Lukas 14:25-26

Counting the Cost

14:25 Now large crowds ¹  were accompanying Jesus, ²  and turning to them he said, 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate ³  his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, ⁴  he cannot be my disciple.

[14:25]  ¹ sn It is important to note that the following remarks are not just to disciples, but to the large crowds who were following Jesus.

[14:25]  ² tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[14:26]  ³ tn This figurative use operates on a relative scale. God is to be loved more than family or self.

[14:26]  ⁴ tn Grk “his own soul,” but ψυχή (yuch) is frequently used of one’s physical life. It clearly has that meaning in this context.