New Testament · Gospel

Luke 10:24

The Good Samaritan

For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” Luke 10:24 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Luke 10:24, in plain English

Jesus said that many prophets and kings wished they could see and hear what the disciples were experiencing, but never got the chance. You are living in the moment history was waiting for.

Why it's here

Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, they all longed for what the disciples were seeing up close. The greatest figures in history would have traded everything for what you have: direct access to Jesus.

Who's speaking

Jesus helps the disciples understand their privileged position.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus told them something stunning: the greatest people who ever lived, prophets and kings, dreamed of what you are seeing right now. They lived in hope. You are living in the fulfillment.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus explains that polloi prophētai kai basileis ('many prophets and kings') desired to see and hear what the disciples now experience but ēthelésan idein kai ouk eidon ('wished to see and did not see'). The mention of 'kings' alongside prophets is unique to Luke.

Language and setting

The inclusion of kings expands beyond Matthew's 'righteous people,' perhaps reflecting Luke's interest in political figures. The statement places the disciples at the climax of salvation history: they stand at the fulfillment point of all prophetic and royal longing.

Voice

Jesus elaborates on the disciples' unique blessing.

Significance

Jesus told the disciples that their experience surpassed the deepest longings of Israel's greatest prophets and kings, who yearned to see and hear what the disciples were now witnessing but never received the privilege.

In context

Luke 10:22–26

22All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”

23Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.

24For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

25One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?”

Read all of Luke 10 — A lawyer asks how to inherit eternal life and gets an answer he doesn't expect. The hero of the story is the one everyone despises.

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