Luke 6:22
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's not just about enduring hatred; it's about your very identity as a follower of Jesus being the target. When they "cast out your name as evil," it signifies that your identity – your name, your label as a "disciple" – becomes a mark of shame and something to be actively rejected by society.
Jesus has just chosen his twelve apostles and is now teaching them, and a large crowd that has gathered, about the kingdom of God. He begins by offering a series of blessings and woes, flipping the world's values upside down to reveal God's perspective on true blessedness, which often involves suffering for righteousness' sake. This verse comes right after Jesus declares the poor blessed, highlighting that followers will face hardship and rejection because of their association with him, the Son of Man.
When Jesus calls people 'blessed' for being hated and excluded, it sounds completely backward. What does this radical statement teach us about God's perspective?
The World's Rejection, God's Embrace
Jesus is turning our understanding of 'blessedness' on its head. Normally, we associate blessings with ease, acceptance, and comfort. But here, He's saying true blessing comes through opposition, not in its absence.
Four Levels of Rejection
Luke describes this opposition in escalating stages:
This isn't just about minor disagreements; it's about facing genuine hostility because you're aligned with Christ.
Why does Jesus tie this blessing so closely to the 'Son of Man'? What's the significance of this title for facing hardship?
Identifying with the Suffering Servant
The phrase 'Son of Man' is Jesus's favorite way of referring to Himself. It connects Him to both His humanity and His divine authority.
Humanity and Humiliation
In the Old Testament, 'Son of Man' often highlighted human frailty. But Jesus uses it to show His profound identification with us, even in our weaknesses.
Understand the original words
huiou tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
A designation for Jesus Christ, rooted in Daniel 7:13-14, identifying Him as the divine, messianic figure who possesses universal authority and will judge the world.
Jesus delivered these words during a pivotal moment of His ministry, just after choosing His apostles. He was warning them and His early followers that embracing His cause would inevitably lead to rejection and persecution from the world, especially from religious circles.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles
After a night of prayer, Jesus selects His closest followers. This event marks a crucial step in His ministry and the formation of the early Church.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Growing Opposition
As Jesus' teachings and miracles gain attention, religious authorities begin to view Him and His followers with suspicion and hostility.
c. 30-33 AD
Exclusion from the Synagogue
Followers of Jesus faced increasing social ostracization, including exclusion from synagogues, which was a central part of Jewish community life.
c. 33 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is condemned and crucified, largely due to the opposition of religious leaders who saw Him as a threat.
This passage directly echoes Luke 6:22 by stating that believers are blessed if they are reproached for the name of Christ, highlighting the shared theme of enduring persecution as a sign of belonging to Him.
John 15:18Jesus explicitly tells His disciples that the world will hate them because they do not belong to the world, directly correlating with Luke 6:22's beatitude for those hated for His sake.
Matthew 5:10-12This parallel passage from Matthew expands on the same beatitude, adding that believers will be persecuted and reviled, reinforcing the idea that suffering for righteousness is a blessed state.
Acts 24:5This verse shows how early Christians were accused and reviled by the religious authorities, demonstrating a real-world application of the reproach mentioned in Luke 6:22, specifically as 'followers of the sect of the Nazarenes'.
clarkeLuke 6:22: "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake."
They shall separate you - Meaning, They will excommunicate you, αφορισωσιν ὑμας, or separate you from their communion. Luke having spoken of their separating or excommunicating them, continues the same idea, in saying that they would cast out their name likewise, as a thing evil in itself. By your name is m…
jfbLuke 6:12-49: "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
Lu 6:12-49. The Twelve Apostles Chosen—Gathering Multitudes—Glorious Healing.12, 13. went out—probably from Capernaum.all night in prayer … and when … day, he called, &c.—The work with which the next day began shows what had been the burden of this night's devotions. As He directed His disciples to pray for "laborers" just before sending themselves forth (see on…
It's not just about enduring hatred; it's about your very identity as a follower of Jesus being the target. When they "cast out your name as evil," it signifies that your identity – your name, your label as a "disciple" – becomes a mark of shame and something to be actively rejected by society.
Jesus has just chosen his twelve apostles and is now teaching them, and a large crowd that has gathered, about the kingdom of God. He begins by offering a series of blessings and woes, flipping the world's values upside down to reveal God's perspective on true blessedness, which often involves suffering for righteousness' sake. This verse comes right after Jesus declares the poor blessed, highlighting that followers will face hardship and rejection because of their association with him, the Son of Man.
Jesus has just chosen his twelve apostles and is now teaching them, and a large crowd that has gathered, about the kingdom of God. He begins by offering a series of blessings and woes, flipping the world's values upside down to reveal God's perspective on true blessedness, which often involves suffering for righteousness' sake. This verse comes right after Jesus declares the poor blessed, highlighting that followers will face hardship and rejection because of their association with him, the Son of Man.
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Divine Authority and Vindication
It also points to His future glory and authority, as seen in Daniel 7. So, when Jesus says people will hate you 'for the Son of Man's sake,' He means:
Your suffering isn't pointless; it's linked to the ultimate King who also faced the world's scorn.
c. 33-60s AD
Early Church Persecution
Following Jesus' death and resurrection, His followers, known as Christians, faced increasing persecution and slander from both Jewish and Roman authorities.
c. 60s AD
Widespread Reproach for Christians
By the mid-1st century AD, the name 'Christian' itself was often spoken of as evil, with followers accused of various crimes and superstitions.
"“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!" — It's not just about enduring hatred; it's about your very identity as a follower of Jesus being the target. When they "cast out your name as evil," it signifies that your identity – your name, your…
