The Meaning of Luke 19:41 Explained

Luke 19:41

KJV: And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

YLT: And when he came nigh, having seen the city, he wept over it,

Darby: And as he drew near, seeing the city, he wept over it,

ASV: And when he drew nigh, he saw the city and wept over it,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  when  he was come near,  he beheld  the city,  and wept  over  it, 

What does Luke 19:41 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Luke continued to describe Jesus as approaching Jerusalem, His city of destiny. Jesus saw the city in the light of its rejection of His gracious offer of salvation. He foresaw it visited in judgment later since it had rejected His peaceful visit. This is the only place in the Gospels beside John 11:35 where we read that Jesus wept (wailed). His compassion is something Luke pointed out frequently. The fate of sinners who reject God"s grace broke Jesus" heart. Jeremiah also wept over the fate of Jerusalem ( Jeremiah 8:18-22; Jeremiah 15:5; Lam.; cf. 2 Kings 8:11-12).

Context Summary

Luke 19:41-48 - The Doom Of The Royal City
Our Lord loved the city of His race; and when it finally rejected His appeals, He knew that nothing could avert its downfall. Hence His tears! Each nation, city and individual has one day which is the crisis of existence. We cross the equator without knowing it. There is one hour in each God-forsaken life when, as in the Temple before its fall, watchers hear the words, "Let us depart," and there is the rustle of wings! Notice that God visits us in mercy before He comes to us in wrath.
It was a startling act when Christ cleansed the Temple for the second time, John 2:13, etc. If there had been daily papers in those days, they would have chronicled it in great headlines. Extraordinary that this meek and lowly man should break out so vehemently! But His zeal for God's house sustained and bore Him along. Let us ask Him to cleanse the temple of our heart.
These priests and scribes had vested interests to conserve, which blinded them to the beauty and glory of Christ. If we place a coin, however valueless, against the eye, it will blind us to the sun. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 19

1  Of Zacchaeus a tax collector
11  The ten minas
28  Jesus rides into Jerusalem with triumph;
41  weeps over it;
45  drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;
47  Teaching daily in it The rulers seek to destroy him, but fear the people

Greek Commentary for Luke 19:41

Wept [εκλαυσεν]
Ingressive aorist active indicative, burst into tears. Probably audible weeping. [source]
He drew nigh []
“Again the procession advanced. The road descends a slight declivity, and the glimpse of the city is again withdrawn behind the intervening ridge of Olivet. A few moments, and the path mounts again; it climbs a rugged ascent, it reaches a ledge of smooth rock, and in an instant the whole city bursts into view … .It is hardly possible to doubt that this rise and turn of the road was the exact point where the multitude paused again, and He, when he beheld the city, wept over it” (Stanley). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 19:41

Luke 19:37 The descent []
Two distinct sights of Jerusalem are caught on this route, an inequality of ground hiding it for a time after one has first seen it. Luke 19:37 marks the first sight, Luke 19:41 the second and nearer view (see Introduction, on Luke's topographical accuracy). “A t this point (the former) the first view is caught of the southeastern corner of the city. The temple and the more northern portions are hid by the slope of Olivet on the right: what is seen is only Mount Zion, now, for the most part, a rough field, crowned with the mosque of David, and the angle of the western walls, but then covered with houses to its base, and surmounted by the castle of Herod, on the supposed site of the palace of David … .It was at this point that the shout of triumph burst forth from the multitude” (Stanley, “Sinai and Palestine”). [source]
Luke 19:37 At the descent [προς τηι καταβασει]
Epexegetic of “drawing nigh.” They were going by the southern slope of the Mount of Olives. As they turned down to the city, the grand view stirred the crowd to rapturous enthusiasm. This was the first sight of the city on this route which is soon obscured in the descent. The second view bursts out again (Luke 19:41). It was a shout of triumph from the multitude with their long pent-up enthusiasm (Luke 19:11), restrained no longer by the parable of the pounds. [source]
John 11:35 Wept [ἐδάκρυσεν]
A different verb from that in John 11:31. From δάκρυ , tear, and meaning to shed tears, to weep silently. Only here in the New Testament. Κλαίω , to weep audibly, is once used of our Lord in Luke 19:41. “The very Gospel in which the deity of Jesus is most clearly asserted, is also that which makes us best acquainted with the profoundly human side of His life” (Godet). How far such a conception of deity is removed from the pagan ideal, may be seen by even a superficial study of the classics. Homer's gods and goddesses weep and bellow when wounded, but are not touched with the feeling of human infirmity (see on John 3:16). “The gods,” says Gladstone, “while they dispense afflictions upon earth, which are neither sweetened by love, nor elevated by a distinct disciplinary purpose, take care to keep themselves beyond all touch of grief or care.”“The gods ordainThe lot of man to suffer, while themselves Are free from care.”“Iliad,” xxiv., 525. So Diana, when appealed to by the wretched Hippolytus for sympathy, replies:“I see thy love, but must not shed a tear.”Euripides, “Hippolytes,” 1396. The Roman satirist unconsciously bears witness to the profound truthfulness and beauty of this picture of the weeping Savior, in the words: “Nature confesses that she gives the tenderest of hearts to the human race by giving them tears: this is the best part of our sensations” (Juvenal, “Satire” xv., 131-133). [source]
John 11:35 Jesus wept [εδακρυσεν ο Ιησους]
Ingressive first aorist active indicative of δακρυω — dakruō old verb from δακρυ — dakru or δακρυον — dakruon a tear (Acts 20:19), only here in N.T. It never means to wail, as κλαιω — klaiō sometimes does. “Jesus burst into tears.” Κλαιω — Klaiō is used of Jesus in Luke 19:41. See Hebrews 5:7 “with strong crying and tears” Apparently this was as Jesus started towards (see John 11:38) the tomb. In a sense it was a reaction from the severe strain in John 11:33, but chiefly it was the sheer human sympathy of his heart with Martha and Mary touched with the feeling of our common weakness (Hebrews 4:15). Often all that we can do is to shed tears in grief too deep for words. Jesus understood and understands. This is the shortest verse in the Bible, but no verse carries more meaning in it. [source]
John 12:15 Daughter of Zion [τυγατηρ Σιων]
Nominative form (instead of τυγατερ — thugater) but vocative case. The quotation is from Zechariah 9:9 shortened. Thy King cometh Prophetic futuristic present. The ass was the animal ridden in peace as the horse was in war (Judges 10:4; Judges 12:14; 2 Samuel 17:23; 2 Samuel 19:26). Zechariah pictures one coming in peace. So the people here regarded Jesus as the Prince of Peace in the triumphal entry. Sitting on an ass‘s colt Matthew (Matthew 21:6.) does speak of both the ass and the colt having garments put on them, but he does not say that Jesus “sat upon” both animals at once, for επανω αυτων — epanō autōn (upon them) probably refers to the garments, not to the colts. When John wrote (end of the century), Jerusalem had fallen. Jesus will lament over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41.). So “Fear not” (μη ποβου — mē phobou). [source]
Hebrews 5:7 In the days of his flesh [εν ταις ημεραις της σαρκος αυτου]
Here (Hebrews 5:7-9) the author turns to the other requirement of a high priest (human sympathy). Since Jesus was “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15) he did not have to offer sacrifices “for himself,” yet in all other points he felt the sympathy of the human high priest, even more so by reason of his victory over sin. Having offered up Second aorist active (-α — a form) participle of προσπερω — prospherō (cf. Hebrews 5:3). An allusion to the Agony of Christ in Gethsemane. Supplications Socrates, Polybius, Job (Job 40:22) combine this word with δεησεις — deēseis (prayers) as here. The older form was ικεσια — hikesia The word ικετηριος — hiketērios is an adjective from ικετης — hiketēs (a suppliant from ικω — hikō to come to one) and suggests one coming with an olive branch Here only in the N.T. With strong crying and tears See Luke 22:44. for a picture of the scene in Gethsemane (anguish and pathos). No doubt the writer has in mind other times when Jesus shed tears (John 11:35; Luke 19:41), but Gethsemane chiefly. To save him from death A reference to the cry of Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39). Having been heard for his godly fear Old word from ευλαβης — eulabēs (taking hold well, Luke 2:25 from ευ λαμβανω — eu class="normal greek">ευλαβεομαι — lambanō the verb eulabeomai in N.T. only in Hebrews 11:7), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 12:28. Fine picture of Christ‘s attitude toward the Father in the prayer in Gethsemane and in all his prayers. Jesus in Gethsemane at once surrendered his will to that of the Father who heard his plea and enabled him to acquiesce in the Father‘s will. [source]
Hebrews 5:7 Having offered up [προσενεγκας]
Second aorist active (-α — a form) participle of προσπερω — prospherō (cf. Hebrews 5:3). An allusion to the Agony of Christ in Gethsemane. Supplications Socrates, Polybius, Job (Job 40:22) combine this word with δεησεις — deēseis (prayers) as here. The older form was ικεσια — hikesia The word ικετηριος — hiketērios is an adjective from ικετης — hiketēs (a suppliant from ικω — hikō to come to one) and suggests one coming with an olive branch Here only in the N.T. With strong crying and tears See Luke 22:44. for a picture of the scene in Gethsemane (anguish and pathos). No doubt the writer has in mind other times when Jesus shed tears (John 11:35; Luke 19:41), but Gethsemane chiefly. To save him from death A reference to the cry of Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39). Having been heard for his godly fear Old word from ευλαβης — eulabēs (taking hold well, Luke 2:25 from ευ λαμβανω — eu class="normal greek">ευλαβεομαι — lambanō the verb eulabeomai in N.T. only in Hebrews 11:7), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 12:28. Fine picture of Christ‘s attitude toward the Father in the prayer in Gethsemane and in all his prayers. Jesus in Gethsemane at once surrendered his will to that of the Father who heard his plea and enabled him to acquiesce in the Father‘s will. [source]
Hebrews 5:7 Supplications [ικετηριας]
Socrates, Polybius, Job (Job 40:22) combine this word with δεησεις — deēseis (prayers) as here. The older form was ικεσια — hikesia The word ικετηριος — hiketērios is an adjective from ικετης — hiketēs (a suppliant from ικω — hikō to come to one) and suggests one coming with an olive branch Here only in the N.T. With strong crying and tears See Luke 22:44. for a picture of the scene in Gethsemane (anguish and pathos). No doubt the writer has in mind other times when Jesus shed tears (John 11:35; Luke 19:41), but Gethsemane chiefly. To save him from death A reference to the cry of Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39). Having been heard for his godly fear Old word from ευλαβης — eulabēs (taking hold well, Luke 2:25 from ευ λαμβανω — eu class="normal greek">ευλαβεομαι — lambanō the verb eulabeomai in N.T. only in Hebrews 11:7), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 12:28. Fine picture of Christ‘s attitude toward the Father in the prayer in Gethsemane and in all his prayers. Jesus in Gethsemane at once surrendered his will to that of the Father who heard his plea and enabled him to acquiesce in the Father‘s will. [source]
Hebrews 5:7 With strong crying and tears [μετα κραυγης ισχυρας και δακρυων]
See Luke 22:44. for a picture of the scene in Gethsemane (anguish and pathos). No doubt the writer has in mind other times when Jesus shed tears (John 11:35; Luke 19:41), but Gethsemane chiefly. To save him from death A reference to the cry of Jesus in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39). Having been heard for his godly fear Old word from ευλαβης — eulabēs (taking hold well, Luke 2:25 from ευ λαμβανω — eu class="normal greek">ευλαβεομαι — lambanō the verb eulabeomai in N.T. only in Hebrews 11:7), in N.T. only here and Hebrews 12:28. Fine picture of Christ‘s attitude toward the Father in the prayer in Gethsemane and in all his prayers. Jesus in Gethsemane at once surrendered his will to that of the Father who heard his plea and enabled him to acquiesce in the Father‘s will. [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 19:41 mean?

And as He drew near having seen the city He wept over it
Καὶ ὡς ἤγγισεν ἰδὼν τὴν πόλιν ἔκλαυσεν ἐπ’ αὐτήν

ἤγγισεν  He  drew  near 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐγγίζω  
Sense: to bring near, to join one thing to another.
ἰδὼν  having  seen 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: εἶδον 
Sense: to see with the eyes.
πόλιν  city 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: πόλις  
Sense: a city.
ἔκλαυσεν  He  wept 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: κλαίω  
Sense: to mourn, weep, lament.
ἐπ’  over 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.