Luke 9:21
What does Luke 9:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 9:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 9:21 means
Jesus charged them to tell no one. This secrecy (the “Messianic secret”) serves several purposes: it prevents misunderstandings fuelled by hype, protects the timing of Jesus’ mission, and allows him to teach the disciples about the true nature of his messiahship before public proclamations. Jesus knew that premature or triumphalist claims could misdirect people toward political rebellion rather than spiritual renewal. The command invites the disciples to internalize the truth and prepare for the costly path ahead without stirring a movement based on excitement alone.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But he charged them, and commanded them to tell this to no man;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But he charged them, and commanded them to tell this to no man;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But he gave them special orders, not to say this to any man;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And having charged them, he commanded <FI>them<Fi> to say this to no one,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But he strictly charging them, commanded they should tell this to no man.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But, earnestly charging them, he enjoined [them] to say this to no man,
Context
This instruction follows Peter’s confession (v.20) and precedes the explicit prediction of suffering (v.22). Luke often balances revelation with restraint; here, the secrecy frames the correct interpretation of the Messiah’s role. The command helps shape the narrative: the reader knows who Jesus is, but the public is not yet ready, and the disciples need deeper formation before making the truth public.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 17:9
And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen from the dead.
- Matthew 16:20
Then charged he the disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Christ.
- Mark 8:30
And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
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