Luke 9:43b-45
Chapter 9
43a
And everyone who saw it was amazed at God’s marvelous work.
43b
While everyone was amazed at all Jesus did, he said to his disciples:
44
Listen, and remember what I tell you now: The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men.”
45
But the disciples didn’t understand what he meant; something prevented them from grasping it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
Commentaries
Heals an Epileptic Child.
Luke summarizes the detailed account that Mark describes (Mk 9:14-29). He emphasizes the words of the child’s father, who had previously asked Jesus’ disciples for help without success. Jesus explains that their lack of faith is why they couldn’t free the child. Even though the disciples had already been given authority to cast out demons (9:1), what went wrong? According to Mark, the key to understanding this is that “this kind can come out only by prayer” (Mk 9:29).
Second Announcement of the Passion and Resurrection.
The admiration and wonder at the end of the previous passage serve as a backdrop for Jesus to proclaim his next destiny once again. Let us not be misled; all the applause and collective displays of joy cannot divert Jesus from the path he has chosen for his life. The disciples do not understand anything he says; they prefer to stay in ignorance out of fear of asking him.