Luke 10:23
And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
στραφεὶς
he turned him
G4762
στραφεὶς
he turned him
Strong's:
G4762
Word #:
2 of 15
to twist, i.e., turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
3 of 15
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,
οἱ
which
G3588
οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατ'
G2596
κατ'
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
6 of 15
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἰδίαν
privately
G2398
ἰδίαν
privately
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
7 of 15
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
οἱ
which
G3588
οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφθαλμοὶ
are the eyes
G3788
ὀφθαλμοὶ
are the eyes
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
11 of 15
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
οἱ
which
G3588
οἱ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Jesus spoke these words during His earthly ministry, likely in the months before His crucifixion. The disciples had just returned from successful mission (vv. 17-20) and heard Jesus' teaching about knowing the Father through the Son (v. 22). This private instruction emphasizes the disciples' privileged position as eyewitnesses of Messiah—a role that would become foundational for apostolic authority and the writing of New Testament Scripture (1 John 1:1-3, 2 Peter 1:16-18).
Questions for Reflection
- What specific things were the disciples seeing that made them blessed, beyond the physical presence of Jesus?
- How can believers today cultivate spiritual sight to perceive Christ's presence and kingdom work around us?
- Why does Jesus give this blessing privately to disciples rather than publicly to the crowds?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see. The phrase strapheis pros tous mathētas kat' idian (στραφεὶς πρὸς τοὺς μαθητὰς κατ᾽ ἰδίαν, "turning to the disciples privately") indicates Jesus deliberately shifts from public teaching to intimate instruction. This blessing is for disciples alone—those with eyes to see spiritual reality beyond physical phenomena.
The word makarioi (μακάριοι, "blessed") echoes the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)—this is divine favor, spiritual happiness, and covenant privilege. The emphasis on the eyes which see (hoi ophthalmoi hoi blepontes, οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ οἱ βλέποντες) uses the present participle, indicating ongoing sight, not mere glancing. These disciples aren't merely witnessing historical events—they're perceiving spiritual truth: God incarnate among them, the kingdom breaking into history, prophecy fulfilled before their faces.
This blessing follows Jesus' statement about mutual Father-Son knowledge (v. 22) and precedes the observation about prophets and kings longing to see this day (v. 24). The disciples occupy a unique redemptive-historical position: they witness what Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah—all the faithful saints—yearned to see but died in faith not having received (Hebrews 11:13, 39-40). Yet even greater blessing awaits those who believe without seeing (John 20:29).