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.
Luke 9:26 (KJV)
Context
In Luke 9, Jesus prepares His disciples for the cost of following Him. He has just taught that anyone who would come after Him must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23). He also asked what it profits a person to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit his own soul (Luke 9:25). Verse 26 then draws a sharp conclusion: how we respond to Jesus and His words carries eternal weight.
Meaning
To be ashamed of Jesus means to be unwilling to openly acknowledge and identify with Him as Messiah, Savior, and Redeemer. It includes being ashamed of His words—the doctrines and teachings of the Gospel. This shame may show itself as embarrassment, fear, or hesitation to proclaim and live out faith in Christ before others.
The consequence is reciprocal and solemn. Jesus says that if anyone is ashamed of Him and His words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when He comes in His own glory, and in the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels. This is not a light warning; it reveals that our response to Jesus has eternal significance.
Jesus’ coming in glory refers to His second coming, when He will return to judge the living and the dead. At that time He will be accompanied by His angels and will appear in the fullness of His divine majesty and authority. The title “Son of Man” connects to Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven and receiving dominion and glory (Daniel 7:13-14), confirming that this is no mere human figure but the divinely appointed Judge.
Application
This verse challenges us to examine our own lives. Are we unashamedly living for Jesus, boldly proclaiming His Gospel, and obediently following His teachings? We are called to openly identify with Christ, even when it means facing opposition or ridicule from the world. Our confession of Him now is linked to His acknowledgment of us at His return.
Jesus will acknowledge before the Father and the angels those who have not been ashamed of Him and His words.
Those who deny or compromise their faith to avoid shame will face His disapproval when He comes in glory.
Let us strive to honor Christ in all aspects of our lives, knowing that He will one day return in glory with His holy angels. May we be among those who are not ashamed of Him, but who faithfully identify with Him and His words until that day.
