Breakdown of Matthew 24:9-10

"“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another." — It's easy to think "hated by all nations" just means general animosity, but Jesus is describing something more specific and profound: Christians would be hated because they bore His name. This wasn…

Matthew 24:9-10 Meaning Explained

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Matthew 24:9-10

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.

English Standard Version (ESV)

It's easy to think "hated by all nations" just means general animosity, but Jesus is describing something more specific and profound: Christians would be hated because they bore His name. This wasn't about personal dislike, but a targeted, intense opposition to the very identity of being a follower of Christ, a hatred so deep it would be widespread and even lead to death.

What Matthew 24:9-10 means

Jesus is explaining the signs that will precede his return, transitioning from general calamities to the specific persecution his followers will endure. He foretells that believers will be hated and even killed by all nations because of their faith, a stark contrast to the world's response. This intense suffering is presented as a necessary part of their journey and a testimony to Christ's name before the ultimate end.

The 'Why' Behind the Hate

Jesus warns his followers they'll be hated by all nations. But why such intense, widespread animosity?

Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 24:9 that the hatred directed at his followers isn't random or based on their personal faults. It's specifically "for my name's sake." This means the core reason for their persecution is their association with Jesus, their belief in Him, and their commitment to His teachings.

This wasn't just about a few isolated incidents. The scholars highlight that this persecution was often a "war against the very name" of Christ (Benson). It was the identity of being a Christian, regardless of personal virtue, that became the crime itself. This intense opposition wasn't for something they did wrong, but for who they were in Christ and whose they were.

Affliction as a Testimony

Jesus doesn't just predict suffering; He reveals its purpose. What is the ultimate goal of this tribulation?

While it sounds like pure suffering, Jesus frames these afflictions and hatred as something that will ultimately serve as a 'testimony.' The scholars point out that this wasn't just a passive experience for the disciples. Their suffering was meant to testify against their persecutors and to the truth of the gospel.

When brought before councils and kings, their steadfastness and wisdom, given by the Holy Spirit, would be undeniable evidence of the power of Christ. This testimony wasn't necessarily about converting their persecutors immediately, but about making the claims of Christ undeniable, even in the face of death. It was an authentic seal of the gospel (Calvin).

Understand the original words

Original language

tribulationθλῖψις

thlipsis · Greek Noun

Refers to severe suffering, affliction, or pressure, often associated with the persecution of the faithful or the final judgments leading up to the end of the age.

my name’s sakeὄνομα

onoma · Greek Noun

The authority, character, and person of Jesus Christ; being identified with Him as His follower, which often invokes the enmity of a fallen world.

fall awayσκανδαλίζω

skandalizō · Greek Verb

To turn away from the truth, to abandon one's faith or allegiance, resulting in a departure from the community of believers; synonymous with apostasy.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 50 and 70 AD, with many scholars favoring the earlier part of this range.
Author: Traditionally attributed to Matthew the Apostle, one of Jesus' twelve disciples. While some scholars debate this, the Gospel's internal testimony and early church tradition strongly support Matthew.
Location: Written from Antioch in Syria, or possibly Galilee.
Genre: Gospel narrative, characterized by its detailed accounts of Jesus' teachings and a strong emphasis on fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

Historical background

This verse vividly describes the intense, widespread, and often lethal opposition followers of Jesus would face, not just from religious authorities but from entire nations, all stemming from their allegiance to Christ's name.

c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus predicts persecution
Jesus forewarns his disciples about the intense opposition and hatred they will face from both Jewish authorities and Gentile nations because of their association with him and his name.
c. AD 33-60
Early Church Persecution
The book of Acts details the initial wave of persecution against Christians, including arrests, beatings in synagogues, and imprisonment by Jewish leaders, as seen with Peter, John, and Paul.
c. AD 64
Nero's Persecution of Christians
Under Emperor Nero, Christians in Rome were brutally persecuted and executed, accused of causing the Great Fire. This event exemplifies the intense hatred and suffering faced by believers for their faith.
c. AD 90-100
Persecution by Roman Authorities
Following Nero, Christians continued to face sporadic but severe persecution across the Roman Empire, often viewed with suspicion and hatred simply for bearing the name 'Christian'.

Key themes

01Persecution for faith
02Hatred for Christ's name
03Divine strength in suffering

Cross-references

John 15:18

Jesus directly tells his followers that the world will hate them because they belong to him, echoing the sentiment of being hated for His name's sake.

Acts 4:3

This passage shows an immediate fulfillment of Jesus' words as Peter and John are arrested and brought before the authorities simply because of their association with Jesus and their healing of a man in His name.

2 Timothy 3:12

Paul directly warns Timothy that all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, reinforcing the idea that suffering and hatred are inherent to following Christ.

Revelation 13:7

This prophetic vision describes a future time when the beast is given authority to wage war against the holy ones and conquer them, illustrating a widespread and intense opposition against God's people.

1 Peter 4:12

Peter addresses his readers directly, urging them not to be surprised by the fiery trials they are facing, which are meant to test them, acknowledging that persecution is a normal part of the Christian experience.

Scholarly commentary

Matthew 24:9: "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake."

Matthew 24:9 . Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, &c. — From the calamities of the nation in general, he passes to those of the Christians in particular: and indeed the former were in a great measure the occasion of the latter; famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and the like calamities, being reckoned judgments for the sins of the Christians,…
benson

Matthew 24:9-14: "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake."

Then will they deliver you up to be afflicted, and will kill you; and you will be hated by all nations on account of my name. 10. And then will many be offended, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. 11. And many false prophets will arise, and will deceive many. 12. And because iniquity will abound, the love of many will be cool…

calvin

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What Matthew 24:9-10 means

Original language

tribulationθλῖψις

thlipsis · Greek Noun

Refers to severe suffering, affliction, or pressure, often associated with the persecution of the faithful or the final judgments leading up to the end of the age.

my name’s sakeὄνομα

onoma · Greek Noun

The authority, character, and person of Jesus Christ; being identified with Him as His follower, which often invokes the enmity of a fallen world.

fall awayσκανδαλίζω

skandalizō · Greek Verb

To turn away from the truth, to abandon one's faith or allegiance, resulting in a departure from the community of believers; synonymous with apostasy.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 50 and 70 AD, with many scholars favoring the earlier part of this range.
Author: Traditionally attributed to Matthew the Apostle, one of Jesus' twelve disciples. While some scholars debate this, the Gospel's internal testimony and early church tradition strongly support Matthew.
Location: Written from Antioch in Syria, or possibly Galilee.
Genre: Gospel narrative, characterized by its detailed accounts of Jesus' teachings and a strong emphasis on fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.

Historical background

c. AD 30-33— this verse

Jesus predicts persecution

Jesus forewarns his disciples about the intense opposition and hatred they will face from both Jewish authorities and Gentile nations because of their association with him and his name.

c. AD 33-60

Early Church Persecution

The book of Acts details the initial wave of persecution against Christians, including arrests, beatings in synagogues, and imprisonment by Jewish leaders, as seen with Peter, John, and Paul.

c. AD 64

Nero's Persecution of Christians

Under Emperor Nero, Christians in Rome were brutally persecuted and executed, accused of causing the Great Fire. This event exemplifies the intense hatred and suffering faced by believers for their faith.

c. AD 90-100

Persecution by Roman Authorities

Following Nero, Christians continued to face sporadic but severe persecution across the Roman Empire, often viewed with suspicion and hatred simply for bearing the name 'Christian'.