Devine Scripture

Luke 9:54

What does Luke 9:54 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 9:54 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 9:54 means

James and John asked, “Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” Their request echoes Elijah’s fiery judgment but reveals a vengeful, militant zeal inconsistent with Jesus’ mission. They respond to rejection with a desire for divine retribution, showing immaturity in understanding kingdom righteousness. Their impulsive question exposes how religious fervor can become destructive when coupled with pride and desire for honor. Jesus will rebuke this, teaching restraint and the kingdom’s different ethic of love and mercy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, Lord, may we send fire from heaven and put an end to them?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And his disciples James and John having seen, said, `Sir, wilt thou <FI>that<Fi> we may command fire to come down from the heaven, and to consume them, as also Elijah did?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when his disciples, James and John, had seen this, they said: Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And his disciples James and John seeing [it] said, Lord, wilt thou that we speak [that] fire come down from heaven and consume them, as also Elias did?

Context

This verse follows the Samaritans’ refusal (v.53) and demonstrates the disciples’ reflex toward violent retaliation. Luke places this scene after Jesus set his face for Jerusalem (v.51) to show tensions as the journey begins. The request triggers Jesus’ rebuke (v.55) and points to the need to correct militant instincts among followers, preparing readers for lessons on costly discipleship (vv.57–62).

v.53And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he were going to Jerusalem.

v.54This passage

v.55But he turned, and rebuked them.

Cross references

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

  • James 3:14

    But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.

  • 2 Kings 1:10

    And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

  • James 1:19

    Ye knowthis, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

  • Acts 4:29

    And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness,

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 9

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 9.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Luke 9:54.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary