Luke 18:34
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But the disciples did not understand any of these things. The meaning was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend what He was saying.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
understood none, &c.--The Evangelist seems unable to say strongly enough how entirely hidden from them at that time was the sense of these exceeding plain statements: no doubt to add weight to their subsequent testimony, which from this very circumstance was prodigious, and with all the simple-hearted irresistible.
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. The parable of the importunate widow, designed to teach us fervency in prayer (Luk 18:1-8). II. The parable of the Pharisee and publican, designed to teach us humility, and humiliation for sin, in prayer (Luk 18:9-14). III. Christ's favour to little children that were brought to him (Luk 18:15-17). IV. The trial of a rich man that had a mind to follow Christ, whether he loved better Christ or his riches; his coming short upon that trial; and Christ's discourse with his disciples upon that occasion (Luk 18:18-30). V. Christ's foretelling his own death and sufferings (Luk 18:31-34). VI. His restoring sight to a blind man (Luk 18:35-43). And these four passages we had before in Matthew and Mark.
Open source ↗18:34 The significance of his words was hidden from them: Not until after the resurrection did the disciples grasp the saving significance of Jesus’ death (see 9:45; 24:13-34).
Open source ↗Cross-references
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But they did not understand this statement. It was veiled from them so that they could not comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.
But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.
Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, how slow are your hearts to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
At first His disciples did not understand these things, but after Jesus was glorified they remembered what had been done to Him, and they realized that these very things had also been written about Him.
But they did not understand the statement He was making to them.
Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them.