English Standard Version
Matthew 10:28
28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
- New International Version (NIV)Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
- New Living Translation (NLT)“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Context of Matthew 10:28
26"So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Read all of Matthew 10Matthew 10:28 word by word
καὶ μὴ φοβεῖσθε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀποκτεννόντων τὸ σῶμα, τὴν δὲ ψυχὴν μὴ δυναμένων ἀποκτεῖναι· φοβεῖσθε δὲ μᾶλλον τὸν δυνάμενον καὶ ψυχὴν καὶ σῶμα ἀπολέσαι ἐν γεέννῃ.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Andκαίkai · andG2532
- fearφοβέωphobeō · to fearG5399
- ·ἀπόapo · away fromG575
- notμήmē · notG3361
- them which killὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- them which killἀποκτείνωapokteinō · to killG615
- the bodyσῶμαsōma · bodyG4983
- butδέde · thenG1161
- areδύναμαιdunamai · be ableG1410
- the soulψυχήpsuchē · soulG5590
- ratherμᾶλλονmallon · more: ratherG3123
- to destroyἀπολλύωapollumi · to destroyG622
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- hellγέενναgeenna · hell: GehennaG1067
Cross-references for Matthew 10:28
- Matthew 10:26"So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
- Isaiah 8:12"Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread.
- Isaiah 51:7"Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings.
- Daniel 3:10You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image.
- Luke 12:4"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.
- Acts 20:23except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
- Acts 21:13Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
- Romans 8:35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
- 2 Timothy 4:6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
- Hebrews 11:35Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
- 1 Peter 3:14But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
- Revelation 2:10Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Psalms 119:120My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.
- Ecclesiastes 5:7For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.
- Ecclesiastes 8:12Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him.
- Isaiah 66:2All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Commentaries on Matthew 10:28
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 28Fear not them which kill the body - . Those who slay with acts of cruelty, alluding probably to the cruelties which persecutors should exercise on his followers in their martyrdom. But are not able to kill the soul. Hence we find that the body and the soul are distinct principles, for the body may be slain and the soul escape; and, secondly, that the soul is immaterial, for the murderers of the body are not able, , have it not in their power, to injure…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 28Them which kill the body - That is, people, who have no power to injure the soul, the immortal part. The body is a small matter in comparison with the soul. Temporal death is a slight thing compared with eternal death. He directs them, therefore, not to be alarmed at the prospect of temporal death, but to fear God, who can destroy both soul and body forever. This passage proves that the bodies of the wicked will be raised up to be punished forever. In…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-42Verses 16-42 Our Lord warned his disciples to prepare for persecution. They were to avoid all things which gave advantage to their enemies, all meddling with worldly or political concerns, all appearance of evil or selfishness, and all underhand measures. Christ foretold troubles, not only that the troubles might not be a surprise, but that they might confirm their faith. He tells them what they should suffer, and from whom. Thus Christ has dealt fairly…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 28The disciples of Jesus should only fear God by obeying him and testifying about him. Unlike human authorities, God's authority and judgment have no limits. hell: See study note on Matthew 5:29.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2828. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul--In Lu 12:4, "and after that have no more that they can do." but rather fear him--In Luke (Lu 12:5) this is peculiarly solemn, "I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear," even Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell--A decisive proof this that there is a hell for the body as well as the soul in the eternal world; in other words, that the torment that awaits the lost…Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 10:28
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Matthew 10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries