54 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?

Other Translations of Luke 9:54

New International Version

54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy themSome manuscripts "them, just as Elijah did" ?"

English Standard Version

54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?"Some manuscripts add as Elijah did

The Message

54 When the disciples James and John learned of it, they said, "Master, do you want us to call a bolt of lightning down out of the sky and incinerate them?"

New King James Version

54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?"

New Living Translation

54 When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, "Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up ?"

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 9:54

Commentary on Luke 9:51-56

(Read Luke 9:51-56)

The disciples did not consider that the conduct of the Samaritans was rather the effect of national prejudices and bigotry, than of enmity to the word and worship of God; and through they refused to receive Christ and his disciples, they did not ill use or injure them, so that the case was widely different from that of Ahaziah and Elijah. Nor were they aware that the gospel dispensation was to be marked by miracles of mercy. But above all, they were ignorant of the prevailing motives of their own hearts, which were pride and carnal ambition. Of this our Lord warned them. It is easy for us to say, Come, see our zeal for the Lord! and to think we are very faithful in his cause, when we are seeking our own objects, and even doing harm instead of good to others.