Matthew 10:33

Monday, 9 June 2025

 

But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:33

 

“And if, whoever, he should deny Me before men, I will deny – I also – him before My Father, the ‘in heavens’” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, Jesus noted that whoever will assent in Him before men, He will assent that person before His Father in heaven. Now, taking the opposite angle, He says, “And if, whoever, he should deny Me before men.”

 

Jesus introduces the word arneomai, to contradict. As such, it signifies to disavow, reject, refuse, etc. As an example, it says this in Acts 3 –

 

“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied [arneomai] in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied [arneomai] the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.” Acts 13-15

 

Jesus is saying to the apostles that when they go forth spreading their message, those they encounter will have to decide. If they assent in Him, He will speak likewise before the Father. However, those who deny Him, “I will deny – I also – him before My Father, the ‘in heavens.’”

 

The words bear a strong emphasis, just as in the previous verse. Jesus adamantly avows that those who deny Him, He too will deny. As with the previous verse, the words here speak of free will. There is nothing forced, and God leaves the decision up to the contemplation of the individual.

 

Jesus is speaking to those of Israel whom the apostles will encounter. The apostles are not directed to go to anyone outside of the cities of Israel, and Jesus’ ministry is – by His own words – directed to the lost sheep of the House of Israel (Matthew 10:6 & Matthew 15:24).

 

Further, Jesus’ words precede the completion of His ministry and fulfillment of the law. He is speaking about matters in that context.

 

Life application: How many times have you heard someone cite the words of Matthew 10:33 to indicate that a person can lose his salvation? As noted, the context is not speaking of those in the church. It is speaking of those of Israel, even before the completion of Jesus’ ministry.

 

Further, notice the use of the same word, translated as denied, in Acts 3 cited above. Who was Peter speaking to in those verses? He was speaking to the people of Israel who had denied their Messiah. Peter was appealing to them to change their minds and believe. Therefore, there is a chance for someone who had denied Jesus to “undeny” Him and believe.

 

Paul uses the same word in 2 Timothy 2 –

 

“This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12 If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny [arneomai] Him,
He also will deny [arneomai] us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13

 

But though often interpreted as such, those verses do not speak of a loss of salvation. Refer to the Superior Word commentary to understand what Paul is saying.

 

Since the completion of Christ’s ministry, He has fulfilled the Mosaic Covenant and established the New Covenant. Gentiles are accepted into this New Covenant through faith, just as Jews are. Believing the gospel leads to salvation. Salvation is guaranteed by the sealing of the Holy Spirit –

 

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14

 

Jesus didn’t speak of these things because His work was not yet complete. The message of salvation by faith through grace as a guarantee through the sealing of the Holy Spirit only came about after His atoning death for the sins of the world.

 

When someone believes, he has no longer denied Jesus. He moves from death to life, eternal life. Be sure to read the commentary on 2 Timothy 2:12, 13 to understand what Paul is referring to. And the next time you hear someone cite Matthew 10:33 as proof that one can lose his salvation, be sure to correct his thinking.

 

Lord God, despite not knowing everything about what You have done for us, we know that You have saved us, fully and forever, through belief in Your gospel. We know that nothing can ever separate us from Your love because of Jesus. We are saved – forever and ever. Amen.