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;

◄ Matthew 10:37 ►

New International Version
“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

New Living Translation
“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.

English Standard Version
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Berean Standard Bible
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 Literal Bible
The one loving father or mother above Me is not worthy of Me, and the one loving son or daughter above Me is not worthy of Me.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

New American Standard Bible
“The one who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and the one who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

NASB 1995
“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

NASB 1977
“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Legacy Standard Bible
“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Amplified Bible
“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

Christian Standard Bible
The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; the person who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

American Standard 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.

Contemporary English Version
If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"The person who loves his father or mother more than me does not deserve to be my disciple. The person who loves a son or daughter more than me does not deserve to be my disciple.

Good News Translation
"Those who love their father or mother more than me are not fit to be my disciples; those who love their son or daughter more than me are not fit to be my disciples.

International Standard Version
"The one who loves his father or mother more than me isn't worthy of me, and the one who loves a son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me.

Majority Standard Bible
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;

NET Bible
"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

New Heart English Bible
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
Any one who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and any one who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

World English Bible
He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
He who is cherishing father or mother above Me, is not worthy of Me, and he who is cherishing son or daughter above Me, is not worthy of Me,

Berean Literal Bible
The one loving father or mother above Me is not worthy of Me, and the one loving son or daughter above Me is not worthy of Me.

Young's Literal Translation
'He who is loving father or mother above me, is not worthy of me, and he who is loving son or daughter above me, is not worthy of me,

Smith's Literal Translation
He loving father or mother above me, is not worthy of me; and he loving son or daughter above me, is not worthy of me.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever loves son or daughter above me is not worthy of me.

New American Bible
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

New Revised Standard Version
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
He that loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me:

Godbey New Testament
He that loveth father and mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Haweis New Testament
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.

Mace New Testament
he that loveth father or mother more than me, is unworthy of me: he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is unworthy of me.

Weymouth New Testament
Any one who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and any one who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

Worrell New Testament
"He that loves father or mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me; and he that loves son or daughter more than Me, is not worthy of Me.

Worsley New Testament
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:

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Take up Your Cross
36A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37Anyone 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; 38and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

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 16:24-25
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. / For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Luke 9:23-24
Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. / For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

John 12:25
Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Mark 8:34-35
Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. / For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.

Deuteronomy 13:6-8
If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known, / the gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, whether from one end of the earth or the other), / you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him.

Luke 18:29-30
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God / will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Genesis 22:2
“Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

John 15:18-19
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.

1 John 2:15
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Exodus 32:26-29
So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him. / He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’” / The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead. ...

Galatians 1:10
Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. / And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

Micah 7:5-6
Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms. / For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.

Treasury of Scripture

He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

that loveth father.

Matthew 22:37
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Deuteronomy 33:9
Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.

Luke 14:26
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

not.

Matthew 22:8
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Luke 20:35
But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

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Matthew 10

1. Jesus sends out his apostles, enabling them with power to do miracles;
5. giving them their charge, teaches them;
16. comforts them against persecutions;
40. and promises a blessing to those who receive them.

Berean Study Bible

Anyone who loves
The Greek word for "loves" here is "φιλέω" (phileō), which denotes a deep, affectionate love, often used to describe the love between friends or family. In the context of this verse, Jesus is emphasizing the depth of commitment and affection that should be directed towards Him. This is not a call to diminish familial love but to prioritize the love for Christ above all earthly relationships.

his father or mother
In the Jewish culture of Jesus' time, honoring one's parents was a fundamental commandment (Exodus 20:12). The family unit was central to societal structure, and loyalty to one's parents was paramount. By referencing "father or mother," Jesus is addressing the most intimate and respected relationships in a person's life, highlighting the radical nature of His call to discipleship.

more than Me
The phrase "more than Me" underscores the supremacy of Christ in the believer's life. The Greek word "ὑπέρ" (hyper) is used here, indicating a comparison of degree. Jesus is not advocating for neglect of family but is asserting His divine authority and the necessity of placing Him above all else. This reflects the first commandment to have no other gods before the Lord (Exodus 20:3).

is not worthy of Me
The term "worthy" comes from the Greek "ἄξιος" (axios), meaning deserving or suitable. In this context, it implies that true discipleship requires a willingness to prioritize Christ above all. This worthiness is not about earning salvation but about the appropriate response to the call of Christ, reflecting a heart fully devoted to Him.

anyone who loves his son or daughter
Similar to the earlier mention of parents, "son or daughter" represents the next generation and the continuation of one's lineage. In ancient times, children were seen as a blessing and a source of legacy. Jesus' inclusion of children in this statement further emphasizes the totality of commitment required to follow Him, even above one's own progeny.

more than Me
Reiterating the earlier point, this phrase again calls for the preeminence of Christ in the believer's life. It challenges the natural human inclination to prioritize familial bonds, urging believers to recognize the eternal significance of their relationship with Jesus.

is not worthy of Me
This repetition serves to reinforce the seriousness of Jesus' message. The call to discipleship is not a casual invitation but a profound commitment that demands the highest allegiance. The worthiness here is about aligning one's life with the values and mission of Christ, demonstrating a love that surpasses all earthly ties.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(37) He that loveth father or mother more than me.--The words are important, partly in themselves, partly as explaining the stronger phrase of Luke 14:26-27, which speaks of a man "hating father or mother" as a condition of discipleship. Where two affections come into collision, the weaker must give way; and though the man may not and ought not to cease to love, yet he must act as if he hated--disobey, and, it may be, desert--those to whom he is bound by natural ties, that he may obey the higher supernatural calling.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 37, 38. - Parallel passage: Luke 14:26, 27, where the saying is spoken to the multitudes - presumably its original occasion. Ver 37: A man must place me before his nearest tics. Ver. 38: Yea, must receive his cross (however it is brought to him), and with it follow after me. Observe the shadow of the cross upon our Lord's mind. Verse 37. - He that loveth. Natural and spontaneous love (ὁ φιλῶν), father... mother... son... daughter. No mention of wife, brothers, sisters, as in the parallel passage in Luke, perhaps because not mentioned in our vers. 35, 36. Is not worthy of me. And of all that I can be to him. Observe Christ's consciousness of his own worth. And he that loveth son, etc. A separate clause, because of the difference between the love of child to parent and that of parent to child. The latter is the stronger. The clause is omitted in B*, D, and two or three lesser authorities, but probably through homoioteleuton.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Anyone who
Ὁ (Ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

loves
φιλῶν (philōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5368: From philos; to be a friend to (an individual or an object), i.e. Have affection for; specially, to kiss.

[his] father
πατέρα (patera)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

or
ἢ (ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

mother
μητέρα (mētera)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3384: A mother. Apparently a primary word; a 'mother'.

more than
ὑπὲρ (hyper)
Preposition
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

Me
ἐμὲ (eme)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

is
ἔστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

worthy
ἄξιος (axios)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 514: Worthy, worthy of, deserving, comparable, suitable. Probably from ago; deserving, comparable or suitable.

of Me;
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

anyone who
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

loves
φιλῶν (philōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5368: From philos; to be a friend to (an individual or an object), i.e. Have affection for; specially, to kiss.

[his] son
υἱὸν (huion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

or
ἢ (ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

daughter
θυγατέρα (thygatera)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2364: Apparently a primary word; a female child, or descendant.

more than
ὑπὲρ (hyper)
Preposition
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

Me
ἐμὲ (eme)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

is
ἔστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

worthy
ἄξιος (axios)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 514: Worthy, worthy of, deserving, comparable, suitable. Probably from ago; deserving, comparable or suitable.

of Me;
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

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NT Gospels: Matthew 10:37 He who loves father or mother more (Matt. Mat Mt)