By Bart Breen
Continuing on in this, the third note looking at passages in the Gospels where Jesus mentions or refers to Hell, the passage in question is:
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Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
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Whom Speaking to: Jesus is speaking to his 12 disciples whom He is sending out to proclaim the Kingdom.
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Word Translated Hell: A form of the word Gehenna.
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Immediate Context: Jesus is instructing his immediate 12 disciples on how they are to go out and proclaim the message of the coming of the kingdom. This is earlier than and independent of the Great Commission that follows and it can be said that the context of this passage in general in terms of timing is temporal to the specific time they are being sent. The primary clue to this is that the audience being addressed are Jews and Gentiles are specifically excluded at that time as the Gospel message at this time is first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. The dynamics of this change after the cross and resurrection and then when the Holy Spirit is poured out in Jerusalem at Pentecost and then following in a similar manner in Acts 10.
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In the verses preceding this one, Jesus speaks of the opposition that they (the 12) will experience which will come primarily from the religious leaders and religious organizations. Jesus uses a phrase that is repetitive for Him in many other passages as well that "the disciple is not greater than the Master" meaning just as Jesus will be (and has been already) persecuted, they should expect no less. Immediately prior to the verse in question, Jesus speaks of the accusation that was brought against Him earlier, namely the one that Jesus cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. In that regard, there's a tone set for what then comes above.
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So in this verse Jesus, when he speaks of those "who can kill the body" He is speaking of those same people who accused Him of being in accord with Beelzebub, or in other words, the Pharisees and Religious Leaders of that day. This is contrasted with his call upon those disciples to not fear them, but rather fear (same word in both instances, a form of the Greek word 'phobos") the One (God) who is able to destroy (apolesai) not just the body, but the soul as well.
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Thoughts: This is a key verse that will factor in later significantly on several issues. First, the word root 'phobos' as I noted is the same word here whether it is speaking of fear of those who can destroy the body only, or the One God, who can destroy body and soul. Phobos can still, in a similar manner as does 'fear' in English, convey a sense of reverential awe toward the one being focused upon. Even with the same word in place the context dictates it's use and when God is the object (note that the fear is directed toward God, not hell) that's a clear indication. However, the fact that the One (God) is followed with a reference to hell and destruction of body and soul is an indication that it could be speaking of a similar type of fear. As is common with many references to Gehenna however, it's not portraying a fear of those who are lost, the fear here is suggested for the disciples and the suggestion appears to be speaking not of an eternity of punishment but rather a destruction of soul and body which the verb for "destroy" is in an aorist form which denotes a specific point in time which continues on.
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Conclusions: It would be premature to draw a conclusion from one verse so, please note that my comments are not geared toward what future conclusions I may try to make, but rather here, simply trying to pull out of this one passage what is said and what isn't. The conclusions from one passage are not all that the Bible has to say on something, so if this steps on anyone's toes, I suggest you step back and ask yourself if you would or could come to a different conclusion from this passage alone without tempering it with other passages. That's legitimate to do, but I remind you that I'm not at that point yet. I'm treating each passage separately as it's own component and I'll try to merge ideas after this part is done.
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What I do conclude however is that the threat of Gehenna here, or hell is directed not toward the lost, but rather toward the religious and it's not necessarily a direct threat so much as it is a contrast between the power of religious leaders to kill the body but not the soul, and God who can destroy (not torment or punish eternally) with the image or picture of Gehenna called upon in demonstration.
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The ideas present here seem to indicate a threat of annihilation (the aorist being used) and not how Hell is traditionally looked upon. That won't be the case in every passage we look at. Feedback is welcome, and even strong disagreement. Please keep it civil and addressed to issues and not personalities.
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The next passage we'll look at is Matt 11:23.Blessings,
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(to be continued)
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