King James Version

What Does Luke 24:19 Mean?

Luke 24:19 in the King James Version says “And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in ... — study this verse from Luke chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

Luke 24:19 · KJV


Context

17

And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

18

And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

19

And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

20

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

21

But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word (προφήτης... δυνατὸς ἐν ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ, prophētēs... dynatos en ergō kai logō)—The disciples' truncated Christology reveals their post-crucifixion confusion. They correctly identified Jesus as a prophētēs (prophet), recalling Moses' promise (Deuteronomy 18:15), and recognized His dynatos (mighty/powerful) ministry in both miracle (ergō, deed) and teaching (logō, word).

Yet their description stops catastrophically short: they saw Him as before God and all the people but not as God incarnate. This incomplete understanding—prophet but not Messiah, mighty but not divine—explains their despair. Jesus would soon correct this deficiency by opening the Scriptures (v. 27), showing how the Christ must suffer before entering glory.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First-century messianic expectations centered on a political deliverer, not a suffering servant. The title 'prophet' was significant—no prophet had arisen in Israel for 400 years since Malachi. The disciples' description reflects common Palestinian views of Jesus during His ministry, before full resurrection comprehension.

Reflection Questions

  1. What incomplete views of Jesus do modern believers sometimes hold that stop short of His full identity?
  2. How does recognizing Jesus as 'mighty in deed and word' challenge superficial faith that emphasizes feeling over Scripture?
  3. Why is it significant that the disciples mentioned His reputation 'before God and all the people' rather than His deity?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
καὶ1 of 29

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπον2 of 29

he said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ3 of 29

unto him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ποῖα4 of 29

What things

G4169

individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one

οἱ5 of 29
G3588

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

δὲ6 of 29

And

G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπον7 of 29

he said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ8 of 29

unto him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Τὰ9 of 29
G3588

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

περὶ10 of 29

Concerning

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

Ἰησοῦ11 of 29

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

τοῦ12 of 29
G3588

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

Ναζωραίου,13 of 29

of Nazareth

G3480

a nazoraean, i.e., inhabitant of nazareth; by extension, a christian

ὃς14 of 29

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐγένετο15 of 29

was

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἀνὴρ16 of 29
G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

προφήτης17 of 29

a prophet

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

δυνατὸς18 of 29

mighty

G1415

powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible

ἐν19 of 29

in

G1722

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

ἔργῳ20 of 29

deed

G2041

toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

καὶ21 of 29

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

λόγῳ22 of 29

word

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

ἐναντίον23 of 29

before

G1726

(adverbially) in the presence (view) of

τοῦ24 of 29
G3588

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

θεοῦ25 of 29

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ26 of 29

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παντὸς27 of 29

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τοῦ28 of 29
G3588

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

λαοῦ29 of 29

the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)


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 24:19 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 24:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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