Mark 8:38 - For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his Father’s glory, with the holy angels.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Mark 8:38" mean?
This verse from Mark 8:38 is a strong warning about the importance of openly acknowledging and standing firm in one's faith in Jesus Christ, even when faced with social pressure, ridicule, or persecution. Let's break down the meaning:
"For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words...": This refers to anyone who feels embarrassed, hesitant, or fearful to publicly identify with Jesus and his teachings. This shame might stem from a desire to fit in, avoid criticism, or maintain social standing. It implies a reluctance to live according to Christian values and to speak up for the gospel.
"...in this adulterous and sinful generation...": This describes the moral climate of the time (and arguably, many times since). "Adulterous" can refer literally to sexual immorality but also metaphorically to unfaithfulness to God, like the Israelites worshiping false gods. "Sinful" is a general term encompassing all kinds of wrongdoing and disobedience to God's will. This emphasizes that standing up for Jesus might be difficult because it goes against the prevailing culture.
"...the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him...": This is the key warning. "The Son of Man" is a title Jesus often used for himself, emphasizing his human nature and his role as the Messiah. If someone is ashamed to acknowledge Jesus now, Jesus will be ashamed to acknowledge them when he returns. This is a serious consequence.
"...when he comes in his Father’s glory, with the holy angels.": This describes Jesus's triumphant return at the end of time. He will come in power and majesty, not as the humble servant he was during his earthly ministry. The Father's glory highlights the divine nature of Jesus and the angels emphasize the magnitude of his return and judgement. This paints a picture of the final judgement, where the consequences of one's choices are revealed.
In essence, the verse means:
If you are embarrassed or afraid to publicly identify with Jesus and his teachings in a world that often opposes them, then Jesus will disown you when he returns in glory to judge the world.
Key takeaways:
Open acknowledgment of faith: The verse emphasizes the importance of being bold and unashamed of one's Christian faith, even in the face of opposition.
Consequences of denial: There are serious consequences for denying or hiding one's faith, particularly regarding eternal destiny.
Emphasis on Jesus's return: The verse points to the future judgment and the importance of aligning one's life with Christ now in preparation for that day.
Context is important: Consider the time and culture in which Jesus spoke these words. His followers faced real persecution and social ostracism for their faith. The principle remains relevant today, though the expression of that might vary.
This verse is a call to commitment and courage, challenging believers to live out their faith openly and honestly, trusting that Jesus is worth any sacrifice they might have to make.
Mark 8:38 - For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his Father’s glory, with the holy angels.”
What does "Mark 8:38" mean?
This verse from Mark 8:38 is a strong warning about the importance of openly acknowledging and standing firm in one's faith in Jesus Christ, even when faced with social pressure, ridicule, or persecution. Let's break down the meaning:
"For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words...": This refers to anyone who feels embarrassed, hesitant, or fearful to publicly identify with Jesus and his teachings. This shame might stem from a desire to fit in, avoid criticism, or maintain social standing. It implies a reluctance to live according to Christian values and to speak up for the gospel.
"...in this adulterous and sinful generation...": This describes the moral climate of the time (and arguably, many times since). "Adulterous" can refer literally to sexual immorality but also metaphorically to unfaithfulness to God, like the Israelites worshiping false gods. "Sinful" is a general term encompassing all kinds of wrongdoing and disobedience to God's will. This emphasizes that standing up for Jesus might be difficult because it goes against the prevailing culture.
"...the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him...": This is the key warning. "The Son of Man" is a title Jesus often used for himself, emphasizing his human nature and his role as the Messiah. If someone is ashamed to acknowledge Jesus now, Jesus will be ashamed to acknowledge them when he returns. This is a serious consequence.
"...when he comes in his Father’s glory, with the holy angels.": This describes Jesus's triumphant return at the end of time. He will come in power and majesty, not as the humble servant he was during his earthly ministry. The Father's glory highlights the divine nature of Jesus and the angels emphasize the magnitude of his return and judgement. This paints a picture of the final judgement, where the consequences of one's choices are revealed.
In essence, the verse means:
If you are embarrassed or afraid to publicly identify with Jesus and his teachings in a world that often opposes them, then Jesus will disown you when he returns in glory to judge the world.
Key takeaways:
Open acknowledgment of faith: The verse emphasizes the importance of being bold and unashamed of one's Christian faith, even in the face of opposition.
Consequences of denial: There are serious consequences for denying or hiding one's faith, particularly regarding eternal destiny.
Emphasis on Jesus's return: The verse points to the future judgment and the importance of aligning one's life with Christ now in preparation for that day.
Context is important: Consider the time and culture in which Jesus spoke these words. His followers faced real persecution and social ostracism for their faith. The principle remains relevant today, though the expression of that might vary.
This verse is a call to commitment and courage, challenging believers to live out their faith openly and honestly, trusting that Jesus is worth any sacrifice they might have to make.