Luke 6:26
What does Luke 6:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 6:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 6:26 means
Jesus pronounced a "woe" upon those who receive universal praise from others, explaining that false prophets were similarly esteemed by their ancestors. This warning critiques the danger of seeking popular approval and worldly acclaim, which often leads to compromising truth and divine principles. Authentic faithfulness to God frequently involves unpopularity or rejection by the world. This woe challenges disciples to prioritize God's approval over human applause, as the latter can be a deceptive sign of straying from the truth, rather than an indication of His blessing.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for in the same manner did their fathers to the false prophets.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Unhappy are you when all men give you their approval: for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Woe to you when all men shall speak well of you--for according to these things were their fathers doing to false prophets.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Woe to you when men shall bless you: for according to these things did their fathers to the false prophets.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Woe, when all men speak well of you, for after this manner did their fathers to the false prophets.
Context
Concluding the series of woes, this verse warns against the dangers of universal praise and popular acceptance. It powerfully contrasts this against the experience of true prophets and links it to the pattern of false prophets. This final woe reinforces the counter-cultural nature of true discipleship, preparing the listeners for Jesus' radical instructions on loving enemies and demonstrating a different kind of righteousness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
- Jeremiah 5:31
the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
- Isaiah 30:10
that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits,
- John 7:7
The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that its works are evil.
- 1 Kings 22:24
Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of Jehovah from me to speak unto thee?
- 1 Kings 22:6
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king.
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