Luke 9:54

52 He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him.

53 But the people there refused to welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem.

When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”

55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.

56 And He and His disciples went on to another village.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”
KJV
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
WEB
When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky and destroy them, just as Elijah did?”
ASV
And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?
DARBY
And his disciples James and John seeing [it] said, Lord, wilt thou that we speak [that] fire come down from heaven and consume them, as also Elias did?
BLB
And having seen [it], the disciples James and John said, “Lord, do You want [that] we should call fire to come down from heaven and to consume them?”
ÅB
Da hans disipler Jakob og Johannes så det, sa de: Herre! vil du vi skal befale ild fare ned fra himmelen og fortære dem, slik som Elias gjorde?
OTB
Da disiplene Jakob og Johannes så dette, spurte de: "Herre, vil du at vi skal kalle ild ned fra himmelen for å fortære dem?"
B1930
Da hans disipler Jakob og Johannes så det, sa de: Herre! vil du vi skal byde ild fare ned fra himmelen og fortære dem, likesom Elias gjorde?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Kings 1:10–14

    Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men.

    Read in context
  • James 1:19–20

    My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

    Read in context
  • James 3:14–18

    But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.

    Read in context
  • Acts 4:29–30

    And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness,

    Read in context