Luke 10:24

For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks this declaration to his disciples immediately after blessing them for their unique vantage point. He delivers these words in the interval between his private address to the twelve and the subsequent challenge posed by an expert in the law.

The words — προφῆται (prophētai) translates literally to "prophets," identifying the Old Testament messengers who awaited divine fulfillment. βασιλεῖς (basileis) means "kings," denoting rulers who similarly longed for the promised era.

The thread — The pattern of forebears anticipating but not receiving the fulfilled promise runs through John 8:56, Hebrews 11:13, and Hebrews 11:39. These passages trace a consistent biblical trajectory where earlier figures observe the promise from a distance while the current generation witnesses its realization.

Why it lands — The text states that the disciples' present sight and hearing constitute a historical fulfillment previously desired by many prophets and kings. It requires the reader to acknowledge the unique privilege of the current revelation and to measure their own access against the long anticipation of the faithful.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Cross-references

John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.”
Hebrews 11:13 All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
Hebrews 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.
1 Peter 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully,