HELL / MATTHEW 10:28

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(KJV) Matthew 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.

The Heavy and Necessary Truth of Matthew 10:28

In a world that constantly encourages us to seek comfort, certain truths in Scripture can feel incredibly difficult to process. One of those truths is the reality of hell. In Matthew 10:28, Jesus delivers a sobering command to His disciples:

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

As believers, it can be tempting to focus exclusively on the themes of God’s love, grace, and mercy while sweeping His teachings on judgment under the rug. Yet, if we take the words of Jesus seriously, we cannot ignore the reality of what He calls Gehenna—the place of eternal punishment and separation from God.

Understanding the Reality of Hell

The word Jesus uses for hell in this passage originates from the Valley of Hinnom (Gehinnom), a physical valley located on the southern edge of Jerusalem. In the Old Testament, it was a place of horrific tragedy where children were sacrificed to the false god Molech. King Josiah later declared it unclean, and it eventually became the city’s garbage dump, characterized by smoldering, continuous fires.

Jesus uses this vivid, historical imagery to describe a terrifying spiritual reality. Hell is not a metaphor or a temporary state; it is the final place of eternal punishment, equated with the “lake of fire” in Revelation 20:11-15.

Scripture consistently paints a sobering picture of the condition of those who are spiritually lost:

Eternal Separation: It is a reality of total confinement and darkness, permanently separated from the presence and comfort of the Lord (Matthew 22:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:9).
Agony and Regret: The New Testament describes it as a place of torment, characterized by “weeping and gnashing of teeth” and a “fire that never goes out” (Matthew 13:42; Mark 9:43).
Certain Judgment: The early church pioneers and writers reaffirm that God’s justice is certain, and He will ultimately judge those who reject and rebel against His message (2 Thessalonians 1:5-9).

A Choice of Our Own Making

This doctrine is understandably hard to accept. It can feel incompatible with a loving God. However, God’s Word remains our final authority, and we must trust His perfect justice.

We must always remember that it is not God’s desire to send anyone to hell. As 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us, He is patient and wants everyone to come to repentance. God loved the world so deeply that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross so that absolutely no one would have to perish spiritually (John 3:16).

Hell is reserved for those who ultimately choose it by resisting God’s grace, rejecting His forgiveness, and refusing to entrust their lives to Christ.

Our Response as Believers

The reality of hell should not leave us paralyzed by fear, but it should completely transform how we live out our faith. Understanding the weight of eternity should cause us to:

Hate sin intensely, recognizing its destructive power and how it separates us from a holy God.
Share the Gospel urgently, working continually to reach those who do not yet know Christ.
Warn others faithfully, lovingly sharing the truth of God’s future judgment alongside the beautiful hope of His salvation.

The cross is meaningful precisely because of what Jesus rescued us from. Let the weight of Matthew 10:28 drive us to a deeper gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice and a greater urgency to share His saving love with a broken world.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, Your Word is truth, even when it challenges our hearts and brings us face-to-face with the sobering reality of Your judgment. Thank You for being a God of perfect justice, but thank You even more for being a God of perfect love. We praise You for sending Jesus to bear the punishment we deserved, rescuing us from eternal separation and the reality of hell.

Forgive us for the times we have been complacent about eternity. Break our hearts for the lost, Lord. Grant us an unquenchable urgency and holy boldness to share Your Gospel with the people around us. May our lives reflect a deep hatred for sin and a profound gratitude for Your grace. Guard our hearts, anchor us in Your truth, and use us to lead others into the life-giving salvation found only in Jesus Christ. In His holy and precious name, we pray. Amen.

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