surprised when you, my followers, my household, are also attacked and slandered. In fact, expect it to be even worse.
This isn't about comparing the severity of suffering, but about the principle of association. Just as a vile master would be associated with vile servants by his enemies, so Christ's followers will be associated with Him in the world's eyes, for better or worse. Since the world hated and misrepresented the pure Son of God, they will inevitably attack and malign those who belong to Him.
This understanding helps ground us. When the accusations fly, we can remember that our Master faced the same, but far more intensely. Our hope isn't in escaping slander, but in enduring it as members of His household.
Understand the original words
Beelzeboul · Greek Noun
A name used by the Pharisees to refer to Satan or the prince of demons; literally 'Lord of the house' or 'Lord of the flies,' it represents the ultimate opposition to God's kingdom.
epikaleō · Greek Verb
To speak against, slander, or treat with abusive language; it denotes defamatory speech designed to destroy one's reputation.
The verse draws on the historical reality of escalating hostility. The disciples are reminded that if their Master, Jesus, was slandered with the name of the chief demon, Beelzebul, they, as His household, should expect even worse treatment. This historical context helps explain the disciples' potential shock and the need for this stark warning.
c. 750 BC
Worship of Baal-zebub in Ekron
The Philistine city of Ekron worships Baal-zebub, the "Lord of Flies," as an oracle. This pagan deity is later scorned by the Jews.
c. AD 30
Jesus accused of casting out demons by Beelzebul
During Jesus' ministry, religious leaders accuse Him of using the power of Beelzebul, the "prince of demons," to perform miracles.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus instructs His disciples on persecution
Jesus sends out the twelve apostles with specific instructions, warning them of the intense opposition and hatred they will face from the world.
c. AD 33
Jesus is crucified
The "Master of the house" Himself faces the ultimate rejection and suffering at the hands of the world, enduring betrayal, false accusation, and execution.
c. AD 33 onwards
Early Church faces severe persecution
The followers of Jesus experience intense persecution, hatred, and slander, mirroring the treatment their Master endured.
Jesus directly echoes this sentiment, reminding his followers that if the world persecuted him, the source of their faith, they should expect the same treatment and not be surprised when they are persecuted.
1 Peter 4:12-13This passage encourages believers not to be surprised by fiery trials or persecution, as if something strange is happening, but to rejoice in sharing in Christ's sufferings.
2 Kings 1:2This verse identifies 'Baal-zebub' as a god worshipped in Ekron, providing the historical and religious context for the name Jesus' accusers used to insult Him and, by extension, His followers.
Romans 8:18This verse offers a powerful contrast, reminding us that present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us, putting the insults and hardships faced by disciples into a much larger, eternal perspective.
Luke 6:40Luke records a similar statement from Jesus, emphasizing that a disciple's ultimate goal is not to surpass their teacher, but to reach a state of being fully trained and conformed to their master.
vincentMatthew 10:25: "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?"
Beelzebub (βεελζεβοὺλ, Beelzebul)There is a coarse witticism in the application of the word to Christ. Jesus calls himself "the Master of the house," and the Jews apply to him the corresponding title of the Devil, Hebrews, Beelzebul, Master of the dwelling. (The phrase reappears in Germa…
clarkeMatthew 10:25: "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?"
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master - Can any man who pretends to be a scholar or disciple of Jesus Christ, expect to be treated well by the world? Will not the world love its own, and them only? Why, then, so much impatience under sufferings, such an excessive sense of…
Jesus declares that it’s enough for his followers to share the same fate as their Master. The truly shocking part isn't just that they'll be slandered, but that Jesus, the "Master of the house," is already being called Beelzebul, a name deeply contemptuous, implying he's the "lord of dung" or the "master of idolatry." This reveals the intense, blasphemous hatred leveled against Jesus himself, setting the stage for the persecution his disciples would face.
Jesus is sending his disciples out on a mission, commissioning them to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick, but also warning them of the opposition they will face. He tells them they will be hated and persecuted, even by their own families, and that they should expect to be treated no better than he is. This passage directly follows Jesus' teaching on the dangers and difficulties of discipleship.
Jesus is sending his disciples out on a mission, commissioning them to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick, but also warning them of the opposition they will face. He tells them they will be hated and persecuted, even by their own families, and that they should expect to be treated no better than he is. This passage directly follows Jesus' teaching on the dangers and difficulties of discipleship.
"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." — Jesus declares that it’s enough for his followers to share the same fate as their Master. The truly shocking part isn't just that they'll be slandered, but that Jesus, the "Master of the house," is a…
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Last reviewed October 2026