Devine Scripture

Luke 10:23

What does Luke 10:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 10:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 10:23 means

Turning privately to the disciples, Jesus calls blessed the eyes that see what they see. He acknowledges their privileged position in witnessing Jesus’ ministry firsthand. The blessing recognizes that seeing Christ and the kingdom’s inbreaking is an exceptional grace. It also invites gratitude and humility: they should treasure their insight because many prophets and kings longed for this revelation but did not receive it. The verse highlights privilege as both a gift and a responsibility.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And turning to the disciples, he said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And turning to the disciples, he said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And, turning to the disciples, he said privately, Happy are the eyes which see the things you see:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having turned unto the disciples, he said, by themselves, `Happy the eyes that are perceiving what ye perceive;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And turning to his disciples, he said: Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having turned to the disciples privately he said, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see.

Context

This remark follows the teaching on revelation and Jesus’ intimate explanation of his relationship with the Father. It prepares for a comparison: prophets and kings desired to see and hear these things but didn’t. The sequence underscores the disciples’ privileged ministry and leads naturally into the parable-like comparison in verse 24.

v.22All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth who the Son is, save the Father; and who the Father is, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.

v.23This passage

v.24for I say unto you, that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which ye see, and saw them not; and to hear the things which ye hear, and heard them not.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 13:16

    But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.

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