Luke 14:26 and Matthew 10:34
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The REAL cost of following Jesus. The truth about Luke 14-26 and Matthew 10-34
What did Jesus mean when he said to hate your father and mother and that he did not come to bring peace but a sword? Did Jesus really mean that we should hate our family, did Jesus really mean that he came to bring a physical sword to the world. There are many different interpretations of these verses but what do they actually mean? In this writing I shall explain the true meaning behind these teachings of Jesus.
These 2 teachings can be found in the Gospel of Luke chapter 10
Luke 14-26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
And in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 10.
Matthew 10-34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
These are very strong statements. Especially when Jesus reiterates the command of God to honour your father and mother
Matthew 15-4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
And that he is called the prince of peace.
Isaiah 9-6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Clearly either these contradict each other or there must be a different meaning to the 2 verses in question. It may surprise people but these 2 sayings of Jesus actually mean the exact same thing.
In both teachings Jesus is stating the cost of following him and what it really means to be his disciple.
Let’s start with Luke 10-26
Like always we need to add the context to what is being said.
It’s important to note that Jesus was talking to multitudes of people in Luke
luke 14- 25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
Jesus was addressing the great multitude of people that had come to listen to him preach. The very first thing that Jesus said to those that had gathered was.
Luke 14-26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
With this statement Jesus was telling these multitudes what the cost of really following him was. They had come to listen to him talk but he was asking them are you really ready, are you really willing to really follow me. Not just come to hear me talk but be a disciple. Jesus was warning the multiples that following him was not going to be easy. He did so before he started his teaching.
In order to follow him, to be a real disciple of Jesus you must be willing to put him first.
The Greek word translated as hate is μισέω miseó andmeans to detest, to hate in a comparative sense. To put one thing/person over another.
Jesus was saying that he was above all. He has to be the most important person, above riches and above family.
Jesus was telling them even if it costs you your family, which it could very well do he had to be put first. Following Jesus , really following Jesus might mean having to forsake your father, mother sister and brother,your children and even your own life.
And that’s what Jesus stated to his disciples in Matthew 10-34
Matthew 10-34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
The sword here not being a physical one but one of division, division between those that follow Jesus and those that do not. And that’s exactly how it is stated in the parallel passage in Luke
Luke 12- 51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
Jesus continues on in Matthew
Matthew 10- 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
The division, the sword that Jesus brought was following him or not following him even if it meant being set at odds with your own family.
Jesus further continues on in Matthew
Matthew 10-37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Those that would not be willing to put Jesus above everyone, that loved their father or mother or family more, those not willing to take up their cross and die for him were not worthy of him.
Now this teaching to his disciples came just after he had told them to go and preach the kingdom of God to the lost sheep of Israel.
Matthew 10- 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
But he warned them
Matthew 10-16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Jesus was sending his disciples out as sheep among the wolves. Sheep don’t normally fare well when they are faced with a wolf. They have to rely on their shepherd to keep them safe
The disciples were going to have to trust Jesus fully they were going to have to trust their shepherd that he was going to keep them from harm.
Something they would have been well aware of through the psalms.
Psalm 23-4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
This warning came before he then told them that people were going to hate them, even kill them for his sake.
Matthew 10-21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Jesus told them that the world would hate them as they were his disciples and as disciples they were not above their master, if the master was called Beelzebub which Jesus later was in fact called by the pharisees
Matthew 12- 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
that they could expect the same and worse.
Matthew 10- 24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Jesus told them that the world would hate them but that the world hated them because it hated him first
John 15-18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
He even told his disciples that he warned them BEFORE so that they would not be offended by the hatred towards them and fall away because of this hatred.
John 16- 1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
When we go back to the passage in Luke, after Jesus told them they must hate their families, Jesus then says to the multitudes
Luke 14-27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple
Jesus was telling the multitudes this is what it costs to be his disciple.
Jesus then takes it further. Following Jesus might cost you your life. He is asking them are you willing to die for me, Jesus knew that he was going to soon die on the cross he was asking them are you willing to die with me?
That’s the true cost of being a disciple of Jesus.
Just ask a Muslim convert to Christianity the cost involved. Many Muslims have to flee their own family, their own father and mother for fear of being put in prison or even being put to death. They may have to leave everything, their homes, their husbands/wives their own children sometimes their own country, their own lives for their faith, forsaking everything in order to follow Jesus.
And that’s what Jesus was saying you must be willing to do in order to follow him. He was warning them BEFORE they started down the path with him. If you start then you have to be willing to see it through. Not leaving if the cost gets too high. Not choosing family over him if you have to choose between the 2. Hating your family (putting Jesus above them in respect of importance)
as we already saw Jesus explained why he did this.
When one of his disciples asked Jesus to let him go and bury his own father Jesus replied for the disciple to follow him.
Matthew 8 21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Even when it came to the death of the father of one of the disciples Jesus said to choose him.
This is expanded on in the gospel of Luke
Luke 9-59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Jesus forbade even going to say bye to their families, once the choice has been made to follow, everything else is second choice.
Jesus then gives some examples of counting the cost BEFORE jumping in …
Luke 14- 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Jesus didn’t want people to start metaphorically building a tower with him only to give up halfway through because the cost was too high. When the cost of being a disciple is that of your family Jesus was saying that’s the price to pay. So don’t start following if you are not willing or unable to follow to the end.
He then gives another example, this time he uses that of of a king going to war. Before he goes to war he weighs up his ability to win the war.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
Again Jesus was asking them to count the cost of following him, did they have “enough” to see it through to the end. They had come to listen to him talk but were they actually going to follow him.
Another time Jesus told a parable to the multitudes that followed him regarding those that would follow him
1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Jesus himself explained the parable to his disciples
Matthew 13- 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
So some of the “seed” was glad to hear the word but it had no root and when tribulation and persecution came that seed was offended and did not endure. And this is what Jesus was warning against. Those that would follow but would not follow when things got tough,when they had to choose family or Jesus, life or Jesus, possessions and Jesus
Again just like the rich man who asked Jesus how he would enter into the kingdom.
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
The rich man followed the law, he wanted to be saved, he wanted eternal life but when it came to forsaking everything to follow Jesus he was unable to do it because he was so attached to his money.
Peter then declares that the disciples had in fact forsaken all and followed Jesus.
Matthew 19- 27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
We are also told of a story of a rich man, Zacchaeus, who although being rich was also a sinner who unlike the other rich man had not followed the laws however he did do what Jesus had told. He did put Jesus first and by doing so inherited eternal life
Luke 19-1 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Then again at the end of the passage in Luke Jesus states…if you are not willing to go all in, willing to forsake everything then you cannot follow me, you cannot be a disciple of Jesus.
Luke 14- 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
We must be willing to lose everything and everyone to put Jesus first.
Far from the modern day teachings of health and wealth where we are told following Jesus will bring blessings and riches, Jesus who is asking them to follow him tells the multitudes that he doesn’t even have a home.
Luke 9- 57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
Are you really willing to follow Jesus?
Then Jesus says something that at first seems to be totally separate from the teaching but actually is connected and has a very powerful message on its own. He talks about salt.
Luke 14- 34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Jesus also talks about salt in his sermon on the mount, he calls the multitudes there the salt of the earth.
Matthew 5- 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
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But he says if the salt loses its saltiness, its flavour then what good is it? Therefore if those following him lose their saltiness, they don’t follow through to the end. Then what good are they? They are cast out trodden under foot by men, not even good enough for the dirt or manure.
If you lose your saltiness then Jesus has no use for you. You are cast out. Jesus doesn’t want salt that will lose its flavour. He wants those that will remain salty, will build the tower and will fight the war.
To follow Jesus might just cost you everything you have, but might just gain you everything you need.
Matthew 16-For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
So you need to ask yourself. Are you willing to hate your father, mother, sister, brother or children are you willing to hate your own life to truly follow Jesus?
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