Matthew 10:37-38
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. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus isn't asking us to stop loving our families; instead, he's highlighting that the intensity and ultimate allegiance of our love must be directed towards Him. If any relationship, no matter how precious, draws our devotion away from Christ, we're not truly ready to follow Him. This means our deepest love and loyalty are reserved for God, shaping how we even love our earthly family.
Jesus is sending out his disciples to proclaim the kingdom, empowering them to heal and cast out demons, but also warning them of the persecution they will face. He tells them not to take extra supplies for their journey, emphasizing reliance on God and the hospitality of others. This verse follows his instructions on how to deal with rejection and precedes his teaching on the cost of discipleship, including taking up one's cross.
Jesus drops a bombshell here: loving your parents or children more than Him makes you 'unworthy.' What does this radical statement truly mean for our relationships?
Jesus isn't saying we should stop loving our families! The natural love we have for parents and children is good and God-given. However, Jesus demands that this love, and indeed all our affections, must be ordered correctly.
Think of it like a hierarchy. God is at the absolute pinnacle. All other loves—for family, friends, even ourselves—must be ranked below Him. When our love for family conflicts with our devotion to Christ, the choice is stark:
This isn't about a lack of emotion; it's about the of your heart. It's about recognizing Christ's infinite worth and His role as our Savior and Lord, which far surpasses any earthly relationship.
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Jesus doesn't sugarcoat the call to follow Him. He presents it as a decision that requires serious deliberation, much like a major life investment.
Following Jesus isn't a casual decision; it's a radical commitment that demands we count the cost.
Jesus uses analogies to drive this home:
These aren't meant to discourage us, but to ensure we understand the seriousness of the commitment. True discipleship means understanding that following Christ might involve significant sacrifice, potential conflict with loved ones, and even suffering. It requires a willingness to give up everything if necessary, not in a literal sense of abandoning all possessions, but in the sense that nothing else holds a higher claim on our hearts than Christ.
Understand the original words
philon · Greek Verb
Biblical love involves more than emotion; it is an active, sacrificial commitment and devotion. Here, it refers to the highest priority of allegiance, which must be reserved for Christ above all human relationships.
axios · Greek Adjective
To be worthy in a biblical sense implies possessing the character, posture, or allegiance appropriate for a relationship or calling. It denotes being fitting or aligned with the nature of the one to whom one is dedicated.
stauron · Greek Noun
A Roman instrument of execution, used by Jesus as a metaphor for the absolute renunciation of one's own will and the acceptance of public shame, suffering, and potential death for the sake of faithfulness to God.
akolouthei · Greek Verb
Biblical discipleship involves coming alongside Jesus, adopting His lifestyle, and following Him into the path of sacrifice and obedience. It signifies a continuous, intentional commitment to imitate Him.
This passage echoes Matthew 10:37 by using even stronger language ('hate not') to emphasize that loyalty to Christ must supersede all natural affections, including those for family.
Philippians 3:7-8Paul's testimony here beautifully illustrates the principle of Matthew 10:37, showing how he counted everything valuable as 'loss' for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus.
Genesis 12:1-3Abraham's call to leave his homeland and family demonstrates an early example of radical obedience and prioritizing God's call above deeply ingrained natural ties, mirroring the costly discipleship Jesus demands.
Joshua 24:14-15Joshua's challenge to the Israelites to 'choose this day whom you will serve' directly parallels Jesus' call for exclusive loyalty, urging them to put God above any inherited or cultural allegiances.
calvinMatthew 10:37-42: "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."
- He who loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38. And he who doth not take his cross and follow me, [603] is not worthy of me. 39. He who findeth his life [604] shall lose it; and he who loseth his life for my sake shall find it. [605] 40. He who receiv…
bensonMatthew 10:37: "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 10:37-38 . He that loveth father or mother more than me — He that is not ready to give up all these when they stand in competition with his duty; is not worthy of me — Nor shall have any interest in my saving benefits. And he that taketh not his cross, &c. — Every one condemned to crucifixion by the Romans was compelled to carry the cros…
Jesus isn't asking us to stop loving our families; instead, he's highlighting that the intensity and ultimate allegiance of our love must be directed towards Him. If any relationship, no matter how precious, draws our devotion away from Christ, we're not truly ready to follow Him. This means our deepest love and loyalty are reserved for God, shaping how we even love our earthly family.
Jesus is sending out his disciples to proclaim the kingdom, empowering them to heal and cast out demons, but also warning them of the persecution they will face. He tells them not to take extra supplies for their journey, emphasizing reliance on God and the hospitality of others. This verse follows his instructions on how to deal with rejection and precedes his teaching on the cost of discipleship, including taking up one's cross.
Jesus is sending out his disciples to proclaim the kingdom, empowering them to heal and cast out demons, but also warning them of the persecution they will face. He tells them not to take extra supplies for their journey, emphasizing reliance on God and the hospitality of others. This verse follows his instructions on how to deal with rejection and precedes his teaching on the cost of discipleship, including taking up one's cross.
"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. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." — Jesus isn't asking us to stop loving our families; instead, he's highlighting that the intensity and ultimate allegiance of our love must be directed towards Him. If any relationship, no matter h…
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