Luke 9:37–45: Left Speechless

August 7, 2026

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

Let’s start with a self-assessment. On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your spiritual maturity? How is your walk with Jesus? I’m not asking about your Bible knowledge. Some of the most Bible-intelligent people I know have had affairs and split churches. I’m asking about your overall spiritual health. Give yourself an honest score. 

Our passage today focuses on the apostles–the men God used to change the course of world history. But at this point in their walk with Jesus, they were falling short. 

Last time, we looked at the apostles’ unique experience with Jesus on the mountain, where God’s glory shone through him, and he met with Moses and Elijah. It was certainly a highlight moment, and Peter did not want it to end. But as we all know, the Christian life is not lived only on the mountaintop. 

Luke says, “On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met [Jesus]” (Luke 9:37). The day before, Christ’s deity had transformed his appearance. His clothes were made “dazzling white” (Luke 9:29). But now, in his ordinary human appearance, Jesus was on mission. 

As the crowd gathered, one man’s voice rose above the rest. He cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him” (Luke 9:38–39). The father’s description sounds similar to a tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure, and today such episodes can be treated medically. In this case, however, a demon was causing the attacks. The man had asked Jesus' disciples to cast out the demon, but their attempts were futile (Luke 9:40). 

Earlier, Jesus had given his apostles “power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases” (Luke 9:1). While Jesus was on the mountain, this man asked the apostles for help; however, they were unable to cast out the demon. Mark adds that when Jesus, along with Peter, James, and John, came down from the mountain and met the crowd, the disciples and the scribes were arguing with each other (Mark 9:14). Who knows what the argument was about, but I think we can surmise it centered on Jesus and his followers' inability to help others. 

Jesus had just been with Moses, and in response to this situation, he alludes to Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 32, where Moses expressed his frustration in leading the people of Israel. Moses called the people a “crooked,” “twisted,” and “faithless” generation because of their unbelief (Deut. 32:5, 20). Jesus expressed his own frustration in similar words: “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you?” (Luke 9:41). 

When the father brought his son to Jesus, the demon made one last desperate attempt to display its destructive power. Luke says, “While he was coming, the demon threw [the boy] to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father” (Luke 9:42). This is a powerful reminder that what Satan takes from us, Jesus restores. 

Luke says that the crowd and the disciples “were astonished at the majesty of God” (Luke 9:43). The word translated “astonished” (exeplessonto) means “struck out of their senses.” They were overwhelmed with amazement, left speechless, and completely dumbfounded, awestruck at the power of God. 

While Jesus had their attention and “they were marveling at everything he was doing,”^[1] he used the moment to explain what was coming. He did not want them to miss what he was about to say. He told them, “Let these words sink into your ears…” (Luke 9:44). With the people marveling at his unique power, Jesus explained that he would set aside his power for a greater purpose, the mission he had come to accomplish. He said, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men” (Luke 9:44). 

Now, how could that happen? How could the One who had shown such absolute power over the forces of Satan be handed over into human hands? The people could not comprehend it. Luke says, “But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying” (Luke 9:45). 

Let’s think through the question: How could the One who had already shown power over Satan’s forces be handed over to human hands? It could happen only because Jesus allowed it. And that is exactly what our Savior did.

Jesus’ power is undeniable. To this point in our study of Luke, Jesus has healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, and commanded the wind and waves, “Be still!” He is God, with absolute power over illness, demons, and nature. Yet the most astonishing display of that power is this: he chose not to use it to spare himself. Instead, he voluntarily went to the cross to bear our sins and pay their penalty for us. That is astounding, incomprehensible power!

I asked you earlier to rate your spiritual maturity on a scale from 1–10. While there is no excuse for laziness and disobedience, let me be quick to add: don’t be too hard on yourself. While we need to daily engage in God’s Word and apply it to our lives, there will be times of mountain-top experiences, travels through the valleys, and times when we just don’t get it. 

The disciples' experience will be our experience as well. So today let's just slow down, sit down, and marvel at Jesus. The One who spoke the world into existence humbled himself to die for our sins voluntarily. Take time to be overwhelmed with amazement, left speechless, and completely dumbfounded, awestruck by the power of God.  

Read and reflect on Luke 9:37–45: When your faith feels weak, or you don't fully understand what God is doing, how can you intentionally "let these words sink into your ears" and continue trusting Jesus?

Talking to God: How can you grow in your walk with Jesus? Ask him. Then act in faith as he directs you.

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