Devine Scripture

Luke 9:55

What does Luke 9:55 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 9:55 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 9:55 means

Jesus turned and rebuked them. His rebuke corrects their desire for vindictive judgment and teaches that his mission is not about calling down destruction on those who refuse hospitality. Jesus’ response models restraint and clarifies righteous conduct: kingdom followers are not to employ force or seek revenge. The rebuke protects the character of the movement and redirects zeal into compassionate witness. It also demonstrates Jesus’ authority to name and correct wrongful impulses among his own, shaping the ethical contours of discipleship.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But he turned, and rebuked them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But he turned, and rebuked them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But turning round he said sharp words to them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having turned, he rebuked them, and said, `Ye have not known of what spirit ye are;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And turning, he rebuked them, saying: you know not of what spirit you are.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But turning he rebuked them [and said, Ye know not of what spirit ye are].

Context

This verse immediately follows James and John’s proposal (v.54) and offers an implicit correction without recording their reply. Luke keeps the narrative concise—rejection (v.53), violent impulse (v.54), and rebuke (v.55)—to demonstrate the disciples’ ongoing moral formation. The story then moves on (v.56) to show Jesus proceeding to another village and introduces several instructive encounters about the cost of following him (vv.57–62).

v.54And 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?

v.55This passage

v.56And they went to another village.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 16:23

    But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art a stumbling-block unto me: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men.

  • Job 2:10

    But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

  • 2 Samuel 19:22

    And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?

  • Matthew 26:41

    Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

  • Matthew 26:33

    But Peter answered and said unto him, If all shall be offended in thee, I will never be offended.

  • Job 31:29

    If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, Or lifted up myself when evil found him

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