Luke 9:45 - Printer Friendly

What does Luke 9:45 mean?

ESV: But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

NIV: But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

NASB: But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not comprehend it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.

CSB: But they did not understand this statement; it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

NLT: But they didn’t know what he meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn’t understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

KJV: But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

NKJV: But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

Verse Commentary:

The disciples have witnessed greatness and divine power firsthand. Their ears are ringing with the praise and adoration of the crowds (Luke 9:43). Peter, John, and James saw Jesus standing with Moses and Elijah, glowing with the glory of God, and heard God's voice calling Jesus His Son, affirming Jesus is the Messiah (Luke 9:28–36). Thus far, the Twelve have seen Jesus:

•Heal a man from a distance (Luke 7:1–10).
•Raise a dead man (Luke 7:11–17).
•Calm a storm (Luke 8:22–25).
•Rescue a man from a horde of demons (Luke 8:26–39).
•Raise a dead girl (Luke 8:41–41, 49–56).
•Heal a chronically ill woman (Luke 8:42–49).
•Feed thousands of people with one small lunch (Luke 9:10–17).
•Expel a demon that had spent years trying to kill a boy (Luke 9:37–43).>

All evidence points to Jesus bringing in His great kingdom soon. The problem is that Jesus keeps saying otherwise (Luke 9:44). Christ and the disciples are traveling in Galilee (Mark 9:30). As they go, Jesus reminds them that He is going to be killed and after three days, be raised again (Mark 9:31). The words don't make sense. The people love Him. He can calm a violent storm with one statement. What could people do to Him?

Matthew mentions the disciples "were greatly distressed" (Matthew 17:23). Mark also mentions that they didn't understand what Jesus was saying (Mark 9:32). Only Luke mentions "it was concealed from them." We don't know why or how. Did the Holy Spirit conceal it from them? Did their own hardened hearts make them unable to understand? Or did the Holy Spirit conceal it because of their hardened hearts—demonstrated by Peter's reaction when Jesus first broached the topic (Matthew 16:22–23)? Was it simply not time for them to fully understand? Something else?

The problem seems to be a combination of factors. Earlier, when Jesus told the disciples He is going to die (Luke 9:21–22), Peter rebuked Him (Mark 8:31–33). God the Father specifically told Peter, James, and John to listen to Jesus, seemingly inferring they were not sufficiently doing so before (Luke 9:35). Meanwhile, the other nine were struggling with a demon (Luke 9:40) despite the fact Jesus had given them authority over all evil spirits (Luke 9:1). After the resurrection, Jesus will tell His followers on the road to Emmaus that their unbelief proved they were "foolish" and "slow of heart" (Luke 24:25).

Despite everything they have seen and heard, the disciples' faith is weak (Matthew 17:20). They believe Jesus within their own worldview. When He drifts into areas that do not match their expectations, their ears—and hearts—conceal the truth from them.

Luke's account continues, showing that the disciples' hardness of heart is not limited to Jesus' future. They argue over who is greatest (Luke 9:46–48); try to stop a man from casting out demons in Jesus' name, an ability Jesus gave them, but they failed at (Luke 9:49–50); and offer to call fire from heaven on an inhospitable village (Luke 9:51–56).

This chapter proves something interesting. When Jesus is present on earth, even His own disciples don't understand Him or the kingdom of God. He had to leave so the Holy Spirit could indwell His followers and speak truth directly to our hearts (John 14:25–26; 1 Corinthians 2:6–16; Ephesians 1:13–14).

Luke 9:43–45 presents the fifth story in which Jesus tests His disciples' willingness to follow Him. Three of the disciples have seen Jesus shine with glory and heard God call Him His Son (Luke 9:28–36). The Twelve have watched while Jesus defeated a powerful demon (Luke 9:37–43). Now He repeats the warning that He is going to suffer, face rejection by the religious leaders, be killed, and raise again (Luke 9:21–22). Luke notes that the meaning of Jesus' words "was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it" (Luke 9:45). Matthew 17:22–23 and Mark 9:30–32 also recorded this event.

Chapter Summary:

Luke 9 completes Jesus' Galilean ministry and begins describing His journey towards Jerusalem. Jesus gives His disciples miraculous power and commissions them to preach. The empowerment thrills the disciples but confuses Herod Antipas. A hungry crowd of thousands and hard teachings about following Jesus, however, shows the disciples' faith is short-lived. The transfiguration and the demonized boy precede stories of the disciples' continued confusion. They still struggle to accurately represent Jesus. Luke 9:51–62 begins the "travelogue" (Luke 9:51—19:27) with examples of the patience and sacrifice needed to represent Jesus as His followers.

Chapter Context:

Luke 9 straddles the two major sections biblical scholars call "Jesus' Galilean Ministry" (Luke 4:14—9:50) and "The Travelogue to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51—19:27). The Galilean ministry alternates calls to discipleship with stories on Jesus' authority and teachings. The travelogue records what Jesus did and taught to prepare the disciples for His crucifixion. After a final group of stories on how to respond to Jesus (Luke 9:51—11:13) and several examples of how the Jewish religious leaders reject Jesus (Luke 11:14–54), Luke presents Jesus' teaching on the kingdom of God (Luke 12:1—19:27).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 4/29/2024 7:51:12 PM