Luke 19 37

Luke 19:37 kjv

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

Luke 19:37 nkjv

Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen,

Luke 19:37 niv

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

Luke 19:37 esv

As he was drawing near ? already on the way down the Mount of Olives ? the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen,

Luke 19:37 nlt

When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

Luke 19 verses

Luke 19 37 Meaning

Luke 19:37 marks a pivotal moment in Jesus' public ministry, describing the enthusiastic and spontaneous praise offered by a large group of His disciples as He descends the Mount of Olives towards Jerusalem. Their exultant rejoicing and loud shouts of praise to God were a direct response to the profound impact of the "mighty works" (miracles) they had personally witnessed Jesus perform. This scene vividly portrays the widespread recognition, particularly among His followers, of Jesus' divine power and His impending entry into Jerusalem as a divinely appointed figure, a foretaste of His messianic acclaim.

Luke 19 37 Context

Luke 19:37 details a critical juncture in Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem, occurring during the "Triumphal Entry" event, often referred to as Palm Sunday. Just prior to this verse, Jesus has been instructing His disciples and interacting with individuals like Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10), demonstrating His authority and divine mission. The Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:11-27) has also prepared the disciples for the nature of His coming kingdom, challenging their immediate expectations of an earthly king.

As Jesus draws near Jerusalem, specifically descending the Mount of Olives, the terrain itself is significant. The path descends into the Kidron Valley and then ascends to the city. This particular descent would offer the first dramatic panoramic view of Jerusalem and its majestic Temple, inciting profound emotional responses. Historically, pilgrims arriving for Passover would swell Jerusalem's population, and the entry of a figure like Jesus, accompanied by stories of His miracles (the "mighty works" mentioned), would undoubtedly attract a large, fervent following. The atmosphere was ripe with Messianic expectations, with many Jews anticipating a king who would liberate them from Roman rule. While the disciples praised God, the popular expectation was for a political savior, which contrasted sharply with Jesus' spiritual mission that would soon lead to the Cross.

Luke 19 37 Word analysis

• And when he was come nigh: Signifies Jesus' immediate approach to Jerusalem, signaling the imminence of the climax of His earthly ministry.
• even now at the descent: Greek: katabasis (κατάβασις). Emphasizes the exact topographical location on the Mount of Olives, a significant prophetic spot, highlighting the descent's literal downward path.
• of the Mount of Olives: Greek: Orous Elaion (ὄρους Ἐλαιῶν). A ridge east of Jerusalem, prophetically associated with the Lord's return and future events (Zech 14:4). Its olive trees symbolize peace and blessing.
• the whole multitude: Greek: hapantes ho plēthos (ἅπαν τὸ πλῆθος). Not just a small group, but a significant gathering, suggesting the widespread impact and recognition of Jesus. This public acclaim underscores the moment's importance.
• of the disciples: Greek: mathētōn (μαθητῶν). While literally "learners," it refers to a broader group of followers, not solely the Twelve, indicating that Jesus had attracted many who recognized His teachings and power.
• began to rejoice: Greek: ērxanto chairontes (ἤρξαντο χαίροντες). Highlights the spontaneous, immediate, and deep joy that erupted from the disciples. Their celebration was authentic and unprompted.
• and praise God: Greek: ainein ton Theon (αἰνεῖν τὸν Θεόν). To extol, laud, or bless God. This specifies the direction of their praise—it was worship offered to God, recognizing His power at work through Jesus.
• with a loud voice: Greek: phōnē megalē (φωνῇ μεγάλῃ). Emphasizes the fervent, unrestrained, and public nature of their acclamation, indicating their bold declaration of faith and excitement.
• for all the mighty works: Greek: peri pasōn hōn eidon dynameōn (περὶ πασῶν ὧν εἶδον δυνάμεων). "Mighty works" (δυνάμεων - dynameōn) directly refers to the miracles and acts of power Jesus had performed, such as healings, resurrections (like Lazarus in John 11), and feeding the multitudes. These works served as irrefutable evidence of His divine authority.
• that they had seen: Reinforces that their praise was not based on blind faith or hearsay, but on personal, eyewitness experience of Jesus' supernatural acts. Their testimony provided the foundation for their joyous outburst.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "at the descent of the Mount of Olives": This geographical and topographical detail adds precise realism to the narrative, situating the event at a visually dramatic point. It also carries profound prophetic resonance for a Jewish audience, connecting the immediate scene to future eschatological events involving this very location (Zech 14:4). The choice of "descent" rather than just "Mount of Olives" further particularizes the exact moment when the vista of Jerusalem opened before them, fueling their praise.
• "the whole multitude of the disciples": This phrase highlights the scope and significance of the crowd's recognition of Jesus. It implies that Jesus had a substantial following beyond His inner circle, suggesting a burgeoning popular movement that was becoming too large for the religious authorities to ignore. The term "disciples" here indicates those who had chosen to follow Jesus and learn from Him, distinguishing them from the merely curious.
• "began to rejoice and praise God": This shows the dual expression of their awe: internal joy finding an outward expression in vocal worship. Their rejoicing was a direct overflow of their experience with Jesus, while their praise was directed to God, acknowledging Jesus's divine connection and mission. This was an act of genuine religious devotion, attributing Jesus' power to God.
• "for all the mighty works that they had seen": This provides the clear theological basis and experiential ground for their enthusiastic praise. It signifies that the disciples' faith and worship were founded not on empty claims or political ambition, but on verifiable supernatural manifestations of divine power performed by Jesus. These miracles (e.g., healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, feeding multitudes) served as authenticating signs of Jesus' Messiahship and divinity, validating their spontaneous outburst of adoration.

Luke 19 37 Bonus section

The specific geographical location, the "descent of the Mount of Olives," is crucial not just for prophecy (Zech 14:4), but also visually. As one crests the mount and begins the descent, a breathtaking, expansive view of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount, suddenly unfolds. This dramatic panorama would have significantly amplified the emotional impact of the moment for the disciples, stirring them to immediate, rapturous praise upon seeing the holy city into which their Messiah was about to enter. The disciples' recognition of "mighty works" refers not just to individual miracles but the cumulative weight of Jesus' ministry— His authority over nature, sickness, death, and evil spirits, which collectively pointed to Him as the Christ. While the disciples praised God, the nature of their praise also implied an recognition of Jesus' kingly status (as seen in parallel accounts where they shout "King of Israel" or "Son of David"). The immediate juxtaposition with the Pharisees' rebuke in Luke 19:39-40, followed by Jesus' lament over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44), dramatically highlights the divide between those who joyfully received Him based on His works and those who rejected Him despite His undeniable power, forecasting the city's impending judgment for its spiritual blindness.

Luke 19 37 Commentary

Luke 19:37 captures a pivotal moment of public affirmation for Jesus as He enters Jerusalem for the last time. As He descends the Mount of Olives, the jubilant disciples, witnessing the grand spectacle of the Holy City, erupt in spontaneous praise. Their worship, expressed "with a loud voice," was not based on blind fervor but a direct response to "all the mighty works that they had seen"—the miracles and acts of divine power that attested to Jesus' unique identity as the Son of God. This profound outpouring of worship fulfilled ancient prophecies, marking Jesus' arrival not as a hidden Messiah but as a publicly acclaimed King, albeit one whose kingdom was spiritual rather than temporal. The scene embodies profound irony; while His devoted followers understood the power of His miracles as proof of God working through Him, many others, particularly the religious authorities, either misunderstood or deliberately rejected this truth, setting the stage for the dramatic events of Passion Week. This episode highlights that true worship springs from an encounter with divine power and grace, recognized through works that only God can perform.