Devine Scripture

Luke 9:38

What does Luke 9:38 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 9:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 9:38 means

A man from the crowd implores Jesus to look at his only son, who is possessed. His plea stresses the desperate situation: the son is the father’s only child, heightening the stakes and urgency. The call “Teacher” acknowledges Jesus’ authority and compassionate office. This personal appeal shows how individuals bring raw need to Jesus, trusting his ability to heal. The detail of “only child” makes the crisis poignant and the subsequent healing a sign of God’s mercy toward the most fragile families.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a man from among them, crying out, said, Master, I make a request to you, give a thought to my son, for he is my only child:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and lo, a man from the multitude cried out, saying, `Teacher, I beseech thee, look upon my son, because he is my only begotten;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And behold a man among the crowd cried out, saying: Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son, because he is my only one.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And lo, a man from the crowd cried out saying, Teacher, I beseech thee look upon my son, for he is mine only child:

Context

This verse begins the narrative of a father’s plea immediately after the disciples’ transfiguration experience (v.37). The crowd’s petition introduces a crisis that exposes the disciples’ incomplete power (v.40). Luke juxtaposes mountaintop revelation with valley-level need, showing that disciples must be prepared to apply truth to broken lives. The encounter will reveal both human inadequacy and Jesus’ authority in confronting demonic oppression.

v.37And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him.

v.38This passage

v.39and behold, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth, and it hardly departeth from him, bruising him sorely.

Cross references

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

  • John 4:47

    When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judæa into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.

  • Zechariah 12:10

    And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look unto me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born.

  • Matthew 15:22

    And behold, a Canaanitish woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a demon.

  • Luke 7:12

    Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.

  • Luke 8:41

    And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him to come into his house;

  • Genesis 44:20

    And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother; and his father loveth him.

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