Luke 9:51
What does Luke 9:51 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 9:51 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 9:51 means
When the days for his being received up drew near, Jesus resolutely set his face to go to Jerusalem. The phrase shows determined purpose: Jesus knew the time for the culmination of his mission approached, and he committed himself to the path leading there. “Received up” foreshadows his passion, death, and exaltation. The imagery of setting his face suggests resolute obedience to the Father amid impending suffering. This marks a decisive turn from Galilean ministry toward the climactic events in Jerusalem.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And it came about that when the days were near for him to be taken up, his face was turned to go to Jerusalem,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And it came to pass, in the completing of the days of his being taken up, that he fixed his face to go on to Jerusalem,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And it came to pass, when the days of his assumption were accomplishing, that he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass when the days of his receiving up were fulfilled, that he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.
Context
This verse follows the lesson on inclusive ministry (v.50) and initiates Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. It signals a transition: the narrative now moves toward the final acts that fulfill his mission. Luke highlights Jesus’ determination, which prepares the reader for the mixed responses he will encounter on the way (vv.52–62), including rejection, misguided zeal, and challenging calls to discipleship.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 2:11
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, which parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
- 2 Kings 2:1
And it came to pass, when Jehovah would take up Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
- Isaiah 50:5
The Lord Jehovah hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away backward.
- John 13:1
Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
- Acts 1:9
And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
- Acts 21:11
And coming to us, and taking Paul’s girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
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