Luke Chapter 9 · Verse 56

Authorized King James Version

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For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Original Language Analysis

ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ For G1063
γὰρ For
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 2 of 17
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὑιὸς the Son G5207
ὑιὸς the Son
Strong's: G5207
Word #: 3 of 17
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνθρώπων men's G444
ἀνθρώπων men's
Strong's: G444
Word #: 5 of 17
man-faced, i.e., a human being
οὐκ not G3756
οὐκ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 6 of 17
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ἦλθεν come G2064
ἦλθεν come
Strong's: G2064
Word #: 7 of 17
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ψυχὰς lives G5590
ψυχὰς lives
Strong's: G5590
Word #: 8 of 17
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
ἀνθρώπων men's G444
ἀνθρώπων men's
Strong's: G444
Word #: 9 of 17
man-faced, i.e., a human being
ἀπολέσαι, to destroy G622
ἀπολέσαι, to destroy
Strong's: G622
Word #: 10 of 17
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
αλλα but G235
αλλα but
Strong's: G235
Word #: 11 of 17
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
σῶσαι to save G4982
σῶσαι to save
Strong's: G4982
Word #: 12 of 17
to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)
καὶ them And G2532
καὶ them And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 13 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπορεύθησαν they went G4198
ἐπορεύθησαν they went
Strong's: G4198
Word #: 14 of 17
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
εἰς to G1519
εἰς to
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 15 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἑτέραν another G2087
ἑτέραν another
Strong's: G2087
Word #: 16 of 17
(an-, the) other or different
κώμην village G2968
κώμην village
Strong's: G2968
Word #: 17 of 17
a hamlet (as if laid down)

Analysis & Commentary

Jesus rebukes James and John: 'For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.' The brothers wanted to call fire from heaven on a Samaritan village that rejected Jesus (v. 54). Jesus' rebuke clarifies His mission—salvation, not destruction. The verb 'destroy' (Greek 'apolesai,' ἀπολέσαι) and 'save' (Greek 'sōsai,' σῶσαι) create stark contrast. Jesus came to rescue, not judge (though judgment will come at His return). His first advent brings grace; His second brings judgment. The disciples' vengeful impulse revealed misunderstanding of Jesus' present mission and character.

Historical Context

The incident occurred during Jesus' journey to Jerusalem through Samaria (v. 51-53). Jews and Samaritans had centuries-old hostility. Samaritan rejection of Jesus traveling to Jerusalem was typical ethnic-religious animosity. James and John's suggestion echoed Elijah calling fire from heaven on soldiers (2 Kings 1:10-12), but Jesus' mission differed from Elijah's. The church age is marked by grace, not judgment. Jesus later died for Samaritans too—gospel later flourished in Samaria (Acts 8). This rebuke teaches patience with rejectors and trust in God's timing for judgment. Our mission is evangelism, not vengeance.

Questions for Reflection