Luke 24:19
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:
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 29
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
Ποῖα
What things
G4169
Ποῖα
What things
Strong's:
G4169
Word #:
4 of 29
individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 29
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
Τὰ
G3588
Τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περὶ
Concerning
G4012
περὶ
Concerning
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
10 of 29
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
11 of 29
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ναζωραίου,
of Nazareth
G3480
Ναζωραίου,
of Nazareth
Strong's:
G3480
Word #:
13 of 29
a nazoraean, i.e., inhabitant of nazareth; by extension, a christian
ὃς
which
G3739
ὃς
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
14 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐγένετο
was
G1096
ἐγένετο
was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
15 of 29
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
προφήτης
a prophet
G4396
προφήτης
a prophet
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
17 of 29
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
δυνατὸς
mighty
G1415
δυνατὸς
mighty
Strong's:
G1415
Word #:
18 of 29
powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible
ἔργῳ
deed
G2041
ἔργῳ
deed
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
20 of 29
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λόγῳ
word
G3056
λόγῳ
word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
22 of 29
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
25 of 29
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
26 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Matthew 21:11And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.Acts 7:22And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.Acts 2:22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:John 4:19The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.John 6:14Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.John 3:2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.Luke 7:16And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What incomplete views of Jesus do modern believers sometimes hold that stop short of His full identity?
- How does recognizing Jesus as 'mighty in deed and word' challenge superficial faith that emphasizes feeling over Scripture?
- Why is it significant that the disciples mentioned His reputation 'before God and all the people' rather than His deity?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.