Luke 18:34
And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 18
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
οὐδὲν
none
G3762
οὐδὲν
none
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
3 of 18
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
τούτων
of these things
G5130
τούτων
of these things
Strong's:
G5130
Word #:
4 of 18
of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
συνῆκαν
they understood
G4920
συνῆκαν
they understood
Strong's:
G4920
Word #:
5 of 18
to put together, i.e., (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ῥῆμα
saying
G4487
ῥῆμα
saying
Strong's:
G4487
Word #:
9 of 18
an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
12 of 18
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 18
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐκ
neither
G3756
οὐκ
neither
Strong's:
G3756
Word #:
15 of 18
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ἐγίνωσκον
knew they
G1097
ἐγίνωσκον
knew they
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
16 of 18
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
Cross References
Luke 9:45But 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.Mark 9:32But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.John 10:6This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.John 12:16These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.Luke 2:50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.Luke 24:25Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:Luke 24:45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Historical Context
The disciples' incomprehension is historically credible—no first-century Jew expected a dying Messiah. Messianic hopes centered on conquest and restoration (Acts 1:6). Only after resurrection did the apostles reinterpret Scripture through the cross (Luke 24:25-27, 44-47), creating the hermeneutical revolution that birthed Christianity.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God sometimes conceal truth from us until we're spiritually prepared to receive it?
- How do our preconceived expectations of God's work create blindness to His actual methods?
- What teachings of Jesus have you initially misunderstood, only to grasp them later through experience or spiritual maturity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And they understood none of these things (καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐδὲν τούτων συνῆκαν, kai autoi ouden toutōn synēkan)—Despite Jesus's clarity, the disciples remain utterly uncomprehending. Syniēmi (to understand, comprehend) is negated by ouden (nothing, not at all). This isn't intellectual confusion but theological blindness—their Messianic expectations of earthly kingdom and military victory render them unable to process suffering and death.
This saying was hid from them (ἦν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο κεκρυμμένον ἀπ' αὐτῶν, ēn to rhēma touto kekrymmenon ap' autōn)—the perfect passive participle kekrymmenon (having been hidden) implies divine concealment. God temporarily veils truth the disciples aren't ready to receive (cf. Luke 24:16, where eyes are 'holden' before recognition). This parallels Israel's hardening in Isaiah 6:9-10—not permanent rejection but strategic delay until post-resurrection revelation illuminates all.