Luke 19:48

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

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}.

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

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

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

Luke 19:48 describes the dilemma faced by the religious authorities in Jerusalem who sought to silence or destroy Jesus. Despite their intentions, they were completely stymied by the overwhelming popularity and devotion of the common people towards Jesus. The verse highlights the captivating power of Jesus' teaching and the divine protection that surrounded Him.

Context

This verse follows closely after Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and His dramatic cleansing of the temple. In the preceding verse, Luke 19:47, it is stated that Jesus was teaching daily in the temple, and the chief priests, scribes, and principal men of the people were actively seeking to destroy Him. However, their plans were frustrated because of the immense influence Jesus had over the crowds. The timing was crucial, as this was during the Passover week, when Jerusalem would be teeming with pilgrims.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Unparalleled Authority and Popularity: The verse powerfully illustrates the profound impact Jesus had on ordinary people. His words resonated deeply, drawing crowds who hung on His every utterance. This popularity was a significant obstacle to His adversaries.
  • Frustration of Religious Opposition: The Jewish leaders, driven by envy, fear, and a misunderstanding of Jesus' messianic claims, desperately wanted to eliminate Him. Yet, they were powerless to act openly due to the public's devotion, demonstrating the limits of their earthly power against divine purpose.
  • Divine Protection and Timing: This verse subtly points to God's overarching plan. Jesus would not be seized until His appointed time. The very attentiveness of the people served as a protective barrier, ensuring Jesus could continue His teaching ministry in the temple until the hour of His betrayal.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "very attentive to hear him" translates the Greek `ekkremaō` (ἔκκρεμαμαι), which literally means "to hang upon" or "to be suspended from." This vivid imagery suggests that the people were not just listening passively; they were completely engrossed, virtually "hanging on every word" of Jesus. This level of engagement made any overt action against Jesus highly risky for the authorities.

Related Scriptures

  • The desire of the religious leaders to kill Jesus is a recurring theme throughout the Gospels. See Mark 11:18 and John 7:30 for similar instances where their plans were thwarted because His "hour was not yet come."
  • Jesus' captivating teaching style is also noted in John 7:46, where even temple guards sent to arrest Him returned empty-handed, stating, "Never man spake like this man."
  • The contrast between the people's belief and the leaders' unbelief is evident in John 7:48, "Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?"

Practical Application

Luke 19:48 reminds us of the profound impact of truth spoken with authority and genuine concern. For believers today, it serves as an encouragement to be as "attentive" to God's Word as those crowds were to Jesus. It also highlights that even in the face of opposition, God's purposes will prevail, and His chosen instruments will be protected until their mission is accomplished. The verse challenges us to consider whether we are truly hanging on every word of Christ and allowing His teaching to shape our lives, just as those in the temple did.

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.

  • 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.

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