Chapter
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Verse

Mark 8:38

ESV 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."
NIV If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels."
NASB For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.'
CSB For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
NLT If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.'
KJV 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.
NKJV For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

What does Mark 8:38 mean?

"Adulterous" is from the Greek root word moichalis. Metaphorically, it means to reject God and chase after what the world offers. The term was used extensively of the Jews in the Old Testament when they worshiped foreign idols.

"Glory" is from the Greek root word doxa and means splendor, brightness, and exaltation. Scholars disagree on the time of Jesus' glory; some say it will be at the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18) while others say it refers to Jesus' second coming at end of the tribulation (Revelation 19:11–21). Since it is at the second coming that Jesus officially returns to earth in glory, the verse most likely refers to the latter event.

In the course of three chapters, it is affirmed that Jesus is the Christ twice (Mark 8:29; 9:2–8); Jesus reveals His coming suffering, death, and resurrection three times (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33–34), and tells the disciples they must be humble many times (Mark 9:35, 40–41; 10:15, 24–25, 42–45). The two times Jesus show the disciples a hint of His glory, He tells them to tell no one (Mark 8:30; 9:9), but He never gives a similar order about His coming disgrace and death. In fact, He calls His followers—at least metaphorically but often literally—to join Him on the cross (Mark 8:34).

Jesus warns the disciples that their idea of what is shameful and what is honorable is completely warped. They cannot share the glory of the Son of Man from Daniel 7 if they reject the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 52:13—53:12. They will understand eventually. Although after the crucifixion they will hide in fear (John 20:19), soon they will greet prison and beatings with joy, as a sign they are worthy to suffer for their Savior (Acts 5:40–41).
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