Hate Father and Mother

Mike Johnson

 Luke 14:26 says, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.”  Why does Christ say that we must hate our fathers and mothers and other family members?  What does this verse mean?

There are occasions where the Bible uses the term “hate” in a comparative sense.  Genesis 29:31 is one example of this.  This verse says that Jacob hated his wife, Leah.  However, verse 30 points out that it was a matter of him loving Rachel, his other wife, more than Leah.  Thus, the word hate is used comparatively to mean “love more than.”

The verse in question, Luke 14:26, also uses the term “hate” in a comparative sense.  Jesus is not saying we are to have malice or ill will toward our family.  That idea would contradict other clear passages.  Instead, Christ is saying that we must always put Him before our families.  Our love for Christ is to be higher than our love for anyone or anything. Matthew 10:37 helps to explain Luke 14:26. Here Jesus said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”

In Luke 14:26, Jesus is speaking to multitudes and is trying to make them realize that following His way will not always be easy.  There will be hardships, tribulations, and persecutions.  He says (v. 27) that we must bear our cross.

The lesson for us today is that we must always put Christ and His Word first in our lives.  We are to love Him more than any family relationship or material possession.  Further, we show our love for Him as we obey His teachings.  In John 14:15, he said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  Do you put Christ first, above any relationship or material possession?