Luke 9:47

KJV

And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424}, perceiving {G1492} the thought {G1261} of their {G846} heart {G2588}, took {G1949} a child {G3813}, and set {G2476} him {G846} by {G3844} him {G1438},

Complete Jewish Bible

But Yeshua, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, took a child, stood him beside himself,

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, had a little child stand beside Him.

American Standard Version

But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 9:47 captures a pivotal moment where Jesus, with profound divine insight, directly addresses the unspoken, prideful aspirations of His disciples. Perceiving their internal debate about who among them would be the greatest, Jesus immediately counters their worldly understanding of status by taking a young child and placing him prominently beside Himself, thereby setting the stage for a radical redefinition of true greatness within the Kingdom of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a private dispute among the disciples concerning their relative status, as recorded in [Luke 9:46](/luke/9-46 "Luke 9:46 - The Disciples' Dispute Over Greatness"). While the disciples' "reasoning" (G1261 *dialogismós*) about who was the greatest might have been internal or whispered, Jesus' action in [Luke 9:47](/luke/9-47 "Luke 9:47 - Jesus Perceives Their Thoughts") demonstrates His full awareness of their hidden thoughts and intentions. His subsequent teaching in [Luke 9:48](/luke/9-48 "Luke 9:48 - Welcoming the Child") directly flows from this object lesson, emphasizing that true greatness is found not in worldly ambition but in humble service and welcoming the vulnerable. This episode is paralleled in [Matthew 18:1-5](/matthew/18-1-5 "Matthew 18:1-5 - Humility and Children") and [Mark 9:33-37](/mark/9-33-37 "Mark 9:33-37 - The Greatest in the Kingdom"), underscoring its significance in Jesus' teaching ministry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman and Jewish societies of the first century, children generally held a low social status. They possessed no legal rights, political power, or significant social influence. They were considered dependents, often seen as property, and their primary role was to be seen and not heard. There was no concept of childhood as a distinct, valued developmental stage as understood in modern Western cultures. Therefore, Jesus' act of taking a child and placing him in the midst of His adult, ambitious disciples was not merely an object lesson but a profoundly counter-cultural and even shocking statement. It deliberately inverted the prevailing social hierarchy, challenging the disciples' ingrained assumptions about power and prestige.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 9:47](/luke/9-47 "Luke 9:47 - Jesus Perceives Their Thoughts") contributes significantly to several major themes within the Gospel of Luke and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully highlights **Divine Perception and Omniscience**, showcasing Jesus' supernatural ability to discern the hidden thoughts and motives of the human heart, a characteristic often attributed to God alone (cf. [John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew All People")). Secondly, it introduces the radical theme of **Humility as True Greatness**, directly contrasting the disciples' worldly pursuit of status with the Kingdom's upside-down values. By elevating a child, Jesus teaches that authentic leadership and spiritual authority are found in self-effacement and dependence, not in worldly power or recognition. This theme is central to Jesus' teachings on discipleship throughout the Gospels, particularly in passages like [Matthew 20:25-28](/matthew/20-25-28 "Matthew 20:25-28 - Servant Leadership"). Finally, the verse underscores the **Value of the "Least" and the Vulnerable**, demonstrating Jesus' profound concern for those marginalized or overlooked by society. This foreshadows His later teachings on serving the "least of these" ([Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Serving the Least of These")) and welcoming those whom the world deems insignificant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **perceiving (Greek, _eídō'_):** From G1492, this verb signifies more than mere observation. It implies a deep, intuitive, and comprehensive knowledge, often referring to spiritual insight or understanding. Jesus didn't just "see" their faces or hear whispers; He "knew" (as in the perfect tense implication of the word) the inner workings of their minds and hearts, demonstrating His divine omniscience.
* **thought (Greek, _dialogismós'_):** From G1261, this word denotes internal consideration, reasoning, or debate. It can refer to a purpose or even a dispute. In this context, it points to the disciples' private, internal deliberation and argument about who was greatest, highlighting their worldly ambitions and the prideful nature of their hearts.
* **child (Greek, _paidíon'_):** From G3813, this is a diminutive form of *pais* (child), emphasizing a "little child" or "infant." It highlights the youth and, by cultural extension, the low status, dependence, and vulnerability of the individual Jesus chose. This choice is crucial for understanding the radical nature of Jesus' object lesson.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart":** This opening clause immediately establishes Jesus' divine nature and omniscience. He does not need to be told about the disciples' dispute; He supernaturally "perceives" (knows deeply) the very "thought" (internal reasoning, even hidden desires) of their "heart" (the core of their being—mind, will, emotions). This highlights His authority and spiritual insight, revealing that nothing is hidden from Him.
* **"took a child":** This is Jesus' deliberate, physical action in response to their hidden thoughts. The act of "taking" (G1949 *epilambánomai*) signifies a purposeful seizure or laying hold of. The choice of a "child" (G3813 *paidíon*) is profoundly symbolic, as children in that culture represented the antithesis of power, status, and self-sufficiency—qualities the disciples were seeking.
* **"and set him by him":** Jesus "set" (G2476 *hístēmi*, meaning to cause to stand, to establish, or present) the child right "by him" (G3844 *pará* + G1438 *heautoû*, meaning beside himself). This action makes the child central to the scene and to Jesus' immediate presence. By placing the child in such a prominent position, Jesus elevates the child's status and, by extension, the qualities the child represents, directly challenging the disciples' worldly understanding of greatness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the child serving as a potent symbol of humility, dependence, innocence, and vulnerability—qualities that Jesus will present as foundational for true greatness in the Kingdom of God. This creates a stark **Contrast** with the disciples' worldly ambition and their desire for status and power. The scene also features **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience (and Jesus) are aware of the disciples' hidden thoughts, while the disciples themselves might believe their dispute was private. Jesus' action is a direct, non-verbal response to their unspoken pride, making His teaching even more impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 9:47 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's Kingdom and the character required of its citizens. It reveals Jesus' divine omniscience, affirming His deity as one who knows the innermost thoughts and intentions of the human heart, a characteristic typically ascribed to God alone. More importantly, it introduces a radical reorientation of values: what the world esteems (power, status, self-importance) is inverted in God's economy, where humility, dependence, and a childlike spirit are paramount. This passage challenges believers to examine their own motives, reminding us that true spiritual stature is not found in outward displays or positions of authority, but in a humble, servant-hearted disposition that mirrors the very nature of Christ.

* [Matthew 18:1-4](/matthew/18-1-4 "Matthew 18:1-4 - Becoming Like Children")
* [Mark 9:33-37](/mark/9-33-37 "Mark 9:33-37 - Who is the Greatest?")
* [John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 9:47 profoundly challenges us to look inward and honestly assess the true motivations of our hearts. In a world that often values self-promotion, competition, and the accumulation of power, Jesus' object lesson with the child calls us to embrace a counter-cultural humility. It reminds us that God sees beyond our outward actions and public personas, knowing the hidden thoughts and desires that drive us. Are we seeking personal glory, recognition, or positions of influence, or are we genuinely striving to serve God and others with a pure heart? To truly follow Jesus means to shed the trappings of worldly ambition and to cultivate a spirit of dependence, vulnerability, and selflessness, much like a child. This passage encourages us to re-evaluate our definition of "greatness" and to align it with Kingdom values, recognizing that true impact and spiritual maturity are found in humble service and valuing those whom the world often overlooks.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I find myself seeking worldly recognition or status, rather than a spirit of humility?**
* **How does Jesus' ability to "perceive the thought of their heart" impact my understanding of God's presence in my own life?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to cultivate a more "childlike" spirit of dependence on God and humility towards others?**
* **How can I better value and serve those who are often considered "least" or overlooked in my community or sphere of influence?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus take a child specifically, and what did it mean in that culture?**

Answer: Jesus' choice of a child was profoundly symbolic and counter-cultural. In first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman societies, children held very little social status, power, or influence. They were dependents, often seen as property, and were not considered important members of society in the way adults were. By taking a child and setting him prominently beside Himself, Jesus deliberately inverted the prevailing social hierarchy. The child symbolized humility, dependence, vulnerability, and a lack of worldly ambition—qualities that were the antithesis of what the disciples were seeking in their dispute over greatness. Jesus used the child to teach that true greatness in God's Kingdom is found not in power or prestige, but in embracing a humble, dependent spirit and a willingness to serve, much like a child. This radical act challenged the disciples' ingrained assumptions and redefined the very nature of leadership and value within God's economy, as further explained in [Luke 9:48](/luke/9-48 "Luke 9:48 - Welcoming the Child").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 9:47, with Jesus' divine perception and His radical object lesson, points directly to the person and work of Christ in profound ways. Jesus' ability to "perceive the thought of their heart" is a powerful demonstration of His inherent deity and omniscience, a quality uniquely belonging to God (cf. [John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")). He is not merely a wise teacher, but the Son of God who knows the depths of the human heart, exposing the hidden pride of His disciples. Furthermore, the child Jesus sets forth serves as a prophetic foreshadowing of Christ's own humble incarnation and ministry. The Son of God, though equal with God, "did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humility")). Jesus, the King of the universe, willingly embraced the lowliest position, identifying with the vulnerable and marginalized, just as the child in this passage represents. His entire life, from His birth in a manger to His death on a cross, perfectly exemplified the "childlike" humility and dependence He called His disciples to embody. He is the ultimate example of one who, though greatest, became the servant of all, ultimately giving His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Thus, in [Luke 9:47](/luke/9-47 "Luke 9:47 - Jesus Perceives Their Thoughts"), Jesus not only teaches about humility, but embodies it, revealing the very heart of the Kingdom that is centered on His own humble, self-giving sacrifice.

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

Psalms 139:23

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

John 16:30

Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

Psalms 139:2

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Matthew 19:13

¶ Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put [his] hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

Matthew 19:15

And he laid [his] hands on them, and departed thence.

Hebrews 4:13

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Luke 5:22

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?