Matthew 10:28

“And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.”

Matthew 10:28 · direct translation from the Greek
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28

Matthew 10:28, word by word

be afraidφοβεῖσθεphobeisthe

be afraid

To be afraid: "do not fear".

Where else “phobeisthe” appears
killἀποκτεννόντωνapoktennontōn

kill

Kill.

Where else “apoktennontōn” appears
the bodyσῶμαsōma

body

The person in his physical part, living or dead.

Where else “sōma” appears
cannotδυναμένωνdynamenōn

can, be able

Can, be able.

Where else “dynamenōn” appears
the soulψυχὴνpsychēn

soul

A person's innermost self: what they feel and desire.

Where else “psychēn” appears
ratherμᾶλλονmallon

rather

On the contrary, more accurately.

Where else “mallon” appears
destroyἀπολέσαιapolesai

destroy

To do away with someone or something: take a life or ruin it.

Where else “apolesai” appears
Gehennaγεέννῃgeennēi

Gehenna

Gehenna: the Valley of Hinnom beside Jerusalem, a cursed place because children were sacrificed there to idols; an image of final punishment.

Where else “geennēi” appears

Parallel passages

Other books that tell the same thing or quote these words.

Do not fear those who kill the body

Luke 12:2-7

A similar saying; scholars discuss whether it is the same saying in another setting or a repeated one.

See them side by side

Matthew 10:26-31

26So do not be afraid of them; for nothing is covered that will not be uncovered, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. 27What I tell you in the dark, say in the light; and what you hear in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. 28And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 29Are not two sparrows sold for an assarion? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke 12:2-7

2But nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4And I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that cannot do anything more. 5But I will show you whom to fear: fear the one who, after killing, has authority to throw you into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, fear him. 6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

The context

27What I tell you in the dark, say in the light; and what you hear in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.

28 · This verse (above)

29Are not two sparrows sold for an assarion? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

Read all of Matthew 10

To study Matthew 10 in a group

  1. 1. What it says

    What instructions did Jesus give the twelve when he sent them out (vv. 7–10)?

  2. 2. What it means

    Why does Jesus say not to be afraid, even while he announces that there will be opposition (vv. 26–31)?

  3. 3. How I live it

    Jesus says whoever gives a cup of cold water will not lose their reward (v. 42). Whom can you serve this way today?

How to use it