14:26 hate. It is obvious that the Lord was using the term “hate” in only a relative sense—that is, in relation to one’s love for God and His will. Jesus has commanded us to “love thy neighbour” (Matthew 22:39) and even to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44), so it is obvious that we are to love our families. But love for God should be paramount. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind” (Luke 10:27). There are cases when, in so loving the Lord, “a man’s foes shall be they of his own household” (Matthew 10:36). Happily, such cases are the exception but, if ever such a choice has to be made, the one who is truly Christ’s disciple must follow Him (Luke 14:27).

14:27 bear his cross. There are six references to the Christian, like Christ, taking up his cross and, by implication, carrying it to the place of execution (Matthew 10:38; 16:24; Mark 8:34; 10:21; Luke 9:23; 14:27). Taking one’s cross means more than the ordinary burdens and troubles of life, which are common to all men. See notes on Luke 9:23 and Galatians 2:20.