King James Bible
"Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:"
Jesus introduces a solemn declaration with personal authority, continuing his teaching to the disciples. The direct address emphasizes the importance of what follows and signals a principle that builds on his previous warnings about fear and persecution. This refers to publicly acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Messiah, especially in contexts of social pressure or persecution. The open-ended "whosoever" makes this promise universally available while the phrase "before men" stresses the public, costly nature of true discipleship. Jesus promises reciprocal acknowledgment in the heavenly court, using his messianic title "Son of man" from Daniel 7. The presence of angels evokes the final judgment scene where Christ will vindicate those who remained faithful, making earthly confession a matter of eternal consequence.