Luke 9 53

Luke 9:53 kjv

And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:53 nkjv

But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:53 niv

but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.

Luke 9:53 esv

But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.

Luke 9:53 nlt

But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem.

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 53 Meaning

Luke 9:53 explains why the people of a Samaritan village refused to offer hospitality to Jesus and His disciples. They rejected Him because His journey indicated He was heading towards Jerusalem, signifying His identity and mission were intrinsically tied to the Jewish center of worship, rather than the Samaritan sacred site of Mount Gerizim. This highlights the deep-seated theological and ethnic animosity between Jews and Samaritans, making the rejection a statement of their historical religious rivalry.

Luke 9 53 Context

This verse is part of a pivotal transition in Luke's Gospel, starting with Luke 9:51, which explicitly states Jesus' determined resolve to go to Jerusalem ("He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem"). This marks the beginning of the long journey section (9:51–19:27) where Jesus progressively moves towards the ultimate fulfillment of His mission: His suffering, death, and resurrection in Jerusalem.

The decision to pass through Samaria, as indicated by His messengers sent ahead, directly brought Him into contact with the deeply entrenched animosity between Jews and Samaritans. Historically, after the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC, a mixed population formed in Samaria through intermarriage. This population later developed a distinct religion, recognizing only the Pentateuch and worshiping God on Mount Gerizim, rather than at the Temple in Jerusalem. This fundamental disagreement over the legitimate place of worship, combined with historical political rivalries, fueled centuries of bitterness and mistrust, leading Jews often to avoid travelling through Samaria or having any dealings with Samaritans. Thus, when the Samaritans realized Jesus' destination was Jerusalem, they withheld customary hospitality, viewing Him as an adherent of their religious rivals.

Luke 9 53 Word analysis

• But they did not receive Him:

  • "But": Greek: kai (and/but). Signals a direct contrast to the preceding actions of Jesus sending messengers and their arrival.
  • "they did not receive": Greek: ouk edexanto (from dechomai). This term signifies more than merely "to let in"; it means "to welcome," "to accept hospitably," or "to entertain." The negative ouk indicates an outright refusal of basic ancient Near Eastern hospitality. This rejection mirrors the broader biblical theme of rejection faced by prophets and, ultimately, the Messiah (Jn 1:11).
  • "Him": Refers to Jesus and, by extension, His disciples who accompanied Him.

• because His face was set toward Jerusalem:

  • "because": Greek: hoti (because, that). Establishes the clear reason for the Samaritan villagers' refusal.
  • "His face was set": Greek: to prosopon autou en poreuomenon (lit. "His face was going" or "His countenance was moving"). This is an idiom indicating a fixed purpose, unwavering resolve, and definite determination. The phrase implies a resolute, deliberate course of action, often one that involves overcoming obstacles or opposition. It's akin to the Old Testament idiom "setting one's face like a flint" (Isa 50:7), signifying an unyielding commitment to a task. In this context, it speaks to Jesus' divine purpose to fulfill the prophecies regarding His suffering and glorification in Jerusalem.
    • prosopon (face): Can refer to the literal face, but also to presence, countenance, or persona. Here, it conveys His very intention and direction.
  • "toward Jerusalem": Greek: eis Ierousalem. This is the crux of the Samaritan rejection. For the Samaritans, Jerusalem represented the rival religious center and the focus of Jewish religious and political identity, opposed to their own sacred mountain, Gerizim. Jesus' clear direction towards Jerusalem indicated that He was not coming to validate their form of worship or endorse their claims, but rather to fulfill His mission connected with the Jewish capital.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "But they did not receive Him, because": This opening highlights a specific, clear reason for the lack of hospitality. It wasn't a random act but a deliberate rejection based on understanding Jesus' intentions.
  • "His face was set toward Jerusalem": This phrase encapsulates the core conflict. Jesus' resolute journey towards Jerusalem symbolized His divine mission and ultimate destiny. For the Samaritans, this direction represented alignment with their historic rivals and confirmed Jesus, in their eyes, as an extension of Jewish authority or claims over Jerusalem, rather than a neutral traveler or one who would affirm their sanctuary at Gerizim.

Luke 9 53 Bonus section

• Significance of "Face": In ancient cultures, "face" often symbolized a person's presence, authority, and intentions. To "set one's face" meant to be resolutely determined, implying an unchangeable purpose that would be fulfilled regardless of obstacles.
• Jesus' Strategic Travel: Jesus' decision to travel through Samaria was not merely incidental; it was a deliberate act by which He engaged with a people traditionally avoided by Jews. While facing initial rejection, as seen in this verse, He also had significant encounters and successes among Samaritans, such as with the Samaritan woman (Jn 4) and later through the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:30-37), demonstrating the expansive nature of His kingdom that transcends ethnic and religious divides.
• Rejection as a Recurring Theme: The rejection experienced in Samaria is an early indication of the resistance and opposition Jesus would encounter throughout His ministry, ultimately culminating in His crucifixion outside Jerusalem. Luke consistently portrays Jesus as a prophet rejected by "his own."
• The Jerusalem Journey: The approximately ten-chapter "journey to Jerusalem" section in Luke's Gospel (Lk 9:51-19:27) is unique in its length and focus among the Gospels. It is characterized by Jesus' specific teachings to His disciples about discipleship, the nature of the Kingdom of God, and the path of suffering that awaits Him, all while steadily moving towards His destiny. This rejection in Samaria initiates that resolute path.

Luke 9 53 Commentary

Luke 9:53 captures a critical moment reflecting the profound ethno-religious schism between Jews and Samaritans. Jesus' deliberate journey through Samaria, rather than taking a longer bypass, demonstrated His willingness to confront deeply entrenched divisions. However, the Samaritan village's rejection underscores that reconciliation would not come easily, especially when confronted by allegiances that trumped common human courtesy. Their refusal was not personal against Jesus' character but ideological: His commitment to Jerusalem—the place prophesied for His crucifixion and resurrection, and the center of the Jewish covenant—was unacceptable to those whose identity and worship centered elsewhere.

This rejection foreshadows the broader refusal Jesus would face from His own people (Jn 1:11) and serves as a powerful illustration of the narrow gate and the cost of following a divinely ordained path. Jesus' steadfast resolve, signified by "setting His face," portrays His unwavering commitment to His mission despite human resistance, a quality essential for His journey to the cross. His subsequent reaction, by not calling down fire as His disciples wished, illustrates His kingdom values of patience and love, which supersede the impulse for retribution in the face of rejection.