King James Version

What Does Matthew 24:9 Mean?

Matthew 24:9 in the King James Version says “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's s... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

Matthew 24:9 · KJV


Context

7

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8

All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

10

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted (τότε παραδώσουσιν ὑμᾶς εἰς θλῖψιν)—The verb παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi) means "hand over, betray"—the same word used for Judas betraying Jesus. The noun θλῖψις (thlipsis) denotes tribulation, pressure, crushing distress—like grapes in a winepress. And shall kill you (καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν ὑμᾶς) shifts from persecution to martyrdom.

And ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake (ἔσεσθε μισούμενοι ὑπὸ πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν διὰ τὸ ὄνομά μου)—Universal hatred (πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν, all nations) because of association with Christ's name. This is cosmic-level opposition, not mere social discomfort. John 15:18-19 explains why: believers no longer belong to the world's system. Church history validates this: disciples were beaten (Acts 5:40), Stephen stoned (Acts 7), James beheaded (Acts 12), and tradition holds all apostles except John died as martyrs.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Persecution began immediately after Pentecost. Nero blamed Christians for Rome's fire (AD 64), leading to brutal executions. Pliny the Younger's letters (AD 112) describe Christians executed merely for the name. Ten major Roman persecutions occurred before Constantine (AD 313). Jewish authorities also persecuted Christians, expelling them from synagogues (John 16:2). Today, Open Doors estimates 360 million Christians face high levels of persecution globally.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should believers in comfortable contexts prepare spiritually for potential persecution?
  2. What does it mean practically to be hated "for my name's sake" versus for being obnoxious or unwise?
  3. How can the promise of persecution paradoxically strengthen faith rather than weaken it?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
τότε1 of 19

Then

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

παραδώσουσιν2 of 19

shall they deliver

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

ὑμᾶς3 of 19

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

εἰς4 of 19

to

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

θλῖψιν5 of 19

be afflicted

G2347

pressure (literally or figuratively)

καὶ6 of 19

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀποκτενοῦσιν7 of 19

shall kill

G615

to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy

ὑμᾶς8 of 19

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

καὶ9 of 19

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔσεσθε10 of 19

ye shall be

G2071

will be

μισούμενοι11 of 19

hated

G3404

to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less

ὑπὸ12 of 19

of

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

πάντων13 of 19

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τῶν14 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐθνῶν15 of 19

nations

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

διὰ16 of 19

for

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὸ17 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄνομά18 of 19

name's sake

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

μου19 of 19

my

G3450

of me


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 24:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 24:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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