Luke 19:42

KJV

Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things [which belong] unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004}, If {G3754}{G1487} thou hadst known {G1097}, even {G2532} thou {G4771}, at least {G2534} in {G1722} this {G5026} thy {G4675} day {G2250}, the things {G3588} which belong unto {G4314} thy {G4675} peace {G1515}! but {G1161} now {G3568} they are hid {G2928} from {G575} thine {G4675} eyes {G3788}.

Complete Jewish Bible

saying, “If you only knew today what is needed for shalom! But for now it is hidden from your sight.

Berean Standard Bible

and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes.

American Standard Version

saying, If thou hadst known in this day, even thou, the things which belong unto peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 19:42 captures Jesus' profound lament over Jerusalem as He approaches the city during His triumphal entry. Despite the joyous acclamations of the crowd, Jesus weeps, expressing deep sorrow and anguish over Jerusalem's spiritual blindness and its failure to recognize the Messiah and the opportunity for true peace presented in "this thy day." He foresees the tragic consequences of their rejection, lamenting that the path to their well-being has now become hidden from their eyes, foreshadowing the city's impending destruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, detailed in [Luke 19:28-40](/luke/19-28-40 "Luke 19:28-40 - Jesus' Triumphal Entry"). The jubilant cries of the disciples and the crowd, hailing Jesus as the King who comes in the name of the Lord, abruptly transition to Jesus' heartbroken weeping. This stark contrast highlights the profound spiritual disconnect between the superficial celebration and the city's true spiritual state. The lament also serves as a poignant prelude to the events of Passion Week, setting a somber tone for the rejection and suffering Jesus would endure at the hands of those He came to save. It directly precedes Jesus' cleansing of the temple in [Luke 19:45-46](/luke/19-45-46 "Luke 19:45-46 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple"), further emphasizing the city's spiritual corruption.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' lament takes place as He descends the Mount of Olives, offering a panoramic view of Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple. This setting is highly symbolic, as the Mount of Olives was traditionally associated with messianic expectation and eschatological events (e.g., [Zechariah 14:4](/zechariah/14-4 "Zechariah 14:4 - The Lord's Return to the Mount of Olives")). The "day" Jesus refers to is the culmination of God's redemptive plan, the very moment of divine visitation by the Messiah. For centuries, Israel had awaited their Messiah, yet when He arrived, they largely failed to recognize Him. The Jewish people, under Roman occupation, longed for political peace and liberation, but Jesus offered a deeper, spiritual peace and liberation from sin. Their expectation of a conquering king, rather than a suffering servant, blinded them to the true nature of their "day of visitation." This historical context underscores the tragic irony of their missed opportunity.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 19:42 contributes significantly to several key themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Compassion and Lament**, showcasing Jesus' deep human emotion and divine sorrow over His people's spiritual state, a theme also evident in His prayer for forgiveness on the cross in [Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus' Prayer for Forgiveness"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Missed Opportunity and Spiritual Blindness**. Jerusalem, God's chosen city, failed to discern the crucial moment of God's visitation, leading to severe consequences. This blindness is a recurring motif, contrasting with those who, like the tax collector Zacchaeus in [Luke 19:1-10](/luke/19-1-10 "Luke 19:1-10 - Jesus and Zacchaeus"), embrace Jesus. Thirdly, the verse directly foreshadows **Impending Judgment and Desolation**, a theme Jesus elaborates upon in the Olivet Discourse in [Luke 21:20-24](/luke/21-20-24 "Luke 21:20-24 - The Siege of Jerusalem"), where He prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem by foreign armies, which historically occurred in A.D. 70.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **known (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** This verb signifies a deep, experiential knowledge, not merely intellectual assent. It implies recognizing, understanding, and acknowledging truth. Jesus laments that Jerusalem did not "know" Him in a saving, transformative way, failing to perceive His true identity and the significance of His presence among them.
* **peace (Greek, _eirḗnē'_):** More than just the absence of conflict, _eirḗnē_ (the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew _shalom_) denotes a holistic state of well-being, wholeness, harmony, prosperity, and reconciliation. In this context, it refers to the spiritual peace that comes from a right relationship with God, offered through the Messiah. Jerusalem failed to grasp this ultimate peace, prioritizing political liberation over spiritual reconciliation.
* **hid (Greek, _krýptō'_):** This word means to conceal or keep secret, often by covering. The passive voice ("they are hid") suggests that this concealment is not merely a human failing but has a divine dimension, a consequence of their persistent rejection. Their spiritual blindness has led to a state where the very things that would bring them peace are now inaccessible or obscured from their understanding.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, 'If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things [which belong] unto thy peace!'"**: Jesus expresses a profound, almost desperate wish. The conditional "If thou hadst known" implies a missed opportunity, a path not taken. "Even thou" emphasizes Jerusalem's unique privilege as the chosen city, the center of God's covenant people, making their ignorance all the more tragic. "In this thy day" points to the specific, critical moment of divine visitation—the time when the Messiah was physically present among them, offering salvation and true reconciliation. "The things which belong unto thy peace" refers to the spiritual realities and the person of Jesus Himself, who embodies the ultimate peace and well-being that God desired for His people.
* **"but now they are hid from thine eyes."**: This clause marks a tragic turning point. The conjunction "but now" indicates a shift from a potential reality to a grim present truth. Because Jerusalem failed to recognize their Messiah and the offer of peace, those very "things" are now obscured. "Hid from thine eyes" signifies a spiritual blindness, a consequence of their hardened hearts and rejection, rendering them unable to perceive the truth and embrace the peace offered by God. This is not merely a lack of information but a judicial hardening, where the opportunity for peace has passed or become inaccessible.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 19:42 is rich in literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological weight. The most prominent is **Lament**, as Jesus' weeping and utterance constitute a profound expression of sorrow over Jerusalem's spiritual state and impending doom. There is powerful **Irony** in the scene: while the crowds celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry, Jesus Himself is overcome with grief, seeing beyond their superficial joy to the city's tragic future. The phrase "this thy day" employs **Emphasis** to highlight the critical, kairos moment of divine visitation that Jerusalem failed to recognize. The concept of "peace" (Greek _eirḗnē_) functions as a potent **Symbolism**, representing not just the absence of conflict but the holistic well-being and reconciliation with God that Jesus offered. Finally, the entire lament serves as a stark **Foreshadowing** of Jerusalem's destruction in A.D. 70, directly linking their rejection of Christ to their future desolation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 19:42 stands as a poignant reminder of God's deep love and desire for humanity's salvation, even in the face of rejection. Jesus' tears reveal the heart of God, who grieves over the choices that lead to destruction rather than rejoicing in judgment. This passage underscores the critical importance of recognizing and responding to God's gracious invitations when they are presented. It highlights the profound consequences of spiritual blindness and hardened hearts, which can lead to a missed opportunity for divine peace and ultimately, to judgment. The "peace" offered by Jesus is not merely political stability but a profound reconciliation with God that brings holistic well-being, a peace that Jerusalem tragically failed to embrace.

* [Psalm 81:13-14](/psalms/81-13-14 "Psalm 81:13-14 - Oh, that My People Would Listen!")
* [Isaiah 48:18](/isaiah/48-18 "Isaiah 48:18 - Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!")
* [Romans 11:7-10](/romans/11-7-10 "Romans 11:7-10 - Israel's Partial Hardening")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 19:42 serves as a timeless warning and a profound invitation for all believers. Jesus' lament over Jerusalem calls us to a deep self-examination regarding our own spiritual perception and responsiveness to God's voice. We are challenged to consider whether we are truly discerning the "things that belong to our peace" in "our day." This includes recognizing the ongoing presence and work of Christ in our lives and in the world, embracing His offer of salvation, and actively pursuing the holistic peace He provides. It warns against the spiritual blindness that can arise from pride, apathy, or a preoccupation with worldly concerns, which can prevent us from seeing God's truth clearly and accepting His transformative grace. Just as Jerusalem faced consequences for its rejection, we too must understand that persistent refusal of God's gracious invitation has profound implications for our spiritual well-being and eternal destiny. Jesus' tears remind us that God's heart is always for our flourishing, even as He respects our freedom to choose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "day" is Jesus speaking of in my life today, and what "things" might belong to my peace that I might be overlooking or neglecting?**
* **In what ways might I be spiritually blind or resistant to God's truth, and what steps can I take to cultivate a more discerning and receptive heart?**
* **How does Jesus' lament over Jerusalem deepen my understanding of God's compassion and His desire for humanity's reconciliation?**
* **What are the potential consequences, both personal and communal, of failing to recognize and embrace God's offered peace in our time?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus weep over Jerusalem, especially during a time of celebration?**

Answer: Jesus wept over Jerusalem not out of self-pity, but out of profound divine compassion and grief for the city's spiritual blindness and its impending judgment. Despite the celebratory atmosphere of His triumphal entry, Jesus foresaw that Jerusalem, as a whole, would reject Him as their Messiah and the source of true peace. Their failure to recognize "this thy day" of divine visitation meant they would miss the opportunity for reconciliation with God, leading to their catastrophic destruction by the Romans in A.D. 70, which Jesus prophesied. His tears underscore the deep sorrow of God's heart when His people turn away from His gracious offer of salvation and well-being.

**What does "the things which belong unto thy peace" refer to?**

Answer: "The things which belong unto thy peace" refers to the spiritual and holistic well-being that God desired for Jerusalem, embodied in the person and mission of Jesus Christ. The Greek word for peace, _eirḗnē_ (equivalent to Hebrew _shalom_), encompasses not just the absence of conflict but a state of wholeness, harmony, prosperity, and most importantly, reconciliation with God. Jesus, as the Prince of Peace ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace")), was offering them true spiritual peace, forgiveness of sins, and a restored relationship with God. Jerusalem, however, was largely focused on political liberation from Rome and failed to recognize the spiritual nature of the peace Jesus offered.

**What does "now they are hid from thine eyes" signify?**

Answer: This phrase signifies a tragic spiritual blindness that had befallen Jerusalem, leading to a judicial hardening. Because they persistently refused to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah and embrace His message, the very truths and opportunities that would have led to their peace became obscured or inaccessible to them. It suggests that their rejection was so profound that the path to their well-being was no longer discernible. This is not merely a lack of understanding but a consequence of their hardened hearts, resulting in a state where divine truth was veiled from their perception, ultimately leading to their destruction as prophesied by Jesus in [Luke 21:20-24](/luke/21-20-24 "Luke 21:20-24 - The Destruction of Jerusalem").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 19:42, though a lament over Jerusalem's rejection, ultimately finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader narrative of God's redemptive plan. Jesus, the very embodiment of "peace" and the "things which belong unto thy peace," would soon lay down His life to secure that peace for all who believe. While Jerusalem tragically missed its day of visitation, Christ's death and resurrection opened a new "day" of salvation for all humanity. He is the one who "made peace by the blood of His cross" ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")), breaking down the dividing wall of hostility and reconciling both Jews and Gentiles to God in one body through the cross ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). The "peace" that was hidden from Jerusalem's eyes because of their unbelief is now openly proclaimed through the Gospel, inviting all to enter into a saving relationship with the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ ([Acts 10:36](/acts/10-36 "Acts 10:36 - Preaching Peace Through Jesus Christ")). His tears over Jerusalem foreshadowed His ultimate sacrifice, demonstrating the depth of His love and His unwavering commitment to bringing true peace to a world lost in sin.

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

Deuteronomy 32:29

O that they were wise, [that] they understood this, [that] they would consider their latter end!

Hebrews 10:26

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Hebrews 10:29

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Isaiah 48:18

O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

Luke 1:77

To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

Luke 1:79

To give light to them that sit in darkness and [in] the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

2 Corinthians 6:1

¶ We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.