Luke 9:43

And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(43) At the mighty power of God.—The word so rendered is a somewhat remarkable one, and, like the exodos of Luke 9:31, appears again in 2Peter 1:16 in close connection with a reference to the history of the Transfiguration. There it is rendered “majesty,” and in Acts 19:27 “magnificence.” Here greatness would, perhaps, be the best equivalent. St. Luke describes the emotion which the men of the East feel when they say “God is great.”

The division of verses here is singularly unfortunate. The new paragraph should clearly begin, as above, with the words, “But while they wondered.”

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:43-50 This prediction of Christ's sufferings was plain enough, but the disciples would not understand it, because it agreed not with their notions. A little child is the emblem by which Christ teaches us simplicity and humility. What greater honour can any man attain to in this world, than to be received by men as a messenger of God and Christ; and to have God and Christ own themselves received and welcomed in him! If ever any society of Christians in this world, had reason to silence those not of their own communion, the twelve disciples at this time had; yet Christ warned them not to do the like again. Those may be found faithful followers of Christ, and may be accepted of him, who do not follow with us.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See this passage explained in the Matthew 17:14-21 notes, and Mark 9:14-29 notes.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

43-45. the mighty power of God—"the majesty" or "mightiness" of God in this last miracle, the transfiguration, &c.: the divine grandeur of Christ rising upon them daily. By comparing Mt 17:22, and Mr 9:30, we gather that this had been the subject of conversation between the Twelve and their Master as they journeyed along.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

See Poole on "Luke 9:37"

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God,.... Or at "the greatness", or "majesty of God"; which was displayed in this cure: for the great power of God was manifestly seen in it, to the astonishment of the disciples, who could not cure this child, and of the parent and friends of it, and of the whole multitude: and to the confusion of the Scribes and Pharisees:

but while they wondered every one, at all things which Jesus did; and were applauding him for them, and speaking in his praise on account of them:

he said unto his disciples; privately, when they were alone together, the following words, that he might not seem to be lifted up with the praise of men; and also to show their inconstancy, that those who, now admired him, would one day crucify him; and to take off the thoughts of the disciples from a temporal kingdom and glory, they were so much in expectation of, and which every miracle of Christ, and the applause he got thereby among men, strengthened them in.

Geneva Study Bible

{8} And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

(8) We have no reason to promise ourselves rest and quietness in this world, seeing that they themselves who seemed to fawn upon Christ crucify him shortly after.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 9:43-45. Second prediction of the Passion (Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:30-32).—πάντων θαυμαζόντων, etc., while all were wondering at all the things which He did. The reference is to the cure of the epileptic, which led the multitude to see in Jesus the bearer of the majesty or greatness of the Almighty.—εἶπε. Jesus spoke a second time of His approaching death, in connection with this prevailing wonder, and His aim was to keep the disciples from being misled by it. The setting in Mt. and Mk. is different. There Jesus speaks of His passion, while He with the Twelve is wandering about in Galilee, endeavouring, according to Mk., to remain unnoticed, and He speaks of it simply because it is the engrossing theme with which His mind is constantly preoccupied. Here, on the other hand, the second announcement is elicited by an external occasion, the admiration of the people.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

43. mighty power] Rather, majesty. 2 Peter 1:16.

while they wondered] The power of the last miracle had rekindled some of their Messianic enthusiasm. Jesus had now reached the northern limits of Palestine, and—apparently through bypaths, and with the utmost seeresy—was retracing His steps, perhaps along the western bank of the Jordan, to Galilee, Matthew 17:22; Mark 9:30.

he said unto his disciples] The imperfects in Mark 9:31 shew that these warnings of His approaching betrayal, death, and resurrection now formed a constant topic of His teaching.

Bengel's Gnomen

Luke 9:43. Ἐξεπλήσσοντο, they were struck with amazement) in mind.—μεγαλειότητι) God is, μέγας, great; His works are μεγαλεῖα, magnificent.—θαυμαζόντων, whilst they were wondering) and were also expressing their wonder in words.—εἶπε, said) For this one word the Gothic Version has the following: Quath Pætrus, Fan, du vve veis ni mahtedum usdreiban thamma: ith Jesus quath: thata kuni ni usgangith nibai in bidom jah in fastubnja: quath than; that is, Peter said, Lord, why were we not able to cast him out? And Jesus said, This sort goeth not forth but in prayer and fasting. Then He said, etc. Comp. App. Crit. Ed. ii. on this passage.[83] If Luke himself wrote these words, we must suppose that Peter along with the rest, struck with admiration at the magnificent miracles performed by the Lord, identifies himself with the inability of the disciples to perform the miracle, and acknowledges that if he had been present [which he was not, being at the transfiguration at the time], he would not have prevailed against the unclean spirit. Therefore he inquires the cause why not.[84]

[83] ABDab Vulg. support the omission of these words. c however agrees with Goth. Vers. in inserting them. They seem to me to have crept in here through the Harmonies and transcribers from the parallel passages, Matthew 17:19; Matthew 17:21, Mark 9:28-29.—ED. and TRANSL.

[84] However the Vers. Germ. omits this inserted clause.—E. B.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 43. - And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples. Once more were kindled the disciples' hopes of an earthly royalty in the Person of that strange Messiah. For was he not Messiah after all, who with a word worked such stupendous works as the miracle they had just witnessed? But Jesus read their thoughts, and again tells them (in ver. 44) of the terrible doom which awaited him. They must remember there was no earthly crown or human sovereignty for him. Luke 9:43

Vincent's Word Studies

Astonished (ἐξεπλήσσοντο)

See on Matthew 7:28.

Mighty power (μεγαλειότητι)

Used only by Luke and at 2 Peter 1:16, on which see note.

He did (ἐποίει)

Imperfect. Better, was doing.