2 Kings 2:18 When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, "Didn't I tell you not to go?"

◄ 2 Kings 2:18 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
When they returned to Elisha, who was staying in Jericho, he said to them, "Didn't I tell you not to go?"

English Standard Version
And they came back to him while he was staying at Jericho, and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”

New American Standard Bible
They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go '?"

King James Bible
And when they came again to him, (for he tarried at Jericho,) he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When they returned to him in Jericho where he was staying, he said to them, "Didn't I tell you not to go?"

International Standard Version
By the time they returned, Elisha was living in Jericho. Then Elisha asked them, "Didn't I tell you not to go?"

American Standard Version
And they came back to him, while he tarried at Jericho; and he said unto them, Did I not say unto you, Go not?

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they came back to him: for he abode at Jericho, and he said to them: Did I not say to you: Do not send?

Darby Bible Translation
And they came again to him (now he was staying at Jericho); and he said to them, Did I not say to you, Go not?

Young's Literal Translation
and they turn back unto him -- and he is abiding in Jericho -- and he saith unto them, 'Did I not say unto you, Do not go?'

Cross References

2 Kings 2:17
And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not.

2 Kings 2:19
And the men of the city said to Elisha, Behold, I pray you, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees: but the water is naught, and the ground barren.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

2:13-18 Elijah left his mantle to Elisha; as a token of the descent of the Spirit upon him; it was more than if he had left him thousands of gold and silver. Elisha took it up, not as a sacred relic to be worshipped, but as a significant garment to be worn. Now that Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha inquired, 1. After God; when our creature-comforts are removed, we have a God to go to, who lives for ever. 2. After the God that Elijah served, and honoured, and pleaded for. The Lord God of the holy prophets is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; but what will it avail us to have the mantles of those that are gone, their places, their books, if we have not their spirit, their God? See Elisha's dividing the river; God's people need not fear at last passing through the Jordan of death as on dry ground. The sons of the prophets made a needless search for Elijah. Wise men may yield to that, for the sake of peace, and the good opinion of others, which yet their judgment is against, as needless and fruitless. Traversing hills and valleys will never bring us to Elijah, but following the example of his holy faith and zeal will, in due time.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

16-18. fifty strong men, let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master—Though the young prophets from Jericho had seen Elijah's miraculous passage of the Jordan, they had not witnessed the ascension. They imagined that he might have been cast by the whirlwind on some mountain or valley; or, if he had actually been admitted into heaven, they expected that his body would still be remaining somewhere on earth. In compliance with their importunity, he gave them permission, but told them what the result would be.