Luke 9:46-56

Who Is the Greatest?

46 1An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.
47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side
48 and said to them, 2"Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and 3whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For 4he who is least among you all is the one who is great."

Anyone Not Against Us Is For Us

49 5John answered, "Master, we saw someone 6casting out demons in your name, and 7we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us."
50 But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, 8for the one who is not against you is for you."

A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus

51 When the days drew near for 9him to be taken up, 10he set his face 11to go to Jerusalem.
52 And 12he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of 13the Samaritans, to make preparations for him.
53 But 14the people did not receive him, because 15his face was set toward Jerusalem.
54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to tell 16fire to come down from heaven and consume them?"[a]
55 But he turned and rebuked them.[b]
56 And they went on to another village.

Cross References 16

  • 1. For ver. 46-48, see Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-37; [Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45]
  • 2. [Matthew 10:40, 42]
  • 3. [Matthew 10:40, 42]
  • 4. Luke 22:26
  • 5. For ver. 49, 50, see Mark 9:38-40
  • 6. Luke 10:17; Matthew 7:22; Mark 16:17; Acts 19:13; [Matthew 12:27]
  • 7. [Numbers 11:28]
  • 8. [Luke 11:23; Matthew 12:30]
  • 9. See Mark 16:19
  • 10. 2 Kings 12:17; Isaiah 50:7; Jeremiah 42:15
  • 11. Luke 13:22; Luke 17:11; Luke 18:31; Luke 19:11, 28
  • 12. [Luke 10:1]
  • 13. See Matthew 10:5
  • 14. John 4:9; [Luke 10:33]
  • 15. John 4:20
  • 16. See Revelation 13:13

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Some manuscripts add as Elijah did
  • [b]. Some manuscripts add and he said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them"
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.