New International Version
Matthew 10:28
28Do 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.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)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.
- 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 do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 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. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30And even the very 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 do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
- Isaiah 8:12“Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it.
- Isaiah 51:7“Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults.
- Daniel 3:10Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold,
- Luke 12:4“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
- Acts 20:23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.
- Acts 21:13Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
- Romans 8:35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
- 2 Timothy 4:6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.
- Hebrews 11:35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.
- 1 Peter 3:14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”
- Revelation 2:10Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
- Psalms 119:120My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.
- Ecclesiastes 5:7Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.
- Ecclesiastes 8:12Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.
- Isaiah 66:2Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble 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
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