Mark 8:38 kjv
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Mark 8:38 nkjv
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
Mark 8:38 niv
If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
Mark 8:38 esv
For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
Mark 8:38 nlt
If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
Mark 8 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 9:26 | For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him will the Son of Man be... | Parallel passage, reiterates warning. |
| 2 Tim 2:12 | if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us. | The principle of reciprocal denial/confession. |
| Rom 1:16 | For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation... | Paul's unashamed confession of the gospel. |
| Mt 10:33 | But whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny him before My Father... | Jesus' warning about public denial. |
| Lk 12:9 | but the one who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. | Denial before men leading to denial before angels. |
| Mt 25:31 | "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him... | Description of the Son of Man's return in glory. |
| Dan 7:13-14 | ...one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven... and given dominion... | Prophecy of the "Son of Man" as a divine, reigning figure. |
| Mt 16:27 | For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels... | Parallel passage, identical in essence to Mark's context. |
| Rev 1:7 | Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him... | Description of Christ's visible return. |
| Jude 1:14-15 | ...Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones... | The Lord's return with angels for judgment. |
| Mt 12:39 | ...An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given... | Describes the generation's spiritual condition. |
| Jas 4:4 | You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility... | Spiritual adultery as unfaithfulness to God. |
| Hos 1:2 | ...Go, take for yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry... | Old Testament prophet portraying Israel's unfaithfulness. |
| Rom 10:9-10 | ...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord... you will be saved... | Confession as a pathway to salvation. |
| 1 Jn 2:23 | Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son... | Emphasizes the necessity of confessing Jesus as Son. |
| Mk 8:34-37 | If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross... | Immediate context: cost of discipleship, self-denial. |
| Lk 14:26-33 | If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother... | Further teachings on radical discipleship. |
| Php 2:10-11 | ...that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow... and every tongue will confess... | Future universal confession of Jesus' lordship. |
| Heb 1:3 | ...the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature... | Describing Christ's inherent glory. |
| Mt 13:41 | The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom... | Angels assisting in future judgment. |
| Rev 22:12 | "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man..." | Christ's return with recompense. |
| 2 Cor 5:10 | For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one... | Future judgment for deeds done in the body. |
| Jer 3:6-9 | ...declares the Lord, Israel played the harlot on every high hill... | OT usage of spiritual adultery for idolatry. |
Mark 8 verses
Mark 8 38 Meaning
Mark 8:38 conveys a profound warning regarding allegiance to Jesus Christ and His teachings in the present age. It declares that whoever prioritizes worldly approval, fear, or comfort over open identification with Christ and His challenging message will face reciprocal rejection by the Son of Man at His glorious return. This future divine shame contrasts sharply with human shame, emphasizing the ultimate and eternal consequence of discipleship in a world hostile to God's ways.
Mark 8 38 Context
Mark 8:38 serves as the climactic conclusion to a pivotal section in Mark's Gospel (8:27-38), following Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) and Jesus' immediate pronouncements about His coming suffering, death, and resurrection. Jesus then calls His disciples—and the surrounding crowd—to a radical, cross-bearing discipleship, emphasizing self-denial and the paradoxical gaining of life by losing it for His sake and the Gospel's. The verse's warning about being ashamed of Christ in an "adulterous and sinful generation" underscores the immense cost of following Jesus. It prepares the reader for the transfiguration (9:2-8), where some disciples glimpse His glory, a foretaste of the Son of Man's glorious return promised in this verse. Historically, this message would have been stark for a first-century audience, living under Roman occupation and intense religious-societal pressures, where allegiance to Christ could mean social ostracism, persecution, and death. Jesus contrasts temporal earthly acceptance with eternal divine approval.
Mark 8 38 Word analysis
- For whoever: Introduces the condition for the following consequence. Implies a universal application, open to anyone who fits the description.
- is ashamed (Greek: epaischynomai - ἐπαισχύνω): This term is stronger than mere embarrassment. It denotes a feeling of humiliation or dread that leads to a refusal to identify with someone or something. In this context, it implies a denial, abandonment, or desertion of Christ, not merely a passing discomfort, usually due to fear of worldly scorn, social rejection, or physical harm. It is an act of turning away out of self-preservation or desire for worldly acceptance.
- of Me and My words: Crucially links Jesus' person and His teaching. To be ashamed of "Me" implies being ashamed of who He is – the suffering Messiah who demands radical obedience and self-denial. To be ashamed of "My words" means shying away from His radical claims, His difficult teachings, the call to the cross, or the moral standards of the kingdom, which often conflict with worldly values. Both personal allegiance and doctrinal adherence are in view.
- in this adulterous (Greek: moichalis - μοιχαλίς): While literally meaning "adulterous," in biblical prophetic language (especially the Old Testament prophets like Hosea, Jeremiah, Ezekiel), "adulterous" is a metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness or idolatry—turning away from loyalty to God and embracing the world or other gods. This implies a generation unfaithful to God's covenant, pursuing worldly desires over divine truth.
- and sinful generation: A morally corrupt, perverse, rebellious, and hostile populace. It describes a society deeply steeped in sin and set against God's purposes. The pairing with "adulterous" underscores profound spiritual and moral degradation.
- of him will the Son of Man: Establishes reciprocity. "Son of Man" (Greek: huios tou anthrōpou - υἱός τοῦ ἀνθρώπου) is Jesus' favored self-designation, emphasizing both His human identification and His divine authority, particularly in contexts of suffering, future judgment, and messianic glory, drawn from Daniel 7:13-14. This title signals that the one who comes in ultimate glory and judgment will be the very person rejected.
- also be ashamed: The judgment for being ashamed of Christ now is to be disowned or rejected by Him in the future. This is not about Jesus literally feeling embarrassment, but rather an act of profound disassociation and condemnation from a divine, authoritative position. It signifies exclusion from His future kingdom and glory.
- when He comes in the glory: Refers to the parousia, Jesus' Second Coming. This coming will be with divine majesty, power, and overwhelming light, not in the humble servant form He took on Earth. It emphasizes the complete reversal of fortune and perspective from the present age.
- of His Father: The glory belongs to the Father and is fully shared by the Son. This underlines Jesus' co-equality and unity with God the Father, imbuing His return with ultimate divine authority and splendor.
- with the holy angels: Signifies His retinue and attendants, who serve as instruments of His divine will and participate in His triumphant return and the execution of judgment. Their presence adds to the majesty, power, and ultimate authority of His coming, further contrasting with the solitary, vulnerable state of His first coming.
Mark 8 38 Bonus section
This verse stands as a powerful counterpoint to worldly success or approval, underscoring that the most important judgment is not what men think, but what God thinks. It frames the eschatological climax of history around a deeply personal question of allegiance. The "shame" Jesus warns against isn't just about public confession but about a lifestyle that implicitly or explicitly distances itself from the radical demands of His Kingdom in order to fit in or avoid persecution. This resonates with the prophetic theme of remaining faithful in a corrupt generation (cf. Acts 2:40, Phil 2:15). The future "shame" by the Son of Man will be ultimate spiritual rejection and separation from His glorious presence. It challenges the common human desire for ease and comfort over divine commendation.
Mark 8 38 Commentary
Mark 8:38 provides a stark warning about the consequences of denying Christ for the sake of earthly comfort or acceptance. Following Jesus is costly; it involves rejecting the world's values and embracing a counter-cultural path. To be "ashamed" is not simply a feeling but an action of disloyalty driven by fear or preference for worldly approval. Jesus emphasizes that one's present allegiance determines eternal destiny. The "adulterous and sinful generation" represents any era, including our own, hostile to God's truth. The Son of Man, the divine judge who comes in overwhelming glory, will reciprocate the present shame or confession. This means ultimate affirmation for those who bravely identify with Him now, and profound disavowal for those who prioritize temporary social acceptance over Him. It underscores the ultimate reality that human judgment is temporary, while divine judgment is final. This verse powerfully motivates believers to confess Christ boldly, even when it costs, because the one they stand for now will stand for them later, in a demonstration of unrivaled glory and power.