Luke 9 47

Luke 9:47 kjv

And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

Luke 9:47 nkjv

And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him,

Luke 9:47 niv

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him.

Luke 9:47 esv

But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side

Luke 9:47 nlt

But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side.

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 47 Meaning

Luke 9:47 reveals Jesus' divine omniscience as He perceives the unvoiced thoughts of His disciples regarding who was the greatest among them. In response to their self-seeking debate, Jesus performs a profound symbolic act: He takes a young child, places him beside Himself, and uses him as a living parable to teach a foundational principle of the Kingdom of God—that true greatness is found in humble service and the acceptance of the lowly, not in worldly ambition or status. This action underscores Jesus' heart for the vulnerable and redefines leadership according to divine, not human, values.

Luke 9 47 Context

Luke 9:47 immediately follows the disciples' private dispute about "who among them would be the greatest" (Lk 9:46). This argument highlights their persistent misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of His Kingdom. They were likely still clinging to conventional Jewish expectations of a Messiah who would establish a powerful earthly kingdom, within which they, as His closest followers, would naturally occupy positions of honor and authority.

This specific event is nestled within a section of Luke's Gospel where Jesus is intensely focusing on the implications of true discipleship, preparing His followers for His impending suffering and death (foreshadowed in Lk 9:22 and 9:43-45). The disciples' preoccupation with worldly status reveals their spiritual immaturity and a sharp contrast with Jesus' selfless, cross-centered path. Their ambition stood as a significant obstacle to understanding His teaching about humility, sacrifice, and the inverse values of the Kingdom. Historically, Roman and Jewish societies were highly stratified, emphasizing status and honor. The disciples’ competitive behavior reflects these prevailing cultural norms, which Jesus explicitly challenges. This passage serves as a polemic against such worldly status-seeking and hierarchical thinking, directly subverting prevailing notions of power and influence.

Luke 9 47 Word analysis

• "Jesus": Refers to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, embodying both fully human and fully divine natures. His action here highlights His divinity through His unique ability to discern internal thoughts.

• "perceiving" (εἰδὼς - eidōs): A participle of the verb oida, meaning "to know," often implying an intuitive, innate, or absolute knowledge, not merely acquiring information through observation or hearing. It signifies Jesus' divine insight into the spiritual and mental state of individuals, a clear attribute of His deity (Jn 2:24-25; Lk 5:22). This isn't guesswork but a direct, certain awareness.

• "the thought" (τὸν διαλογισμὸν - ton dialogismon): From dialogismos, which refers to an inward reasoning, reflection, or debate, often with the connotation of questioning, dispute, or evil thoughts (Rom 1:21; Jas 2:4). Here, it specifically points to the "discussion" or "argument" the disciples were having in their hearts or among themselves, regarding superiority.

• "of their heart" (τῆς καρδίας - tēs kardias): "Heart" (kardia) in biblical usage is not just the seat of emotions, but the very core of a person's being—encompassing intellect, will, intentions, motives, and character (1 Sam 16:7; Prov 4:23). Jesus knew their unstated motivations and ambitions, hidden from others but open to Him.

• "He took" (ἐπιλαβόμενος - epilabomenos): From epilambanomai, meaning "to take hold of," "to seize," or "to grasp." It implies a deliberate, active taking, suggesting Jesus' intentionality in using this child for a powerful lesson.

• "a child" (παιδίον - paidion): A general term for a young child, potentially up to puberty. The innocence, dependency, lack of status, and humility associated with children make them a potent symbol in Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of God. Children in that culture had no social standing, rights, or political influence, making them an ideal counterpoint to the disciples' quest for greatness.

• "and placed him by Him": This physical act of placement is significant. Jesus brings the child close, indicating intimacy, affirmation, and setting the child up as a visual aid. By placing the child by Him, Jesus elevates the child and implicitly dignifies all who are like the child.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart": This phrase highlights Jesus' divine omniscience and His ability to read unspoken intentions and internal disputes, confirming His supernatural knowledge as distinct from any human perception. It underlines that nothing is hidden from Him.
  • "He took a child and placed him by Him": This physical, didactic action dramatically illustrates Jesus' counter-cultural teaching. He doesn't merely speak words; He embodies the lesson through a living example. The child, embodying powerlessness and low status in that society, becomes a central object lesson, symbolizing the true nature of greatness in God's Kingdom.

Luke 9 47 Bonus section

• Polemics against worldly wisdom: Jesus' action is a direct and dramatic counter-polemic against the prevailing Hellenistic and Jewish wisdom traditions that emphasized status, honor, and influence. While the world pursued greatness through power and outward achievements, Jesus champions a greatness found in vulnerability, dependence, and lowliness.
• Pre-understanding of His disciples: This incident reveals Jesus' profound patience and strategic teaching method. He understands the deeply ingrained worldly expectations of His disciples and addresses their core issue—pride and ambition—not just their outward actions. He knew their thought before it was even articulated to Him or potentially fully formed even in their own conscious minds.
• A Living Prophetic Act: Beyond words, Jesus engages in a symbolic, prophetic act. The child is not just a prop but embodies the very posture Christians are to adopt: unassuming, trusting, humble, and dependent.
• Inwardness of the Kingdom: This verse emphasizes that the Kingdom of God begins with the transformation of the heart, not with outward display or political maneuvering. The "thoughts of the heart" are central to God's dealings with humanity.

Luke 9 47 Commentary

Luke 9:47 stands as a powerful testament to Jesus' divine attributes and His radical redefinition of greatness within the Kingdom of God. The disciples, blinded by worldly ambition and entrenched in hierarchical thinking, debated who would hold the highest position in an imagined earthly kingdom. Their conversation, though unuttered to Jesus, was fully known to Him. His "perceiving the thought of their heart" demonstrates His omniscience, a clear indication of His deity (akin to the Father's knowledge in Jer 17:10 and Ps 139:2). This divine insight contrasts sharply with human superficiality; while humans judge by external appearance, Jesus discerns the deepest motivations of the heart (1 Sam 16:7).

In response, Jesus performs a visual parable. Instead of rebuking them verbally, He chooses a living object lesson: a child. In that socio-cultural context, children held little to no status, lacked rights, and possessed no power. By taking a child and placing him prominently "by Him," Jesus intentionally reverses the world's value system. This simple act powerfully conveys that the values of His Kingdom are inverted compared to the world's. True greatness is not found in ambition, status, or self-exaltation, but in humble self-effacement, dependency on God, and a willingness to embrace the lowly and serve without expectation of reward. To "receive" such a child (as explicated in the subsequent verses Lk 9:48, parallels in Mt 18:5, Mk 9:37) is to embody the very humility of Christ Himself and to identify with God's design for His people. This passage fundamentally challenges every notion of power, authority, and status that human societies champion, calling for a transformation of the heart aligned with Christ-like humility.