Devine Scripture

Luke 24:19

What does Luke 24:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 24:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 24:19 means

When Jesus asks, “What things?” they summarize: Jesus the Nazarene was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. Their description is honorable but incomplete. They recognize His power and approval before God and the public impact of His ministry, yet they stop short of confessing Him as the Christ. They have not yet integrated His death and promised resurrection into their understanding. Calling Him “prophet” alone cannot bear the weight of the cross and the third-day hope. Their words reveal both respect and disappointment, which Jesus will soon address by showing the Scriptures’ testimony to the suffering Messiah.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, What things? And they said, The things to do with Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, great in his acts and his words, before God and all the people:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he said to them, `What things?' And they said to him, `The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who became a man--a prophet--powerful in deed and word, before God and all the people,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

To whom he said: What things? And they said: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazaraean, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word beforeGod and all the people;

Context

Verse 19 begins the travelers’ account of recent events, following their surprise at Jesus’ supposed ignorance (v. 18). They first affirm Jesus’ mighty ministry, setting a positive baseline. Verses 20–24 will move from leadership betrayal and crucifixion to dashed hopes and conflicting reports from the women and other disciples. This flow lays out the raw data for Jesus’ forthcoming interpretation. Their honorable yet partial view creates space for Jesus to reveal the fuller identity and mission of the Christ in verses 25–27, reframing prophet-talk into Messiah-fulfillment through suffering and glory.

v.18And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him, Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days?

v.19This passage

v.20and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

Cross references

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

  • John 4:19

    The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

  • Mark 1:24

    saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus thou Nazarene? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

  • Matthew 21:11

    And the multitudes said, This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.

  • John 6:14

    When therefore the people saw the sign which he did, they said, This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world.

  • John 3:2

    the same came unto him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him.

  • Acts 7:22

    And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was mighty in his words and works.

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