“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The true sting of Jesus' "woe" here isn't just about popularity itself, but about why false prophets received widespread praise: it was because they echoed people's desires and told them what they wanted to hear, not the challenging truth of God. This reminds us that genuine discipleship often means being unpopular when we stand for what's right, even when the world applauds those who compromise.
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished delivering a series of blessings and woes, contrasting the state of those who follow Him with the prosperity of the world. This specific "woe" is directed at those whose lives are so pleasing to everyone that they receive universal approval, suggesting that such popularity mirrors the acceptance given to the false prophets of old by their followers.
Imagine a world where everyone sings your praises. Sounds amazing, right? Jesus offers a starkly different perspective, calling such universal approval a cause for alarm.
Jesus uses the word 'woe' here, which isn't just a sigh of disappointment, but a declaration of serious trouble or disaster. He's saying that when your life and message are so broadly accepted by everyone, it's a major red flag.
Jesus doesn't just warn; He gives us a historical mirror. The 'fathers' of the people in Jesus' day had a dangerous pattern with their own religious leaders.
Jesus points to the past for a reason: 'for so their fathers did to the false prophets.' This draws a direct line between the universally praised individual in Jesus' time and the 'false prophets' of Israel's history.
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Understand the original words
ouai · Greek Interjection
An exclamation of grief, distress, or imminent judgment. In a prophetic context, it signals divine disapproval or the inevitable negative consequences of a specific course of action.
pseudoprophetais · Greek Noun
Teachers or spokesmen who falsely claim divine authority. They typically provide messages that are popular or self-serving rather than truthful, leading people away from God's commands.
This warning from Jesus echoes the consistent struggle throughout Israel's history where popular approval often signaled a departure from God, aligning one with the deceptive voices of false prophets rather than the challenging truth of God's messengers.
c. 8th-7th century BC
Prophets of Baal and False Prophets
During periods of religious compromise in Israel and Judah, prophets like those serving Baal and other false prophets gained popular favor by aligning with the people's desires and the ruling powers.
c. 6th century BC
Jeremiah and Babylonian Exile
The prophet Jeremiah warned of impending judgment due to unfaithfulness, but false prophets gained a hearing by promising peace and security, a stark contrast to God's message.
c. 1st century AD
Roman Rule and Jewish Leadership
In Jesus' day, Jewish religious leaders often sought popular appeal and political favor from the Roman authorities, sometimes at the expense of true faithfulness to God's Word.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Public Opposition
Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount (or Plain, as Luke records), contrasting the values of God's kingdom with worldly wisdom and popular opinion.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment, stating that the prophets prophesy falsely and the people love to have it so, highlighting the ancient pattern of leaders and people colluding in pleasing falsehoods.
1 Samuel 2:12-17The sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, are described as 'worthless men' who 'despised the offering of the Lord.' Their corrupt practices and the people's acceptance of them parallel the idea of pleasing the people with ungodly ways.
Matthew 23:5-7Jesus denounces the Pharisees for their public displays and love of praise from others, showing that seeking human approval over divine approval is a characteristic of those who ultimately fall short.
1 John 2:15-17This passage warns against loving the world and the things of the world, which includes the desire for worldly approval, contrasting it with the love of God and the pursuit of His will.
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…
vincentLuke 6:26: "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets."
Well (καλῶς).Handsomely, fairly.
The true sting of Jesus' "woe" here isn't just about popularity itself, but about why false prophets received widespread praise: it was because they echoed people's desires and told them what they wanted to hear, not the challenging truth of God. This reminds us that genuine discipleship often means being unpopular when we stand for what's right, even when the world applauds those who compromise.
Jesus has just finished delivering a series of blessings and woes, contrasting the state of those who follow Him with the prosperity of the world. This specific "woe" is directed at those whose lives are so pleasing to everyone that they receive universal approval, suggesting that such popularity mirrors the acceptance given to the false prophets of old by their followers.
Jesus has just finished delivering a series of blessings and woes, contrasting the state of those who follow Him with the prosperity of the world. This specific "woe" is directed at those whose lives are so pleasing to everyone that they receive universal approval, suggesting that such popularity mirrors the acceptance given to the false prophets of old by their followers.
"“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets." — The true sting of Jesus' "woe" here isn't just about popularity itself, but about why false prophets received widespread praise: it was because they echoed people's desires and told them what they…
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Last reviewed October 2026