The Meaning of Discipleship

²⁴ “^(A)A ^[a]disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. ^(B)If they have called the head of the house ^[b](C)Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!

²⁶ “Therefore do not ^(D)fear them, ^(E)for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ^27 (F)What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim ^(G)upon the housetops. ²⁸ Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather ^(H)fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in ^[c](I)hell. ^29 (J)Are not two sparrows sold for a ^[d]cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. ³⁰ But ^(K)the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹ So do not fear; ^(L)you are more valuable than many sparrows.

³² “Therefore ^(M)everyone who ^[e]confesses Me before men, I will also confess ^[f]him before My Father who is in heaven. ³³ But ^(N)whoever ^[g]denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

³⁴ “^(O)Do not think that I came to ^[h]bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I came to ^(P)set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; ³⁶ and ^(Q)a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

³⁷ “^(R)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. ³⁸ And ^(S)he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. ^39 (T)He who has found his ^[i]life will lose it, and he who has lost his ^[j]life for My sake will find it.