Devine Scripture

Matthew 23:39

What does Matthew 23:39 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 23:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 23:39 means

Jesus declares that He will not be seen again by them until they, as a people, acknowledge Him with the cry, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." This is a direct quote from Psalm 118:26, a Messianic psalm, indicating that His return to them will be contingent upon their collective repentance and recognition of Him as Messiah. This verse offers a prophetic glimpse of a future when Israel will welcome Christ, showing that despite their present rejection, God's ultimate plan for them includes salvation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For I say to you, You will not see me from this time till you say, A blessing on him who comes in the name of the Lord.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for I say to you, ye may not see me henceforth, till ye may say, Blessed <FI>is<Fi> he who is coming in the name of the Lord.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For I say to you, you shall not see me henceforth till you say: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for I say unto you, Ye shall in no wise see me henceforth until ye say, Blessed [be] he that comes in the name of [the] Lord.

Context

This verse serves as the powerful conclusion to Jesus' lament and pronouncements of judgment. It explains the condition for His return and renewed presence, directly linking it to an acknowledgment of Him as Messiah using a specific Messianic acclamation. This prophetic statement leaves a dual impression: profound judgment for their current rejection, but also a future hope for national repentance and Christ's return, thereby concluding the chapter with both a warning and a glimpse of ultimate redemption.

v.38Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

v.39This passage

Cross references

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

  • 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.

  • Luke 2:26

    And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

  • John 8:24

    I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

  • John 8:21

    He said therefore again unto them, I go away, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sin: whither I go, ye cannot come.

  • John 14:9

    Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, Show us the Father?

  • John 14:19

    Yet a little while, and the world beholdeth me no more; but ye behold me: because I live, ye shall live also.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 23

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 23.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 23:39.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary