Luke 19:40
And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
LUKE 19:40
Luke 19:40 contains Jesus’ response to the Pharisees: if the people were silent, the stones would cry out. This is a hyperbolic, prophetic statement emphasizing that the coming of God’s kingdom is inevitable and will be proclaimed, one way or another. Jesus is declaring that creation itself bears the witness to God’s redemptive acts. The image of stones crying out underscores the inescapable truth of God’s work in history and the universal scope of worship that will eventually fill the earth.
Theologically, this verse emphasizes divine sovereignty and the certainty of God’s plan. It suggests that human resistance cannot thwart God’s purposes, and creation participates in the praise of the Creator. It also points forward to the universal recognition of Jesus as King in the eschatological hope.
When human voices discourage praise or disrupt faith, remember that God’s truth will shine through, even if not through you in every moment. Use this as encouragement to persevere in faith and continue to testify to God’s works, trusting that ultimate praise will be rendered, whether by people or by creation itself. In practical terms, keep sharing stories of transformation and acts of mercy that reveal God’s presence in the world.
Cross-References: Habakkuk 2:11; Isaiah 55:12; Psalm 19:1