Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
LUKE 6:22KJVWhat does Luke 6:22 mean?
Luke 6:22 says that people are blessed when others hate, exclude, insult, or reject them because of their connection to Jesus, the "Son of man." The verse promises a special kind of happiness or favor from God for those who suffer mistreatment for Jesus’s sake.
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his followers during what is often called the "Sermon on the Plain." He is preparing them for the reality that following him may lead to rejection and hostility from others. The focus is not on suffering in general, but specifically on being mistreated because of loyalty to Jesus.
The Greek behind Luke 6:22
- "Blessed" (μακάριοι, makarioi): This word means more than just "happy"—it carries the idea of being favored by God, even if outward circumstances are hard.
- "Hate" (μισέω, miseō): The Greek word here means strong rejection or hostility, not just mild dislike. Jesus is warning that deep opposition may come.
- "Separate" (ἀφορίζω, aphorizō): This word means to be excluded or ostracized, showing that followers might be cut off from their community.
- "Cast out your name as evil" (ἐκβάλλω, ekballō + ὄνομα, onoma + πονηρός, ponēros): This phrase means to be slandered or have one’s reputation ruined, not just being disliked but being labeled as bad or dangerous.
Why Luke 6:22 matters
- Luke 6:22 clarifies that the blessing Jesus speaks of is not for any kind of suffering, but specifically for being mistreated because of him.
- The verse highlights that following Jesus may lead to real social costs—exclusion, insults, and loss of reputation—rather than just private beliefs.
- This teaching connects to the broader theme in Luke 6, where Jesus reverses common ideas about who is truly blessed, showing that God's approval does not always match human approval.