43All were struck out of their senses at the majesty of God. While all were marveling at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples: [9:44] "Set these words in your ears: the Son of Man is about to be handed over into the hands of men." [9:45] But they did not understand this word — it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it — and they were afraid to ask him about this word.
LUK 9:43-45
The Second Prediction of the Passion
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman world, the concept of divine majesty was deeply tied to displays of power and authority, often associated with miraculous acts. Jesus' miracles, such as healing and exorcisms, would have been seen as manifestations of divine power, evoking awe and fear. The term captures this overwhelming astonishment, a reaction common when witnessing the divine breaking into human experience. The disciples, however, are told to 'place' Jesus' words in their ears—a metaphor for internalizing and remembering His teachings, a practice rooted in Jewish tradition of memorizing and meditating on sacred words. The prediction of the Son of Man being 'handed over' would have been jarring, as it subverted expectations of a triumphant Messiah. In a culture where betrayal was a grave dishonor, this statement would have been deeply unsettling. The disciples' fear to ask further reflects the tension between their cultural expectations of a victorious Messiah and Jesus' foretelling of suffering and betrayal.
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How other translations render this
LUK 9:43
- KJV
- And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,
- BSB
- And they were all astonished at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus was doing, He said to His disciples,
- Koinōnos
- All were struck out of their senses at the majesty of God. While all were marveling at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples:
LUK 9:44
- KJV
- Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
- BSB
- “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”
- Koinōnos
- Set these words in your ears: the Son of Man is about to be handed over into the hands of men.
LUK 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.
- BSB
- But they did not understand this statement. It was veiled from them so that they could not comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.
- Koinōnos
- But they did not understand this word — it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it — and they were afraid to ask him about this word.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure.”
Cited to ground: Jesus' miracles, such as healing and exorcisms, would have been seen as manifestations of divine power, evoking awe and fear.
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, 9 those that loved him at the first did not forsake him”
Cited to ground: The prediction of the Son of Man being 'handed over' would have been jarring, as it subverted expectations of a triumphant Messiah.
Translator's notes
LUK 9:43
- Were astonished:The word translated 'were astonished' suggests a reaction of being struck out of one's senses or driven away from one's normal state, indicating a profound and overwhelming surprise.
- majesty:The term used here for 'majesty' refers to a sense of magnificent greatness and splendor, often associated with divine or royal authority, and could even be used as a title.
LUK 9:44
- do implant in yourself:The phrase 'do implant in yourself' comes from a word that means to place or set something down, suggesting a deliberate and intentional act of receiving and holding onto information.
- to be betrayed:The word translated 'to be betrayed' carries the broader sense of handing over or delivering someone or something, which could be for a good purpose or, as here, for a harmful one.