King James Version

What Does Luke 14:26 Mean?

Luke 14:26 in the King James Version says “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and ... — study this verse from Luke chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 14:26 · KJV


Context

24

For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

25

And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

26

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.

27

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

28

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus states discipleship's cost: '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.' The term 'hate' (μισεῖ, misei) is Semitic hyperbole for radical prioritization—Jesus must come before all human relationships, even the most intimate and sacred. The list encompasses all family relationships: parents, spouse, children, siblings. The phrase 'yea, and his own life also' (ἔτι τε καὶ τὴν ψυχὴν ἑαυτοῦ, eti te kai tēn psychēn heautou) means even self-preservation must yield to Christ's lordship. The conclusion 'he cannot be my disciple' (οὐ δύναται εἶναί μου μαθητής, ou dynatai einai mou mathētēs) is absolute—partial commitment is impossible. Discipleship requires total allegiance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This teaching radically challenged first-century values. Family loyalty was paramount in ancient Mediterranean culture—dishonoring parents or abandoning family was unthinkable. Jesus doesn't counsel literal hatred (which would contradict the fifth commandment) but demands that when allegiances conflict, Christ must prevail. Early Christians faced precisely this—following Jesus often meant family rejection, disinheritance, even persecution by relatives (Matthew 10:34-37, Luke 12:51-53, 21:16). This cost persists globally—converts from other religions frequently lose family, home, and social standing. The teaching confronts comfortable Western Christianity that domesticates discipleship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' demand for supreme loyalty challenge contemporary Christianity's accommodation with culture?
  2. What might it mean today to 'hate' family members for Christ's sake—what conflicts of loyalty do modern disciples face?
  3. How do you balance honoring parents and loving family with giving Christ absolute priority?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 37 words
Εἴ1 of 37
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

τις2 of 37
G5100

some or any person or object

ἔρχεται3 of 37

man come

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

πρός4 of 37

to

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

με5 of 37

me

G3165

me

καὶ6 of 37

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐ7 of 37

he cannot

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μισεῖ8 of 37

hate

G3404

to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less

τὸν9 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατέρα10 of 37

father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ἑαυτοῦ11 of 37

his

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

καὶ12 of 37

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν13 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μητέρα14 of 37

mother

G3384

a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)

καὶ15 of 37

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν16 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γυναῖκα17 of 37

wife

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

καὶ18 of 37

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰ19 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τέκνα20 of 37

children

G5043

a child (as produced)

καὶ21 of 37

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοὺς22 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφοὺς23 of 37

brethren

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

καὶ24 of 37

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰς25 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀδελφάς26 of 37

sisters

G79

a sister (naturally or ecclesiastically)

ἔτι27 of 37

yea

G2089

"yet," still (of time or degree)

δέ28 of 37

and

G1161

but, and, etc

καὶ29 of 37

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν30 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἑαυτοῦ31 of 37

his

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ψυχὴν32 of 37

life

G5590

breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh

οὐ33 of 37

he cannot

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

δύναται34 of 37
G1410

to be able or possible

μου35 of 37

my

G3450

of me

μαθητής36 of 37

disciple

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

εἶναί37 of 37

be

G1511

to exist


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 14:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 14:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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