Luke 9:43

¶ And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

And {G1161} they were {G1605} all {G3956} amazed {G1605} at {G1909} the mighty power {G3168} of God {G2316}. But {G1161} while they wondered {G2296} every one {G3956} at {G1909} all things {G3956} which {G3739} Jesus {G2424} did {G4160}, he said {G2036} unto {G4314} his {G846} disciples {G3101},

All were struck with amazement at the greatness of God. While they were all marvelling at everything Yeshua was doing, he said to his talmidim,

And they were all astonished at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus was doing, He said to His disciples,

And they were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marvelling at all the things which he did, he said unto his disciples,

Luke 9:43 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, immediately following a remarkable display of His divine authority and power. The verse highlights the overwhelming reaction of the crowd to Jesus' deeds and sets the stage for a crucial teaching directed at His disciples.

Context

This verse directly follows Jesus' healing of a severely afflicted, demon-possessed boy, whom His disciples had been unable to cure. This powerful miracle occurred shortly after Jesus' Transfiguration on the mountain (Luke 9:28-36). The contrast between the disciples' inability and Jesus' effortless command underscored His unique divine power. The crowd, witnessing this extraordinary event, was filled with awe and astonishment at what they saw. It was a clear demonstration that the Kingdom of God was breaking into the world through Jesus.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Power: The phrase "mighty power of God" (Greek: megaleiotēs, meaning "magnificence" or "majesty") unequivocally points to the supernatural origin of Jesus' abilities. His healing of the boy was not merely a human feat but a direct manifestation of God's majestic power working through Him. This theme resonates throughout the Gospels, affirming Jesus' identity as the Son of God.
  • Human Amazement vs. Deeper Understanding: The crowd's reaction was one of pure wonder, marveling "at all things which Jesus did." This natural human response to the miraculous is contrasted with Jesus' immediate pivot to a private teaching for His disciples. While the crowd saw the spectacle, Jesus was preparing His inner circle for a more profound, and often challenging, understanding of His true mission – one that involved suffering and sacrifice, not just displays of power. This transition underscores the call to move beyond mere admiration to committed discipleship.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word translated "mighty power" is megaleiotēs (μεγαλειότης), which conveys a sense of grandeur, majesty, and magnificence. It's not just power in strength, but power that inspires awe due to its divine origin and overwhelming nature. This emphasizes that Jesus' actions were not just impressive, but truly God-like. The term "wondered" (thaumazō, θαυμάζω) describes a state of astonished admiration, highlighting the profound impact Jesus' miracles had on those who witnessed them.

Practical Application

For us today, Luke 9:43 reminds us to look beyond the superficial and seek a deeper understanding of God's work in the world. While we are right to be amazed by God's power and provision, the verse challenges us to move from mere admiration to a committed pursuit of His will. Just as Jesus immediately turned to teach His disciples, we are called to listen to His words and embrace the full scope of His message, even when it involves challenging truths about self-denial and following Him (Luke 9:23). It encourages us to acknowledge God's active presence and power in our lives and to respond with more than just temporary wonder, but with enduring faith and obedience.

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.

  • Luke 9:43

    ¶ And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

  • Luke 9:45

    But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

  • Acts 3:10

    And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

  • Acts 3:13

    The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [him] go.

  • Mark 9:30

    ¶ And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know [it].

  • Mark 9:32

    But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

  • Matthew 17:22

    ¶ And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
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