Chapter

Luke 19:42

ESV saying, "Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
NIV and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.
NASB saying, 'If you had known on this day, even you, the conditions for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.
CSB saying, "If you knew this day what would bring peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.
NLT How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.
KJV Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
NKJV saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

What does Luke 19:42 mean?

Sitting atop a donkey, Jesus is riding into Jerusalem. He descends the west slope of the Mount of Olives. He will cross the Kidron Valley and then climb into the city, to the temple. He is surrounded by a multitude of disciples, shouting their praises to God for the miraculous works they have seen, including Lazarus coming back to life (John 11). They are honoring Jesus as a king, covering the road with their own cloaks so His donkey colt's feet won't even touch the ground.

But as Jerusalem comes into view, Jesus begins to weep (Luke 19:41). He doesn't want to be crucified, but it must happen, so He goes willingly. What breaks His heart is the spiritual blindness that prevents people from seeing the rescue He provides. Jesus knows that while some in the crowd will accept the meaning of His crucifixion and the salvation He offers, Israel as a nation will not. The Jewish leadership as a group will not. The leadership will not lead the people of God into their role as lights on a hill, teaching the Gentiles to find eternal life in Jesus' name (Matthew 28:19; Acts 15:6–11; Galatians 3:8).

The proper response of the people and city leadership when their victorious king returns from battle is to go out, meet Him, and escort Him in. The Jewish leadership doesn't do this. They don't recognize their King. The final battle Jesus will fight for their protection and freedom is on the cross. But the priests and elders don't understand the significance (Luke 19:47). And so, they will be destroyed—the people, the city, and their temple (Luke 19:43–44).
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