Devine Scripture

Luke 9:37

What does Luke 9:37 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 9:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 9:37 means

On the next day, coming down from the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus. The immediate shift from mountaintop glory to dusty, troubled reality underscores the pattern of revelation followed by real-world need. The multitude’s arrival shows how Jesus’ ministry continuously attracted people seeking help and teaching. The contrast prepares readers for the human drama that follows—a father pleading for his son—and emphasizes that Jesus’ glory serves a purpose: to equip him and his disciples to confront suffering, spiritual oppression, and misunderstanding among the people.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And on the day after, when they came down from the mountain, a great band of people came to him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it came to pass on the next day, they having come down from the mount, there met him a great multitude,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it came to pass the day following, when they came down from the mountain, there met him a great multitude.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it came to pass on the following day, when they came down from the mountain, a great crowd met him.

Context

This verse transitions from the private transfiguration on the mountain to public ministry in the valley. The crowd’s presence indicates ongoing demand for Jesus’ healing and teaching. Luke uses the sharp movement—from glory (vv.28–36) to human crisis (v.38 onward)—to show that Jesus’ mission includes both revelation and rescue. The upcoming story of the demonized boy (vv.38–42) will contrast the disciples’ failure with Jesus’ success, pointing back to the necessity of God’s power.

v.36And when the voice came, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen.

v.37This passage

v.38And behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son; for he is mine only child:

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 17:14

    And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a man, kneeling to him, and saying,

  • Mark 9:14

    And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them.

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