And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

LUKE 19:40KJV
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Luke 19:40 (KJV)

What does Luke 19:40 mean?

Luke 19:40 describes Jesus replying that if his followers were silent, even the stones would cry out in praise. This means that the truth about who Jesus is cannot be suppressed; if people were stopped from celebrating him, creation itself would testify.

In this scene, Jesus is entering Jerusalem and the crowd is joyfully praising him as king. Some Pharisees tell Jesus to make his disciples stop, but Jesus answers that such praise is unstoppable—if the people were quiet, the stones themselves would shout. The verse highlights the inevitability and necessity of acknowledging Jesus’ identity.

The Greek behind Luke 19:40

  • "Peace" (σιγάω, sigaō): This word means to be silent or to keep quiet. Here, it emphasizes the idea that even if people were forced into silence, the message would still find a way to be expressed.
  • "Stones" (λίθος, lithos): The mention of stones is a vivid image. It shows that the praise due to Jesus is so fundamental that, if humans held back, even inanimate creation would respond.
  • "Cry out" (κράζω, krazō): This word means to shout or call out loudly. The sense is not a quiet whisper but a loud, undeniable proclamation—making clear that the truth cannot be hidden.

Why Luke 19:40 matters

  • Luke 19:40 clears up the idea that Jesus’ recognition as king is just a human movement; the verse shows it as something woven into the fabric of creation itself.
  • The verse emphasizes that trying to silence the truth about Jesus is futile—God’s purposes will be made known, even if it means creation itself must speak.
  • This moment connects to the larger story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, showing the tension between those who accept him and those who want to suppress his message.

Where else these words appear

“peace” Greek G4623 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 20:31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
  • Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
  • Mark 14:61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

“stones” Greek G3037 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
  • Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
  • Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

“out” Greek G2896 · used in 58 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • Mark 11:9 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
  • Acts 19:34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.