Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 10:28

"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 (ASV)

The second reason for learning not to fear other people emerges from the fact that the worst they can do does not match the worst God can do. Though Satan may have great power (6:13; 24:22), only God can destroy soul and body in “hell” (see comment on Mk 9:42–49). If God be truly feared, none other need be. Unavoidable in this context is the thought that hell is a place of torment for the whole person: there will be a resurrection of the unjust as well as of the just.