JESUS THE MESSIAH. We have seen above how Jesus, the One rejected by His own family, has, in a place situated between Jews and Gentiles in the midst of the Sea of Galilee, revealed His power over stormy seas, and thus over all the nations, and how in Gentile territory He has revealed His power over... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.' Having called the twelve together for a briefing Jesus grants them power and authority (note the twofold provision) over all demons and to cure diseases. Here He acts on His own initiative i... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MISSION OF THE TWELVE (9:1-11). Having focused on revealing Himself for what He is Jesus now sends out the twelve to proclaim the Kingly Rule of God and with authority, granted by Him, to cast out evil spirits and heal. He is very much acting as God' official representative with an authority gi... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he sent them forth to preach the Kingly Rule of God, and to heal the sick.' And having received His authority and power they are sent out to: · Proclaim that men were now to respond to God and His Kingly Rule over them. · To heal the sick in order to demonstrate that that Kingly Rule was now... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money, nor have two coats.” ' They were to go out as they were, not seeking out extra provisions, whether staff or bag or bread or money. Nor were they to take a change of tunic. The emphasis is on going... [ Continue Reading ]
“And into whatever house you enter, there abide, and from there depart.” Whenever they were offered hospitality in a place they were to remain there the whole time that they were there. It was God's provision for them and must not be despised. They were to accept what was given to them by God, not... [ Continue Reading ]
“And as many as do not receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.” But where none in a town would receive them, when they left that town they should shake the dust of the town from their feet (just as pious Jews did when they left Ge... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the good news, and healing everywhere.' Thus they went on their way, and went through the villages preaching the Good News of the presence of the Kingly Rule of God, and the need for response to it, and along with their preaching they ‘... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done, and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead, and by some, that Elijah had appeared, and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.' The news of these activities inevitably reached Herod... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.' It is not surprising that the rumours struck Herod's conscience. The statement is partly Luke's way of letting us know how John died without taking the attention off Jesus. But it also indi... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And the apostles, when they were returned, declared to him what things they had done. And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida.' When the apostles returned from their mission they reported back on what they had done. The statement ‘what things they had done' is general and sh... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But the crowds perceiving it followed him, and he welcomed them, and spoke to them of the Kingly Rule of God, and those who had need of healing he cured.' But those among the crowds whose hearts had been deeply stirred were aware of His move and followed Him. And when He saw them, in spite of His... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And the day began to wear away, and the twelve came, and said to him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions, for we are here in a desert place.” ' The crowds had come flocking to the wilderness near Bethsaida Julius, to the... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS FEEDS THE SEEKING CROWDS (9:12-17). The wider nature of Jesus' mission having been revealed by the sending out of the Apostles to preach, Jesus now demonstrates to the Apostles their further responsibility. In the light of the establishment of a new covenant community they are to ‘feed' the pe... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But he said to them, “You give them to eat.” ' Jesus' reply was, ‘You give to them to eat.” (The ‘you' is emphasised). Compare Mark 6:37. Jesus had a number of lessons that He wanted to bring home to His disciples, and the first was their responsibility for ‘feeding' the people, especially when He... [ Continue Reading ]
‘For they were about five thousand men.' The full situation, revealing the reason for the dilemma, is then laid out. This tiny amount of food would have to be sufficient for five thousand grown men (to say nothing of women and children). Five thousand was a round number signifying the covenant comm... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And they did so, and made them all sit down.' The disciples did as they were told and made the crowds sit down. That was at least one thing that they felt that they could do.... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and broke, and gave to the disciples to set before the great crowd.' Then Jesus, as though He was sat at the head of the table, took the bread and the fish, and looking up to Heaven blessed them and broke th... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And they ate, and were all filled. And there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.' And the result was that from those five loaves and two fishes that great crowd was fed, with twelve basketfuls remaining over and to spare. The ‘twelve' indicated continued... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And it came about, as he was praying apart, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answering said, “John the Baptiser. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.” After a time spent in prayer with Hi... [ Continue Reading ]
PETER AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE APOSTLES DECLARES JESUS TO BE THE MESSIAH (9:18-22). The Gospel of Luke began with a clear revelations of Jesus as Son of the Most High and as Messiah (Luke 1:32; Luke 1:35; Luke 2:11; Luke 2:30). A similar idea had been conveyed in the Temptation story where ‘Son... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And then came the crucial question that would determine what was to happen from now on. ‘But who do you (all of you) say that I am?' We can sense the tenseness that was in the air as He awaited their reply. The Apostles had now had plenty of opp... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But he charged them, and commanded them to tell this to no man,' Then Jesus commanded them not to spread around the fact that He was the Messiah. It was good that they knew, but it was better kept to themselves for it might mislead the crowds into the wrong expectations. And from now on He began t... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Saying, “The Son of man must (it is necessary) suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.” Now He feels it important to make clear to them the deeper truths concerning His coming. They must recognise once and for a... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he said to all,' ‘He said to all.' This is the indication in Luke that all who are following are now included in what follows, not just the twelve. In Mark the words that follow are introduced by, ‘and He called to Him the multitude with His disciples, and said to them'. These and the followin... [ Continue Reading ]
“For whoever would save his life shall lose it, but whoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” On the other hand He pointed out that there was really only one choice, for the alternative was not really a choice. Not to respond would be equally fatal. For the one who shunned t... [ Continue Reading ]
“For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self?” So He puts to those who were following Him (and to us) the ultimate challenge. Of what advantage is there for anyone to gain the whole world at the expense of eternal life? Men have stood astride their world... [ Continue Reading ]
“For whoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.” The decision for each was as to whether to take up a position as one who belongs to Christ, or as one who turns away from... [ Continue Reading ]
“But I tell you of a truth, There are some of them who stand here, who will in no wise taste of death, till they see the Kingly Rule of God.” But He wants to nerve them for what lies ahead, and so He assures them that in spite of the necessary warning final victory is certain. Whatever the future m... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And it happened about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray.' It will be noted that Luke has changed ‘after six days' to ‘about eight days after'. There is no problem with this mathematically for six whole days could, w... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and dazzling.' His ostensible purpose in taking them up with Him was in order to pray (Luke 9:28), but as He prayed a great transformation took place in Him. His face shone and His clothing became white... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory, and spoke of his exodus which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.' Then appeared two men with Him, one was Moses and the other was Elijah. Both appeared in glory, and they spoke of His ‘exodus' which H... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake (or ‘having remained awake'), they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him.' But meanwhile Peter and the others were heavy with sleep, as they would also be in Gethsemane (Luke 22:45; Mark 14:37; M... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LIGHT OF THE WORD (9:33-36). The Jews walk on blindly, seeking signs and coming under the condemnation of these men of old for not responding to Jesus' words, but in contrast His disciples are to become lamps revealing and receiving the light of God, and are not to be concerned with signs but on... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And it came about that as they were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here, and let us make three booths, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”, not knowing what he said.' The splendour of the scene so disoriented Peter that when he saw Moses and... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them, and they feared as they entered into the cloud.' And even while he was speaking a cloud came down and overshadowed ‘them'. This ‘them' may indicate the three glorious figures (Mark says that God spoke out of the cloud), or... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my chosen, hear you him.”' And from the cloud came a voice, declaring that Jesus was His Son and His chosen One, His Son (Psalms 2:7; John 1:14; John 1:18) and His Anointed Servant (Isaiah 42:1). Note how God takes the attention off Moses... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And when the voice came, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen.' And then all was quiet and they found themselves alone with Jesus. And so profound was the experience that they told no one about it at the time. They st... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And it came about, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him.' The connection with the Transfiguration is clearly made. As Jesus descends from the mountain with His three companions He is met by ‘a great crowd'. A contrast and comparison is probably intende... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And behold, a man from the crowd cried, saying, “Teacher, I beseech you to look on my son, for he is my only child, and behold, a spirit takes him, and he suddenly cries out, and it tears him so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him sorely. And I begged your disciples to cast... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? Bring here your son.” ' This is Jesus' verdict on what He has found concerning the whole generation of Israel at that time. It included the great crowd, which was in such contrast to... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And as he was yet a coming, the demon dashed him down, and tore him grievously. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.' The father's description of his son's problems were clearly revealed as correct when he sought to bring his son to Jesus. The... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And they were all astonished at the majesty of God.' As the crowds saw what had happened they were filled with astonishment at the wonder of what it revealed God to be. In 2 Peter 1:16 the same word translated ‘majesty' is applied to Jesus at the Transfiguration. It was also applied by idolaters t... [ Continue Reading ]
“Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men.” Note the stress Jesus places on what He says. “Let these words sink into your ears.” He could not have been more emphatic. And what was the message? “The Son of man shall be delivered up into the... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But they understood not this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.' But the disciples were still blinded by their own ideas. They could not believe that men would treat badly One Who did such good. Were not the... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest.' It is quite clear that the disciples had not learned the lesson of their encounter with the demon-possessed boy. Instead of feeling ashamed at their failure, and buckling down to prayer and humility in the light of it, they co... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side, and said to them, “Whoever shall receive this little child in my name receives me, and whoever shall receive me receives him who sent me.' When Jesus saw what they were thinking in their hearts, He to... [ Continue Reading ]
‘For he who is least among you all, the same is great.' Then He laid down one of His great maxims. ‘For he who is least among you all, the same is great.' In other words, God sees as great the one who is ready to do the lowliest tasks, and the one who willingly takes the lowest place, quite unconsc... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And John answered and said, “Master, we saw one casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us.” ' As mentioned the disciples had seen a man casting out evil spirits in the name of Jesus even though he was not one who outwardly followed Jesus. And so they t... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against you is for you.” ' But Jesus told them that they were wrong to forbid him. For if this man was being successful then it demonstrated that God was with him, and that he believed in Jesus. And such a man should therefore be encoura... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And it came about, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.' We have already seen in Luke 9:22; Luke 9:31; Luke 9:44 that Jesus' destiny is to die in Jerusalem. We are now told that the remainder of Luke's Gospel is to be read... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS SETS HIS FACE TOWARDS JERUSALEM FOLLOWED BY CENTRING ON THE LORD'S PRAYER FOR THE EVANGELISATION OF THE WORLD (9:51-11:54). This section commences with Jesus setting His face towards Jerusalem because the time for Him to be received up (as mentioned in Luke 9:22; Luke 9:31; Luke 9:44) is appr... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he sent messengers before his face, and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for him, and they did not receive him, because his face was as though he were going to Jerusalem.' Many Galileans on going to Jerusalem would go via Peraea in order to avoid Samaria prec... [ Continue Reading ]
JESUS IS WARNED OFF BY THE SAMARITANS BECAUSE HE IS HEADED FOR JERUSALEM (9:52-56). The Samaritans lived between Galilee and Judaea in Samaria, in and around Shechem, and had grown into quite a large community. We do not really know from where they came. They were possibly originally a group of rel... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, is it your will that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?” At this rejection of Jesus and His message James and John were furious. They probably considered that the Samaritans should have been feeling greatly honou... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But he turned, and rebuked them.' Jesus' response was to rebuke them. Had they thought back they would have remembered His words, ‘Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who use you badly.' But they saw such words as for hanging up in museum... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And they went to another village.' So they moved on to another village. The words are poignant. The village that Jesus had chosen had lost its opportunity to hear the Good News. Significantly this will now be followed by descriptions of three men who also had to choose whether they would miss thei... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And as they went on the way, a certain man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” ' The first man came and offered to follow Jesus (Matthew tells us he was a Scribe - Luke 8:19). Luke wants us to see him as typical of all would be disciples. He assures Jesus that he is willing to follow... [ Continue Reading ]
THREE DISCIPLES ARE CHALLENGED WITH FOLLOWING JESUS (9:57-62). The Lord's prayer in Luke 11:1 commences with, ‘Hallowed be Your Name' (by the bringing about of Your will in purifying Your people - Ezekiel 36:23), Your Kingly Rule come.' It is a prayer of dedication to the service of the Kingly Rule... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” ' Jesus' reply lays down the requirements for His disciples, and is an honest appraisal of what they can expect. Let him recognise what ‘wherever He goes' means. F... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And he said unto another, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” ' A second possible disciple is specifically called by Jesus. In this case he expresses willingness but asks permission to go and bury his father. As it is very unlikely that he would have been ther... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and publish abroad the Kingly Rule of God.” Jesus counters the earnest young man's argument, giving him a chance to think it over. He points out that he is being called to a ministry of life which has precedence above all else.... [ Continue Reading ]
‘And another also said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first allow me to bid farewell to those who are at my house.” ' This third man is especially interesting. His reply is the same as that of Elisha when Elijah called him (1 Kings 19:20). He wants time to say ‘Goodbye' to his family.... [ Continue Reading ]
‘But Jesus said to him, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingly Rule of God.” ' Jesus' reply reflects the fact that Elisha had been a ploughman when Elijah called him, and he had slaughtered his oxen to feed the needy before following Elijah fully. Jesus... [ Continue Reading ]