Luke 9:55

55 and having turned, he rebuked them, and said, `Ye have not known of what spirit ye are;

Luke 9:55 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 9:55

But he turned and rebuked them
He turned himself about to them, and looking upon them with a stern countenance, sharply reproved them for their intemperate zeal, their passion of wrath, and anger, and desire of revenge:

and said, ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of;
or do not consider that this is not the true spirit of zeal, but of anger and revenge; and is not agreeable to the spirit of the meek and humble followers of Christ, or to the Spirit of God, and those gifts of his bestowed on them, nor to the spirit of the Gospel dispensation: so good men, for want of attention, may not know sometimes from what spirit they act; taking that for a good one, which is a very bad one; being covered with specious pretenses of love and zeal, and the examples of former saints; not observing the difference of persons; times, and things.

Luke 9:55 In-Context

53 and they did not receive him, because his face was going on to Jerusalem.

54 And his disciples James and John having seen, said, `Sir, wilt thou [that] we may command fire to come down from the heaven, and to consume them, as also Elijah did?'

55 and having turned, he rebuked them, and said, `Ye have not known of what spirit ye are;

56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save;' and they went on to another village.

57 And it came to pass, as they are going on in the way, a certain one said unto him, `I will follow thee wherever thou mayest go, sir;'