Luke 9:26
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὃς
whosoever
G3739
ὃς
whosoever
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 28
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 28
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγους
words
G3056
λόγους
words
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
9 of 28
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
the Son
G5207
υἱὸς
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
12 of 28
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
16 of 28
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
ἔλθῃ
he shall come
G2064
ἔλθῃ
he shall come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
17 of 28
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δόξῃ
glory
G1391
δόξῃ
glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
20 of 28
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατρὸς
in his Father's
G3962
πατρὸς
in his Father's
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
24 of 28
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
2 Timothy 2:12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:Romans 1:16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.Mark 8:38Whosoever 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.Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.Matthew 16:27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.Matthew 25:31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:John 12:43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.Revelation 20:11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.Jude 1:14And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,2 Timothy 1:12For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Historical Context
In the first-century Roman Empire, confessing Christ as Lord was politically dangerous—'Caesar is Lord' was the required confession. Christians faced social ostracism, economic persecution, and potential execution. The temptation to hide faith or compromise doctrinally was intense. Jesus warns that temporary safety purchased through denying Him results in eternal condemnation. Early Christians understood this—ten of the twelve apostles suffered martyrdom rather than deny Christ. The church fathers like Polycarp declared, 'Eighty-six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?' Jesus' warning steeled believers for persecution.
Questions for Reflection
- In what situations are you tempted to remain silent about Christ or His teachings to avoid ridicule or rejection?
- How does the certainty of Christ's glorious return in judgment motivate boldness in witness despite present opposition?
- What does it mean practically to be unashamed of Christ's 'words' when specific biblical teachings are culturally offensive?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. The verb epaischynthē (ἐπαισχυνθῇ, "be ashamed") indicates embarrassment or reluctance to publicly identify with Christ. Jesus distinguishes between mere intellectual assent and bold confession—saving faith confesses Christ openly (Romans 10:9-10). The phrase "me and of my words" (eme kai tous emous logous, ἐμὲ καὶ τοὺς ἐμοὺς λόγους) links Christ's person and teaching inseparably—rejecting His words rejects Him.
The consequence is reciprocal shame when he shall come in his own glory (en tē doxē autou, ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ)—the parousia, Christ's second coming in unveiled divine majesty. The triple glory—his own... his Father's... the holy angels—emphasizes the cosmic magnitude of that day. Those who denied Christ to preserve reputation or comfort will face His denial before the Father (Matthew 10:32-33). This is the ultimate reversal: temporary shame for Christ yields eternal glory; avoiding shame now guarantees eternal disgrace.