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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 10:34 Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/10-34.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/40_Mat_10_34.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 10:34 - The Sword of the Gospel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/10-34.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/10-34.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/10.htm">Chapter 10</a> > Verse 34</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/10-33.htm" title="Matthew 10:33">◄</a> Matthew 10:34 <a href="/matthew/10-35.htm" title="Matthew 10:35">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/10.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/10.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/nlt/matthew/10.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/esv/matthew/10.htm">English Standard Version</a> “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/bsb/matthew/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/blb/matthew/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Do not think that I came to bring peace to the earth; I came not to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/kjv/matthew/10.htm">King James Bible</a> Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/10.htm">New King James Version</a> “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/nasb/matthew/10.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/lsb/matthew/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/amp/matthew/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword [of division between belief and unbelief]. <a href="/csb/matthew/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Don&#8217t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/asv/matthew/10.htm">American Standard Version</a> Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. <a href="/cev/matthew/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Don't think I came to bring peace to the earth! I came to bring trouble, not peace. <a href="/erv/matthew/10.htm">English Revised Version</a> Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. <a href="/gwt/matthew/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Don't think that I came to bring peace to earth. I didn't come to bring peace but conflict. <a href="/gnt/matthew/10.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the world. No, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/isv/matthew/10.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword! <a href="/msb/matthew/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/net/matthew/10.htm">NET Bible</a> "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword. <a href="/nheb/matthew/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Do not think that I came to send peace on the earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword. <a href="/wbt/matthew/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. <a href="/wey/matthew/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Do not suppose that I came to bring peace to the earth: I did not come to bring peace but a sword. <a href="/web/matthew/10.htm">World English Bible</a> “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> You may not suppose that I came to put peace on the earth; I did not come to put peace, but a sword; <a href="/blb/matthew/10.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Do not think that I came to bring peace to the earth; I came not to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/ylt/matthew/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Ye may not suppose that I came to put peace on the earth; I did not come to put peace, but a sword; <a href="/slt/matthew/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Think not that I came to cast peace upon earth; I came not to cast peace, but a sword.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Do not think that I came to send peace upon the earth. I came, not to send peace, but the sword. <a href="/nabre/matthew/10.htm">New American Bible</a> “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Do not expect that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace but a sword. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/10.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Think not that I have come to bring peace in the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/10.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Think not that I have come to send peace on the earth. I have not come to send peace, but a sword. <a href="/godbey/matthew/10.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/10.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Think not that I am come to bring peace to the earth: I came not to bring peace, but a sword. <a href="/mace/matthew/10.htm">Mace New Testament</a> don't imagine that I am come to bring peace upon the earth: I came not to bring peace, but war. <a href="/wey/matthew/10.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Do not suppose that I came to bring peace to the earth: I did not come to bring peace but a sword. <a href="/worrell/matthew/10.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"Think not that I came to send peace on the earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/10.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to bring peace but division.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/10-34.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=2645" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/10.htm">The Sword of the Gospel</a> 33But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. 34<a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: Mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">Do not</a> <a href="/greek/3543.htm" title="3543: nomisēte (V-ASA-2P) -- From nomos; properly, to do by law, i.e. To accustom; by extension, to deem or regard.">assume</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: ēlthon (V-AIA-1S) -- To come, go. ">I have come</a> <a href="/greek/906.htm" title="906: balein (V-ANA) -- (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.">to bring</a> <a href="/greek/1515.htm" title="1515: eirēnēn (N-AFS) -- Probably from a primary verb eiro; peace; by implication, prosperity.">peace</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: gēn (N-AFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">earth;</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: ēlthon (V-AIA-1S) -- To come, go. ">I have not come</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/906.htm" title="906: balein (V-ANA) -- (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.">to bring</a> <a href="/greek/1515.htm" title="1515: eirēnēn (N-AFS) -- Probably from a primary verb eiro; peace; by implication, prosperity.">peace,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/3162.htm" title="3162: machairan (N-AFS) -- A sword. Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of mache; a knife, i.e. Dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment.">a sword.</a> 35For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/12-51.htm">Luke 12:51-53</a> Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division. / From now on, five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. / 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.” <a href="/micah/7-6.htm">Micah 7:6</a> For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household. <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12</a> For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. <a href="/ephesians/6-17.htm">Ephesians 6:17</a> And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6-7</a> For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. <a href="/john/7-43.htm">John 7:43</a> So there was division in the crowd because of Jesus. <a href="/john/16-33.htm">John 16:33</a> I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” <a href="/zechariah/13-7.htm">Zechariah 13:7</a> Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones. <a href="/luke/2-34.htm">Luke 2:34-35</a> Then Simeon blessed them and said to His mother Mary: “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, / so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.” <a href="/revelation/6-4.htm">Revelation 6:4</a> Then another horse went forth. It was bright red, and its rider was granted permission to take away peace from the earth and to make men slay one another. And he was given a great sword. <a href="/jeremiah/15-10.htm">Jeremiah 15:10</a> Woe to me, my mother, that you have borne me, a man of strife and conflict in all the land. I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me. <a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5-6</a> Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. / And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.” <a href="/john/14-27.htm">John 14:27</a> Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid. <a href="/1_peter/4-12.htm">1 Peter 4:12-14</a> Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. / But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. / If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. <a href="/acts/14-22.htm">Acts 14:22</a> strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.that I.<a href="/jeremiah/15-10.htm">Jeremiah 15:10</a> Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me.<a href="/luke/12-49.htm">Luke 12:49-53</a> I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? … <a href="/john/7-40.htm">John 7:40-52</a> Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/9-6.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/matthew/10-13.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-7.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/matthew/9-4.htm">Think</a> <a href="/matthew/10-19.htm">Thought</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/matthew/20-31.htm">Peace</a> <a href="/matthew/18-12.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/matthew/26-51.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/matthew/17-25.htm">Think</a> <a href="/matthew/16-5.htm">Thought</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 10</div>1. <a href="/matthew/10-1.htm">Jesus sends out his apostles, enabling them with power to do miracles;</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/10-5.htm">giving them their charge, teaches them;</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">comforts them against persecutions;</a> 40. <a href="/matthew/10-40.htm">and promises a blessing to those who receive them.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/10.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; This phrase challenges the common expectation of the Messiah as a bringer of immediate peace. In the Jewish context, many anticipated a political savior who would establish peace by overthrowing Roman rule. Jesus clarifies that His mission is not to fulfill these earthly expectations. The peace He offers is spiritual and eternal, not necessarily political or social. This statement aligns with prophecies like <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>, which depict the Messiah as a suffering servant rather than a conquering king. It also echoes the reality of spiritual warfare, as seen in <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a>, where believers are reminded that their struggle is not against flesh and blood.I have not come to bring peace, This reiteration emphasizes the unexpected nature of Jesus' mission. The repetition serves to underscore the seriousness of His message. Historically, Jesus' teachings and the spread of Christianity often led to division and conflict, both within families and societies, as seen in the early church's experiences in Acts. The peace Jesus offers is internal and reconciles individuals to God, as described in <a href="/romans/5.htm">Romans 5:1</a>, but it may result in external conflict with the world.but a sword. The "sword" symbolizes division and conflict. It is not a call to physical violence but a metaphor for the inevitable divisions that His message would cause. The sword represents the Word of God, which is described as sharper than any two-edged sword in <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Hebrews 4:12</a>, discerning thoughts and intentions. This division is further illustrated in <a href="/matthew/10-35.htm">Matthew 10:35-36</a>, where Jesus speaks of familial divisions. The sword signifies the decisive nature of choosing to follow Christ, which can separate believers from non-believers, as seen in the lives of the apostles and early Christians who faced persecution for their faith.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples, preparing them for the challenges they will face as His followers. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' message, representing all believers who are called to follow Him. 3. <a href="/topical/e/earth.htm">Earth</a> The realm of human existence where Jesus' teachings and the resulting division will manifest. 4. <a href="/topical/s/sword.htm">Sword</a> Symbolic of division and conflict, representing the inevitable separation between those who accept Jesus and those who reject Him. 5. <a href="/topical/p/peace.htm">Peace</a> Often associated with the Messianic expectation, but here Jesus clarifies that His mission will also bring division.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_jesus'_mission.htm">Understanding Jesus' Mission</a> Jesus' mission includes bringing truth, which inherently divides those who accept it from those who reject it. <a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_true_peace.htm">The Nature of True Peace</a> True peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of righteousness and truth, which may initially cause division. <a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a> Following Jesus may lead to personal and relational sacrifices, as His truth challenges worldly values. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a> Believers are engaged in a spiritual battle, where the "sword" represents the Word of God that divides truth from falsehood. <a href="/topical/f/family_and_faith.htm">Family and Faith</a> Loyalty to Christ may create tension within families, but believers are called to prioritize their commitment to Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 10</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'bring_a_sword'.htm">What did Jesus mean by bringing a sword, not peace?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_jesus_'prince_of_peace'_if_he_brings_a_sword.htm">Matthew 10:34 – How can Jesus be called the “Prince of Peace” if he declared he came not to bring peace but a sword? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_'obey_god,_not_men'_mean.htm">What did Jesus mean by bringing a sword, not peace?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_jesus_say_he_brings_a_sword.htm">If Jesus is the Prince of Peace, why does He say, "I have not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(34) Think not that I am come to send peace.--Truth appears again in the form of seeming paradox. Christ is "our peace" (<a href="/ephesians/2-14.htm" title="For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us;">Ephesians 2:14</a>), and came to be the one great Peacemaker; and yet the foreseen consequences of His work involved strife and division, and such a consequence, freely accepted for the sake of the greater good that lies beyond it, involves, in fact, a purpose. The words are the natural expression of such a thought; and yet we can hardly fail to connect them with those which, in the earliest dawn of His infancy, revealed to the mother of the Christ that "a sword should pass through her own soul also" (<a href="/luke/2-35.htm" title="(Yes, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.">Luke 2:35</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 34-39. - Fellowship with me will involve separation from the dearest upon earth, yet the reward is great. (Cf. ver. 5, note.) The progress of thought in these verses seems to be as follows: Do not be surprised at the contradiction that appears between my teaching and the immediate result; I allowed for this when I began my work (ver. 34). There will, indeed, be separation in the closest earthly ties (vers. 35, 36). But my claims are paramount (vers. 37, 38). And on your relation to them depends everything hereafter (ver. 39). Verse 34. - Parallel passage: <a href="/luke/12-51.htm">Luke 12:51</a>. Think not. Christ here removes another mistaken opinion (<a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>, note). There the mistake was about his relation to the Law; here about the immediate result of his coming. The Prince of Peace did not come to cast in peace as something from outside. It would show itself eventually, but from within outwards. That which he cast from without was fire (<a href="/luke/12-49.htm">Luke 12:49</a>), a sword (infra). Chrysostom ('Hem.,' 35.) points out, among other illustrations, that the confusion of tongues at the Tower of Babel was better than the peace which preceded it, and itself produced a better peace. That I am come; that I came (Revised Version); cf. further, <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a>, note. To send peace (βαλεῖν εἰρήνην). The verb was probably chosen because in the other form of the utterance Christ had already said πῦρ βαλεῖν, where the figure is of throwing a firebrand (<a href="/luke/12-49.htm">Luke 12:49</a>). By a natural transition, that phrase led to the thought of "throwing" peace or a sword. St. Luke, on the contrary, softened the metaphor to δοῦναι. On (the, Revised Version) earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/10-34.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>{Do} not Μὴ (Mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. assume νομίσητε (nomisēte) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3543.htm">Strong's 3543: </a> From nomos; properly, to do by law, i.e. To accustom; by extension, to deem or regard. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. I have come ἦλθον (ēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. to bring βαλεῖν (balein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_906.htm">Strong's 906: </a> (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw. peace εἰρήνην (eirēnēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1515.htm">Strong's 1515: </a> Probably from a primary verb eiro; peace; by implication, prosperity. to ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. earth; γῆν (gēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. I have not come ἦλθον (ēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. to bring βαλεῖν (balein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_906.htm">Strong's 906: </a> (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw. peace, εἰρήνην (eirēnēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1515.htm">Strong's 1515: </a> Probably from a primary verb eiro; peace; by implication, prosperity. but ἀλλὰ (alla) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. a sword. μάχαιραν (machairan) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3162.htm">Strong's 3162: </a> A sword. Probably feminine of a presumed derivative of mache; a knife, i.e. Dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/10-34.htm">Matthew 10:34 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/10-34.htm">Matthew 10:34 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/10-34.htm">Matthew 10:34 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/10-34.htm">Matthew 10:34 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/10-34.htm">Matthew 10:34 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/10-34.htm">Matthew 10:34 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/10-34.htm">Matthew 10:34 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/10-34.htm">Matthew 10:34 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/10-34.htm">Matthew 10:34 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/10-34.htm">Matthew 10:34 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/10-34.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 10:34 Don't think that I came to send (Matt. 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