A common misinterpretation takes the word 'hate' literally, suggesting Jesus commands actual animosity or abandonment of family, which contradicts His teachings on love and honor for parents; this overlooks the Semitic idiom where 'hate' denotes relative preference, not emotional hatred, and ignores the broader context of Luke 14 warning against superficial commitment without counting the cost of following Him.
Luke 14:26
King James Version (1769)
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Jesus uses hyperbolic language to stress the radical demand of discipleship, teaching that true followers must prioritize loyalty to Him above all else, including family members and even one's own life; 'hate' here means to love less in comparison, underscoring that no earthly relationship can rival the supreme commitment required to be His disciple, as partial allegiance falls short of the total surrender He calls for.