{Hateth not} (ou misei). An old and very strong verb
mise(935c), to hate, detest. The orientals use strong language where
cooler spirits would speak of preference or indifference. But
even so Jesus does not here mean that one must hate his father or
mother of necessity or as such, for  Mt 15:4  proves the
opposite. It is only where the element of choice comes in (cf.
 Mt 6:24 ) as it sometimes does, when father or mother opposes
Christ. Then one must not hesitate. The language here is more
sharply put than in  Mt 10:37 . The ou here coalesces with the
verb misei in this conditional clause of the first class
determined as fulfilled. It is the language of exaggerated
contrast, it is true, but it must not be watered down till the
point is gone. In mentioning "and wife" Jesus has really made a
comment on the excuse given in verse  20  (I married a wife and
so I am not able to come). {And his own life also} (eti te kai
t(886e) psuch(886e) heautou). Note 	e kai, both--and. "The 	e (B L)
binds all the particulars into one bundle of _renuncianda_"
(Bruce). Note this same triple group of conjunctions (eti te
kai) in  Ac 21:28 , "And moreover also," "even going as far as
his own life." Martyrdom should be an ever-present possibility to
the Christian, not to be courted, but not to be shunned. Love for
Christ takes precedence "over even the elemental instinct of
self-preservation" (Ragg).