Luke 19:48

KJV

And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} could {G2147} not {G3756} find {G2147} what {G5101} they might do {G4160}: for {G1063} all {G537} the people {G2992} were very attentive {G1582} to hear {G191} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but they couldn’t find any way of doing it, because all the people were hanging onto his every word.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet they could not find a way to do so, because all the people hung on His words.

American Standard Version

and they could not find what they might do; for the people all hung upon him, listening.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 19:48 vividly portrays the profound dilemma faced by the chief priests, scribes, and leading men in Jerusalem: despite their fervent desire to apprehend or eliminate Jesus, they were utterly powerless to act. Their frustration stemmed from the overwhelming and undivided attention of the common people, who were so captivated by Jesus' teaching that they hung on His every word, effectively forming a protective barrier around Him and thwarting any immediate hostile action by His adversaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a pivotal section in Jesus' ministry, immediately following His [Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem](/luke/19-28-44 "Luke 19:28-44 - The Triumphal Entry and Lament over Jerusalem") and His dramatic [cleansing of the temple](/luke/19-45-46 "Luke 19:45-46 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple"). Luke 19:47 explicitly states that Jesus was teaching daily in the temple, while the religious authorities—the chief priests, scribes, and principal men—were actively seeking to destroy Him. Verse 48 then explains *why* they could not execute their plans: the immense popularity and devotion of the populace. This sets the stage for the escalating conflict that will ultimately lead to Jesus' betrayal and crucifixion, but only on God's divine timetable, not at the whim of His enemies.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Luke 19 unfold during the Passover week, a time when Jerusalem's population swelled dramatically with pilgrims from across the Roman Empire. The temple courtyard, where Jesus taught, would have been a bustling hub of religious activity, commerce, and public discourse. For the Jewish authorities, maintaining order and preventing any perceived sedition was paramount, especially under Roman occupation. A popular figure like Jesus, drawing massive crowds and challenging their authority, posed a significant threat to their established power structure and their precarious relationship with Rome. The fact that "all the people" were so attentive indicates a widespread spiritual hunger and an openness to Jesus' message that transcended typical social boundaries, making any overt move against Him a politically dangerous act for the leaders.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 19:48 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores [Jesus' unparalleled authority and captivating teaching](/luke/4-32 "Luke 4:32 - Jesus' Authoritative Teaching"), demonstrating His profound impact on the common people who recognized the truth and power in His words. Secondly, it highlights the [growing opposition and spiritual blindness of the religious establishment](/luke/11-53-54 "Luke 11:53-54 - The Pharisees' Hostility"), who, despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teaching, sought His destruction rather than His truth. Finally, the verse subtly points to the theme of [divine sovereignty and protection](/john/7-30 "John 7:30 - Jesus' Hour Not Yet Come"), indicating that Jesus' arrest and crucifixion would occur not by human design or malice, but according to God's predetermined plan and at His appointed time. The people's attentiveness served as a providential shield, ensuring Jesus could complete His public ministry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heurískō (Greek, _heurískō_):** Translated as "find" in "could not find." This verb signifies to discover, attain, or obtain, often implying a search or effort. In this context, it highlights the inability of the authorities to discover or implement a viable plan of action against Jesus. Despite their intentions and efforts, they were stymied, unable to "find" a way forward.
* **laós (Greek, _laós_):** Translated as "people." This term refers to a people or nation in general, often with a particular emphasis on the common populace or the chosen people of God. Here, it emphasizes the broad, undifferentiated mass of ordinary individuals who were drawn to Jesus, distinguishing them from the ruling elite who opposed Him. Their collective presence and devotion were a formidable obstacle.
* **ekkrémamai (Greek, _ekkrémamai_):** Translated as "were very attentive." This vivid Greek word, used in the middle voice, literally means "to hang upon" or "to be suspended from." In the context of listening, it conveys the idea of being completely engrossed, hanging on every word, or being utterly dependent on what is being said. It paints a picture of intense, focused, and almost physical attachment to Jesus' teaching, signifying an audience utterly captivated and absorbed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And could not find what they might do:"** This clause describes the utter frustration and impotence of Jesus' adversaries—the chief priests, scribes, and principal men. Despite their power, influence, and murderous intent, they were unable to devise or execute any plan to seize or eliminate Jesus. Their inability to "find what they might do" underscores the divine protection Jesus enjoyed until His appointed time.
* **"for all the people were very attentive to hear him."** This clause provides the crucial reason for the authorities' paralysis. The Greek phrase translated as "were very attentive" (ekkrémamai) conveys a profound level of engagement, suggesting that the entire populace was literally "hanging on every word" of Jesus. This widespread, intense devotion of the common people made any overt hostile action against Jesus politically perilous and practically impossible for the religious leaders, as it would likely incite a riot.

#### Literary Devices
Luke employs several effective literary devices in this concise verse. **Contrast** is prominent, highlighting the stark difference between the malicious intentions and powerlessness of the religious elite on one hand, and the widespread, protective devotion of "all the people" towards Jesus on the other. This juxtaposition underscores the spiritual divide and the popular appeal of Jesus. Furthermore, the phrase "were very attentive to hear him" utilizes powerful **Imagery**. The Greek word `ekkrémamai` (to hang upon) evokes a vivid picture of the people literally suspended or hanging on Jesus' lips, demonstrating their complete absorption and dependence on His words. This imagery not only conveys their deep engagement but also implicitly portrays them as a human shield, making it impossible for the authorities to penetrate their devotion and seize Jesus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 19:48 powerfully illustrates the clash between human opposition and divine purpose. The religious leaders, blinded by envy and fear, sought to thwart God's plan by eliminating Jesus, yet they were utterly powerless against the tide of popular devotion, which God providentially used as a temporary shield. This highlights God's sovereign control over events, ensuring that His Son's ministry would continue unhindered until the precise moment of His willing sacrifice. The verse also implicitly affirms the inherent power and truth of Jesus' teaching, which captivated the hearts of the common people, contrasting sharply with the spiritual deadness of the religious establishment.

* [Mark 11:18](/mark/11-18 "Mark 11:18 - Leaders Feared the Crowd")
* [John 7:30](/john/7-30 "John 7:30 - Jesus' Hour Not Yet Come")
* [John 7:46](/john/7-46 "John 7:46 - Officers Astonished by Jesus' Words")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 19:48 serves as a profound reminder of the transformative power of God's Word spoken through Jesus Christ. The "attentiveness" of the people was not mere curiosity, but a deep, almost visceral engagement that rendered them a protective barrier around the Lord. For us today, this verse challenges us to examine our own posture towards God's Word. Are we merely passive listeners, or are we truly "hanging on every word," allowing it to deeply penetrate and shape our lives? In a world filled with distractions, cultivating such focused attentiveness is a spiritual discipline that yields profound fruit. Furthermore, this passage reassures us that even when powerful forces conspire against God's purposes, His sovereign plan will prevail. Just as Jesus was protected until His hour, we can trust that God will guard His people and His truth, ensuring His ultimate victory. Our task is to remain attentive, faithful, and courageous in proclaiming the truth, confident in His overarching plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I "hang on every word" of Jesus, and where do I find myself easily distracted from His teaching?**
* **How does the "attentiveness" of the people in Luke 19:48 challenge my own engagement with Scripture and prayer?**
* **What "unfindable" obstacles in my life might God be using to protect me or advance His purposes, even if I don't understand them?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more captivated devotion to Christ, mirroring the crowds who hung on His every word?**

### FAQ
**Why were the religious leaders unable to act against Jesus at this time?**

Answer: The religious leaders, including the chief priests, scribes, and principal men, were unable to act openly against Jesus because of His immense popularity and the intense devotion of the common people. Luke 19:48 states that "all the people were very attentive to hear him," meaning they were utterly captivated and "hanging on every word" Jesus spoke. Any overt attempt to arrest or harm Jesus in the temple, especially during the crowded Passover week, would have likely incited a riot among the people, which the leaders feared and the Roman authorities would not tolerate. This popular support effectively served as a protective barrier around Jesus, preventing His enemies from carrying out their designs until God's appointed time.

**What does "very attentive to hear him" truly mean, and why is it significant?**

Answer: The phrase "very attentive to hear him" translates the Greek word `ekkrémamai`, which literally means "to hang upon" or "to be suspended from." It conveys a profound and almost physical level of engagement, suggesting that the people were not just listening passively but were completely engrossed, virtually "hanging on every word" of Jesus. This intense attentiveness is significant for several reasons: it highlights the magnetic power and divine authority of Jesus' teaching, which resonated deeply with the common people; it explains the frustration of the religious leaders, as the people's devotion made it impossible to seize Jesus without causing a public uprising; and it subtly points to God's providential timing, ensuring Jesus' ministry continued until His "hour" had come, as seen in passages like [John 7:30](/john/7-30 "John 7:30 - Jesus' Hour Not Yet Come").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 19:48, while describing the immediate frustration of Jesus' enemies, profoundly foreshadows His ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment. The inability of the religious leaders to "find what they might do" against Jesus, due to the people's attentiveness, underscores God's sovereign control over His Son's destiny. This verse implicitly declares that Jesus would not be seized or silenced by human design, but only when His "hour" had come, according to the Father's perfect will. This divine protection was not a permanent shield from suffering, but a temporary one, ensuring Jesus could complete His teaching ministry and proceed to the cross not as a helpless victim, but as the sovereign [Lamb of God who willingly lays down His life](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life Voluntarily"). His subsequent arrest, trial, and crucifixion, therefore, were not a failure of divine protection, but the culmination of God's redemptive plan, where Christ, in perfect obedience, [humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death"). The very crowds who hung on His every word would later witness His suffering, and ultimately, through His resurrection, recognize Him as the [Author and Finisher of our faith](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrew 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith"), whose life and death were entirely within God's predetermined will.

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

Nehemiah 8:3

And he read therein before the street that [was] before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people [were attentive] unto the book of the law.

Matthew 22:15

¶ Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in [his] talk.

Matthew 22:16

And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any [man]: for thou regardest not the person of men.

Luke 22:2

And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

Luke 22:4

And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

Acts 16:14

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard [us]: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

Luke 20:19

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.