Luke 9 45

Luke 9:45 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.

Luke 9:45 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.

Luke 9:45 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.

Luke 9:45 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.

Luke 9:45 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.

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 45 Meaning

Luke 9:45 highlights the disciples' inability to grasp Jesus's second prediction of His suffering and death. This lack of understanding was not merely intellectual but was supernaturally veiled from them, divinely purposed to prevent them from fully perceiving its meaning at that specific time. Their fear further compounded their ignorance, preventing them from seeking clarity from Jesus regarding this difficult truth. The verse underscores the stark contrast between their worldly expectations of a conquering Messiah and the divine reality of a suffering Savior.

Luke 9 45 Context

Luke 9:45 follows directly from Jesus's second clear prediction of His suffering and delivery into human hands (Lk 9:44). This prophecy came shortly after His transfiguration (Lk 9:28-36) and a significant healing miracle (Lk 9:37-43). The disciples had just witnessed Jesus's divine glory and power, yet they were utterly unable to reconcile these events with the prospect of His betrayal and death.This moment is a crucial point in Luke's narrative, marking a continued progression toward Jerusalem, where Jesus's passion would ultimately unfold. It emphasizes the theme of the disciples' spiritual dullness and their human-centric expectations for a messianic deliverer who would usher in a political kingdom, rather than the suffering servant prophesied in the Old Testament. Luke repeatedly highlights the disciples' misunderstanding and the divine concealment of truth until the appropriate time (e.g., Lk 18:34), stressing that ultimate revelation rests in God's hands.

Luke 9 45 Word analysis

• But (Δὲ - De): A conjunction indicating a contrast or transition. Here, it strongly marks the disconnect between what Jesus said and the disciples' inability to comprehend it.
• they did not understand (οὐκ ἐγίνωσκον - ouk eginōskon): The imperfect tense signifies a continuous or habitual state of not knowing, not merely a momentary lapse. The verb ginōskō implies not just intellectual comprehension but a deeper, experiential, and relational knowledge or recognition. It suggests they couldn't grasp the significance or reality of it, rather than just failing to hear the words.
• this saying (τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο - to rhēma touto): Refers specifically and precisely to the preceding prophetic statement about Jesus being delivered into the hands of men (Lk 9:44). Rhema often denotes a spoken word, a specific utterance, or a thing spoken, highlighting the particularity of the mystery they failed to grasp.
• and it was concealed (ἦν παρακεκαλυμμένον - ēn parakekalymmenon): Parakekalymmenon is a perfect passive participle, indicating a state of being completely veiled or covered up, a condition already established. Coupled with the imperfect ēn (was), it implies a continuous state of concealment. The passive voice strongly suggests divine agency; it was hidden by God or by divine decree. This is a crucial theological point: their misunderstanding was not merely their own failure but part of a divine plan.
• from them (ἀπ' αὐτῶν - ap' autōn): Clearly indicates the recipients from whom the truth was hidden.
• so that (ἵνα μὴ - hina mē): A negative purpose clause, explicitly stating the reason or intention behind the concealment: in order that they might not... This reinforces the idea of a purposeful divine withholding of understanding.
• they should not perceive it (αἴσθωνται αὐτό - aisthōntai auto): Aisthanomai means to perceive, discern, or comprehend through the senses or intellect. It's about full awareness and appreciation of meaning. The emphasis here is on preventing their full awareness or discernment of the prophecy's grim reality.
• and they were afraid (καὶ ἐφοβοῦντο - kai ephobounto): Imperfect tense again, indicating an ongoing state of fear. This fear paralyzed them, preventing them from asking further questions. Their fear likely stemmed from the terrifying nature of the prediction itself (Jesus's suffering and death) and perhaps the fear of what might happen if they understood or asked.
• to ask Him (ἐρωτῆσαι αὐτόν - erōtēsai auton): To inquire, question, or interrogate. This suggests a desire for clarification, which their fear inhibited.
• about this saying (περὶ τοῦ ῥήματος τούτου - peri tou rhēmatos toutou): Reiteration of to rhēma touto, underscoring that their fear was specifically tied to seeking clarification on the very thing they could not understand—the passion prediction.

Luke 9 45 Bonus section

The repeated theme of the disciples' spiritual dullness regarding the passion predictions (cf. Mk 9:32, Lk 18:34) highlights a distinct Lukan and wider Gospel emphasis. This points to the absolute necessity of God's active involvement in opening human minds to comprehend His plan (Lk 24:45). The truth about the suffering Messiah was veiled not because Jesus was unclear, but because human expectations were fundamentally misaligned, and the timing for their full comprehension had not yet arrived in God's redemptive plan. It also underscores the progressive nature of revelation, where understanding often comes after the events unfold, especially after the Holy Spirit is given.

Luke 9 45 Commentary

Luke 9:45 reveals a profound spiritual dynamic: the disciples' inability to grasp Jesus's identity as a suffering Messiah was both human and divine. Their worldly messianic expectations blinded them to the shocking truth of His impending passion. Yet, this verse asserts that their understanding was supernaturally concealed by God. This concealment was not to perpetually mislead them, but rather part of a divine timing for revelation, perhaps to prevent premature despondency or to ensure that the full significance of Christ's death and resurrection would be revealed post-resurrection and post-Pentecost, enabling them to witness these events with transformed understanding (Lk 24:45). Their fear of challenging the disturbing implication of Jesus's words further inhibited any attempt to gain clarity, showcasing how human fear can block divine truth. This serves as a potent reminder that spiritual truths are not always accessible through human reason alone, but often require divine illumination and a readiness to receive uncomfortable revelations.