Devine Scripture

Luke 22:52

What does Luke 22:52 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 22:52 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 22:52 means

Jesus addresses the chief priests, temple captains, and elders, asking why they come against Him with swords and clubs as though He were a robber. He exposes the injustice and cowardice of a nighttime seizure after He taught openly by day. Their show of force betrays their fear and guilt. By naming their roles, Luke highlights institutional complicity. Jesus does not resist but speaks truth to power even in surrender. The question implies His innocence; He is no brigand. Yet He consents to be treated like one, fulfilling His earlier words about being reckoned with transgressors. The verse underscores the moral inversion at work: the Holy One is hunted as a criminal by those sworn to uphold righteousness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, that were come against him, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, that were come against him, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus said to the chief priests and the captains of the Temple and the rulers, who had come against him, Have you come out as against a thief, with swords and sticks?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus said to those having come upon him--chief priests, and magistrates of the temple, and elders--`As upon a robber have ye come forth, with swords and sticks?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus said to the chief priests and magistrates of the temple and the ancients, that were come unto him: Are ye come out, as it were against a thief, with swords and clubs?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus said to the chief priests and captains of the temple and elders, who were come against him, Have ye come out as against a robber with swords and sticks?

Context

After healing the servant, Jesus turns to confront the arresting authorities. He questions their armed approach and their failure to act while He taught publicly in the temple. In the next verse, He will declare that this is their hour and the power of darkness, signaling a temporary, permitted triumph of evil. Following this, they will seize Him and lead Him to the high priest’s house while Peter follows at a distance, setting the stage for Peter’s denials.

v.51But Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye them thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

v.52This passage

v.53When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth your hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Kings 11:15

    And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth between the ranks; and him that followeth her slay with the sword. For the priest said, Let her not be slain in the house of Jehovah.

  • John 17:12

    While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

  • Mark 14:48

    And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and staves to seize me?

  • Acts 5:26

    Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.

  • Luke 22:4

    And he went away, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might deliver him unto them.

  • Matthew 26:55

    In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber with swords and staves to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and ye took me not.

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