Luke 9:54
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Original Language Analysis
ἰδόντες
saw
G1492
ἰδόντες
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
1 of 24
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 24
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 #:
7 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
10 of 24
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
θέλεις
wilt thou
G2309
θέλεις
wilt thou
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
11 of 24
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
15 of 24
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
17 of 24
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 24
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
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
21 of 24
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
Historical Context
Elijah's fire from heaven (2 Kings 1) occurred in the context of covenant judgment against apostate Israel under Ahaziah. The prophets of the Old Covenant executed divine wrath against treaty violators. But Jesus inaugurates the New Covenant age of grace, where judgment is delayed to allow for repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The disciples failed to recognize the shift in redemptive epochs—they lived in the age of gospel invitation, not covenant vengeance.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you been tempted to call down judgment on those who reject or oppose Christ rather than extending the patience and mercy that brought you to salvation?
- How does the disciples' appeal to Elijah's example warn against misapplying Old Testament narratives without understanding their place in redemptive history?
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Analysis & Commentary
Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them (θέλεις εἴπωμεν πῦρ καταβῆναι, theleis eipōmen pyr katabēnai)—James and John, the 'Sons of Thunder' (Mark 3:17), propose calling down divine judgment. Even as Elias did—they reference Elijah's destruction of Ahaziah's soldiers (2 Kings 1:9-12), believing they possess comparable prophetic authority and that this situation warrants comparable judgment.
Their question reveals how completely they misunderstood Jesus's mission. They interpreted Samaritan inhospitality as covenant rebellion deserving fiery annihilation, applying Old Covenant patterns of holy war to gospel ministry. The apostles wanted to be Elijah; Jesus came to be the suffering servant. They sought vengeance; He sought mercy. This same John would later write 'God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved' (John 3:17)—a lesson learned here through Jesus's rebuke.