Luke 4:41
What does Luke 4:41 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 4:41 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 4:41 means
Verse 41 reports that demons came out from many, crying that Jesus is the Son of God; he rebuked them and would not permit them to speak because they knew he was the Christ. This verse shows that even unclean spirits acknowledged Jesus’ divine identity, but Jesus silenced them to control revelation timing. He prevented premature or sensational endorsements, regulating how his messianic identity would be disclosed. The episode demonstrates his authority over spiritual powers and his wisdom in guiding the public understanding of his person and mission, avoiding chaotic declarations from enemies rather than faithful testimony.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And demons also came out from many, crying out, and saying, Thou art the Son of God. And rebuking them, he suffered them not to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And demons also came out from many, crying out, and saying, Thou art the Son of God. And rebuking them, he suffered them not to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And evil spirits came out of a number of them, crying out and saying, You are the Son of God. But he gave them sharp orders not to say a word, because they had knowledge that he was the Christ.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And demons also were coming forth from many, crying out and saying--`Thou art the Christ, the Son of God;' and rebuking, he did not suffer them to speak, because they knew him to be the Christ.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And devils went out from many, crying out and saying: Thou art the son of God. And rebuking them he suffered them not to speak; for they knew that he was Christ.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and demons also went out from many, crying out and saying, Thou art the Son ofGod. And rebuking them, he suffered them not to speak, because they knew him to be the Christ.
Context
This verse follows the broad healing scene and underscores the spiritual reality behind Jesus’ works. Demonic acknowledgments of his identity contrast with human misunderstanding and hostile rejection. Jesus’ refusal to let them speak protects the integrity of his proclamation. The narrative then moves to Jesus’ withdrawal to pray, showing a rhythm: powerful ministry followed by private communion, and a continued commitment to preach beyond the immediate crowds, which he states in the next verse.
v.40And when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
v.41This passage
v.42And when it was day, he came out and went into a desert place: and the multitudes sought after him, and came unto him, and would have stayed him, that he should not go from them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 3:11
And the unclean spirits, whensoever they beheld him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
- Mark 1:25
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
- Matthew 26:63
But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God.
- Matthew 8:29
And behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
- Mark 1:34
And he healed many that were sick with divers diseases, and cast out many demons; and he suffered not the demons to speak, because they knew him.
- Matthew 4:3
And the tempter came and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.
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