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.
Original Language Analysis
ὃς
Whosoever
G3739
ὃς
Whosoever
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 37
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
γὰρ
therefore
G1063
γὰρ
therefore
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 37
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 37
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 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγους
words
G3056
λόγους
words
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
9 of 37
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενεᾷ
generation
G1074
γενεᾷ
generation
Strong's:
G1074
Word #:
12 of 37
a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)
ταύτῃ
G3778
ταύτῃ
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
13 of 37
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
the Son
G5207
υἱὸς
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
20 of 37
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
of him
G846
αὐτοῦ
of him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 37
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
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
25 of 37
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
ἔλθῃ
he cometh
G2064
ἔλθῃ
he cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
26 of 37
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δόξῃ
the glory
G1391
δόξῃ
the glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
29 of 37
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
30 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατρὸς
Father
G3962
πατρὸς
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
31 of 37
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
αὐτοῦ
of him
G846
αὐτοῦ
of him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
32 of 37
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
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
33 of 37
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
34 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγγέλων
angels
G32
ἀγγέλων
angels
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
35 of 37
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
Cross References
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.James 4:4Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.1 John 2:23Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.Luke 9:26For 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.2 Timothy 1:8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;Matthew 26:64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.Hebrews 11:16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.Hebrews 11:26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.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 12:39But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
Historical Context
First century Christianity brought persecution shame. Temptation to deny Christ avoid suffering. Jesus warns eternal consequences. Son of man coming glory contrasts present suffering. Eschatological reversal. Now Christ is rejected humiliated. Then He will return glory judge. Those who denied Him will be denied. Early church faced this martyrdom demanded public confession faith cost of life. Many remained faithful. Some apostatized denied Christ. Church discipline addressed apostasy. Modern comfortable Christianity rarely faces this. But principle remains allegiance to Christ must be public unwavering.
Questions for Reflection
- What does warning about being ashamed of Christ teach about public confession versus private faith?
- How should future glory judgment shape current willingness to identify with Christ despite cost?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Whosoever ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous sinful generation of him shall Son of man be ashamed when comes in glory of Father with holy angels. Ashamed epaischynthē embarrassed deny distance from. Me emou Christ person. My words logous teaching. Adulterous moichalis unfaithful covenant breaking. Sinful hamartōlo morally corrupt. Son of man Christ self designation. Ashamed epaischynthēsetai disown reject. Comes elthē return second coming. Glory doxē splendor majesty. Father patros God. Holy angels hagiōn angellōn heavenly host. Warning against apostasy denying Christ. Eternal consequences of temporal choices. Reformed theology affirms perseverance of saints true believers persevere false professors fall away.