Luke 6 26

Luke 6:26 kjv

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Luke 6:26 nkjv

Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Luke 6:26 niv

Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

Luke 6:26 esv

"Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

Luke 6:26 nlt

What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds,
for their ancestors also praised false prophets.

Luke 6 verses

Luke 6 26 Meaning

Luke 6:26 delivers a solemn warning against universal human approval. Jesus pronounces "woe" upon those who are spoken well of by "all men," indicating that such widespread popularity, especially within the context of proclaiming God's truth, often signals compromise. It highlights a dangerous conformity, drawing a direct parallel to the historical pattern where false prophets, unlike God's true messengers, gained popular acceptance by delivering messages that appeased rather than challenged. The verse underscores that faithfulness to God's ways may often lead to opposition rather than acclaim from the world.

Luke 6 26 Context

Luke 6:26 is part of Jesus's "Sermon on the Plain" (Luke 6:17-49), a significant teaching discourse mirroring parts of Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. It immediately follows a series of Beatitudes (blessings) which promise spiritual recompense for those experiencing hardship, persecution, or social marginalization due to their faithfulness to Christ. Verse 26, one of four "Woes," directly contrasts with the blessings, particularly the blessing pronounced upon those who are hated, excluded, reviled, and defamed for the Son of Man's sake (Lk 6:22-23). This structuring highlights a radical reversal of conventional human values. Historically, true prophets in Israel's past often faced rejection and suffering, while false prophets found popular favor by affirming societal desires rather than challenging them with divine truth. This verse serves as a historical and theological anchor, drawing a sharp line between appeasing people and faithfully serving God, especially within a Jewish context familiar with the prophetic tradition.

Luke 6 26 Word analysis

• Woe (οὐαί, ouai): More than an expression of sorrow, it's a solemn declaration of coming judgment or condemnation, a lament carrying dire prophetic warning. It signifies a profound, undesirable state, often associated with divine displeasure or severe consequence. It echoes the pronouncements of Old Testament prophets (e.g., Isa 5:8-23).

• to you (ὑμῖν, hymin): Plural, addressed directly to Jesus' disciples and, by extension, to all who claim to follow Him. It implies a personal warning to those who might be tempted by popular approval.

• when all men (ὅταν ... πάντες ἄνθρωποι, hotan ... pantes anthrōpoi): "When all men." The emphasis on "all" (pantes) is crucial. It does not speak of genuine respect but a universal, unquestioning acceptance, implying an absence of conflict between the follower of Christ and the values of the fallen world.

• speak well of you (καλῶς εἴπωσιν, kalōs eiposinn): To "speak well" means to commend, to praise, to say favorable things. It refers to human commendation, accolades, and a reputation free of criticism, which true devotion to Christ often makes impossible (Jn 7:7, 15:19).

• for so (οὕτως γάρ, houtōs gar): "For in this manner" or "For in the same way." This connective phrase establishes a direct comparison and explains why widespread popular praise is a source of woe. It links the present situation of the disciple to a specific historical pattern.

• their fathers (οἱ πατέρες αὐτῶν, hoi pateres autōn): The ancestors of "all men" (i.e., people in general, particularly those in the Jewish tradition of receiving prophets). This points to a recurring pattern of historical behavior, implying that the same flawed discernment continues through generations.

• did (ἐποίησαν, epoiesan): A simple past tense, indicating a historical act or consistent behavior. It refers to the well-documented pattern of Israel's relationship with prophets.

• to the false prophets (τοῖς ψευδοπροφήταις, tois pseudoprophētais): "False prophets" (pseudes meaning 'false' and prophetes meaning 'prophet'). These were individuals who claimed divine inspiration but delivered messages not from God, often prophesying peace or prosperity regardless of the people's sin, thus earning popular approval. Their messages often catered to what people wanted to hear, rather than what God needed them to hear (Jer 5:30-31, Eze 13:10-16).

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Woe to you when all men speak well of you": This is a profound reversal of worldly values. In contrast to human wisdom, which seeks popularity and good reputation, Jesus declares it a sign of spiritual danger. It suggests a life lived without the counter-cultural challenge inherent in following Christ.
  • "for so their fathers did to the false prophets": This phrase provides the chilling justification for the "woe." It establishes a powerful historical precedent, reminding the hearers of Israel's consistent pattern of rejecting God's true messengers and embracing those who spoke comfortable falsehoods. Popularity in the eyes of the unredeemed world often implies alignment with their values, just as false prophets aligned with Israel's desires rather than God's will.

Luke 6 26 Bonus section

• The "Woe" in this verse is not merely an expression of sadness for the recipient, but a severe denunciation of a spiritual condition. It implies peril and the possibility of divine judgment for those whose actions earn them universal human praise at the expense of divine faithfulness.
• This warning is fundamentally about allegiance. It asks whether one's primary allegiance is to God and His truth, or to the opinions and acceptance of other people.
• It highlights the inherent tension between the values of God's Kingdom and the values of the fallen world. A life genuinely lived by Kingdom principles will, by its very nature, challenge worldly norms and often invite rejection rather than universal acceptance.
• The warning serves as a prophetic insight into the nature of true versus false spiritual authority. Authentic prophecy and teaching often confront comfortable norms, whereas false ones affirm them.

Luke 6 26 Commentary

Luke 6:26 delivers a counter-intuitive yet vital warning within the context of Christian discipleship. Jesus pronounces a "woe" not on the persecuted, but on those who enjoy universal human approval. This is not to condemn all commendation, but specifically to caution against a state where one never faces opposition or critique from the world for their faith. Such unfettered popularity suggests a dangerous compromise; true allegiance to Christ and His counter-cultural kingdom will inevitably bring friction with a world that does not align with God's standards (Jn 15:18-19).

The crux of the "woe" lies in the historical parallel: "for so their fathers did to the false prophets." Throughout Israel's history, true prophets of God, who spoke uncomfortable truths and called for repentance, often faced rejection, imprisonment, or death (Heb 11:36-38). Conversely, false prophets, who delivered smooth messages of peace and prosperity, flattering the people and condoning their sins, found popular acclaim (Jer 6:14, Eze 13:10-16). Jesus implies that a disciple who receives unanimous praise from "all men" risks falling into the same trap of appeasing human desires rather than boldly proclaiming God's uncompromised truth. The pursuit of worldly acceptance and commendation can easily become an idol, eclipsing loyalty to Christ and leading one to dilute or distort the Gospel message. This warning forces a critical self-examination: whose approval do we truly seek, and does our life and message reflect God's truth, regardless of its popularity?