Luke 12 8

Luke 12:8 kjv

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

Luke 12:8 nkjv

"Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.

Luke 12:8 niv

"I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.

Luke 12:8 esv

"And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,

Luke 12:8 nlt

"I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God's angels.

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 8 Meaning

Luke 12:8 reveals a profound principle of reciprocal recognition in the spiritual realm. Jesus declares that whoever publicly acknowledges Him as Lord before other human beings, in turn, will be acknowledged and affirmed by the Son of Man – Jesus Himself – before God's heavenly hosts. This emphasizes the vital importance of courageous and public confession of faith, contrasting it with potential fear of human opinion or persecution, and linking it directly to ultimate, eternal standing before God. It's a promise of divine advocacy for human faithfulness.

Luke 12 8 Context

Luke 12:8 appears in a section of Luke's Gospel where Jesus provides crucial teachings to His disciples about the nature of true discipleship, especially in the face of opposition and persecution.Leading into verse 8, Jesus has just warned against the "leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy" (Lk 12:1). He reassures His disciples not to fear those who can only kill the body but cannot harm the soul, but rather to "fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell" (Lk 12:4-5), referring to God. He highlights God's meticulous care, even for sparrows, emphasizing that the disciples are of more value (Lk 12:6-7). This immediate context underscores that fearless confession of Christ is founded upon trust in God's ultimate power and sovereign care, countering any fear of men.Immediately following, Jesus contrasts confession with blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Lk 12:9-10), and promises that the Holy Spirit will provide words to His disciples when they are brought before authorities (Lk 12:11-12), further connecting the teaching to situations of public witness and potential persecution. Thus, Luke 12:8 serves as a pivotal call to courageous loyalty, understanding its eternal implications.

Luke 12 8 Word analysis

• "Also I say unto you": This phrase indicates a solemn and emphatic declaration from Jesus. "Also" connects it to the preceding teaching on fearing God and His comprehensive knowledge and care, linking human courage with divine security.

• "Whosoever": (Greek: pas ho) - This is a universal invitation and warning, including everyone, without exception, who hears His words. The promise and consequence apply to all.

• "shall confess": (Greek: homologeō) - This verb means "to say the same thing as," "to agree with," "to acknowledge," "to profess," or "to declare publicly." It implies not just an internal belief, but an outward, open, and sometimes costly declaration of allegiance and identification with Jesus. It's an act of verbal and often behavioral testimony.

• "me": Refers specifically to Jesus Christ, His identity as the Son of God, the Messiah, and Lord. Confession of "me" entails acknowledging His teachings, His authority, His unique redemptive work, and His claim to divine Sonship.

• "before men": (Greek: emprosthen tōn anthrōpōn) - This specifies the arena of confession: it must be public, visible to others. This often implies risk, opposition, or social disadvantage, particularly in a hostile environment or when one's faith goes against cultural norms. It distinguishes from private belief or intellectual assent.

• "him shall the Son of man": Jesus' favored self-designation. "Son of Man" (Greek: Ho huios tou anthrōpou) signifies both His full humanity and His ultimate divine authority as judge and sovereign king, especially as prophesied in Daniel 7:13-14. This emphasizes that the one who confesses Him will be acknowledged by Him in His highest authority and future glory.

• "also confess": (Greek: homologeō) - The same verb is used, signifying a direct, reciprocal action. Just as a believer declares Christ's name publicly, Christ will publicly declare that believer's name and affiliation.

• "before the angels of God": (Greek: emprosthen tōn aggelōn tou theou) - This specifies the audience for Jesus' reciprocal confession. This is a heavenly, divine court, before God's powerful heavenly servants. This sets the stage for an ultimate, eternal declaration of worthiness and belonging within the divine assembly, indicating divine validation and ultimate reward or acceptance in God's kingdom.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Whosoever shall confess me before men": This phrase highlights the earthly, human realm where loyalty to Christ is tested and demonstrated. It implies courage, faithfulness, and often, sacrifice. The choice is made in the visible world, amidst human scrutiny.
  • "him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God": This phrase details the heavenly, divine response to that earthly faithfulness. It's the ultimate, eternal affirmation by Christ Himself, made visible and recognized by the entire divine assembly. This underscores the profound and everlasting reward for faithful public testimony. The two phrases create a powerful parallelism and contrast: earthly act leads to heavenly reward; human audience to divine audience.

Luke 12 8 Bonus section

The teaching in Luke 12:8 extends beyond initial conversion, urging ongoing faithfulness and boldness in proclaiming and living out one's faith. The call to confess "before men" is dynamic, manifesting differently in various contexts – from sharing the Gospel explicitly to living a distinctively Christ-like life that challenges societal norms. This verse also implicitly warns against spiritual lukewarmness, where one's private faith does not translate into public witness. The presence of "angels of God" as witnesses emphasizes the grand cosmic significance of human decisions concerning Christ. These heavenly beings, often active in God's plans and witnessing humanity's spiritual battles, are present at this ultimate moment of divine acknowledgment, affirming the believer's place in God's eternal family.

Luke 12 8 Commentary

Luke 12:8 distills a core truth about the Christian walk: the intrinsic link between a public, courageous stand for Christ on Earth and His ultimate advocacy for us in Heaven. It's a statement of ultimate justice and reciprocal fidelity. The "confession" is not merely saying "I believe in Jesus," but rather an active, consistent demonstration of allegiance to Him, even when costly or challenging. It encompasses words, actions, and an entire way of life that declares Jesus as Lord. Conversely, Jesus, as the "Son of Man" (the authoritative judge and heavenly advocate), promises His unwavering affirmation before the Father and His celestial hosts. This solemn declaration ensures that acts of loyalty, however small or grand, are seen, recorded, and ultimately honored in the grand, eternal assembly of God. This divine validation outweighs any earthly judgment or persecution.