Luke 9:18

¶ And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

And {G2532} it came to pass {G1096}, as {G1722} he was {G1511} alone {G2651} praying {G4336}, his {G846} disciples {G3101} were with {G4895} him {G846}: and {G2532} he asked {G1905} them {G846}, saying {G3004}, Whom {G5101} say {G3004} the people {G3793} that I {G3165} am {G1511}?

Once when Yeshua was praying in private, his talmidim were with him; and he asked them, “Who are the crowds saying I am?”

One day as Jesus was praying in private and the disciples were with Him, He questioned them: “Who do the crowds say I am?”

And it came to pass, as he was praying apart, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that I am?

Commentary

Luke 9:18 (KJV): "¶ And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, ‹Whom say the people that I am?›"

Context

This pivotal verse in Luke's Gospel sets the stage for a critical revelation about Jesus' identity. It follows closely after the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, an event that demonstrated Jesus' divine power and drew significant public attention. Luke consistently portrays Jesus as a man of prayer, often withdrawing to communicate with His Father before or during momentous occasions. Although His disciples were "with him," the text emphasizes Jesus being "alone praying," highlighting His personal communion with God even in their presence. This private moment of prayer precedes a public inquiry into His identity, first for the crowds, then for His closest followers, leading directly to Peter's profound confession of Christ.

Key Themes

  • The Practice of Prayer: Jesus' consistent habit of prayer is a central theme throughout Luke's Gospel. Here, prayer serves as the spiritual foundation for a critical teaching moment. It underscores the importance of communion with God for discernment and preparation.
  • The Question of Jesus' Identity: The core of this verse is Jesus' direct question: "Whom say the people that I am?" This inquiry highlights the public's varied perceptions of Him—some saw a prophet, others a great teacher, but few truly grasped His divine nature. This question serves as a crucial transition from public opinion to the disciples' personal conviction.
  • Discipleship and Understanding: The disciples are present during Jesus' prayer, indicating their proximity and the intimate nature of their training. Jesus' question is designed to prompt their reflection and reveal the depth of their understanding, distinguishing their faith from mere popular opinion.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "alone praying" (Greek: katamonas proseuchomenon) emphasizes Jesus' solitary devotion, even when His disciples were nearby. This isn't a contradiction but rather highlights the personal and intimate nature of His prayer life. It underscores that even with companions, Jesus sought deep, individual communion with God. The question "Whom say the people that I am?" (Greek: Tina me hoi ochloi legousin einai?) is a direct challenge, designed to gauge the public's perception and, by extension, to prepare the disciples for the more profound question that follows regarding their own belief.

Practical Application

Luke 9:18 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Prioritize Prayer: Just as Jesus, the Son of God, found it essential to withdraw and pray, so too should believers prioritize personal communion with God, especially before significant decisions or challenging circumstances. See Luke 11:1 for Jesus' teaching on prayer.
  • Examine Your Understanding of Christ: The question "Whom say the people that I am?" remains relevant. It challenges us to move beyond popular opinions or superficial knowledge of Jesus and to cultivate a deep, personal conviction of who He truly is—Lord, Savior, and Son of God.
  • The Journey of Discipleship: This verse reminds us that discipleship involves not just following Jesus physically, but also engaging with His teachings, observing His life, and wrestling with fundamental questions about His identity and mission.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 16:13

    ¶ When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

  • Matthew 16:16

    And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

  • Mark 8:27

    ¶ And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?

  • Mark 8:30

    And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

  • Matthew 26:36

    ¶ Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

  • Luke 11:1

    ¶ And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

  • Luke 22:39

    ¶ And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
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