Chapter

Luke 9:38

ESV And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child.
NIV A man in the crowd called out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child.
NASB And a man from the crowd shouted, saying, 'Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, because he is my only son,
CSB Just then a man from the crowd cried out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, because he’s my only child.
NLT A man in the crowd called out to him, 'Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, my only child.
KJV And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.
NKJV Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child.

What does Luke 9:38 mean?

Jesus, Peter, James, and John are returning to the other disciples after Jesus' transfiguration (Luke 9:28–36). They arrive to find the nine arguing with scribes, surrounded by a crowd who quickly turn their focus from the argument to Jesus (Mark 9:14–15). We aren't told what the disciples and the scribes are arguing about. Presumably, it was related to this man's message. His only child has been demonized by an evil spirit that either gives him symptoms of epilepsy or exacerbates the disease he already has. Despite the fact Jesus has given the disciples the power to cast out all demons (Luke 9:1), they prove powerless, and the father begs for Jesus' help (Luke 9:39–40).

This is at least the third time Luke records Jesus coming to the rescue of an "only child." The first was the widow of Nain's son (Luke 7:11–15). The second was Jairus' daughter (Luke 8:41–42, 49–55). In that time and culture, being an "only child" was an important distinction. A significant part of the promise God gave the Jews refers to the perpetual ownership of the land. These parents need their children to inherit the family land and continue their family's position in the clan and the community. The widow especially needed Jesus' attention; without her son, she may have been destitute. If Jairus had no more children—and they still followed the Mosaic law—his daughter's husband would inherit his estate (Numbers 27:1–11). This father, too, both loves his son and needs him as an heir.
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