Luke 19:39

KJV

And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} some {G5100} of the Pharisees {G5330} from {G575} among the multitude {G3793} said {G2036} unto {G4314} him {G846}, Master {G1320}, rebuke {G2008} thy {G4675} disciples {G3101}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Some of the P’rushim in the crowd said to him, “Rabbi! Reprimand your talmidim!”

Berean Standard Bible

But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!”

American Standard Version

And some of the Pharisees from the multitude said unto him, Teacher, rebuke thy disciples.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 19:39 captures a critical moment during Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, where a segment of the Pharisees, observing the fervent praise of Jesus' disciples, demanded that Jesus silence them. This request highlights the deep-seated opposition of the religious elite to Jesus' public acclamation as Messiah and King, setting the stage for Jesus' profound response regarding the irrepressible nature of divine truth and praise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the climactic narrative of Jesus' [Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem](/luke/19-28-40 "Luke 19:28-40 - The Triumphal Entry"), a pivotal event preceding His passion. Immediately prior, [Luke 19:37-38](/luke/19-37-38 "Luke 19:37-38 - Disciples' Praise") describes the large crowd of disciples erupting in joyful praise, celebrating Jesus as the coming King and attributing glory to God for all the mighty works they had witnessed. The Pharisees' demand in [Luke 19:39](/luke/19-39 "Luke 19:39 - Pharisees Demand Silence") directly interrupts this scene of spontaneous worship. Jesus' subsequent response in [Luke 19:40](/luke/19-40 "Luke 19:40 - The Stones Will Cry Out") and His lament over Jerusalem in [Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41-44 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem") provide the immediate narrative follow-up, emphasizing the divine necessity of His recognition and the tragic consequences of Jerusalem's rejection. The entire passage underscores the escalating tension between Jesus and the religious establishment as He approaches His ultimate confrontation in the capital.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Triumphal Entry occurred during the Passover festival, a time when Jerusalem swelled with Jewish pilgrims, and messianic fervor was often heightened. The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions. They frequently clashed with Jesus over His interpretation of the Law, His association with "sinners," and His claims to divine authority. Their demand to silence the disciples stemmed from several concerns: fear of Roman reprisal for a perceived political uprising (as "King" could be seen as a challenge to Caesar), theological opposition to Jesus' messianic claims (which they often deemed blasphemous), and a desire to maintain their own religious authority and social order. The public acclamation of Jesus as "King" and "one who comes in the name of the Lord" (a clear messianic title) was deeply unsettling and threatening to their established power.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 19:39](/luke/19-39 "Luke 19:39 - Pharisees Demand Silence") contributes significantly to several key themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the **persistent opposition of the religious establishment** to Jesus, a theme that runs throughout [Luke's narrative](/luke/1 "The Gospel of Luke"). Despite overwhelming evidence of His miracles and teachings, the Pharisees consistently sought to discredit or silence Him. Secondly, it underscores the **theme of messianic kingship and recognition**, as the disciples' praise explicitly acknowledges Jesus' royal identity, fulfilling prophecies such as [Zechariah 9:9](/zechariah/9-9 "Zechariah 9:9 - Prophecy of the King's Arrival"). Thirdly, the verse sets the stage for the **irrepressible nature of God's truth and praise**, demonstrated by Jesus' response in [Luke 19:40](/luke/19-40 "Luke 19:40 - The Stones Will Cry Out"), where He asserts that even creation would cry out if His followers were silenced. This emphasizes that Jesus' identity and mission are divinely ordained and cannot ultimately be suppressed by human opposition.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pharisees (Greek, _Pharisaîos'_):** Derived from a Hebrew word meaning "separatist," this term refers to a prominent Jewish religious sect. They were characterized by their strict observance of the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, often seeing themselves as exclusively religious and set apart. In this context, their presence among the multitude and their demand reveal their watchful, often critical, stance toward Jesus, viewing His popular acclaim as a challenge to their authority and interpretation of God's will.
* **Master (Greek, _didáskalos'_):** From the root meaning "to teach," this word signifies an instructor or teacher. The Pharisees address Jesus with this title, acknowledging His role as a teacher, yet paradoxically, they reject the very truth He embodies and teaches. Their use of "Master" here is not an expression of submission but a formal address to someone they believe should be able to control His followers, implying that Jesus has authority over them and should exercise it to suppress their praise.
* **Rebuke (Greek, _epitimáō'_):** This verb, formed from "upon" and "to honor/value," means to tax upon, censure, admonish, or forbid. It carries the sense of a stern warning or command to silence. The Pharisees' demand for Jesus to "rebuke" His disciples is a request for Him to exercise His authority to suppress their public acclamation, which they perceive as disorderly, blasphemous, or politically dangerous. This is the same word used when Jesus rebukes demons or even the wind and waves, highlighting the Pharisees' desire for Jesus to use His power to silence the truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude":** This clause establishes the identity of the speakers and their position. Not all Pharisees were present, but "some" were, indicating their pervasive presence and consistent opposition to Jesus. Their presence "from among the multitude" suggests they were observing the scene closely, perhaps even embedded within the crowd, making their objection a direct response to the disciples' public display of worship.
* **"said unto him, Master,":** This identifies the direct address to Jesus. The use of "Master" (_didáskalos_) is a formal and respectful address, yet it is immediately followed by a demand that undermines Jesus' identity. It implies that they acknowledge His teaching authority but wish Him to wield it in a way that aligns with their own agenda, rather than allowing the truth of His messianic identity to be proclaimed.
* **"rebuke thy disciples.":** This is the core of their demand. They are asking Jesus to silence His followers, to put an end to their loud and joyful acclamation of Him as King. Their request to "rebuke" them signifies their desire for Jesus to censure, admonish, or forbid the disciples from continuing their praise, revealing their discomfort with the public recognition of Jesus' messianic claims and their desire to control the narrative surrounding Him.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 19:39 employs several literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the very religious leaders who should have been the first to recognize and welcome the Messiah are instead the ones demanding His praise be silenced. Their request for Jesus, the "Master," to "rebuke" His disciples for proclaiming His true identity is deeply ironic. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between the spontaneous, joyful, and divinely inspired praise of the disciples and the cold, calculating opposition of the Pharisees. This contrast highlights the spiritual blindness of the religious elite versus the spiritual insight of the common people. Furthermore, the verse serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the escalating conflict that will culminate in Jesus' crucifixion, where the religious leaders ultimately succeed in silencing Him, albeit temporarily, through death.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Pharisees' demand to silence the disciples' praise in [Luke 19:39](/luke/19-39 "Luke 19:39 - Pharisees Demand Silence") underscores a profound theological truth: the inherent and irrepressible nature of God's glory and the recognition due to His Messiah. Their attempt to suppress the truth highlights the human tendency to resist divine revelation when it challenges established power structures or preconceived notions. However, Jesus' subsequent response in [Luke 19:40](/luke/19-40 "Luke 19:40 - The Stones Will Cry Out") reveals that the praise for Him is not merely human enthusiasm but a divinely necessitated act, so essential that if humans were to fall silent, creation itself would bear witness. This speaks to God's sovereignty and the inevitability of His plan, where the truth of Christ's identity will ultimately be proclaimed, whether by willing hearts or by the very stones.

* [Psalm 118:22-26](/psalm/118-22-26 "Psalm 118:22-26 - The Stone the Builders Rejected")
* [Matthew 21:15-16](/matthew/21-15-16 "Matthew 21:15-16 - Children Praising Jesus")
* [Habakkuk 2:11](/habakkuk/2-11 "Habakkuk 2:11 - The Stone Will Cry Out")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 19:39 serves as a powerful reminder that genuine faith and worship often encounter resistance from those who either misunderstand or actively oppose the truth of Christ. Like the disciples, we are called to be courageous in our praise and proclamation of Jesus as King, even when faced with skepticism, criticism, or outright hostility. This verse challenges us to consider whether our own lives reflect an uninhibited joy in Christ, or if we allow fear of others' opinions to silence our witness. It also encourages us to discern the nature of opposition we may face, recognizing that attempts to suppress the truth of the Gospel are not new but have been present since Jesus' earthly ministry. Ultimately, the passage instills confidence that the truth of Jesus' identity and reign is so fundamental and divinely ordained that it cannot be ultimately suppressed; it will find a voice, even if it means the stones cry out. Our privilege is to be among those who willingly and joyfully declare His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What forms of "Pharisaic opposition" might believers encounter today when openly praising or proclaiming Christ?**
* **How does the disciples' uninhibited praise challenge my own willingness to express my faith publicly?**
* **If the "stones would cry out," what does that imply about the intrinsic nature of creation's witness to God's glory, and how does it encourage me in my own witness?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to "rebuke" or silence the truth of Christ, either in myself or in others, due to fear or discomfort?**

### FAQ

**Why were the Pharisees so upset by the disciples' praise?**

Answer: The Pharisees were upset for a combination of theological, political, and social reasons. The disciples' shouts of "Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord" ([Luke 19:38](/luke/19-38 "Luke 19:38 - Disciples' Acclamation")) were a clear messianic acclamation, publicly declaring Jesus as the long-awaited King of Israel. From a theological standpoint, the Pharisees rejected Jesus' claims to messiahship and divine authority, viewing such public worship as blasphemous or a dangerous misdirection of the people. Politically, they feared that such a public display of "kingship" would provoke the Roman authorities, who were always wary of any potential rebellion or challenge to their rule, especially during the Passover festival when Jerusalem was volatile. Socially, this popular movement threatened their own religious authority and control over the people, as Jesus' growing influence undermined their established position. They sought to maintain order and tradition, and the spontaneous, joyful, and seemingly uncontrolled praise of the multitude was deeply unsettling to them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 19:39, with the Pharisees' demand to silence the praise of Jesus' disciples, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate rejection of Christ by the religious authorities, yet simultaneously affirms the unstoppable nature of His divine mission and ultimate triumph. The "King" whom the disciples acclaimed and the Pharisees sought to silence is the very [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose praise, even if rejected by some, is eternally secured. The Triumphal Entry, though met with opposition, points to Jesus' true kingship, not of an earthly kingdom, but of a spiritual one established through His death and resurrection. The "rebuke" demanded by the Pharisees ultimately failed, as Jesus' resurrection ensured that His name would be proclaimed to all nations ([Luke 24:47](/luke/24-47 "Luke 24:47 - Repentance and Forgiveness Proclaimed")). The praise that the Pharisees tried to suppress on earth will one day be universal, as [every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow"), to the glory of God the Father. Thus, the fleeting human attempt to silence the praise of the King only serves to highlight the eternal, divine decree that He is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise, a truth that echoes from the Triumphal Entry to the throne room of heaven ([Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12-13 "Revelation 5:12-13 - Worthy is the Lamb")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 4:1

¶ And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

Acts 4:2

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Matthew 23:13

¶ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Acts 4:16

Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them [is] manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny [it].

Acts 4:18

And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

James 4:5

Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

John 12:19

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.