For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is subtly highlighting that shame can extend beyond just denying Him personally; it can also involve being embarrassed by His teachings, especially the "hard sayings" like taking up one's cross. This means even a general confession might not be enough if specific aspects of His message are too difficult to embrace.
For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just after Jesus announced he would suffer and die, Peter rebuked him, prompting Jesus to call him "Satan" and warn against thinking like humans instead of God. Jesus then turned to the crowd, teaching that true discipleship involves self-denial and taking up one's cross, emphasizing that saving one's life by denying Christ leads to its ultimate loss. This verse serves as a stark warning against compromising faith in a hostile world, contrasting the shame faced by those who deny Christ with the glory he will display when he returns.
Why would anyone be ashamed of Jesus? In His day, His message of a suffering Messiah and the demand to take up a cross seemed like utter foolishness and defeat to the world.
Jesus directly addresses the potential shame associated with His message.
A Stumbling Block to Many
The world of that generation, much like ours, valued power, success, and outward appearance. The idea of a Messiah who would suffer, die, and call followers to embrace hardship and self-denial was not just unpopular – it was offensive and scandalous.
The Ultimate Reversal
Jesus warns that this worldly shame will have eternal consequences. The Son of Man, appearing not in weakness but in unimaginable glory with all of heaven's hosts, will disown those who were ashamed of Him and His words in this life. The reversal is stark: what the world deemed shameful will be the very foundation of Christ’s glorious reign, and those who hid from it will face His shame.
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It’s not just Jesus Himself, but His specific teachings that can cause us to shrink back. What does this distinction reveal about true discipleship?
Jesus’ warning isn't just about being ashamed of His person, but also His specific message.
Denying the Difficult
While many might confess Jesus in a general sense, they can still be ashamed of particular "words" He spoke. This often relates to the challenging commands that go against our natural desires or societal norms:
The Danger of Selective Faith
Being ashamed of any of Jesus' words implies a selective faith, where we pick and choose what aspects of His teaching we find palatable. Jesus makes it clear that this selective acknowledgment will lead to Him acknowledging us before the Father.
Jesus calls His audience an 'adulterous and sinful generation.' What does this sharp accusation tell us about the spiritual climate He faced, and the one we might face today?
The description of the generation is a potent accusation, highlighting its moral and spiritual bankruptcy.
A Spiritual Adultery
Calling the generation "adulterous" points to its unfaithfulness to God. Like a spouse who breaks covenant vows, this generation had turned away from its true Lord, pursuing its own desires and idolatries instead of faithfulness to God and His Word.
Pervasive Sinfulness
The term "sinful" is a broad indictment of their general moral corruption and rebellion against God's standards. This was a society that actively rejected God’s ways and embraced destructive patterns.
The Context of Shame
Jesus uses this description to underscore why shame is such a temptation. In a generation steeped in sin and unfaithfulness, embracing Jesus and His counter-cultural message would immediately set one apart, inviting scorn and opposition. The pressure to conform to this corrupt environment would be immense, making the decision to stand with Jesus a courageous act.
Understand the original words
epaischynthē · Greek Verb
Refers to being embarrassed, shy, or reluctant to be associated with someone. Biblically, it signifies a failure to acknowledge or confess Christ openly, often out of fear of social rejection or desire for worldly acceptance.
moichalidi · Greek Adjective
A term used in Scripture to describe a society or people group that has been unfaithful to God, often likened to marital infidelity. It emphasizes spiritual betrayal and the turning away from covenant loyalty to pursue idols or worldly desires.
huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun Phrase
A unique Messianic title used by Jesus, referencing Daniel 7:13-14. It denotes His true humanity, His divine authority, and His future role as the eschatological Judge and King.
doxa · Greek Noun
The manifestation of God's presence, majesty, and radiant excellence. It is the visible splendor of His character and power, which will be fully revealed when Christ returns to judge and reign.
This teaching comes at a pivotal moment when the disciples, particularly Peter, are struggling to reconcile Jesus' claims with his prediction of suffering. Jesus confronts their desire for worldly glory by contrasting it with his future glorious return and the shame awaiting those who deny him.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins teaching, healing, and gathering disciples, proclaiming the coming of God's kingdom. His message challenges the religious and political status quo.
c. AD 30
Jesus Predicts His Suffering
Jesus first tells his disciples he must suffer and be killed, a concept that deeply troubled them, especially Peter.
c. AD 30— this verse
Peter rebukes Jesus
Peter, shocked by Jesus' prediction of suffering, rebukes him, leading Jesus to call him 'Satan' and teach about denying oneself and taking up one's cross.
c. AD 30
Jesus Teaches about Discipleship
Following Peter's rebuke, Jesus elaborates on the cost of discipleship, emphasizing self-denial, taking up one's cross, and the ultimate loss of saving one's life by clinging to it.
c. AD 30
Jesus Transfigured
Shortly after, Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John, revealing his divine glory, reinforcing his message about suffering and coming glory.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry Continues
Jesus continues teaching and performing miracles, often facing opposition from religious leaders who reject his claims and message.
c. AD 60s
Gospel of Mark Written
The Gospel of Mark is believed to have been written during this period, likely in Rome, capturing Jesus' life and teachings for a wider audience.
This passage directly parallels the warning by stating that anyone who confesses Jesus before men will be confessed by Jesus before His Father in heaven, highlighting the reciprocal nature of acknowledgment and shame.
Luke 12:9This verse echoes the consequence of denial, stating that whoever denies Jesus before men will be denied before the angels of God, reinforcing the severe outcome of being ashamed of Christ and His words.
2 Timothy 2:12This verse speaks to the conditional consequence of suffering with Christ, stating that if we endure with Him, we will also reign with Him, contrasting with the shame Jesus speaks of for those who are ashamed of Him.
Romans 1:16Paul's declaration of not being ashamed of the gospel, even though it is foolishness to some and a stumbling block to others, provides a powerful example of counteracting the very shame Jesus warns against in Mark 8:38.
bengelMark 8:38: "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."
Mark 8:38 . Ἐπαισχυνθῇ , shall be ashamed ) in words and deeds. [ It is by the undaunted confession of Christ itself that His own life is brought into danger .—V. g.]— Με — ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου , Me—the Son of Man ) concerning the present time, He speaks in the first person […
expositorsMark 8:32-38: "And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him."
CHAPTER 8:32 - 9:1 (Mark 8:32-38 - Mark 9:1)THE REBUKE OF PETER "And He spake the saying openly. And Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him.". . . . "But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, 'Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.' And when He had called the people to Him, with His disciples also, He said t…
Jesus is subtly highlighting that shame can extend beyond just denying Him personally; it can also involve being embarrassed by His teachings, especially the "hard sayings" like taking up one's cross. This means even a general confession might not be enough if specific aspects of His message are too difficult to embrace.
Just after Jesus announced he would suffer and die, Peter rebuked him, prompting Jesus to call him "Satan" and warn against thinking like humans instead of God. Jesus then turned to the crowd, teaching that true discipleship involves self-denial and taking up one's cross, emphasizing that saving one's life by denying Christ leads to its ultimate loss. This verse serves as a stark warning against compromising faith in a hostile world, contrasting the shame faced by those who deny Christ with the glory he will display when he returns.
Just after Jesus announced he would suffer and die, Peter rebuked him, prompting Jesus to call him "Satan" and warn against thinking like humans instead of God. Jesus then turned to the crowd, teaching that true discipleship involves self-denial and taking up one's cross, emphasizing that saving one's life by denying Christ leads to its ultimate loss. This verse serves as a stark warning against compromising faith in a hostile world, contrasting the shame faced by those who deny Christ with the glory he will display when he returns.
"For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”" — Jesus is subtly highlighting that shame can extend beyond just denying Him personally; it can also involve being embarrassed by His teachings, especially the "hard sayings" like taking up one's cross…
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Last reviewed October 2026