Woe to you when all men speak well of youThis phrase serves as a warning against the desire for universal approval. In biblical context, "woe" is often used to express lament or impending judgment. Jesus cautions against the pursuit of popularity, which can lead to compromise of truth and righteousness. Historically, prophets and righteous individuals often faced opposition and persecution, as seen in the lives of figures like Jeremiah and Elijah. The cultural context of Jesus' time valued honor and reputation, making this warning particularly countercultural. This phrase challenges believers to prioritize God's approval over human praise, echoing the sentiment found in
Galatians 1:10, where Paul emphasizes serving Christ over pleasing people.
for their fathers treated the false prophets in the same way
This part of the verse draws a parallel between those who seek human approval and the false prophets of the Old Testament. Historically, false prophets were often well-received because they delivered messages that aligned with the desires of the people, rather than the truth of God. InJeremiah 5:31, the people are described as loving the comforting lies of false prophets. This phrase highlights a pattern of behavior where those who speak truth face rejection, while those who tell people what they want to hear are celebrated. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual discernment needed to distinguish between true and false teachings, as well as the importance of remaining faithful to God's word, even in the face of opposition.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, delivering a sermon that includes blessings and woes, often referred to as the Sermon on the Plain.
2.
False ProphetsIndividuals in the Old Testament who claimed to speak for God but led people astray with false teachings.
3.
Ancestors/FathersRefers to the forefathers of the Jewish people who historically praised false prophets.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Universal ApprovalSeeking universal approval can be a sign of compromising truth. True followers of Christ should expect opposition when standing for biblical truth.
Discernment in PraiseNot all praise is good. Evaluate the source and reason for praise. Are you being praised for godly character or for conforming to worldly standards?
Historical Patterns of DeceptionRecognize the historical pattern of false prophets being praised. This should serve as a warning to remain vigilant against false teachings today.
Courage in Truth-TellingBe courageous in speaking the truth, even if it leads to opposition. True prophets and followers of Christ often face resistance.
Aligning with God's ApprovalPrioritize God's approval over human praise. Align your actions and words with Scripture, seeking to please God above all.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 6:26?
2.How can we discern when "all men speak well of you" is dangerous?
3.What does Luke 6:26 teach about the cost of true discipleship?
4.How does Luke 6:26 connect with warnings about false prophets in Matthew 7:15?
5.How can we apply Luke 6:26 to resist seeking worldly approval today?
6.What steps can we take to prioritize God's approval over man's praise?
7.What does Luke 6:26 mean by "Woe to you when all men speak well of you"?
8.How does Luke 6:26 challenge the desire for social approval?
9.Why does Jesus warn against universal praise in Luke 6:26?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 6?
11.What role does the church play in social justice?
12.What does 'Satan entered Judas' signify?
13.(Luke 6:20-26) Why believe promises of future blessings for the poor and warnings for the rich when many see no real-world proof of such reversals?
14.Who do you say I am?What Does Luke 6:26 Mean
Woe to you“Woe to you” (Luke 6:26) is a solemn warning, not a casual remark. Jesus is announcing real spiritual danger—just as He did moments earlier with, “Woe to you who are rich” (Luke 6:24). Throughout Scripture, a woe signals impending judgment (Isaiah 5:20;Revelation 8:13). The Lord is making sure we feel the weight of what follows: if His disciples chase the wrong kind of affirmation, they invite genuine loss.
When all men speak well of youThe issue is not ordinary courtesy or a good reputation earned by integrity (Proverbs 22:1) but universal applause that comes because we blend in.
• Jesus said, “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first” (John 15:18-19). Constant praise from the world suggests we have ceased to resemble Him.
• Paul asked, “Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? … If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).
• James warned that friendship with the world equals enmity with God (James 4:4).
So Christ confronts that craving for unanimous affirmation that tempts us to soften or silence truth.
For their fathers treated the false prophets in the same wayHistory backs up Jesus’ warning.
• False prophets like those in Jeremiah’s day cried, “Peace, peace,” and were adored (Jeremiah 6:14; 23:16-17).
• When Micaiah spoke an unpopular word from the Lord, the court prophets urged him to fall in line so “the word of all the prophets will be favorable” (1 Kings 22:13), yet he refused.
• Jesus later said, “Your fathers killed the prophets, and you build their tombs” (Luke 11:47-48), showing the tragic pattern: true messengers are opposed; counterfeit ones are celebrated.
By linking universal praise with false prophecy, Christ exposes the danger of mistaking popularity for faithfulness.
Living this out todayHow do we respond?
• Expect resistance when you cling to Scripture (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
• Measure success by obedience, not applause (Matthew 25:21).
• Speak truth in love, refusing to dilute it for acceptance (Ephesians 4:15).
• Rejoice when mistreated for Christ; “your reward is great in heaven” (Matthew 5:11-12).
• Guard your heart: popularity is a seductive idol (Proverbs 29:25).
summaryLuke 6:26 warns that the quest for universal approval puts us in the company of history’s false prophets. Jesus calls His followers to the costly path of truth, knowing that genuine faithfulness often invites criticism. Better to please God and face resistance than to enjoy worldly applause and miss His “Well done.”
(26)
So did their fathers to the false prophets.--The words are of very wide application, but it is probable that there is a special reference in them to the time of Hezekiah and the later kings of Judah. (Comp.
Isaiah 30:10;
Jeremiah 5:31.) They open a wide question as to the worth of praise as a test of human conduct, and tend to a conclusion quite the reverse of that implied in the maxim,
Vox populi, vox Dei. Truth, in matters which, like religion or politics, impinge on men's interests or prejudices, is often, if not always, on the side of the minority, sometimes even on that of one who is as an
Athanasius contra mundum. On the other hand, praise (
Philippians 4:8) and good repute (
1Timothy 3:7) have their value as the witnesses borne by the moral sense of men, when not deadened or perverted to the beauty of holiness, the
testimonium. anim? naturaliter Christian? to the moral excellence of the followers of Christ.
Verse 26. -
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak wellof you! Dean Plumptre, with great force, remarks that these words "open a wide question as to the worth of praise as a test of human conduct, and tend to a conclusion quite the reverse of that implied in the maxim,
Vox populi,
vox Dei.Sodid their fathers to the false prophets. A good instance of this is found in
1 Kings 18:19, where Queen Jezebel honours the false prophets. See, too, King Ahab's conduct to such men (
1 Kings 22.), and Jeremiah's bitter plaint respecting the popularity of these false men (
Jeremiah 5:31). At this point, according to St. Luke's report, the Master paused. It would seem as though he was fearful lest the awful woes foretold as the doom of the rich, the powerful, and the persecutor, should impart a too sombre hue to the thoughts which his followers would in coming days entertain of the world of men about them. He would have his own think of the circle outside the little world of believers with no bitter and revengeful thoughts, but rather with that Divine pity which he felt and showed to all poor fallen creatures. '
See now," the Master went on to say, '
notwithstanding the wee which will one day fall on the selfish rich and great ones of earth, and to whom you, my people, will surely be objects of dislike and hate, while you and they are on earth together, the part you have to play with regard to these is steadily to return love for hate."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Woe to youΟὐαὶ(Ouai)Interjection
Strong's 3759:Woe!, alas!, uttered in grief or denunciation. A primary exclamation of grief; 'woe'.whenὅταν(hotan)Conjunction
Strong's 3752:When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.allπάντες(pantes)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.menἄνθρωποι(anthrōpoi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.speakεἴπωσιν(eipōsin)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.wellκαλῶς(kalōs)Adverb
Strong's 2573:Well, nobly, honorably, rightly. Adverb from kalos; well.of you,ὑμᾶς(hymas)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.forγὰρ(gar)Conjunction
Strong's 1063:For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.theirαὐτὰ(auta)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.fathersπατέρες(pateres)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3962:Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.treatedἐποίουν(epoioun)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.theτοῖς(tois)Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.false prophetsψευδοπροφήταις(pseudoprophētais)Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5578:From pseudes and prophetes; a spurious prophet, i.e. Pretended foreteller or religious impostor.in the same way.αὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
Links
Luke 6:26 NIVLuke 6:26 NLTLuke 6:26 ESVLuke 6:26 NASBLuke 6:26 KJV
Luke 6:26 BibleApps.comLuke 6:26 Biblia ParalelaLuke 6:26 Chinese BibleLuke 6:26 French BibleLuke 6:26 Catholic Bible
NT Gospels: Luke 6:26 Woe when men speak well of you (Luke Lu Lk) 
