Luke 19 48

Luke 19:48 kjv

And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

Luke 19:48 nkjv

and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

Luke 19:48 niv

Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

Luke 19:48 esv

but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.

Luke 19:48 nlt

But they could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word he said.

Luke 19 verses

Luke 19 48 Meaning

Luke 19:48 reveals the profound challenge faced by the chief priests, scribes, and leading men in their desire to apprehend and destroy Jesus. Despite their power and malicious intent, they were utterly unable to execute their plans because the entire populace was captivated and hung intently on Jesus' teachings. This verse highlights the immediate protection Jesus received through the common people's widespread attention and devotion, underscoring God's sovereignty over the timing and method of His Son's sacrifice.

Luke 19 48 Context

Luke 19:48 concludes a pivotal segment in Jesus' ministry just days before His crucifixion. Following His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Luke 19:28-40) and the cleansing of the Temple (Luke 19:45-46), Jesus takes up daily teaching in the Temple precincts. This public setting brings Him into direct confrontation with the established religious authorities – the chief priests, scribes, and leading men – who immediately seek to "destroy Him" (Luke 19:47). This hostile intent is motivated by their opposition to His authority, His cleansing of their Temple, and His radical teachings which challenged their traditions and power. The verse thus sets the stage for the escalating conflict that will ultimately lead to Jesus' betrayal, trial, and crucifixion, highlighting the obstacle presented by the immense popular support He enjoyed.

Luke 19 48 Word analysis

• but: This conjunction introduces a sharp contrast to the previous verse (Lk 19:47), where the chief priests and scribes were seeking to destroy Jesus. It highlights the divine impedance to their malicious intent.
• could not find: Greek: ἀνεύρισκον (aneuriskon), imperfect tense, suggesting an ongoing, continuous effort to find a way, but met with consistent failure. Their plots were repeatedly frustrated. It conveys the idea that their plans were thwarted, despite their authority and resources.
• what they might do: Refers to their desired action against Jesus, specifically to seize and kill Him, as indicated by their destructive intent in the preceding verse (Lk 19:47). Their inability stemmed from external factors.
• for: Greek: γάρ (gar), a causal conjunction, directly explains the reason behind their inability to act against Jesus.
• all the people: Greek: πᾶς ὁ λαός (pas ho laos). This signifies the totality and unanimity of the populace, indicating widespread popular support for Jesus. It implies that the common people were generally receptive to His message, unlike the religious elite.
• were hanging on: Greek: ἐξεκρέμετο (exekremeto), an imperfect deponent verb derived from ekkremannymi. This is a vivid, powerful metaphor. It literally means "to be suspended from," conveying the idea of being utterly captivated, absorbed, or enthralled by Jesus' words. It's more than just listening; it implies rapt attention, dependency, and intense devotion, as if their very attention was physically "hanging" on every utterance He made. This complete absorption rendered them an impenetrable shield around Jesus.
• his words: Greek: αὐτοῦ τῶν λόγων (autou tōn logōn). This refers to Jesus' teachings, pronouncements, and the entire content of His message. It highlights the power and authority inherent in His divine truth, which held the crowds spellbound. It wasn't merely the manner of His speaking but the profound impact and substance of what He taught.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "could not find what they might do": This phrase emphasizes the frustrated intentions of the religious leaders. Despite their malice, authority, and power, their strategic planning for Jesus' capture was effectively nullified. It illustrates a clear opposition to God's plan, where human will clashes and fails against divine sovereignty, or the protection God affords.
• "for all the people were hanging on his words": This clause provides the explicit reason for the leaders' impotence. The deep popular support and unwavering attentiveness to Jesus created a human barrier that the authorities dared not breach. To move against Jesus publicly would have risked inciting a riot, which they desperately wished to avoid, especially during the Passover festival when Jerusalem's population swelled. The intensity of "hanging on" shows not just curiosity, but a deep spiritual reception and commitment that safeguarded Jesus for the divinely appointed time.

Luke 19 48 Bonus section

• This verse contains a subtle irony: the very "people" whom the chief priests claimed to shepherd and instruct were rejecting their leadership and instead turning to Jesus, illustrating the leaders' spiritual bankruptcy and misguidance.
• The widespread popular support of Jesus made Him a perceived "firebrand" by the authorities, prompting them to proceed with stealth and guile later (Lk 22:2) rather than direct confrontation, a strategy directly influenced by the scene depicted in Luke 19:48.
• The phrase "hanging on His words" underscores the transformative power of Jesus' teaching, implying not just intellectual comprehension but a deep spiritual receptivity that inspired loyalty and a protective posture among His listeners. This highlights the importance of truly internalizing and valuing God's Word, as it provides guidance and spiritual sustenance.

Luke 19 48 Commentary

Luke 19:48 paints a picture of divine providence actively working to protect Jesus until the appointed time of His Passion. The religious authorities, filled with envy and a desire to eliminate Jesus due to His challenge to their status and teachings, found their meticulously planned machinations utterly nullified. Their frustration was not due to a lack of power or will, but because of the vast, captivated crowds who "hung on His words." This expression signifies an almost physical dependency and utter enthrallment. The people were so absorbed in His teaching and so profoundly influenced by His authority that they formed an impenetrable living barrier around Him. The leaders, fearing popular uprising and the wrath of Rome if they disturbed the peace, were paralyzed by this widespread devotion. This scenario reveals the fear of man overriding the fear of God among the leaders, showcasing their priority for self-preservation over divine truth. It's a testament to the compelling nature of Jesus' ministry, the power of His message to draw the common people, and God's sovereign hand orchestrating every moment according to His perfect plan.