The Greek word dichasai, rendered as set against,
literally means to divide into two
—a division caused not by the righteousness of the believers, but by the unrighteousness of the unbelievers (see also Micah 7:1–6). After stressing the general discord of the sword (Matthew 10:34), Jesus stresses in Matthew 10:35–36 what he amplifies by his quotation of Micah 7:6’s reference to familial discord. The preaching of Christ sets those family members who reject Christ against those who follow him.
The Greek word dichasai, here translated as set against
literally means to divide into two.
The cause of this division and break in trust is not the righteousness of the believers, but rather the unrighteousness of the unbelievers (see also Micah 7:1–6).1
After having first highlighted the general discord of the sword (Matthew 10:34), Jesus here in Matthew 10:35–36 first highlights that which he then amplifies by means of quoting Micah 7:6’s reference to intrafamilial discord. Where the preaching that had been authorized by Christ penetrates a house, there discord arises as the one declares himself to be a follower of Jesus is inevitably opposed by those who do not.2
35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.