Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

LUKE 19:42KJV
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Luke 19:42 (KJV)

What does Luke 19:42 mean?

Luke 19:42 shows Jesus lamenting that Jerusalem did not recognize what would bring it peace, and now that understanding is hidden from them. Jesus expresses sorrow that the city has missed its opportunity to know and accept the things that would lead to true peace.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking as he approaches Jerusalem, just before his entry into the city. He is addressing Jerusalem itself, mourning that its people have not understood or accepted what God was offering them through him. The verse captures a moment of deep emotion, as Jesus foresees the consequences of their rejection and the loss of peace that could have been theirs.

The Greek behind Luke 19:42

  • εἰ ἔγνως (ei egnōs, "If thou hadst known"): The Greek here carries the sense of a strong wish or regret—Jesus is expressing how different things could have been if Jerusalem had recognized what was truly important.
  • τὰ πρὸς εἰρήνην σου (ta pros eirēnēn sou, "the things which belong unto thy peace"): The word εἰρήνη (eirēnē, "peace") often means more than just the absence of conflict; it points to wholeness, well-being, and right relationship with God.
  • ἐκρύβη (ekrubē, "are hid"): This word means "hidden" or "concealed," suggesting that the opportunity for understanding is now out of reach, not just missed but veiled from their perception.

Why Luke 19:42 matters

  • Luke 19:42 helps clarify that Jesus is not angry but deeply sorrowful over Jerusalem’s lack of understanding, highlighting his compassion even in the face of rejection.
  • The verse emphasizes that peace was available to Jerusalem, but their failure to recognize it leads to tragic consequences, which Jesus foresees.
  • This moment connects to the wider theme in Luke of missed opportunities and the importance of recognizing God’s visitation, setting the stage for the events that follow in Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“least” Greek G2534 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

“hid” Greek G2928 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
  • Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
  • 1 Timothy 5:25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

“peace” Greek G1515 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
  • Romans 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
  • Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

“eyes” Greek G3788 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
  • Luke 6:42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
  • Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.