Luke 14:26 Meaning and Explanation
“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Following Jesus means He must hold first place, above even the dearest loves of our lives.
The Context of Luke 14:26
Great crowds are traveling with Jesus toward Jerusalem. He turns to them and lays out the true cost of discipleship, following this with sayings about carrying the cross and counting the cost of building a tower or going to war (Luke 14:27-33).
What Does Luke 14:26 Mean?
The word 'hate' lands hard on modern ears, and it is meant to arrest us. In the speech of Jesus' day, to 'hate' one thing beside another was a strong way of saying to love it less, to set it in second place. Scripture itself speaks this way: Jacob is said to have 'hated' Leah while loving Rachel, when the plain meaning is that Leah was loved less (Genesis 29:30-31). Far from commanding contempt for family, Jesus honors father and mother and tender care for one's own (Mark 7:10-13). He is naming where He must stand: first, above every other claim, even the claim of our own lives.
The crowds were large and the moment was thrilling, and Jesus would not let anyone follow Him on a misunderstanding. To belong to Him is to give Him the throne of the heart, ahead of the people we love most and ahead of our own comfort and survival. This is a steep word, but it comes from the One who gave up everything for us, who loved us more than His own life. He asks for first place because He alone can hold it well, and because in Him our other loves are finally set in their right order.
Luke 14:26 in the Original Language
miseo (μισέω), 'hate' -- here a Semitic idiom of comparison: to love far less, to set in second place.
How to Apply Luke 14:26 Today
Jesus asks for the first place in our hearts, above even the people and the life we hold most dear. This is a call to love Him most, so that every other love, our families included, finds its right place. When He is first, the rest is held more truly, not less.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 14:26
What does Luke 14:26 mean?
Following Jesus means He must hold first place, above even the dearest loves of our lives.
What is the context of Luke 14:26?
Great crowds are traveling with Jesus toward Jerusalem. He turns to them and lays out the true cost of discipleship, following this with sayings about carrying the cross and counting the cost of building a tower or going to war (Luke 14:27-33).
How can I apply Luke 14:26 today?
Jesus asks for the first place in our hearts, above even the people and the life we hold most dear. This is a call to love Him most, so that every other love, our families included, finds its right place. When He is first, the rest is held more truly, not less.