Matthew 10:37
Read Matthew 10:37 Using Other Translations
What does Matthew 10:37 mean?
He that loveth father or mother more than me
The design of these words, is not at all to lessen the due
affection of children to their parents; or to detract from the
respect and esteem, in which they ought to be had by them: it is
the duty of children, to love, honour, and, obey them; who have
been the means of bringing them into the world, and of bringing
them up in it; nor do any of the doctrines of Christ break in
upon the ties and obligations of nature, or in the least set
aside any of the duties of natural religion: but the intent of
this passage is, to show, that as Christ is infinitely above all
creatures, he is to be loved above the nearest and dearest
relations and friends; being God over all blessed for ever, and
also the Saviour and Redeemer; which itself, makes him more
amiable and lovely than a common parent. That man therefore, that
prefers father and mother to Christ, and their instructions, and
orders, to the truths and ordinances of Christ: who, to please
them, breaks the commands of Christ, rejects his Gospel, and
either denies him, or does not confess him, our Lord says,
is not worthy of me;
or, as in Munster's Hebrew Gospel, he is not (ytwal ywar) , "fit for me": it is not
fit and proper, that such a person should name the name of
Christ, or be called by his name, and should be reckoned one of
his disciples; he is not fit to be a member of the church of
Christ on earth, nor for the kingdom of heaven, but deserves to
be rejected by him, and everlastingly banished his presence: for
otherwise no man, let him behave ever so well, is worthy of
relation to Christ, and interest in him; or of his grace,
righteousness, presence, kingdom and glory. The same is the sense
of the following clause,
and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not
worthy of
me:
whoever, to gratify a child, drops the profession of Christ,
renounces his Gospel, and neglects his commands, it is not proper
and convenient that he should bear the name of Christ, be
accounted one of his, or be treated as such, but all the reverse.
