Luke 9:26
What does Luke 9:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 9:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 9:26 means
Jesus warns that whoever is ashamed of him and his words will face shame from the Son of man when he comes in his glory with the Father and the angels. This is an eschatological warning: public denial of Christ leads to public disgrace before God. It stresses fidelity to Jesus’ teaching now, under threat of final judgment. The verse balances the prior promise of life for those who surrender; here is the reverse consequence for those who hide their allegiance—eternal accountability at Christ’s glorious coming compels courageous confession now.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For if any man has a feeling of shame because of me or of my words, the Son of man will have shame because of him when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`For whoever may be ashamed of me, and of my words, of this one shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he may come in his glory, and the Father's, and the holy messengers';
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For he that shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him the Son of man shall be ashamed, when he shall come in his majesty and that of his Father and of the holy angels.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For whosoever shall have been ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he shall come in his glory, and [in that] of the Father, and of the holy angels.
Context
This verse follows the rhetorical question about worldly profit (v.25) and points to the ultimate reckoning. After calling disciples to risk and loss (vv.23–25), Jesus warns about failing to stand with him. This provides a counterweight to worldly calculation and links daily discipleship with future vindication or shame. The narrative then shifts to the transfiguration preview (vv.27–36), which will show Jesus’ future glory that supports his call to costly faithfulness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. Even so, Amen.
- 1 Peter 4:14
If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.
- Revelation 20:11
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
- Matthew 26:64
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.
- Luke 12:8
And I say unto you, Every one who shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
- John 12:43
for they loved the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God.
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