For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

LUKE 9:26KJV
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Luke 9:26 (KJV)

What does Luke 9:26 mean?

Luke 9:26 says that if someone is embarrassed or unwilling to be connected with Jesus and his teachings, then Jesus will also be unwilling to acknowledge that person when he returns in glory, accompanied by God the Father and the holy angels. The verse highlights a mutual relationship of loyalty or shame between Jesus and his followers.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples and the surrounding crowd, warning them about the cost of following him. The setting is one where Jesus is explaining what true discipleship means, just after talking about taking up one's cross. The verse uses strong language to show the seriousness of publicly identifying with Jesus, especially in a world that might reject or mock him.

The Greek behind Luke 9:26

  • ἐπαισχυνθῇ (epaischynthē, "ashamed"): This Greek word means to feel shame or to be embarrassed. In this context, it carries the idea of distancing oneself from Jesus out of fear of rejection or ridicule.
  • λόγοις (logois, "words"): This refers not just to isolated sayings, but to the whole message and teaching of Jesus. The verse links loyalty to Jesus with loyalty to his message.
  • δόξῃ (doxē, "glory"): The Greek word for "glory" often points to honor, splendor, or divine presence. Here, it emphasizes the future moment when Jesus will return, not in humility, but in visible, divine majesty.

Why Luke 9:26 matters

  • Luke 9:26 clarifies that following Jesus is not just a private matter; it involves public identification, even when it is difficult or unpopular.
  • The verse connects present attitudes toward Jesus with future consequences, showing that loyalty now will be matched by Jesus' loyalty in the age to come.
  • This warning fits into a larger section where Jesus prepares his followers for hardship and calls them to a costly, wholehearted commitment.

Where else these words appear

“ashamed” Greek G1870 · used in 9 verses

  • Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
  • Romans 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
  • 2 Timothy 1:16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

“him” Greek G5126 · used in 63 verses

  • Matthew 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
  • John 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
  • Acts 16:3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

“my” Greek G1699 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
  • John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

“when” Greek G3752 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
  • Luke 5:35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
  • John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.