Do not be afraid of those who kill the bodyThis phrase addresses the fear of persecution and physical harm. In the historical context, early Christians faced threats from both Jewish authorities and Roman rulers. The emphasis is on the temporary nature of physical life compared to eternal life. Jesus encourages His followers to have courage, as seen in the lives of the apostles who faced martyrdom (
Acts 7:54-60,
2 Timothy 4:6-8).
but cannot kill the soul.
The soul is considered eternal and distinct from the physical body. This reflects the belief in the immortality of the soul, a concept rooted in Jewish thought and affirmed in Christian doctrine. The soul's preservation is a central theme in Scripture, emphasizing the eternal security of believers (John 10:28-29).
Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
This phrase underscores the sovereignty and ultimate authority of God over eternal destiny. "Fear" here implies reverence and awe rather than terror. The reference to "hell" (Gehenna) draws from the imagery of the Valley of Hinnom, a place associated with judgment and destruction (Jeremiah 7:31-32). This serves as a warning to prioritize spiritual over physical concerns, aligning with teachings on divine judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, providing instruction and encouragement to His disciples.
2.
DisciplesThe immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all believers who follow Christ.
3.
PersecutorsThose who can harm the body but not the soul, representing earthly threats and opposition.
4.
GodReferred to as "the One" who has authority over both soul and body, emphasizing His ultimate power.
5.
Hell (Gehenna)The place of final judgment and destruction, symbolizing eternal separation from God.
Teaching Points
Fear of God vs. Fear of ManBelievers are called to prioritize their reverence for God over fear of human threats. This perspective shifts our focus from temporary, earthly concerns to eternal, spiritual realities.
Eternal PerspectiveUnderstanding the distinction between body and soul encourages Christians to live with an eternal mindset, valuing spiritual well-being over physical safety.
God's SovereigntyRecognizing God's ultimate authority over life and death provides comfort and assurance, knowing that our souls are secure in His hands.
Courage in PersecutionThis teaching empowers believers to stand firm in their faith, even in the face of persecution, trusting in God's protection and justice.
Holiness and AccountabilityThe reality of God's judgment calls Christians to live holy lives, accountable to Him who judges both soul and body.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 10:28?
2.How does Matthew 10:28 encourage us to prioritize spiritual over physical fears?
3.What does "fear Him" in Matthew 10:28 reveal about God's authority?
4.How does Matthew 10:28 connect with Proverbs 9:10 on fearing the Lord?
5.How can we apply Matthew 10:28 to daily challenges and spiritual growth?
6.In what ways does Matthew 10:28 strengthen our faith during persecution?
7.What does Matthew 10:28 reveal about the nature of the soul and body after death?
8.How does Matthew 10:28 influence the Christian understanding of fear and reverence for God?
9.Why does Matthew 10:28 emphasize fearing God over fearing human threats?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 10?
11.How does split-brain research challenge the idea of a unified soul?
12.What does Jesus teach about the nature of hell?
13.Why fear those who can only kill the body?
14.Why fear those who can only kill the body?What Does Matthew 10:28 Mean
Do not be afraid of those who kill the bodyJesus first lifts our eyes above immediate danger. Physical threats are real—He does not minimize them—yet they are limited.
•Psalm 118:6 echoes this freedom: “The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
•Proverbs 29:25 reminds us that “The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.”
•Hebrews 13:6 repeats the same confidence, tying it to God’s unchanging help.
The body may be harmed, imprisoned, or even taken in martyrdom, but God’s people can stand unshaken because earthly violence cannot touch their ultimate life in Him.
but cannot kill the soulHere Jesus draws a line no human weapon can cross. The immaterial part of us—our soul—rests in God’s keeping.
•Matthew 16:26 asks, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” emphasizing its incomparable value.
•Ecclesiastes 12:7 notes that when the body returns to dust, “the spirit returns to God who gave it,” underscoring that only God holds sway over the soul’s destiny.
•1 Thessalonians 5:23 speaks of spirit, soul, and body being preserved “at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” showing God’s holistic care.
Human power stops at death’s door; God alone governs what lies beyond it.
Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hellJesus redirects fear from man to God—a reverent awe that recognizes His sovereign justice.
•Luke 12:5 (a parallel verse) states, “Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to cast you into hell.”
•Hebrews 10:31 soberly warns, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
•Revelation 20:14-15 describes the final judgment, where those not in the Book of Life are “thrown into the lake of fire.”
•Romans 14:12 affirms that “each of us will give an account of himself to God,” stressing personal responsibility.
Because God rules over life, death, and eternity, appropriate fear of Him brings wisdom, repentance, and steadfast obedience, freeing believers from all lesser fears.
summaryMatthew 10:28 sets fear in its proper place. People may harm the body, but they cannot touch the soul that belongs to God. True, life-shaping fear is reserved for the Lord, who holds authority over both body and soul in eternity. When we grasp this, we find courage before men and reverence before God, living boldly now while holding eternity firmly in view.
(28)
Are not able to kill the soul.--Here our Lord uses what we may call the popular dichotomy of man's nature, and the word "soul" includes all that truly lives and thinks and wills in man, and is therefore equivalent to the "soul and spirit
" of the more scientific trichotomy of St. Paul's Epistles (
1Thessalonians 5:23).
Fear him which is able. . .--Few words have given rise to interpretations more strangely contrasted than these. Not a few of the most devout and thoughtful commentators, unwilling to admit that our Lord ever presented the Father to men in the character of a destroyer, have urged that the meaning may be thus paraphrased: "Fear not men; but fear the Spirit of Evil, the great Adversary who, if you yield to his temptations, has power to lead you captive at his will, to destroy alike your outward and your inward life, either in the Gehenna of torture or in that of hatred and remorse." Plausible as it seems, however, this interpretation is not, it is believed, the true one. (1) We are nowhere taught in Scripture to fear the devil, but rather to resist and defy him (Ephesians 6:11;James 4:7); and (2) it is a sufficient answer to the feeling which has prompted the other explanation to say that we are not told to think of God as in any case willing to destroy, but only as having the power to inflict that destruction where all offers of mercy and all calls to righteousness have been rejected. In addition to this, it must be remembered that St. James uses language almost identical ("There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy,"James 4:12) where there cannot be a shadow of doubt as to the meaning.
Verse 28. -
And. Restating ver. 26
a from a different point of view.
Fearnot;
be not afraid of (Revised Version);
μὴφοβηθῆτε ἀπό. So Westcott and Herr, with B (
sic) and two or three other authorities. The Revised Version (cf. Authorized Version parallel passage,
Luke 12:4) expresses the greater difference from vers. 26 and 28b (
φοβηθῆτε ἀπό with genitive, a Hebraism expressing avoidance, shrinking, cowardly
dreas;
φοβηθῆτε with accusative, concert-tration of regard) at the expense of the lesser (
φοβηθῆτε, general command, or perhaps "never once fear;"
φοβεῖσθε, "ever fear," habit).
Them which kill the body. So R. Akiba refused to give up studying and teaching the Law when it was forbidden on pain of death (Talm. Bab., 'Berach.,' 61
b).
But are not able to kill the soul (
Matthew 6:25, note).
But rather fear. Always (
φοβεῖσθε). Fear; yes, but the right object (
φοβεῖσθε δὲμᾶλλον, not
μᾶλλον δὲ φοβεῖσθε), and that intensely (
-vide supra)
.Him which is able (
τὸν δυνάμενον). Mere power; but in the parallel passage in Luke, authority. The reference is, of course, to God (cf.
James 4:12).
To destroy (
ἀπολέσαι). The class of words to which this belongs denotes "utter and hopeless ruin; but they convey no idea whether the ruined object ceases to exist or continues a worthless existence" (Professor Agar Beet, in
Expositor, IV. 1:28). Professor Marshall, in
Expositor, IV. 3:283, thinks Luke's variant, "to cast," indicates that our Lord originally used an Aramaic word that properly meant "to set on fire."
Both soul and body in hell (
Matthew 5:22, note).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Do not be afraidφοβεῖσθε(phobeisthe)Verb - Present Imperative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5399:From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.ofἀπὸ(apo)Preposition
Strong's 575:From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.those whoτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.killἀποκτεννόντων(apoktennontōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 615:To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.theτὸ(to)Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.bodyσῶμα(sōma)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983:Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.butδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.cannotδυναμένων(dynamenōn)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1410:(a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.killἀποκτεῖναι(apokteinai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 615:To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.theτὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.soul.ψυχὴν(psychēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590:From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.Instead,μᾶλλον(mallon)Adverb
Strong's 3123:More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.fearφοβεῖσθε(phobeisthe)Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5399:From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.the [One who]τὸν(ton)Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.canδυνάμενον(dynamenon)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1410:(a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.destroyἀπολέσαι(apolesai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 622:From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.bothκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.soulψυχὴν(psychēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590:From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.bodyσῶμα(sōma)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983:Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.hell.γεέννῃ(geennē)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1067:Of Hebrew origin; valley of Hinnom; ge-henna, a valley of Jerusalem, used as a name for the place of everlasting punishment.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 10:28 Don't be afraid of those who kill (Matt. Mat Mt) 
