^9:44“Take these words to heart,¹⁵³ for the Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.”¹⁵⁴^9:45But they did not understand this statement; its meaning¹⁵⁵ had been concealed¹⁵⁶ from them, so that they could not grasp it. Yet¹⁵⁷ they were afraid to ask him about this statement.

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Footnotes

153 Grk “Place these words into your ears,” an idiom. The meaning is either “do not forget these words” (L&N 29.5) or “Listen carefully to these words” (L&N 24.64). See also Exod 17:14. For a variation of this expression, see Luke 8:8.
154 The plural Greek term ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn) is considered by some to be used here in a generic sense, referring to both men and women (cf. , “into human hands”; , “to the power of human beings”). However, because this can be taken as a specific reference to the group responsible for Jesus’ arrest, where it is unlikely women were present (cf. Matt 26:47–56; Mark 14:43–52; Luke 22:47–53; John 18:2–12), the word “men” has been retained in the translation. There may also be a slight wordplay with “the Son of Man” earlier in the verse.
155 Grk “it”; the referent (the meaning of the statement) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
156 The passive verb had been concealed probably indicates that some force was preventing them from responding. It is debated whether God or Satan is meant here. By 24:25 it is clear that their lack of response is their own responsibility. The only way to reverse this is to pay careful attention as v. 44a urges.
157 Here καί (kai) has been translated as “yet” to indicate that in spite of their lack of understanding, the disciples were afraid to ask about it. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” 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.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

“Let these words sink in: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”

But they did not understand this statement; it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

NLTNew Living Translation

“Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.” But they didn’t know what he meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn’t understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“You take these words to heart, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they could not understand it. And they were afraid to ask him about this statement.

KJV 1900King James Version

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

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