There can be no question that Jesus put a strong emphasis on the fourth commandment, "Honor Father and Mother" as can be seen for example in Matthew 15:3-9 and Luke 18:20 (Luke 18:19 explained here).

How then do we understand Luke 14:26? Luke-14:25-27 reads

25  Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 
26  "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his
    wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life -
    he cannot be my disciple.
27  And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be 
    my disciple.

We need to be aware of the semitic habits of speech: the use of hyperbole and overstatement for emphasis. Jesus uses it here when talking about "hating parents", putting himself above even the closest human relationships.

But WHY is Jesus emphasizing this? And what implication does this statement have?

Who other than God Himself, could make such an outrageous claim that our love for that person should make even parental relationships (and the love to spouse and children) like hate in comparison?

Who is Jesus?
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