Bible Strands
Matthew 10:37
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to the Twelve as he commissions them for mission, in a passage (vv. 34–39) that lists the costs of following him. This verse sits between household enmity (v. 36) and taking up the cross (v. 38).
The words — ὑπὲρ (huper) is a preposition meaning "above" or "beyond," marking positional superiority rather than a mere degree of "more." φιλῶν (philōn) is a present participle, "loving," indicating a settled, ongoing orientation rather than a single act.
The thread — Luke 14:26 restates the same demand with the hyperbolic verb "hate" (μισεῖν); Matthew 22:37 gives the positive form—love God with all heart, soul, and mind. Philippians 3:7 shows Paul counting former gain as loss for Christ.
Why it lands — Christ is not a competitor for affection but the highest claim on a person's loyalty. The verse does not forbid loving family; it forbids ranking them above him.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.
- Matthew 22:37 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
- Philippians 3:7 But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 5:14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.
- Deuteronomy 33:9 He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.
- John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”
- Matthew 22:8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited were not worthy.
- Luke 21:36 So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”
- John 5:23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:5 All this is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment. And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.