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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 10:28 - 10:31
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_10:28-31
28Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30But the very hairs of your head are numbered. 31So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
Mat_10:28 "Do not fear" See notes at Mat_10:26.
▣ "to destroy" See Special Topic: Apollumi at Mat_2:13.
▣ "soul and body" This verse does not refer to a sharp dichotomy between body, soul, and spirit, but is an expression of the possibility of physical death, but not eternal death for believers.
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▣ "in hell" This was the Hebrew term "Gehenna." It was a compound of "valley" and "(sons of) Hinnom." This was a valley outside Jerusalem where a Canaanite fertility and fire god (cf. Lev_18:21) was worshiped by sacrificing children (called molech). The Jews turned it into the garbage dump for Jerusalem. Jesus' metaphors of eternal punishment were taken from this burning, stinking, worm-infested dump. See Special Topic: Where Are the Dead? at Mat_5:22.
Mat_10:29-30 "sparrows. . .hairs" God cares and knows about every aspect of believers'lives (cf. Luk_12:6; Luk_21:18; 1Pe_5:7). This is a promise of individual (not corporate) concern.
▣ "a cent" This is literally "assarion," which was a Roman copper coin. One assarion could buy several sparrows.
Mat_10:31 "So do not fear" See note at Mat_10:19; Mat_10:26.