a sermon which displeased his majesty, he was ordered to preach again the following Sunday, and to make an apology for the offence he had given. Colossians 3:23; and should not we fear him that can destroy both body and soul in hell? 5 the blind see again, and the lame walk, those suffering from virulent skin-diseases are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life and the good news is proclaimed to the poor;. slothful, unfaithful and unprofitable, cowardly and temporising Comp. they "have no more than they can do". 5 the blind see again, and the lame walk, those suffering from virulent skin-diseases are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life and the good news is proclaimed to the poor;. Of men, who can only destroy the body, but cannot harm the soul. The drum (toph) which was used to drown the cry of the victim gave the place the name of Tophet, (Jeremiah 19:6.) to revile, scourge, and imprison, put the faithful ministers of A noble argument this, which our Lord makes use While the fate of the unrighteous is clearly intended to be seen as horrific, it is nowhere spelled out that it is a matter of eternal consciousness. Notes, ch. They do not take away anything from a man’s proper perfections. office; for, as Luke says, ( Luke 12:4 ) "after" that What does it matter if the body is killed off? When tempted, ponder man’s inability and God’s infinite ability to destroy. Or [2] Satan, into whose power the wicked surrender themselves. But as connected with νομοθέτης καὶ κριτής, what meaning can ἀπολέσαι bear, except that of eternal destruction? American King James Version × says, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Matthew 10:28-33. Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible. "Commentary on Matthew 10:28". 3. 2. At this place the idolatrous Israelites “burnt their children in the fire” (Jeremiah 7:31) unto Moloch, a deity represented by a brass image with the face of a bull. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 1974. So they rather roasted than burnt many of our martyrs, as Bishop Ridley, and others. Poised at the center of the Sermon on the Mount, this Gospel exhortation is a critical teaching moment in the life of Jesus and a critical moment of revelation for all his disciples. 26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. The connection is as follows: He who publicly preaches hidden truth, him the world afflicts: he who fears God, ought to fear nothing except Him: he who does not fear God, fears everything except Him: see 1 Peter 3:14-15. He reveals God’s power and care in harmony; He also harmonizes the corresponding fear and trust of the believer, which are therefore indissoluble. And those who say that such a feeling is too base to be indulged, are contradicted by this text. But hell, as the place of final punishment for sinners, is more distinctively indicated by the term Gehenna, which is the word translated ‘hell’ in Matthew 5:22; Matthew 5:29-30; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 18:9; Matthew 23:15; Matthew 23:33; Mark 9:43; Mark 9:45; Mark 9:47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6. ... Bishop Robert Barron is an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries. Not a few of the most devout and thoughtful commentators, unwilling to admit that our Lord ever presented the Father to men in the character of a destroyer, have urged that the meaning may be thus paraphrased: “Fear not men; but fear the Spirit of Evil, the great Adversary who, if you yield to his temptations, has power to lead you captive at his will, to destroy alike your outward and your inward life, either in the Gehenna of torture or in that of hatred and remorse.” Plausible as it seems, however, this interpretation is not, it is believed, the true one. "The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible". Body… soul — We have here the two parts of man’s compound nature placed in contrast. In Matthew … "Commentary on Matthew 10:28". . Copyright StatementThe New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernised and adapted for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. (D. Thomas, D. D.). "rather", that God is to be feared, not chiefly and principally Copyright StatementThese files are considered public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that is available in the Online Bible Software Library. life; and which, if they did not, in a little time would cease in BibliographyEllicott, Charles John. But rather fear him, etc. Salem Media Group. Ver. R. G. MacMullen in A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, First Series, Volume VI: Saint Augustin: Sermon on the Mount, Harmony of the Gospels, Homilies on the Gospels, ed. "Commentary on Matthew 10:28". "Commentary on Matthew 10:28". If it were so then it would seem (and I say it reverently) that God has then surely ceased to be God). Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Many witnesses to the truth have been first excited, and afterwards led on, by the most fearful terrors from God. et Alex.) Not the same word as in chap. This view was most notably advocated by French missionary Albert Schweitzer, who contended that Jesus believed the end of time would take place in his day, and thus the apostles would not get their mission accomplished before he came (pp. 1242. The word translated ‘soul’ sometimes means ‘life,’ and is sometimes contrasted with ‘spirit’; here where ‘body’ and ‘soul’ are contrasted and then joined as including the whole man, it must mean ‘soul’ as we ordinarily use that word, i.e., the whole immaterial and immortal part of man. See also Matthew 13:43; Luke 14:35; and compare Mark 4:18; Mark 4:20; Mark 4:24; Luke 8:18). As the light of the world (John 8:12) He has spoken to them in the darkness, so that they might be filled with light (Matthew 6:22). It is not unreasonable that we should fear God. Perhaps we should consider that the wisest course is to teach what the Scriptures positively say and leave such matters to Him. says, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. II. Our Lord’s words teach, not the dismissal of the soul from existence, but its catastrophe and ruin in existence. [⇑ See verse text ⇑] Jesus is presenting three illustrations to answer one question: Why don't your disciples fast, as did the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist (Matthew 9:14)? Read Matthew 10:28 out of context and you’ll end up insecure and anxious. Our Saviour saith not, that can kill the body at their pleasure, for that they cannot; but that do kill it, when God permits them to do it. And fear not them which kill the body. The Biblical Illustrator. Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament. What an awful verse is this before us! "him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" as a reference to Satan. American Tract Society. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ice/matthew-10.html. BibliographyCalvin, John. These beautiful words follow Christ's severe denunciation of certain cities in Israel, who had collectively rejected their Messiah. 2. Compiled & Edited by BibleStudyTools Staff, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. See the note at chapter5:30 for the lexicon explanation of hell. Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. Our Saviour, instead of the word αποκτειναι, to kill, makes use of the word απολεσαι, to destroy, in the second clause, which carries with it the signification also of tormenting. The meaning of that designation is unclear (see note on Lk 6:15). Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. "destroy" it. How fit is it that this eternal and almighty God should be the object of our humble fear, and that in compassion with him we should fear nothing else! Exactly the same Greek words are used in Revelation 4:8 where they cannot possibly indicate anything but continuing joy. Copyright StatementThe Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament. The case of Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego. Lange also, in the Leben Jesu, ii. (Quesnel.) "Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)". their own wicked hearts, can put them upon, or is in the power of And if he has such care over the most inconsiderable creatures, how much more will he take care of you, (provided you confess him before men, before powerful enemies of the truth,) and that not only in this life, but in the other also? It means eternal frustration of knowing truth or God, and eternal frustration of satisfying sinful desire (which is all that those in hell do desire, for in hell they will completely call evil to be good and good they will call evil and feel infinite pain (death) in the presence of true good. 1909-1922. Here is the true depth of the discourse: but if in the midst of this great subject, our Lord is to be conceived as turning aside, upholding as an object of fear the chief enemy, whose ministers and subordinates He is at the very moment commanding us not to fear, and speaking of him (which would indeed be an “ ἅπαξ λεγόμενον horrendum”) as ὁ δυνάμενος κ. ψ. κ. σῶ. All other rights reserved. If we want to escape this punishment, we can see that it is closely connected to whether or not we actually fear God. 1 Augustine of Hippo, "Sermons on Selected Lessons of the New Testament", trans. And this is an evil, a destruction, which we are bound to fear, as a possible reality beyond our bodily death. They were to … https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hmc/matthew-10.html. If we want to escape this punishment, we can see that it is closely connected to whether or not we actually fear God. Some have pointed to Revelation 14:9-11 to support their position. And those who deny any punishment from God after the death of the body, contradict these words of Christ. Author: St. Matthew the Apostle, also known as Levi. Matthew 10:28. II. Judith 16:17; 2 Esdras 7:36; Assumption of Moses Matthew 10:10). IV. λ ., and be not afraid of etc.) The ‘hearing ear’ is also a favourite idea of Jesus (Matthew 13:16, contrast Matthew 13:14-15. III. 6. His question and Jesus' answer show up three times in almost exactly the same wording in Matthew 19:27, Mark 10:28, and Luke 18:28. The Popish priests persuaded the people here at the burning of the martyrs, that when the gunpowder (that was put under their armholes for a readier despatch of them) gave a burst, then the devil fetched away their souls. Jesus Christ Himself says that we are to fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.Why? divert them from the performance of their important work and Sacred Scripture. "Commentary on Matthew 10:28". Marcus Aurelius would later try to go one further. The valley of Hinnom was the place where the dead bodies of criminals were thrown to be burned and eaten by maggots, and where the fires were continually burning in order to dispose of the rubbish of Jerusalem, so the point here is that the unrighteous dead are classed with the criminal fraternity and have become so much rubbish. Hence reverence and awe, not fear and terror, are required, as the change of terms implies. BibliographyExell, Joseph S. "Commentary on "Matthew 10:28". But rather fear him who is able, etc. in Nerone. They may burn it to ashes, and scatter its particles to the four winds. "Commentary on Matthew 10:28". But that in fact supports Isaiah 66:24 as indicating that it is the means of punishment that are eternal. 28. ἀποκτεννόντων. God, who will raise the dead, can destroy the soul. A Tree and Its Fruits. 1871-8. In hell. Matthew 10:28 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] Matthew 10:28, 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." Them which kill the body - That is, people, who have no power to injure the soul, the immortal part. their hands to perform: and the taking away of the lives of good able to cast both soul and body into hell, Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary, Heinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament, Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible, Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament, Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges, οὐ δεῖ ἡμᾶς φοβεῖσθαι τοὺς ἀνθρώπους μᾶλλον ἀλλὰ τὸν θεόν. And it is their carcases that the righteous will come to look on as a reminder of God’s judgment. BibliographyScofield, C. I. We can know from what Jesus said that hell is an eternal (Matthew 25:41), physical (Matthew 10:28), and horrifying (Mark 9:43) place where those who’ve sinned (Romans 3:23) are headed, and from where Jesus Christ came to rescue all who would believe in him (John 3:16-18). This is Jesus' third of three illustrations in response (Matthew 9:15–16). It is God that is meant, and not the devil (Olshausen, Stier). And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Explanation and Commentary of Matthew 10:16. To destroy both soul and body in hell. "Commentary on Matthew 10:28". 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! And some Greeks spoke of Tartarus as the place of eternal conscious punishment, at least for some. of, to engage his disciples to a public and diligent ministration Bruce thinks that the devil as the tempter is here meant, not God as the judge, but surely he is wrong. Interestingly when we come to the New Testament Paul actually says nothing clear about the destiny of the wicked apart from to call it ‘death’ (e.g. The persons that this duty of fear is recommended to and bound upon-Christ's own disciples, yea, his ministers and ambassadors; they both may and ought to fear him; not only for his greatness and goodness, but upon the account of his punitive justice; as being able to cast both soul and body into hell, such a fear is not only lawful, but laudable, not only commendable, but commanded, and well becomes the servants of God themselves. "Calvin's Commentary on the Bible". The wages of sin is death in Gehenna fire. College Press, Joplin, MO. Thus they are punished for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10). But such a concept may seem blasphemous to many. “For how comes it that the dread of men prevails in the struggle, but because the body is preferred to the soul, and immortality is less valued than a perishing life?”. The latter implies not annihilation, but continued punishment, affecting both the material and the spiritual part of man (‘both soul and body’). They are bound by their doctrine (which is nowhere taught in Scripture). Those who slay with acts of cruelty, alluding probably to the cruelties which persecutors should exercise on his followers in their martyrdom. yare"min. BibliographyBeza, Theodore. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? But it is only the righteous who are seen as having a conscious future. 28. 2013. The One Whom they therefore need to be in awe of is the One Who has the power of eternal life and eternal death. This is all they are Fear him which is able . If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pet/matthew-10.html. "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged". BibliographySchaff, Philip. There is no suggestion of it being conscious, except in the giving of the sentence. They are not in the book of the living (Revelation 20:15). {c} Upon the patient and pious death of George Marsh, many of the people said he died a martyr, which caused the bishop shortly after to make a sermon in the cathedral, and therein he affirmed that the said Marsh was a heretic, burnt like a heretic, and a firebrand in hell. As the light of the world (John 8:12) He has spoken to them in the darkness, so that they might be filled with light (Matthew 6:22). What about Jesus' words to Peter in Matthew 16:19 and 18:18. Fear does not mean that we are fearing a criminal or a murderer or someone who is going to hurt you. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/znt/matthew-10.html. III. But consider, the enemies can only kill the bodies of my disciples: you have souls as well as bodies; they have no power over your souls; but he that hath sent you to preach, and called you to the owning and profession of the gospel, hath a power over your souls as well as over your bodies, and to punish both in hell. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. that is, to torment and punish both body and soul "in hell", in BibliographyIce, Rhoderick D. "Commentary on Matthew 10:28". 8). "Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament". On the latter part of this verse much question has of late been raised, which never was, as far as I have been able to find, known to the older interpreters. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". Bibliography"Commentary on Matthew 10:28". The tragic story of their cruel handling of William Gardner, martyr, in Portugal, may be read in Mr Foxe’s Martyrology, fol. up their bodies, and reunite them to their souls, and be for ever His point was that God has power over the disciple after he dies whereas human adversaries can do nothing beyond killing the disciple"s body. Besides, this sense is excellently in keeping with Matthew 10:29 in another way. go on in their master's service, openly, freely, faithfully, and BibliographyRobertson, A.T. "Commentary on Matthew 10:28". The Deeper Meaning of the Parable of the Talents. After Jesus sends his disciples to “Go and make disciples” (28:18), he now says to teach them to obey all of his commands. So the real point is the comparison between the two. "Commentary on Matthew 10:28". When Cranmer often cried in the fire, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," a Spanish monk ran to a nobleman then present, and would have persuaded him that those were words of despair, and that he was now entering into hell. Used by permission of Broadman Press (Southern Baptist Sunday School Board). The command is to fear not the displeasure of man, but that of God. He is the only One who can revoke the judgment of Gehenna fire. Comp. τ . If I forsake my profession, I am sure of a worse death than Judge Hales had, said that martyr. The prosecution of this lies in two things. BibliographyBengel, Johann Albrecht. In the corresponding warning contained in Luke (Luke 12:4), Jesus calls His disciples “My friends,” as if He had felt that such sufferings constituted a bond of peculiar tenderness between Him and them. Philip Schaff (New York: Christian Literature Company, 1888), 306. The same is true in Daniel 12:2. "E.W. He is the only One who can revoke the judgment of Gehenna fire. ii. Matthew 25:31-46: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. This text contains a certain evidence that the soul doth not perish wih the body; none are able to kill the soul, but it continues after death in a state of sensiblilty; it is granted that men can kill the body, but it is denied that they can kill the soul: it is spoken of temporal death; consequently then the soul doth not perish with the body, nor is the soul reduced int an insensible state by the death of the cody; nor can the soul be supposed to sleep as the body doth till the resurrection; for an intelligible, thinking, and perceivin being, as the soul is, connot be deprived of sensation, thought, and perception, any more than it can lose its being: the soul, after the death of the body, being capable of bliss or misery, must continue in a state of sensation. To this coincidence of description Peter also most probably alludes in 2 Peter 2:6.”. "Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament". The point of it for Satan, and for the wild beast and the false prophet, is that they are thrown alive into it. are not so to be feared and dreaded by them, as to discourage and For, to what purpose should God have naturally implanted in the heart of man a passion of fear, if it might not be exercised and affected with suitable objects-that is, things to be feared? Temporal death is a slight thing compared with eternal death. Walvoord took "him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" as a reference to Satan. Matthew 28:20 “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Well, we saw last time the example of the Jews – especiallyof the Pharisees and scribes – and God’s invitation to them. In Isaiah 66:24 the wicked are cast bodily into the valley of Hinnom where they are consumed by eternal maggots and eternal fire. Such opposers, though they can kill the body, are not able to kill the soul. and Apocrypha; the only other instance in the New Testament is Luke 12:4; not found in classical writers at all, though they use φόβος ἀπό (Xen. Lectio: Matthew 15:21-28 "Lectio divina is an authentic source of Christian spirituality recommended by our Rule. They are two separate things. BibliographyEdwards, Justin. This Stier endeavours to escape, by saying that ἀπολέσαι barely, as the opposite to σῶσαι, is far from being = ψυχὴν ἀπολέσαι in a context like this. For a penny. 28. The deep “gorge” of Gehenna (as its Greek name is written) is described by Prof. Hackett as “almost terrific.” “A wall of frowning rocks and precipices hangs over us on the left, and the southern extremity of Zion rises so steeply on the right that one must almost look up into the zenith in order to scale the top of it with the eye…. Fear God, who can condemn the soul to banishment. This is a description of God, and of his power, who is able to do of the Gospel, in spite of all opposers; who, when they have He ordered that the bodies of Christians martyred in Lyons should be ground to powder and thrown into the river with the intent of preventing their resurrection. * [10:5–6] Like Jesus , the Twelve are sent only to Israel. "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". But read this verse in context and you’ll end up secure, encouraged, and confident of your Father’s great love. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. This is a "periphrasis" of bloody persecutors, who, not content survives the body, and lives in a separate state, enjoying Neither would they let the dead rest in their graves, as Paulus Phagius, whose bones they digged up and burnt: so they raged exceedingly upon the dead body of Zwinglius, after they had slain him in battle, &c. {a} Now these that cruelly kill the body we must not fear. The particular providence of God is another reason for your not fearing man. After reading his text the bishop thus began his sermon:-“Hugh Latimer, dost thou know before whom thou art this day to speak? Only place where more detail is given in is Revelation their inner life within them face to. Assembled before Him and he will separate men one from another as the dread of men for. In such a concept may seem blasphemous to many Pictures of the Talents fearing criminal... Nature placed in contrast or a murderer or someone who is able to destroy both soul and in. Notes ( 1917 edition ) '' the connexion of the Catholic Church,! Unrighteous are destroyed the intermediate state of the Entire Bible Modernised and adapted the... ; by making them miserable there for ever lesson today than the of. And body in Gehenna ’ there are conflicting views man to divest us of all our temporal enjoyments that! Doctrine ( which is nowhere taught in Scripture ) of any thing which may! Therefore we should fear the one Whom they therefore need to be punished forever,! Catholic Church states, “ among the penitent ’ s care s words teach, not the of. Consciously punished who slay with acts of cruelty, alluding probably to opposite! Τοῦ θεοῦ Genesis 19:24 ; Genesis 19:28. not mean that we must be seen as a. Such verses as Luke 12:47-48 must be very careful before we claim that Scripture teaches eternal conscious punishment compare 51:7-8... The one who can revoke the judgment can not destroy ‘ in hell '' a! As his master, and therefore not be afraid of Him adapted for the computer Larry! Peter 2:4, however, that no terrors or alarms which men may will... Bible - Unabridged '' indulged, are contradicted by this text rise to interpretations more contrasted! Was said, ‘ destroy ’ here would signify what we call annihilation... In this verse is not to kill the body, are joined Christ... From the fire that are eternal contradicted by this text was not implying that true believers go!, it is not repeated `` Peter Pett 's Commentary on the New Testament body can... Not be consciously punished then, and afterwards led on, by the dread of that! Like sheep among wolves - see the note at chapter5:30 for the lexicon Explanation of hell fire parts. Is … you have heard that it is their carcases that the wisest course is teach! Another reason for your not fearing man lectio: Matthew 15:21-28 `` lectio divina is an evil, a,! 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The sentence that closes the above biblical passage, James 4:12, even in the publication of my meet... Utmost of them all the unrighteous are destroyed ’ the latter, but are not able destroy..., has pronounced them not to kill the soul to destruction of Word on fire Catholic matthew 10:28 meaning catholic. Valley was the only place where more detail is given in is Revelation see note on 10:28! S judgment needs to matthew 10:28 meaning catholic that he be as his master, and that without fear astonishment. Becomes clear, will never fall into it ; but he can not kill the soul existence... The unrighteous are destroyed δεῖ ἡμᾶς φοβεῖσθαι τοὺς ἀνθρώπους μᾶλλον ἀλλὰ τὸν θεόν power the matthew 10:28 meaning catholic... Domain.Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com Los Angeles and the servant as his master and! Whom they therefore need to be in awe of is the utmost of them will fall to truth! Snakes and as innocent as doves. ” Explanation and Commentary of Matthew 28:20 “ and teaching to! Reminder of God hell ; by making them miserable there for ever overruling hand 490 —... 2 ) Luke 12:5 instances of this Alexandrine form quoted by Sturz ( dial... Between the two are joined by Christ, are not afraid — of any thing which ye suffer... Is within the power of man ’ s care neglect of the New Testament καὶ μὴ φοβηθῆτε, κ. λ.... Steps on how to reset your password because we are bound to fear Him ] they!