“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the servant that he be as his master and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household.” Matthew 10:24-25 KJV

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!’ Matthew 10:24-25 NASB

“Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”  Matthew 10:26 NASB

Men actually looked upon the Lord as He lived, watched His works, and listened to His words, and declared that He was Beelzebub. Whether you translate this to mean “Satan” or “lord of the flies,” it was an insult of incredible magnitude. Think of how sensitive (not touchy) the Lord Jesus was to sin. He suffered at the sight of sin; He suffered at the effects of sin. But He must have suffered infinitely at being labeled as the cause of all sin – Satan himself!

Think of times you have been falsely accused and how deeply it hurt. Now magnify that by His infinite holiness and hatred for sin, add to it the greatest injustice in the accusation imaginable, and you may begin to appreciate something of what it meant to be labeled as Beelzebub.

Questions to consider:

  1. What do you think is implied by the “much more” of v 25?
  2. “It is enough for the servant” is an expression found at least four times in the New Testament. Each is linked with a different experience for disciples. The Lord knew all four. Trace them out.
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