Luke 19:48 Meaning and Explanation
“And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The leaders can find no way to act, because all the people hang upon his words.
What Does Luke 19:48 Mean?
The plot stalls. Luke gives the reason in a vivid phrase: the people, all of them, were very attentive, literally hanging on him as he spoke. For now the listening crowd is an unwitting guard around the teacher, and the arrest must wait for darkness and a betrayer.
The chapter that began with one man climbing a tree to see Jesus ends with a whole people suspended on his words. That posture, leaning in, holding on, unwilling to miss a syllable, is the right one before Christ in any century. His words remain life to those who hang upon them.
Luke 19:48 in the Original Language
ekkremamai (ἐκκρέμαμαι), 'were very attentive' -- literally to hang upon someone, hearers clinging to every word.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 19:48
What does Luke 19:48 mean?
The leaders can find no way to act, because all the people hang upon his words.