Does Jesus Want Us to Hate Our Parents?

Jesus said,"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).

 Jesus was using hyperbole and did not mean this literally.(1) How do we know?

1. Message of Scripture
1 John 4:7-8 tells us we can’t love God unless we also love others, and Ephesians 6:2-3 commands us to honor our parents.

2. Context
The full passage is about counting the cost of discipleship. Before building, a man must make sure he has ample funds and before going to war, a king must make sure he has ample manpower.

3. Cross Reference
In Matthew 10:37, Jesus explained the same truth without hyperbole: "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me…”

So what can we conclude? Jesus is saying we cannot become His disciple unless we place Him as our top priority which could cause unbelieving parents to reject us.(2)
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(1) A hyperbole is an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally.
(2) See also Matthew 19:29 and John 15:18.
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