Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
All Commentaries on Mark 8:38 Go To Mark 8
Theophylact of Ochrid
AD 1107
He says that Peter savours the things which be of men, in that he in some way savoured carnal affections, for Peter wished that Christ should spare Himself and not be crucified.
For a man who denies another, be it brother or father, does not sympathize with him, nor grieve at his fate, though he be wounded and die; thus we ought to despise our body, so that if it should be wounded or hurt in any way, we should not mind its suffering.
For at that time the cross appeared shameful, because malefactors were fixed to it.
But because after the crosswe must have a new strength, He adds, “and follow me.”.
For that faith which only remains in the mind is not sufficient, but the Lord requires also the confession of the mouth; for when the soul is sanctified by faith, the body ought also to be sanctified by confession.
Him then who shall leave confessed that his God was crucified, Christ Himself also shall confess, nothere, where He is esteemed poor and wretched, but in His glory and with amultitude of Angels. In the time of peace therefore there is another way, by which we may be known to ourselves. We are ever fearful of being despised by our neighbours, we think it shame to bear injurious words; if perchance we have quarrelled with our neighbour, we blush to be the first to give satisfaction; for our carnal heart, in seeking the glory of this life, disdains humility.
But because He had spoken of His glory, in order to show that His promises were not vain, He subjoins, “Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here who shallnot taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. "As if He said, Some, that is, Peter, James, and John, shall not taste of death, until I show them, in my transfiguration, with what glory I am to come in my second advent; for the transfiguration was nothing else, but an announcement of the second coming of Christ, in which also Christ Himself and the Saints will shine.
