John Calvin Commentary Matthew 10:21

"And brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death." — Matthew 10:21 (ASV)

And the brother will deliver up the brother to death. He first warns about the severe calamities that await them, and then adds a remarkable consideration, which sweetens all their bitterness. First, he announces that those circumstances that other men find to be means of protection, or from which they find some relief, will prove to be a fresh addition to the disciples' misery. Brothers, who should assist them when oppressed, stretch out their hand to them in their distresses, and watch over their safety, will become their mortal enemies.

It is a mistake, however, to suppose that only believers are delivered up to death by their brethren: for it is possible that a father may pursue his son with holy zeal,⁵⁹⁰ if he perceives that he has apostatized from the true worship of God. Indeed, the Lord commands us in such a case (Deuteronomy 13:9) to forget flesh and blood and to devote all our care to vindicating the glory of His name.⁵⁹¹ Whoever fears and reveres God will not spare his own relatives but would rather choose that all of them should perish, if it is found necessary, than that the kingdom of Christ should be scattered, the doctrine of salvation extinguished, and the worship of God abolished. If our affections were properly regulated, there would be no other cause of just hatred among us.

On the other hand, since Christ not only restores the kingdom of God and revives godliness to its full vigor, but even brings men back from ruin to salvation, nothing can be more unreasonable than that the ministers of such a lovely doctrine should be hated on His account. A thing so monstrous, and so contrary to nature, might greatly distress the minds of ordinary people:⁵⁹² but Christ foretells that it will actually take place.

⁵⁹⁰ “Par un zele sainct et plaisant a Dieu;” — “by a zeal that is holy and pleasing to God.”;” — “by a zeal that is holy and pleasing to God.”

⁵⁹¹ “De maintenir la gloire de son nom, a fin que punition soit faite de l'outrage commis contre sa majeste;” — “to maintam the glory of his name, that punishment may be inflicted on the outrage comnntted against his majesty.”;” — “to maintam the glory of his name, that punishment may be inflicted on the outrage comnntted against his majesty.”

⁵⁹² “Les gens simples, et d'esprit paisible;” — “simple people, and of peaceable dispositions.”;” — “simple people, and of peaceable dispositions.”