Luke 9:41

Luke 9:41, in plain English

Jesus responded with frustration: 'You unbelieving and perverse generation! How long must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.'

Why it's here

Jesus was not frustrated with the father or the boy. He was grieved by the general atmosphere of unbelief surrounding Him. But even in His frustration, He did not turn away. He said: bring the boy to Me.

Who's speaking

Jesus expresses frustration but still moves toward healing.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus sighed with exasperation at the faithlessness around Him. But His frustration did not stop His compassion. Despite everything, His next words were: bring your son to Me.

The scholarly reading

Jesus' exclamation ō genea apistos kai diestrammenē ('O unbelieving and perverse generation') echoes Deuteronomy 32:5, 20 and Moses' frustration with faithless Israel. His rhetorical questions about heōs pote ('how long') He must remain and bear with them express prophetic frustration.

Language and setting

The rebuke is directed broadly at the 'generation,' not specifically at the disciples or the father. The allusion to Deuteronomy places Jesus in the role of Moses dealing with an unfaithful people, while the question about duration hints at His impending departure.

Voice

Jesus speaks with prophetic frustration, then commands the father to bring the boy.

Significance

Jesus expressed deep prophetic frustration at the faithless generation around Him, echoing Moses' lament over Israel. Despite His exasperation, He immediately directed the father to bring the suffering boy forward for healing.

39A spirit keeps seizing him, and he screams abruptly. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It keeps mauling him and rarely departs from him.

40I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.”

41“O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

42Even while the boy was approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.

43And they were all astonished at the greatness of God.

Read all of Luke 9 — Peter confesses, the Transfiguration blazes, and Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem. Everything from here moves toward the cross.