As in verse 32, the two halves of this verse form a balanced arrangement; and verses 32 and 33 balance with one another.

Denies me (Good News Translation “rejects me”) means “denies that he is my follower” or “refuses to follow me as his Lord.” A number of modern English translations render “disown” (New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible, Phillips, Barclay).

As in verse 32, translators should try to use similar forms in the two parts of the verse. Thus it can be rendered “But if anyone declares he is not my follower (or, does not belong to me), then on the Day of Judgment I will also declare to my Father that that person is not my follower (or, does not belong to me).”

Again, direct speech may be necessary, as in “… declares ‘I do not follow Jesus’ ” and “… I will say to my Father, ‘That person does not follow me.’ ”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .