Matthew 10:24

24 "A talmid is not greater than his rabbi, a slave is not greater than his master.

Matthew 10:24 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 10:24

The disciple is not above his master
So far from it, that he is inferior to him; as in knowledge, so in reputation and character; and cannot expect the same honour to be given him, and the same respect shown to him, as to his master; and therefore if his master is not used with that decency, and in that becoming manner he ought to be, he must not think it any hardship if he is treated in the same way. Our Lord hereby intends to fortify the minds of his disciples against all the reproach and persecution they were to meet with from the world, by observing to them the treatment he himself met with; wherefore, if he who was their master, a teacher that came from God, and taught as never man did, and was worthy of the utmost deference that could be paid, was maligned and evilly treated by men, it became them who were his disciples, to look for, and patiently bear such indignities; since they could expect no better usage than he himself had: the same doctrine is suggested in the next clause,

nor the servant above his Lord;
and both seem to be proverbial expressions. The Jews have a saying F8 much like unto them, (wbrm) (hkz dbeh Nya) , "no servant is worthier than his master"; and Christ might make use of such common, well known expressions, that he might be the more easily understood, and in the most familiar manner convey what he intended, into the minds of his disciples; as, that since he was their Lord, and they were his servants, if his superior character and dignity did not secure him from the obloquy and insults of men, it could not be thought by them, who were inferior to him, that they should escape them.


FOOTNOTES:

F8 T. Hieros. Maaser Sheni, fol. 55. 1.

Matthew 10:24 In-Context

22 Everyone will hate you because of me, but whoever holds out till the end will be preserved from harm.
23 When you are persecuted in one town, run away to another. Yes indeed; I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Isra'el before the Son of Man comes.
24 "A talmid is not greater than his rabbi, a slave is not greater than his master.
25 It is enough for a talmid that he become like his rabbi, and a slave like his master. Now if people have called the head of the house Ba`al-Zibbul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!
26 So do not fear them; for there is nothing covered that will not be uncovered, or hidden that will not be known.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.