Luke 9:47

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

Original Language Analysis

ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δὲ And G1161
δὲ And
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 15
but, and, etc
Ἰησοῦς Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦς Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 3 of 15
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἰδὼν perceiving G1492
ἰδὼν perceiving
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 4 of 15
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διαλογισμὸν the thought G1261
διαλογισμὸν the thought
Strong's: G1261
Word #: 6 of 15
discussion, i.e., (internal) consideration (by implication, purpose), or (external) debate
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίας heart G2588
καρδίας heart
Strong's: G2588
Word #: 8 of 15
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
αὐτὸ him G846
αὐτὸ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 9 of 15
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
ἐπιλαβόμενος took G1949
ἐπιλαβόμενος took
Strong's: G1949
Word #: 10 of 15
to seize (for help, injury, attainment, or any other purpose; literally or figuratively)
παιδίου, a child G3813
παιδίου, a child
Strong's: G3813
Word #: 11 of 15
a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian
ἔστησεν and set G2476
ἔστησεν and set
Strong's: G2476
Word #: 12 of 15
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
αὐτὸ him G846
αὐτὸ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 13 of 15
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
παρ' by G3844
παρ' by
Strong's: G3844
Word #: 14 of 15
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
ἑαυτῷ him G1438
ἑαυτῷ him
Strong's: G1438
Word #: 15 of 15
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

Analysis & Commentary

Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart (εἰδὼς τὸν διαλογισμὸν τῆς καρδίας, eidōs ton dialogismon tēs kardias)—Christ's divine knowledge penetrates beyond words to the inner reasoning of the heart. The verb eidōs (perceiving) indicates full, intuitive knowledge, not mere observation. He sees their ambitious calculations before they voice them.

Took a child, and set him by him (παιδίον, paidion)—Jesus uses a living object lesson. In ancient society, children had no social status, legal rights, or political influence. They represented powerlessness and dependency, the opposite of greatness the disciples sought. By placing the child beside himself (παρ' ἑαυτῷ), Jesus identifies with the lowly, previewing His teaching that receiving the least is receiving Him (9:48). The kingdom's hierarchy inverts the world's: the child, not the celebrity, stands next to the King.

Historical Context

First-century Greco-Roman culture viewed children as incomplete adults lacking reason and virtue. Jewish tradition valued children as covenant blessings but still placed them at the bottom of social hierarchy—women, then children, then slaves. Jesus's radical elevation of a child as the model disciple would have shocked His audience, challenging fundamental assumptions about honor, status, and kingdom citizenship.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources

Bible Stories