Luke 6:22 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:22 mean?

Luke 6:22 says that people are blessed when others reject and insult them because of their connection with Jesus, whom he calls “the Son of man.” Jesus describes their standing as blessed even while they are being treated as if they were bad.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples in the hearing of a larger crowd. The phrase “cast out your name as evil” pictures people treating the disciples’ names as things to be rejected. The sentence moves from hatred to exclusion and public disgrace.

The Greek behind Luke 6:22

• “Blessed” — μακάριος (makarios): This word describes someone regarded as fortunate or favored. Here Jesus uses it of people whose circumstances might not look fortunate to those around them.
• “separate” — ἀφορίζω (aphorizō): This word carries the sense of setting someone apart or excluding them. The KJV’s “from their company” makes clear that the separation is from other people.
• “reproach” — ὀνειδίζω (oneidizō): This word means to insult or heap abuse on someone. It adds spoken disgrace to the picture of being shut out.

Why Luke 6:22 matters

• The reason for the treatment is central to the sentence. Jesus says it happens “for the Son of man’s sake,” linking the hostility to the disciples’ association with him.
• Public rejection is part of the picture, not only private dislike. The words “your name” point to how the disciples may be spoken of and regarded by others.
• Jesus places this response alongside the treatment of earlier prophets. In Luke 6:23, he says that people’s ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.