What does Jesus refer to when he says that brothers, fathers, and children will deliver and have each other put to death?
Matthew 10:21 stresses the breaking of familial ties to highlight how families will be divided by belief and unbelief. This division within families is also a sign of the last days (see Micah 7:6; Mark 13:12). These prophecies have been fulfilled repeatedly in times of persecution. Betrayal by family members is only part of this, as it will culminate in becoming the object of the general hatred of the world (see John 15:18–19, John 15:25), which is part of what needs to be endured to be saved.
Matthew 10:21 paints a picture of juridical persecution. The reason that it emphasizes the severance of familial ties is to highlight how families will be divided by believers and unbelievers. This division within families is also one of the signs of the last days (see Micah 7:6; Mark 13:12). Time and time again, prophecies have been fulfilled in times of persecution. The betrayal by family members is only one part of this, as it eventually culminates in becoming the object of the general hatred of the world (see John 15:18–19, John 15:25) which is part of what needs to be endured in order to get saved.1
21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,