Luke 9 56

Luke 9:56 kjv

For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Luke 9:56 nkjv

For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." And they went to another village.

Luke 9:56 niv

Then he and his disciples went to another village.

Luke 9:56 esv

And they went on to another village.

Luke 9:56 nlt

So they went on to another village.

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 56 Meaning

This verse declares the fundamental mission of Jesus Christ: not to bring judgment or destruction upon human lives, but to extend salvation and life. It serves as a stark contrast to the impulsive desire for vengeance shown by His disciples, underscoring the merciful, redemptive nature of God's Son and His Kingdom. The subsequent action of simply moving to another village demonstrates Jesus' patient, non-retaliatory approach even when rejected.

Luke 9 56 Context

Luke chapter 9 marks a pivotal point in Jesus' ministry as He sets His face toward Jerusalem, beginning His journey towards the cross. Immediately preceding verse 56, Jesus, rejected by a Samaritan village because He was heading to Jerusalem, faced the impulsive reaction of His disciples, James and John. Indignant at the Samaritans' inhospitable rejection, they proposed calling down fire from heaven to consume the village, invoking the example of the prophet Elijah (Luke 9:54). Verse 56 records Jesus' swift and sharp rebuke of their vengeful spirit, explaining His divine mission as one of salvation, not destruction. This episode reveals the disciples' deep misunderstanding of the Kingdom's nature and Jesus' purpose. The broader historical context includes the long-standing animosity between Jews and Samaritans, making the disciples' reaction culturally understandable yet divinely condemned.

Luke 9 56 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): This particle connects directly to Jesus' preceding rebuke. It introduces the reason or explanation for why the disciples' desire was wrong, providing the theological basis for His rejection of their proposed action. It signifies an explanatory link to the nature of the "spirit" they were operating under.
• the Son of Man (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου - ho huios tou anthropou): Jesus' most frequent self-designation, highlighting both His full humanity and His unique, divinely appointed role as the Messiah prophesied in Daniel 7:13-14. Here, it establishes His authority and definitive mission statement, directly contrasting His purpose with the destructive human impulses.
• is not come (οὐκ ἦλθεν - ouk ēlthen): A definitive and emphatic statement of negation regarding the purpose of His advent. His incarnation, life, and ministry have an explicit purpose, and destruction is expressly not it. This indicates a mission divinely ordained and fundamentally different from human expectations of a conquering or judging Messiah.
• to destroy (ἀπολέσαι - apolesai): From the verb ἀπόλλυμι (apollumi), meaning "to destroy, to lose, to perish, to bring to naught." In this context, it refers to causing death or ruin. The disciples intended literal physical destruction of life. This word is in direct antithesis to "save."
• men's lives (ψυχάς ἀνθρώπων - psychas anthrōpōn): "Lives" here is from ψυχάς (psychas), the plural of ψυχή (psychē). While it can mean "soul," in this immediate context of calling down fire, it primarily refers to physical existence or vital life. However, in the broader context of Jesus' saving mission, it also subtly encompasses spiritual life, the ultimate "destruction" being spiritual perdition.
• but to save them (ἀλλὰ σῶσαι - alla sōsai): This phrase establishes the true, counter-purpose of Jesus' coming. ἀλλὰ (alla) denotes a strong contrast, emphasizing the polarity. σῶσαι (sōsai) means "to save, deliver, preserve, heal, make whole." It signifies deliverance from peril, illness, or sin. This defines the core essence of His mission – to bring wholeness, rescue, and eternal life, not physical harm or spiritual condemnation.
• And they went (Καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν - kai eporeuthēsan): This simple descriptive phrase shows immediate and unresisted action. The disciples, despite their prior impulsiveness, did not argue further. It indicates a swift and direct adherence to Jesus' redirection, moving forward from the place of rejection.
• to another village (εἰς ἑτέραν κώμην - eis heteran kōmēn): Highlights the practical consequence of Jesus' rebuke and statement of purpose. Instead of vengeance or forced entry, the appropriate response to rejection is to calmly continue the journey. It signifies patience and persistence in ministry, bypassing resistance without retaliation.

• "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.": This significant passage (often omitted or footnoted in modern translations due to textual variations in ancient manuscripts) explicitly contrasts the spirit of human vindictiveness with the spirit and mission of Jesus Christ. The disciples' spirit was characterized by anger and punitive justice, reminiscent of Old Testament judgment, whereas Jesus' spirit is one of divine mercy and restorative salvation. The phrase functions as the interpretive key to the rebuke, explaining why their destructive inclination was fundamentally contrary to Christ's Kingdom purpose. Even if considered an early scribal gloss for clarity, it accurately captures the essence of Jesus' character and mission.

Luke 9 56 Bonus section

The concept of "spirit" (πνεῦμα - pneuma) in the omitted Luke 9:55 is crucial to understanding Jesus' rebuke. The disciples were acting out of a "spirit" that was zealous but misinformed, one of earthly justice and fire from heaven, starkly contrasting with the Spirit of Jesus, which is characterized by divine compassion and life-giving grace. This moment serves as a vital lesson in discipleship, demonstrating that zeal must be tempered and guided by Christ's redemptive purpose, not by human anger or desire for immediate retribution. The Son of Man's identity is defined not by how He judges those who reject Him, but by how He continues to offer salvation even in the face of such rejection. This passage illustrates that while the Old Testament sometimes portrays immediate, divine judgment through prophets (like Elijah), Jesus initiates a new covenant age characterized by longsuffering, extending opportunity for repentance before ultimate judgment.

Luke 9 56 Commentary

Luke 9:56 powerfully encapsulates the essence of Jesus' ministry and the counter-cultural nature of the Kingdom of God. In direct opposition to the impulsive, vengeful desire of James and John, Jesus declares that His mission is not one of destruction or retribution, but of salvation and life. This declaration redefines Messiahship, moving beyond prevailing expectations of a warrior-king or judge to present a Savior who offers grace even to those who reject Him. The calm act of moving to another village rather than retaliating practically demonstrates the character of this salvation-oriented Kingdom, emphasizing patience, non-violence, and persistent outreach over judgment and condemnation. For the followers of Christ, it establishes a foundational principle: the Spirit of Christ in His disciples must always align with His mission of seeking and saving, never destroying.