The Meaning of Matthew 10:33 Explained

Matthew 10:33

KJV: But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

YLT: and whoever shall deny me before men, I also will deny him before my Father who is in the heavens.

Darby: But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in the heavens.

ASV: But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  whosoever  shall  deny  me  before  men,  him  will I also  deny  before  my  Father  which  is in  heaven. 

What does Matthew 10:33 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 10:24-33 - Fearless Confessors Of Christ
The more Christlike we are, the more certainly shall we incur the dislike and hatred of men. Only let us take care that they hate us, not on account of our personal peculiarities and pretensions, but solely for the truth's sake. See 1 Kings 22:8; Daniel 6:5.
Christ is often speaking. In the secret chamber of the heart, in the darkness of the night, in the shadowed room of pain and sorrow, in the room which holds all that is mortal of our beloved, hear His voice. It may be in dark sayings, but they are "the dark sayings on a harp," of which the psalmist sings. There are music, tenderness, love-notes in these dark sayings. And our hearts can receive lasting impressions in the dark.
Remember that in all your anxiety and pain, the Father is near. His presence encloses you in its gentle, holy embrace. You are of value to Him, of more value than you can count, because you were purchased with the precious blood of Christ. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for Matthew 10:33

Shall deny me [αρνησηται με]
Aorist subjunctive here with οστις — hostis though future indicative ομολογησει — homologēsei above. Note accusative here (case of extension), saying “no” to Christ, complete breach. This is a solemn law, not a mere social breach, this cleavage by Christ of the man who repudiates him, public and final. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 10:33

Matthew 26:75 Peter remembered [εμνηστη ο Πετρος]
A small thing, but magna circumstantia (Bengel). In a flash of lightning rapidity he recalled the words of Jesus a few hours before (Matthew 26:34) which he had then scouted with the proud boast that “even if I must die with thee, yet will I not deny thee” (Matthew 26:35). And now this triple denial was a fact. There is no extenuation for the base denials of Peter. He had incurred the dread penalty involved in the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:33 of denial by Jesus before the Father in heaven. But Peter‘s revulsion of feeling was as sudden as his sin. [source]
Luke 12:9 Shall be denied [απαρνητησεται]
First future passive of the compound verb απαρνεομαι — aparneomai Here Matthew 10:33 has αρνησομαι — arnēsomai simply. Instead of “in the presence of the angels of God” (εμπροστεν των αγγελων του τεου — emprosthen tōn aggelōn tou theou) Matthew 10:33 has “before my Father who is in heaven.” [source]
John 1:20 And he confessed [και ωμολογησεν]
The continued paratactic use of και — kai (and) and the first aorist active indicative of ομολογεω — homologeō old verb from ομολογος — homologos Negative statement of same thing in Johannine fashion, first aorist middle indicative of και ωμολογησεν — arneomai another Synoptic and Pauline word (Matthew 10:33; 2 Timothy 2:12). He did not contradict or refuse to say who he was. And he confessed (Εγω ουκ ειμι ο Χριστος — kai hōmologēsen). Thoroughly Johannine again in the paratactic repetition. I am not the Christ (οτι — Egō ouk eimi ho Christos). Direct quotation again with recitative ο Χριστος — hoti before it like our modern quotation marks. “I am not the Messiah,” he means by ho Christos (the Anointed One). Evidently it was not a new question as Luke had already shown (Luke 3:15). [source]
2 Timothy 2:12 If we deny him he also will deny us [εἰ ἀρνησόμεθα. κἀκεῖνος ἀρνήσεται ἡμᾶς]
The verb PoHim must be supplied. The meaning of the last clause is, will not acknowledge us as his own. Comp. Luke 9:26; Matthew 10:33. [source]
2 Peter 2:1 False prophets also [και πσευδοπροπηται]
In contrast with the true prophets just pictured in 2 Peter 1:20. Late compound in lxx and Philo, common in N.T. (Matthew 7:15). Allusion to the O.T. times like Balaam and others (Jeremiah 6:13; Jeremiah 28:9; Ezekiel 13:9).False teachers (πσευδοδιδασκαλοι — pseudodidaskaloi). Late and rare compound (πσευδησ διδασκαλος — pseudēsεσονται — didaskalos) here alone in N.T. Peter pictures them as in the future here (εισιν — esontai shall be) and again as already present (επλανητησαν — eisin are, 2 Peter 2:17), or in the past (παρεισαχουσιν — eplanēthēsan they went astray, 2 Peter 2:15).Shall privily bring in Future active of παρεισαγω — pareisagō late double compound εισαγω — pareisagō to bring in Descriptive genitive, “heresies of destruction” (marked by destruction) as in Luke 16:8. αιρεω — Hairesis (from αρνουμενοι — haireō) is simply a choosing, a school, a sect like that of the Sadducees (Acts 5:17), of the Pharisees (Acts 15:5), and of Christians as Paul admitted (Acts 24:5). These “tenets” (Galatians 5:20) led to destruction.Denying Present middle participle of και τον δεσποτην — arneomai This the Gnostics did, the very thing that Peter did, alas (Matthew 26:70) even after Christ‘s words (Matthew 10:33).Even the Master (τον αγορασαντα αυτους — kai ton despotēn). Old word for absolute master, here of Christ as in Judges 1:4, and also of God (Acts 4:24). Without the evil sense in our “despot.”That bought them First aorist active articular participle of λυτροω — agorazō same idea with ταχινην απωλειαν — lutroō in 1 Peter 1:18. These were professing Christians, at any rate, these heretics.Swift destruction (ταχινην — tachinēn apōleian). See 2 Peter 1:14 for απωλειαν — tachinēn and note repetition of επαγοντες — apōleian This is always the tragedy of such false prophets, the fate that they bring on (epagontes) themselves. [source]
2 Peter 2:1 Shall privily bring in [παρεισαγω]
Future active of παρεισαγω — pareisagō late double compound εισαγω — pareisagō to bring in Descriptive genitive, “heresies of destruction” (marked by destruction) as in Luke 16:8. αιρεω — Hairesis (from αρνουμενοι — haireō) is simply a choosing, a school, a sect like that of the Sadducees (Acts 5:17), of the Pharisees (Acts 15:5), and of Christians as Paul admitted (Acts 24:5). These “tenets” (Galatians 5:20) led to destruction.Denying Present middle participle of και τον δεσποτην — arneomai This the Gnostics did, the very thing that Peter did, alas (Matthew 26:70) even after Christ‘s words (Matthew 10:33).Even the Master (τον αγορασαντα αυτους — kai ton despotēn). Old word for absolute master, here of Christ as in Judges 1:4, and also of God (Acts 4:24). Without the evil sense in our “despot.”That bought them First aorist active articular participle of λυτροω — agorazō same idea with ταχινην απωλειαν — lutroō in 1 Peter 1:18. These were professing Christians, at any rate, these heretics.Swift destruction (ταχινην — tachinēn apōleian). See 2 Peter 1:14 for απωλειαν — tachinēn and note repetition of επαγοντες — apōleian This is always the tragedy of such false prophets, the fate that they bring on (epagontes) themselves. [source]
2 Peter 2:1 Denying [αρνεομαι]
Present middle participle of και τον δεσποτην — arneomai This the Gnostics did, the very thing that Peter did, alas (Matthew 26:70) even after Christ‘s words (Matthew 10:33).Even the Master (τον αγορασαντα αυτους — kai ton despotēn). Old word for absolute master, here of Christ as in Judges 1:4, and also of God (Acts 4:24). Without the evil sense in our “despot.”That bought them First aorist active articular participle of λυτροω — agorazō same idea with ταχινην απωλειαν — lutroō in 1 Peter 1:18. These were professing Christians, at any rate, these heretics.Swift destruction (ταχινην — tachinēn apōleian). See 2 Peter 1:14 for απωλειαν — tachinēn and note repetition of επαγοντες — apōleian This is always the tragedy of such false prophets, the fate that they bring on (epagontes) themselves. [source]
Jude 1:4 Ungodly men [ασεβεις]
Keynote of the Epistle (Mayor), in Judges 1:15 again as in 2 Peter 2:5; 2 Peter 3:7.Turning (μετατιτεντες — metatithentes). Present active participle of μετατιτημι — metatithēmi to change, for which verb see Galatians 1:6. For the change of “grace” (χαριτα — charita) into “lasciviousness” (εις ασελγειαν — eis aselgeian) see 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 4:3; 2 Peter 2:19; 2 Peter 3:16.Our only Master and Lord For the force of the one article for one person see note on 2 Peter 1:1. For δεσποτην — despotēn of Christ see 2 Peter 2:1.Denying (αρνουμενοι — arnoumenoi). So 2 Peter 2:1. See also Matthew 10:33; 1 Timothy 5:8; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:22. [source]
Jude 1:4 Our only Master and Lord [τον μονον δεσποτην και κυριον ημων]
For the force of the one article for one person see note on 2 Peter 1:1. For δεσποτην — despotēn of Christ see 2 Peter 2:1.Denying (αρνουμενοι — arnoumenoi). So 2 Peter 2:1. See also Matthew 10:33; 1 Timothy 5:8; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:22. [source]
Jude 1:4 Denying [αρνουμενοι]
So 2 Peter 2:1. See also Matthew 10:33; 1 Timothy 5:8; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:22. [source]
Jude 1:4 Set forth [προγεγραμμενοι]
Perfect passive participle of προγραπω — prographō to write of beforehand, for which verb see Galatians 3:1; Romans 15:4.Unto this condemnation (εις τουτο το κριμα — eis touto to krima). See 2 Peter 2:3 for κριμα — krima and εκπαλαι — ekpalai Παλαι — Palai here apparently alludes to Judges 1:14, Judges 1:15 (Enoch).Ungodly men Keynote of the Epistle (Mayor), in Judges 1:15 again as in 2 Peter 2:5; 2 Peter 3:7.Turning (μετατιτεντες — metatithentes). Present active participle of μετατιτημι — metatithēmi to change, for which verb see Galatians 1:6. For the change of “grace” (χαριτα — charita) into “lasciviousness” (εις ασελγειαν — eis aselgeian) see 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 4:3; 2 Peter 2:19; 2 Peter 3:16.Our only Master and Lord For the force of the one article for one person see note on 2 Peter 1:1. For δεσποτην — despotēn of Christ see 2 Peter 2:1.Denying (αρνουμενοι — arnoumenoi). So 2 Peter 2:1. See also Matthew 10:33; 1 Timothy 5:8; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:22. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 10:33 mean?

Whoever now - shall deny Me before - men will deny I also him the Father of Me who [is] in the heavens
ὅστις δ’ ἂν ἀρνήσηταί με ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἀρνήσομαι κἀγὼ αὐτὸν τοῦ Πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

ὅστις  Whoever 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ὅστις  
Sense: whoever, whatever, who.
δ’  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἂν  - 
Parse: Particle
Root: ἄν  
Sense: has no exact English equivalent, see definitions under AV.
ἀρνήσηταί  shall  deny 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀρνέομαι  
Sense: to deny.
με  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἔμπροσθεν  before 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἔμπροσθεν  
Sense: in front, before.
τῶν  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀνθρώπων  men 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
ἀρνήσομαι  will  deny 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀρνέομαι  
Sense: to deny.
κἀγὼ  I  also 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative 1st Person Singular
Root: κἀγώ  
Sense: and I.
Πατρός  Father 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: προπάτωρ 
Sense: generator or male ancestor.
μου  of  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
τοῦ  who  [is] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
οὐρανοῖς  heavens 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: οὐρανός  
Sense: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it.