Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

LUKE 9:44KJV
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Luke 9:44 (KJV)

What does Luke 9:44 mean?

In Luke 9:44, Jesus tells his followers to pay close attention to a coming event: he, the Son of man, will be handed over to other people. After the crowd’s amazement at his actions, Jesus directs his followers’ attention to what lies ahead.

Jesus speaks to his disciples, the people who follow and learn from him. “Let these sayings sink down into your ears” pictures his words being placed where they can be heard and kept in mind. “Son of man” is the name Jesus uses for himself here.

The Greek behind Luke 9:44

  • “down” — τίθημι (tithēmi): The Greek carries the sense of putting or placing something. Along with “into your ears,” the word gives Jesus’ command the picture of placing his words before his hearers.
  • “delivered” — παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi): The word can mean to hand someone over. In this verse, Jesus describes himself as being handed into the control of other people.

Why Luke 9:44 matters

  • Jesus’ warning changes the focus from the crowd’s amazement to his own future. Luke places the warning while people are still marveling at what Jesus has done (verse 43).
  • The saying’s meaning was not immediately clear to the disciples. The next verse says they did not understand it and were afraid to ask Jesus about it (verse 45).

Where else these words appear

“these” Greek G5128 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
  • Luke 19:15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
  • Acts 16:36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

“ears” Greek G3775 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
  • Luke 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
  • 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

“down” Greek G5087 · used in 94 verses

  • Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  • John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
  • Acts 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

“be” Greek G3195 · used in 107 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Acts 11:28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
  • Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.