King James Version

What Does Luke 9:41 Mean?

Luke 9:41 in the King James Version says “And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy s... — study this verse from Luke chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.

Luke 9:41 · KJV


Context

39

And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

40

And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

41

And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.

42

And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

43

And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. Jesus' response is surprisingly sharp: O genea apistos kai diestrammenē (Ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος καὶ διεστραμμένη, "O faithless and perverse generation"). Apistos (ἄπιστος) means "unbelieving" or "without faith," while diestrammenē (διεστραμμένη, from diastrephō) means "twisted," "corrupted," or "perverted"—turned from the right way. This echoes Moses' rebuke of Israel: "They are a perverse and crooked generation" (Deuteronomy 32:5).

The rhetorical questions—how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? (heōs pote esomai pros hymas kai anexomai hymōn, ἕως πότε ἔσομαι πρὸς ὑμᾶς καὶ ἀνέξομαι ὑμῶν)—express exasperation. Anexomai (ἀνέξομαι) means "endure" or "put up with." Jesus' frustration targets not just the disciples' failed exorcism but the broader unbelief—the father's wavering faith ("if you can," Mark 9:22), the crowd's spectacle-seeking, the disciples' prayerlessness. Yet Jesus immediately commands, Bring thy son hither (prosagagete hōde ton huion sou, προσάγαγε ὧδε τὸν υἱόν σου)—despite frustration, He acts with compassion. This is grace—helping the undeserving.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus' rebuke echoes Old Testament prophetic denunciations of Israel's persistent unbelief despite witnessing God's power. The wilderness generation saw miracles yet rebelled (Psalm 95:8-11). Jesus had performed countless miracles, given the disciples authority, taught extensively—yet unbelief persisted. This anticipates His crucifixion—ultimate rejection despite ultimate revelation. The phrase "how long shall I be with you" points to the incarnation's temporary nature—Jesus would soon depart via cross, resurrection, and ascension. His earthly ministry was brief, making persistent unbelief particularly tragic. Yet He continues healing—divine patience endures human failure. This encouraged early Christians facing their own failures—Jesus' grace exceeds our faithlessness.

Reflection Questions

  1. Who specifically is Jesus rebuking—the disciples, the father, the crowd, or the entire generation—and why does it matter?
  2. How does Jesus' frustration with persistent unbelief despite overwhelming evidence challenge contemporary skepticism toward God's power?
  3. What does Jesus' immediate shift from rebuke to compassionate action teach about how divine patience endures human failure?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
ἀποκριθεὶς1 of 23

answering

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

δὲ2 of 23

And

G1161

but, and, etc

3 of 23
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς4 of 23

Jesus

G2424

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

εἶπεν5 of 23

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

6 of 23

O

G5599

as a sign of the vocative case, o; as a note of exclamation, oh

γενεὰ7 of 23

generation

G1074

a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)

ἄπιστος8 of 23

faithless

G571

(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)

καὶ9 of 23

and

G2532

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

διεστραμμένη10 of 23

perverse

G1294

to distort, i.e., (figuratively) misinterpret, or (morally) corrupt

ἕως11 of 23

how

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

πότε12 of 23

long

G4219

interrogative adverb, at what time

ἔσομαι13 of 23

shall I be

G2071

will be

πρὸς14 of 23

with

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ὑμᾶς15 of 23

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

καὶ16 of 23

and

G2532

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

ἀνέξομαι17 of 23

suffer

G430

to hold oneself up against, i.e., (figuratively) put up with

ὑμῶν18 of 23

you

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

προσάγαγε19 of 23

Bring

G4317

to lead towards, i.e., (transitively) to conduct near (summon, present), or (intransitively) to approach

ὧδε20 of 23

hither

G5602

in this same spot, i.e., here or hither

τὸν21 of 23
G3588

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

υἱόν22 of 23

son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

σου23 of 23

thy

G4675

of thee, thy


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 9:41 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 9:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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