King James Version

What Does Luke 21:19 Mean?

Luke 21:19 in the King James Version says “In your patience possess ye your souls.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“In your patience possess ye your souls.”

Luke 21:19 · KJV

Context

17

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

18

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

19

In your patience possess ye your souls.

20

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

21

Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto .

Read Luke 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus promises: 'In your patience possess ye your souls.' The Greek 'hypomonē' (ὑπομονή, patience/endurance) means steadfast endurance under pressure. 'Possess ye your souls' (Greek 'ktēsasthe tas psychas hymōn,' κτήσασθε τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν) means gain/preserve your lives. The promise is counterintuitive—you preserve life through enduring, not escaping. This follows Jesus' warnings about persecution (vv. 12-18). Enduring faithfully through suffering preserves spiritual life even if physical life is lost. Impatient apostasy to avoid suffering loses the soul; patient endurance saves it. Perseverance proves genuine faith and secures eternal life.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This teaching came during Jesus' Olivet Discourse about Jerusalem's destruction and end times (vv. 5-36). Disciples would face persecution—betrayal, imprisonment, martyrdom (vv. 12, 16). Natural response is panic or apostasy, but Jesus commands patience—steadfast endurance trusting God. The phrase 'possess your souls' echoes Jesus' earlier teaching about losing life to save it (Luke 9:24). Early Christians faced exactly this—Nero's persecution, AD 70 Jerusalem destruction, ongoing martyrdom. Those enduring faithfully secured eternal life; those recanting to preserve physical life lost their souls. Church history demonstrates that perseverance under persecution distinguishes genuine faith from false profession.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does possessing your soul through patience contradict natural instincts for self-preservation and avoidance of suffering?
  2. What does this promise teach about the relationship between faithful endurance and assurance of salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 8 words
ἐν1 of 8

“In”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ2 of 8
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὑπομονῇ3 of 8

“patience”

G5281

cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy

ὑμῶν4 of 8

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

κτήσασθε5 of 8

“possess ye”

G2932

to get, i.e., acquire (by any means; own)

τὰς6 of 8
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ψυχὰς7 of 8

“souls”

G5590

breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh

ὑμῶν8 of 8

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 21:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 21:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 10:36James 1:3Matthew 10:22Revelation 3:10Romans 5:3Romans 2:7

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