Matthew 10:26-32

“Therefore, don’t be afraid of those people because nothing is hidden that won’t be revealed, and nothing secret that won’t be brought out into the open. ²⁷ What I say to you in the darkness, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, announce from the rooftops. ²⁸ Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but can’t kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell. ²⁹ Aren’t two sparrows sold for a small coin? But not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father knowing about it already. ³⁰ Even the hairs of your head are all counted. ³¹ Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

Confessing Christ to people

³² “Therefore, everyone who acknowledges me before people, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.

Key Verse:

Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but can’t kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell. —Matthew 10:28

Commentary:

This passage is more about persecution than it is about hell. Jesus encouraged his disciples to put their trust in a God who cares for them. The disciples feared the threat of violence and death for following Jesus. Jesus showed compassion for their fear by reminding them that God knows them and of how much God loves them. Jesus encouraged them not to fear earthly threats, but to remember we are eternal beings who belong to a powerful God.

In verses 32–33, Jesus talked about how we have a choice. God won’t force us to go to heaven. We can choose to follow God, or we can choose to follow our own path. Throughout the Bible we see examples of people choosing to follow their own will and rejecting Christ, and it always leads to destruction.

Questions to Discuss:

What does it say about God’s character that we are created with free will?

What happens to those who don’t choose to follow God’s way?

What does it mean for the body and the soul to be destroyed?