John Calvin Commentary Matthew 10:35

"For I came 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:" — Matthew 10:35 (ASV)

To set a man at variance. From this we see more clearly what was stated previously: that wars and tumults arise, contrary to the nature of the Gospel, through the fault of wicked men.

What Malachi says about John the Baptist (Malachi 4:5–6) applies to all the ministers of Christ. They are sent for this purpose: to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers.

But as a result of the malice of wicked men, those who were previously united no sooner hear the voice of Christ than they separate into opposing parties and go so far as to break up the ties of relationship.

In a word, Christ foretells that the world will come to such a state of confusion that all bonds of kinship will be treated with indifference, and humanity will no longer be regarded. When Micah complains (Micah 7:6) that a man’s enemies are the men of his own house, he deplores it as a state of extreme and ruinous corruption. Christ declares that the same thing will happen when his doctrine is published, something that otherwise could not have been believed.

At the same time, he does not mean that this will always happen, as certain fretful people foolishly imagine that it will be impossible for them to be good disciples without forsaking parents, children, and wives. On the contrary, every lawful bond of union is confirmed by unity of faith; Christ only warns his followers that, when it does happen, they must not be alarmed.