Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 9:43-45

"And they were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marvelling at all the things which he did, he said unto his disciples, Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men. But they understood not this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying." — Luke 9:43-45 (ASV)

(43a) Luke concludes his account of the boy’s healing by speaking of the greatness of God and the reaction of those who observed the healing. Elsewhere Luke speaks similarly of people giving God glory (5:25; 7:16).

(43b–45) This repetition of the prediction of Jesus’ passion (cf. comments on 9:22) might be considered as a separate section, had not Luke connected it closely with the preceding incident by the marveling of the crowd. The passion prediction serves to emphasize that Jesus’ ultimate purpose went beyond such miracles. This time Jesus includes a reference to his betrayal. The people, however, failed to understand (cf. Matthew 16:22), and they were not granted understanding of the meaning of Jesus’ words. Luke does imply, however, that had they asked Jesus for help in understanding his words, they might have been given it.