King James Version

What Does Matthew 6:24 Mean?

Matthew 6:24 in the King James Version says “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and ... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew 6:24 · KJV


Context

22

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

23

But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

24

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus declares exclusive loyalty: 'No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon' (Greek: οὐ δύνασθε θεῷ δουλεύειν καὶ μαμωνᾷ, 'you cannot serve God and wealth'). The verb δουλεύω means 'serve as a slave,' indicating total ownership. 'Masters' (κύριος) implies lord/owner with absolute authority. 'Mammon' (μαμωνᾶς, Aramaic מָמוֹן) is personified wealth - not merely money but the system, security, and power it represents. The logic is absolute: divided loyalty is impossible. Wealth becomes idolatrous when it competes with God for ultimate allegiance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Roman society operated on patron-client relationships where clients served patrons for protection and provision. A client literally couldn't serve two patrons with conflicting interests. Jesus applies this social reality to spiritual loyalty. 'Mammon' as personified wealth suggests demonic power behind wealth's enslaving attraction (similar to 'powers and principalities' in Ephesians 6:12). Early Christians' economic sharing (Acts 2:44-45) demonstrated liberation from mammon's mastery.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what subtle ways does wealth compete with God for our ultimate loyalty?
  2. How do we recognize when financial decisions reflect service to mammon rather than God?
  3. What would it look like to truly serve God rather than wealth in your financial life?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
Οὐδεὶς1 of 27

No man

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

δύνασθε2 of 27

can

G1410

to be able or possible

δυσὶ3 of 27

two

G1417

"two"

κυρίοις4 of 27

masters

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

δουλεύειν5 of 27

serve

G1398

to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary)

6 of 27

either

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

γὰρ7 of 27

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

τὸν8 of 27
G3588

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

ἑνὸς9 of 27

the one

G1520

one

μισήσει10 of 27

he will hate

G3404

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

καὶ11 of 27

and

G2532

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

τὸν12 of 27
G3588

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

ἑτέρου13 of 27

the other

G2087

(an-, the) other or different

ἀγαπήσει14 of 27

love

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

15 of 27

either

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἑνὸς16 of 27

the one

G1520

one

ἀνθέξεται17 of 27

he will hold

G472

to hold oneself opposite to, i.e., (by implication) adhere to; by extension to care for

καὶ18 of 27

and

G2532

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

τοῦ19 of 27
G3588

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

ἑτέρου20 of 27

the other

G2087

(an-, the) other or different

καταφρονήσει·21 of 27

despise

G2706

to think against, i.e., disesteem

οὐ22 of 27

Ye cannot

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

δύνασθε23 of 27

can

G1410

to be able or possible

θεῷ24 of 27

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

δουλεύειν25 of 27

serve

G1398

to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary)

καὶ26 of 27

and

G2532

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

μαμμωνᾷ27 of 27

mammon

G3126

mammonas, i.e., avarice (deified)


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 6:24 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 6:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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