King James Version

What Does Mark 8:38 Mean?

Mark 8:38 in the King James Version says “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall t... — study this verse from Mark chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

36

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

37

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

38

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Whosoever ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous sinful generation of him shall Son of man be ashamed when comes in glory of Father with holy angels. Ashamed epaischynthē embarrassed deny distance from. Me emou Christ person. My words logous teaching. Adulterous moichalis unfaithful covenant breaking. Sinful hamartōlo morally corrupt. Son of man Christ self designation. Ashamed epaischynthēsetai disown reject. Comes elthē return second coming. Glory doxē splendor majesty. Father patros God. Holy angels hagiōn angellōn heavenly host. Warning against apostasy denying Christ. Eternal consequences of temporal choices. Reformed theology affirms perseverance of saints true believers persevere false professors fall away.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First century Christianity brought persecution shame. Temptation to deny Christ avoid suffering. Jesus warns eternal consequences. Son of man coming glory contrasts present suffering. Eschatological reversal. Now Christ is rejected humiliated. Then He will return glory judge. Those who denied Him will be denied. Early church faced this martyrdom demanded public confession faith cost of life. Many remained faithful. Some apostatized denied Christ. Church discipline addressed apostasy. Modern comfortable Christianity rarely faces this. But principle remains allegiance to Christ must be public unwavering.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does warning about being ashamed of Christ teach about public confession versus private faith?
  2. How should future glory judgment shape current willingness to identify with Christ despite cost?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 37 words
ὃς1 of 37

Whosoever

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

γὰρ2 of 37

therefore

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ἂν3 of 37
G302

whatsoever

ἐπαισχυνθήσεται4 of 37

be ashamed

G1870

to feel shame for something

με5 of 37

of 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

τοὺς7 of 37
G3588

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

ἐμοὺς8 of 37

of my

G1699

my

λόγους9 of 37

words

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

ἐν10 of 37

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ11 of 37
G3588

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

γενεᾷ12 of 37

generation

G1074

a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)

ταύτῃ13 of 37
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

τῇ14 of 37
G3588

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

μοιχαλίδι15 of 37

adulterous

G3428

an adulteress (literally or figuratively)

καὶ16 of 37

also

G2532

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

ἁμαρτωλῷ17 of 37

sinful

G268

sinful, i.e., a sinner

καὶ18 of 37

also

G2532

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

19 of 37
G3588

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

υἱὸς20 of 37

the Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ21 of 37
G3588

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

ἀνθρώπου22 of 37

of man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐπαισχυνθήσεται23 of 37

be ashamed

G1870

to feel shame for something

αὐτοῦ24 of 37

of him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅταν25 of 37

when

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

ἔλθῃ26 of 37

he cometh

G2064

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

ἐν27 of 37

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ28 of 37
G3588

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

δόξῃ29 of 37

the glory

G1391

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)

τοῦ30 of 37
G3588

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

πατρὸς31 of 37

Father

G3962

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

αὐτοῦ32 of 37

of him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

μετὰ33 of 37

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τῶν34 of 37
G3588

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

ἀγγέλων35 of 37

angels

G32

compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor

τῶν36 of 37
G3588

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

ἁγίων37 of 37

the holy

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Mark 8:38 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 Mark 8:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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