Matthew 10:37 KJV
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 10:37 MKJV
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 10:37 NKJV
“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 10:37 KJV 2000
He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Interlinear KJV
He that loveth /phileo/ father /pater/ or /e/ mother /meter/ more than /huper/ me /eme/ is /esti/ not /ou/ worthy /axios/ of me: /mou/ and /kai/ he that loveth /phileo/ son /huios/ or /e/ daughter /thugater/ more than /huper/ me /eme/ is /esti/ not /ou/ worthy /axios/ of me. /mou/
Commentary
It is easier for many to misunderstand Matthew 10:37. Matthew 10:37 is not saying loving your family, friends, etc. is wrong in the sight of God. Matthew 10:37 does not mean committing all your time to church duties, having little or no time for your family. It does not say hold your pastor or church in high esteem and disregard your parents. It does not also mean you should make large donations in church and neglect your responsibility to your family. It does not mean making your family happy is wrong, nor does it say spending quality time with your family is abhorred by God.
According to the scriptures, one of the ways of expressing love to God is loving the people around you which include your relatives, friends, enemies, etc. You are supposed to love your mother, father, children, husband, wife, etc. so dearly; you are supposed to be serviceable to them, etc. – God expects you to do so. But this is where you cross the line:
If you love your mother to the point where you would listen to her over the word of God, that is wrong and it would render you unworthy of Christ. If you would do something to please your father, though it displeases God, that is wrong and it would render you unworthy of Christ.
The love parents have for their children is very strong and it is the strongest bond we can speak of in our social life. God expects parents to love their children dearly. However, parents should not love their children to the point where they would transgress. Many times parents tell lies or bear false witnesses to save their wayward children from trouble. That is a sin and it would render a person unworthy of Christ.
Job was a God-fearing man for which reason God blessed him to acquire wealth in excess. Job loved his wife so much. However, during the most difficult times in his life, when he had lost everything he had, his wife advised him to avenge himself on God by cursing God. But he refused and rebuked his wife that she had spoken like a foolish woman (Job 2:9-10). Jesus would want for Himself disciples who have the heart of Job. The fear of God, one’s relationship with God, and walking by God’s word should be held in high esteem than family ties. This is all that Jesus wanted to say in Matthew 10:37.
Reference: Spurgeon’s Commentary on Matthew – We must earnestly beware of making idols of our dearest ones, by loving them more than Jesus. We must never set them near the throne of our King. We are not worthy to dwell with Christ above, nor even to be associated with him here, if any earthly object is judged by us to be worthy to rival the Lord Jesus. Father and mother, son and daughter — we would do anything to please them; but, as opposed to Jesus, they stand nowhere, and cannot for an instant be allowed to come in the way of our supreme loyalty to our Lord.