King James Version

What Does Luke 9:43 Mean?

Luke 9:43 in the King James Version says “And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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,”

Luke 9:43 · KJV

Context

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,

44

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

45

But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

Read Luke 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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, The phrase exeplēssonto de pantes epi tē megaleiotēti tou Theou (ἐξεπλήσσοντο δὲ πάντες ἐπὶ τῇ μεγαλειότητι τοῦ θεοῦ, "they were all astonished at the majesty of God") uses exeplēssonto (were struck with amazement) and megaleiotēti (μεγαλειότητι, "greatness," "majesty," or "mighty power")—God's transcendent power manifested through Jesus.

Luke emphasizes the crowd marveled at the mighty power of God, not merely Jesus' skill—the exorcism revealed divine authority. Yet while they wondered (pantōn de thaumazontōn, πάντων δὲ θαυμαζόντων, "while all were marveling") at His miracles, he said unto his disciples (εἶπεν πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς αὐτοῦ)—Jesus redirected attention from spectacle to mission. The crowd's amazement was superficial—they wanted miracles without discipleship, power without the cross. Jesus immediately taught about His coming suffering (v. 44), showing that true faith embraces both Christ's power and His passion.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The crowd's amazement at Jesus' power was common—people flocked for miracles, healings, and exorcisms. Yet Jesus consistently redirected from sensationalism to discipleship. Many wanted a miracle-working Messiah who would overthrow Rome and establish an earthly kingdom. Jesus refused this role, teaching that the kingdom comes through the cross. The contrast between crowd amazement and disciple instruction reflects Jesus' ministry pattern—public miracles demonstrated authority, but private teaching prepared disciples for the church age. After Pentecost, the apostles would perform similar miracles (Acts 3:1-10, 5:12-16), but always pointing to Christ crucified and risen, not sensational power.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Luke emphasize the crowd marveled at God's power rather than merely Jesus' ability?
  2. What danger exists in being amazed at Jesus' miracles while refusing His call to cross-bearing discipleship?
  3. How does Jesus' immediate shift from public miracle to private instruction about suffering correct superficial faith?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
ἐξεπλήσσοντο1 of 22

“amazed”

G1605

to strike with astonishment

δὲ2 of 22

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

πᾶσιν3 of 22

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἐπὶ4 of 22

“at”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῇ5 of 22
G3588

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

μεγαλειότητι6 of 22

“the mighty power”

G3168

superbness, i.e., glory or splendor

τοῦ7 of 22
G3588

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

θεοῦ8 of 22

“of God”

G2316

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

πᾶσιν9 of 22

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

δὲ10 of 22

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

θαυμαζόντων11 of 22

“while they wondered”

G2296

to wonder; by implication, to admire

ἐπὶ12 of 22

“at”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

πᾶσιν13 of 22

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

οἷς14 of 22

“which”

G3739

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

ἐποίησεν15 of 22

“did”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

ὁ16 of 22
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς,17 of 22

“Jesus”

G2424

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

εἶπεν18 of 22

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

πρὸς19 of 22

“unto”

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,

τοὺς20 of 22
G3588

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

μαθητὰς21 of 22

“disciples”

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτοῦ22 of 22
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

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 9:43 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 9:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 9:43-45Luke 5:26Luke 8:25Matthew 17:22Acts 3:10-13Mark 9:30-32

Test Your Knowledge

Luke 9 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLuke Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Luke 9 with CommentaryAll Luke ChaptersComplete Luke QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes