Devine Scripture

Luke 9:10

What does Luke 9:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 9:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 9:10 means

When the apostles returned, they reported what they had done to Jesus. He took them and withdrew to Bethsaida, likely to rest and hear their testimony. This shows Jesus’ pastoral role: he listens to his disciples’ reports, teaches, and provides respite. Taking them apart offers a private space for evaluation and instruction, reinforcing their formation as leaders. It also prepares the ground for a public ministry that follows—their return provokes renewed crowds and leads to the feeding miracle, showing that Jesus guides and shepherds both his immediate followers and the larger multitudes.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done. And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done. And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the twelve, when they came back, gave him an account of what they had done. And he took them with him and went away from the people to a town named Beth-saida.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the apostles having turned back, declared to him how great things they did, and having taken them, he withdrew by himself to a desert place of a city called Bethsaida,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all they had done. And taking them, he went aside into a desert place, apart, which belongeth to Bethsaida.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the apostles having returned related to him whatever they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart into [a desert place of] a city called Bethsaida.

Context

This verse follows the apostles’ mission and Herod’s curiosity (vv.6–9). It functions as a transition: the disciples’ return leads Jesus to withdraw, but crowds follow (v.11), prompting renewed teaching and healing. Luke highlights both private discipleship and public ministry: Jesus addresses his disciples up close while still engaging the wider crowd, a pattern that continues through the chapter’s mix of instruction and spectacle.

v.9And Herod said, John I beheaded: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.

v.10This passage

v.11But the multitudes perceiving it followed him: and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and them that had need of healing he cured.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 11:21

    Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

  • John 1:44

    Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.

  • John 6:5

    Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude cometh unto him, saith unto Philip, Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat?

  • Luke 10:17

    And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name.

  • Mark 6:30

    And the apostles gather themselves together unto Jesus; and they told him all things, whatsoever they had done, and whatsoever they had taught.

  • Mark 2:7

    Why doth this man thus speak? he blasphemeth: who can forgive sins but one, even God?

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