All Christians (Baptists, Cath, Mor, JWs, Born-A), what did Jesus mean when he said in Matthew 10: 34-37?

Question

...when he said he came not to put peace but a sword and will cause division between father and son, daughter and mother, etc (family members) ....and that a man's enemy will be from his own household? He also said that whoever has more affection for his father or mother or siblings is NOT WORTHY of him (Jesus) Can any of you explain that?

....and is this happening today? Just as Jesus said that he will cause division between family members?

I am looking for sincere BIBLE-BASE answers which i doubt i'll get...

Answer 1

(Matthew 10:34-37) Do not think I [Jesus] came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a young wife against her mother-in-law. 36 Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household. 37 He that has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me; and he that has greater affection for son or daughter than for me is not worthy of me.

There are few areas of human thought and pursuit which evoke stronger feelings than those related to worship and religion. Sadly, many develop the strongest attachments to a human tradition rather than to what is indicated by the only divine standard humans (that is, the bible).

Jesus recognized that the pattern he saw in his day would continue. Just as many were committed to what they were comfortable with, they would be uncomfortable and even hostile to anything new, especially when a new idea overturned some idea or tradition that he and his family had cherished for years or decades or longer. So which would prevail? For godly persons considering godly principles, no compromise would be possible even for the sake of comity or peace with those one loves most.

As the Christian congregation became more firmly established, the bond between fellow Christians would prove even closer than fleshly siblings.

(Matthew 12:46-50) While [Jesus] was yet speaking to the crowds, look! his mother and brothers took up a position outside seeking to speak to him. 47 So someone said to him: “Look! Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to you.” 48 As an answer he said to the one telling him: “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And extending his hand toward his disciples, he said: “Look! My mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

(Micah 7:6-7) For a son is despising a father; a daughter is rising up against her mother; a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his household. 7 But as for me, it is for Jehovah that I shall keep on the lookout.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/19990215/article_03.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/20031215/article_01.htm

Answer 2

Jesus didnt say that He came for that porpose only,

but if you read a little above to those verses you can find Jesus meant that "I came to give peace, it is not the peace that the world give but I give my peace."

Is it not wonderful. But if you abide by His peace your life changes but it always contarary to the world's peace (as the present world system is under the rule and power of satan) if this is the case there comes the problem in choosing and living with this contrary.

this is the reason those of the world will oppose you from following and living with the peace the Jesus Gave you.

no matter what happens the followers of Jesus will live in peace and joy though the affliction or oppression comes this differences makes division among the family obviously.

God bless you

Answer 3

Jesus foretold that opposition to God’s truth would split families. (Mt 10:32-37; Lu 12:51-53)

But the apostle Paul strongly admonished believers against breaking up the marriage relationship, appealing on the basis of the welfare of the unbelieving mate as well as of the children. He stressed the great value of the family relationship when he pointed out that God views the young children as holy, even though the unbelieving mate has not been cleansed from his sins by faith in Christ. The unbeliever may, in fact, be practicing some of the same things that Paul says some Christians had practiced before accepting the good news about the Christ. (1Co 7:10-16; 6:9-11)

The apostle also guards the unity of the Christian family by giving instructions to husbands and wives regarding the rendering of marriage dues.—1Co 7:3-5.

Why would the ‘God of peace’ fight?

Jehovah’s statement in Eden that he would put enmity between the seed of his Adversary and the seed of “the woman” did not change Him from being the ‘God of peace.’ (Ge 3:15; Ro 16:20; 1Co 14:33)

The situation then was the same as in the days of the earthly life of his Son, Jesus Christ, who, after referring to his union with his heavenly Father, said: “Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword.” (Mt 10:32-40)

Jesus’ ministry brought divisions, even within families (Lu 12:51-53), but it was because of his adherence to, and proclamation of, God’s righteous standards and truth. Division resulted because many individuals hardened their hearts against these truths while others accepted them. (Joh 8:40, 44-47; 15:22-25; 17:14)

The rebellious course chosen by men and wicked angels constituted a challenge to Jehovah’s rightful sovereignty and to the good order of all the universe.

Standing up to this challenge has required Jehovah to become “a manly person of war” (Ex 15:3-7), defending his own good name and righteous standards, fighting on behalf of those who love and serve him, and executing judgment upon those meriting destruction. (1Sa 17:45; 2Ch 14:11; Isa 30:27-31; 42:13)

Answer 4

If you wouldn't just use those 3 verses, but would use the whole thing you will understand that it doesn't mean they'll literally kill each other or anything.

It says that anyone who loves his mother and father or son and daughter more than Jesus is not worthy of him. Back then if you would tell your mom "Hey dad, I love Jesus more than you." and your dad was an Orthodox Jew and rejected Jesus...they would not accept you, causing a split in the family...a feud, in representation Jesus said sword.

Answer 5

You need to read Luke 10: 38-42 Jesus is visiting Martha and Mary two sisters. Martha is busy and distracted by the tasks involved with a visitor to her home while Mary sit and listens to what Jesus has to say. Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her in all her tasks of preparation for the for a guest. Jesus says that Mary has chosen the better part and is something that can not be taken away from her. So the meaning her is the importance of what Jesus has in store for us and not the things which distract us from following in his footsteps.

Answer 6

*background* verses 6-19 are Jesus praying for his disciples the world is basically everything that is not of God. a basic standard of what God AGREES with is the Ten Commandments. and yes the government often does not follow what God wants or allows. but it is up to us, the constituents and/or Christians, to figure out what politicians & policies coincide with God's will. and from there, our political views should be formed. and peace (among nations and such) can come about different ways. sometimes war is needed to remove an bad and injustice leader, like with WWII and Hitler, which was part of the reason why the Americans joined in that fight. i believe that George W. Bush had the same general intentions with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. yes thousands upon thousands of people have been killed but the prevailing cause is to try to diminish the amount of terrorists and the affectiveness of terror on the world. note: i am not exactly pro-Bush but i can see where he is coming from with some of his actions

Answer 7

Matthew 10:
34 Do not think I came to put peace upon the earth; I came to put, not peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to cause division, with a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a young wife against her mother-in-law. 36 Indeed, a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household. 37 He that has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me; and he that has greater affection for son or daughter than for me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not accept his torture stake and follow after me is not worthy of me. 39 He that finds his soul will lose it, and he that loses his soul for my sake will find it. --Matthew 10

Jesus basically means that people will disagree with ones who choose to pursue Christianity, to various degrees... Many to the point of persecution. Also, that whoever doesn't rely on God for strength to remain faithful, will not be worthy of his attention. Yet, those who do will succeed --even if they die in the process-- because they will definately be resurrected.

Answer 8

there are several things that influence the bible... one of the biggest reasons the bible is misunderstood is because one major source of spiritual influence is prophecy, but it's written as if it's a history ..... is it happening now? I look back at my childhood, that brothers and sisters hate each other was called normal... which in anything else in nature would be called abnormal... look at society today, the disfunctional familly is the norm... people are not allowed to think for themselves without being an outcast... disfellowships, excomunitcations, and putting their church before their familly members.... beating children into submission, these are catholic and christian famillies.... the pagan, atheists, and non christians are doing much better.... the bible is like that devil's two sided puzzle that circulates... it could never be assembled or understood.... I'm not christian by the way...... and that Jesus, he didn't die on the cross.... he's a shaman living today.... and the story is what would happen to him if the church got his hands on him..... we know he survived because of the stories we heard a couple of years back about Jesus not dying on the cross but marrying Mary Magdelaine ....this is called an omen. the truth held back so long by the chruch is now just starting to surface..... so much information about spirituality, medicines, nature and much more... just beginning to seep out of the iron clutches of the church who held a monopoly on defining spirituality for so long.

Answer 9

Jesus meant that He came to teach and live-out the scriptures.
Faith in Jesus would divide families (it has) and asks the believer for full belief, and not to be swayed by non-believing family members.
Our love for Jesus should make our love for family look like hatred. Total devotion is what He ask for, which re-affirms in the 10 Commandments that we are not to have other god's before Him.

Answer 10

It means that Jesus did not come to mollify or make all happy and content.

He came to deliver the truth, that we should accept and live by.
This may cause our own family members to reject us or persecute us, it may cause us to hate ourselves and our horrible continuing desires of the flesh.

The word Hate as translated here does not mean the type of hate that you may be thinking. Its more of a rejection of worldly desires and fleshly desires.

Just because I Love God with all my heart and soul and I put him first in my life, before my husband and my children and my parents and siblings, does not mean that I do not love them. IT means that when God is first, all my other relationships will be based on that Love and not on fleshly desires or human hurts.
If I put all my Love and trust into another human being, I will be let down, If I give God all my Love and trust, he gives me others which I can love and know that God is in control of all things, including my relationships with others.