“Blessed
are the eyes which see the things that you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.”
Luke 10:23-24
Luke 10 [22.] Turning to the disciples, he said, “All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is, except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son, and he to whomever the Son desires to reveal him.”
Luke 10 [23.] Turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.”
Luke 10 [25.] Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Luke 10 [26.] He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”
Luke 10 [27.] He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10 [28.] He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”
Meaning:
In these verses, Jesus addresses His disciples, acknowledging the privilege they have in witnessing the fulfillment of God's promises and the revelation of His kingdom. He blesses their eyes for seeing and their ears for hearing the truths He has been proclaiming.
Jesus contrasts the disciples' experience with that of the prophets and kings of old. Despite their longing to see and hear the things revealed to the disciples, they were not granted the same revelation during their lifetimes. This highlights the uniqueness of the disciples' position in history and the special role they play in God's redemptive plan (Matthew 13:16-17).
The phrase "many prophets and kings desired to see what you see" underscores the continuity between the Old Testament prophecies and the fulfillment of those prophecies in Jesus Christ. Throughout the Old Testament, prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom (Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7). The disciples have the privilege of witnessing these prophecies being fulfilled in their midst through Jesus' ministry, teachings, and miracles (Luke 4:16-21).
Furthermore, Jesus' words reveal the divine sovereignty at work in the revelation of truth. God chooses to reveal Himself and His kingdom to those whom He has called and chosen (Matthew 11:25-27). The disciples' ability to see and understand the truths of the kingdom is a gift from God, granted to them by His grace and mercy (Ephesians 1:17-18).
In the broader context of Luke's Gospel, these verses occur within the narrative of Jesus sending out the seventy-two disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God (Luke 10:1-24). Jesus empowers them to heal the sick, cast out demons, and proclaim the nearness of God's reign. Their successful ministry demonstrates the reality of the kingdom breaking into the present age (Luke 10:17).
As we reflect on Luke 10:23-24, we are reminded of the privilege we have as believers in Christ to witness and experience the truths of the kingdom firsthand. Like the disciples, we are blessed to see and hear the revelation of God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, these verses challenge us to respond to the revelation of truth with gratitude, faith, and obedience. We are called to treasure the truths of the kingdom and to live in accordance with its values and principles (Matthew 6:33). We are also reminded of the responsibility to share the good news of the kingdom with others, so that they too may come to see and understand the truths revealed to us (Matthew 28:19-20).
In conclusion, Luke 10:23-24 highlights the joy and privilege of witnessing the revelation of divine truths in Jesus Christ. It invites us to respond with gratitude and obedience to the truths of the kingdom and to share them with others, so that they too may come to see and understand the richness of God's redemptive plan.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible