Luke 18:34 Meaning and Explanation
“And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The twelve understand none of it; the saying is hidden from them, and they cannot take in what he means.
What Does Luke 18:34 Mean?
Luke says it three times over, underlining the disciples' blindness: they understood none of these things, the saying was hid from them, they did not grasp what was spoken. A crucified and risen Messiah simply did not fit the hope they carried; their minds had no place yet to put such a thing.
There is unexpected comfort in their dullness. Jesus did not wait for his disciples to understand him before he loved them, kept them, and went to Jerusalem for them. Understanding came later, when the risen Lord opened the Scriptures to them. God is patient with slow hearts — and some of what he is doing in any life makes sense only on the far side of it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 18:34
What does Luke 18:34 mean?
The twelve understand none of it; the saying is hidden from them, and they cannot take in what he means.