Luke 12:9

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 12:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but he that denieth me in the presence of men shall be denied in the presence of the angels of God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but he that denieth me in the presence of men shall be denied in the presence of the angels of God.
Luke 12:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9but he that denieth me in the presence of men shall be denied in the presence of the angels of God.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But he that denieth me before men, etc.] That is, that continues to deny Christ, and lives and dies a denier of him; for otherwise it is possible for a person to deny Jesus to be the Son of God, or the Messiah, and afterwards confess him, as a Pagan or Jew; and through temptation, a real Christian may be left for a while, in one shape or another, to deny him and his truths, and afterwards truly repent, and at last be saved, as Peter; but they that deny Christ publicly, and persist in it, shall be denied before the angels of God: they will be denied by Christ as belonging to him; they will be denied admission into heaven; they will be covered with shame and confusion publicly; they will be…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Nothing covered - See the notes at Matthew 10:26-32. Luke 12:3 Shall be proclaimed upon the housetops - See the notes at Matthew 10:27. The custom of making proclamation from the tops or roofs of houses still prevails in the East. Dr. Thomson (“The Land and the Book,” vol. i. p. 51, 52) says: “At the present day, local governors in country districts cause their commands thus to be published. Their proclamations are generally made in the evening, after the people have returned from their labors in the field. The public crier ascends the highest roof at hand, and lifts up his voice in a long-drawn call upon all faithful subjects to give ear and obey. He then proceeds to announce, in a set…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he: Luk 9:26; Mat 10:33; Mar 8:38; Act 3:13, Act 3:14; Ti2 2:12; Rev 3:8 shall: Luk 13:26, Luk 13:27; Mat 7:23, Mat 25:12, Mat 25:31, Mat 25:41; Jo1 2:23, Jo1 2:28 Luke 12:10”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification