Mark 8:38 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus warns that whoever is ashamed of him and his words now will find the Son of man ashamed of him when he comes in glory.
What Does Mark 8:38 Mean?
The closing saying looks from the present age — this adulterous and sinful generation, the language the prophets used for covenant unfaithfulness — to the day the Son of man comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. The same Jesus who has just predicted his rejection announces his return.
Allegiance cannot stay secret forever; shame now and honor then are bound together. The warning cuts, but a promise gleams inside it: the Lord we are tempted to be ashamed of — rejected, crucified, mocked — is the very One who will arrive in unveiled glory. Loyalty to a crucified Master looks foolish only until he comes. The verse asks for open, unembarrassed faithfulness now, lived in view of that day.
Mark 8:38 in the Original Language
epaischynomai (ἐπαισχύνομαι), 'ashamed' -- to feel shame over, to disown out of embarrassment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 8:38
What does Mark 8:38 mean?
Jesus warns that whoever is ashamed of him and his words now will find the Son of man ashamed of him when he comes in glory.