Luke 9:45

9:45 But they did not understand this statement; its meaning ¹  had been concealed ²  from them, so that they could not grasp it. Yet ³  they were afraid to ask him about this statement.

Luke 18:34

18:34 But ⁴  the twelve ⁵  understood none of these things. This ⁶  saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp ⁷  what Jesus meant. ⁸ 

[9:45]  ¹ tn Grk “it”; the referent (the meaning of the statement) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[9:45]  ² sn 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.

[9:45]  ³ tn 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.

[18:34]  ⁴ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast.

[18:34]  ⁵ tn Grk “they”; the referent (the twelve, v. 31) has been specified in the context for clarity.

[18:34]  ⁶ tn Grk “And this.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

[18:34]  ⁷ sn This failure of the Twelve to grasp what Jesus meant probably does not mean that they did not understand linguistically what Jesus said, but that they could not comprehend how this could happen to him, if he was really God’s agent. The saying being hidden probably refers to God’s sovereign timing.

[18:34]  ⁸ tn Grk “the things having been said.” The active agent, Jesus, has been specified for clarity, and “said” has been translated as “meant” to indicate that comprehension of the significance is really in view here.