What does Luke 9:26 mean?
Strangely, although John does not record this story, he does record the words of Jesus that caused many to be ashamed of Him. First, they balked because Jesus called Himself "the bread that came down from heaven." They know he is the son of Joseph, thus seemingly not from heaven (John 6:41–42). Then they objected when Jesus said, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh" (John 6:51). At the thought of eating Jesus' flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:56), many from the larger group of disciples left (John 6:66). Jesus asked the Twelve if they wanted to leave, as well. Peter responded, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God" (John 6:68–69).To be "ashamed" of Jesus' words means to refuse to publicly align with Him and what He teaches. The ultimate test of this for the disciples is to face rejection by the Jewish religious leaders to the point of crucifixion (Luke 9:22–23). Peter fails this test during Jesus' trials (Luke 22:56–62), but once indwelt by the Spirit (Acts 2:1–3), he boldly and bravely rejoices at the opportunity to join in experiencing persecutions as did Jesus (Acts 5:40–41).
To be "ashamed" means to experience humiliation, regret, and embarrassment because of something. In this chapter, the Twelve are the furthest from ashamed of Jesus they can be. They have used His power to heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead (Luke 9:1–6, 10; Matthew 10:8). Peter has declared Jesus to be "The Christ of God" (Luke 9:20). They mistakenly attempt to defend Jesus' honor from an exorcist (Luke 9:49–50) and an inhospitable Samaritan village (Luke 9:51–55). They have paid personal costs (Luke 9:57–62). But they have yet to see Jesus arrested, beaten, and crucified. When they do, they will find themselves locked in a room, afraid for their lives (John 20:19).
Jesus calls Himself the "Son of Man" many times during His earthly ministry. Here, shortly before the transfiguration displays His glory, the term is especially relevant. Daniel 7:13–14 describes the Son of Man:
I saw in the night visions,
and behold, with the clouds of heaven
there came one like a son of man,
and he came to the Ancient of Days
and was presented before him.
And to Him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages
should serve him;
his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away,
and his kingdom one
that shall not be destroyed.
Matthew includes, "…and then he will repay each person according to what he has done" (Matthew 16:27b). Bible scholar Darrell Bock explains that the combination of the "Son of Man" and "[coming] in his glory" refers to Jesus' authority at the final judgment. The disciples think this judgment is coming very soon. They don't realize it will be thousands of years before the Great White Throne.
