Matthew 10:28

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks to his disciples immediately after commanding them to publicly proclaim what he has whispered to them. The instruction falls within a discourse on missionary persecution and divine oversight.

The words — φοβεῖσθε (phobeisthe) translates literally as "do be afraid," and σῶμα (sōma) means "body." These terms establish the physical limit of human agents versus the spiritual scope of divine judgment.

The thread — The prohibition against fearing human killers appears in Luke 12:4 and the refusal to dread human threats runs through Isaiah 8:12 and Revelation 2:10. The passage shares a common warning against misplaced dread in the face of persecution.

Why it lands — The text commands readers to cease fearing those who end physical life and instead fear the One who holds authority over both soul and body in hell. It requires a direct transfer of allegiance and a recalibration of courage.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

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.
Isaiah 8:12 “Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread.
Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
Ecclesiastes 8:12 Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Isaiah 51:12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?
Jeremiah 5:22 Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it.
Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
Revelation 20:10 And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.