King James Bible
"The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law."
Jesus describes how allegiance to Him will create rifts even between fathers and sons, traditionally the closest male bond in Jewish society. This reversal of expected family loyalty demonstrates that following Christ may demand choosing Him over the most fundamental human relationships. The division extends to the maternal line, where mothers and daughters—who shared intimate domestic life—will find themselves on opposite sides. This emphasizes that the gospel's divisive effect touches every gender and generation within the household. Even extended family relationships formed through marriage will fracture, highlighting how faith decisions affect not just blood relatives but the broader family unit. In ancient culture where daughters-in-law often lived with their husband's family, this division would create daily household tension.