Luke 10:24

For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard [them].

For {G1063} I tell {G3004} you {G5213}, that {G3754} many {G4183} prophets {G4396} and {G2532} kings {G935} have desired {G2309} to see {G1492} those things which {G3739} ye {G5210} see {G991}, and {G2532} have {G1492} not {G3756} seen {G1492} them; and {G2532} to hear {G191} those things which {G3739} ye hear {G191}, and {G2532} have {G191} not {G3756} heard {G191} them.

Indeed, I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see the things you are seeing but did not see them, and to hear the things you are hearing but did not hear them.”

For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

for I say unto you, that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which ye see, and saw them not; and to hear the things which ye hear, and heard them not.

Context of Luke 10:24

Luke 10:24 is part of Jesus' discourse to His disciples after the return of the seventy-two (or seventy) who had been sent out to preach the Kingdom of God. Following their joyful report of demons submitting to them, Jesus expresses His own joy and then turns to His disciples privately, declaring their unique blessedness in Luke 10:23. This verse, Luke 10:24, further explains *why* they are so blessed: they are witnessing the direct manifestation of God's long-awaited plan.

Historically, this period marked a pivotal moment in salvation history, as the Kingdom of God was breaking into the world through the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. The disciples were living in the very fulfillment of prophecies that had been anticipated for centuries.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unparalleled Privilege: The verse highlights the extraordinary favor bestowed upon Jesus' disciples. They were not merely hearing about a future promise but were experiencing its inauguration firsthand. This privilege surpasses even that of great Old Testament figures.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Many Old Testament prophets and kings, like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and King David, had received divine revelations and longed for the coming of the Messiah and the full establishment of God's kingdom. They saw shadows and types, but the disciples saw the reality.
  • The Kingdom of God Manifest: "Those things which ye see" and "hear" refer to Jesus' presence, His teaching, His miracles, and the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit at work, all signifying the active presence of God's reign among them. This was the dawning of the New Covenant era.
  • Spiritual Discernment: The blessing isn't just about physical proximity to Jesus but about having the spiritual insight to recognize Him as the Messiah and the significance of His work. Many saw and heard Jesus but did not comprehend (cf. Matthew 13:13).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek words translated "see" (eido, meaning to know, perceive, understand) and "hear" (akouō, meaning to perceive by ear, to understand) imply more than just physical sensation. They convey a deeper spiritual comprehension and apprehension of the truth. The disciples were not just spectators; they were recipients of profound divine revelation and spiritual understanding.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 10:24 serves as a powerful reminder of our own privilege. While we do not physically walk with Jesus as the disciples did, we have the full revelation of God's Word, the Holy Spirit, and the complete story of Christ's life, death, resurrection, and ascension. We live in the ongoing reality of the Kingdom of God and the completed work of Christ, which prophets and kings of old only yearned for. This verse encourages us to:

  • Appreciate the Revelation: Value the Scriptures and the clear understanding we have of God's plan through Christ, which was hidden from generations past (Colossians 1:26).
  • Seek Spiritual Understanding: Pray for eyes to truly "see" and ears to truly "hear" the truths of God's Word, allowing it to transform our lives.
  • Live in Gratitude: Be thankful for the incredible blessing of living in the time of the New Covenant, with direct access to God through Christ and the indwelling Spirit.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 8:56

    Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw [it], and was glad.

  • Hebrews 11:13

    These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

  • 1 Peter 1:10

    ¶ Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you:

  • 1 Peter 1:12

    Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

  • Hebrews 11:39

    And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

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