Luke 9:1-6. The Mission of the Twelve. 1. _Then he called his twelve disciples together_ This was at the close of the missionary journeys alluded to in Matthew 9:35; Mark 6:6. St Matthew gives a touching reason for the mission of the Twelve. It was because He pitied the multitude, who were like har... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he sent them_ Two and two for their mutual comfort. Mark 6:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he said unto them_ For a much fuller account of the instructions given to the Twelve see Matthew 10:5-15. Some of these are recorded by St Luke as given also to the Seventy, Luke 10:1-16. _neither staves_ Or a _staff_(as N, A, B, and many uncials). The plural may have been frivolously introduce... [ Continue Reading ]
_whatsoever house ye enter_ After enquiring who were the worthiest people to receive them, Matthew 10:11, com]), infra Luke 10:5-8. This injunction was meant to exclude fastidious and restless changes.... [ Continue Reading ]
_preaching the gospel_ The word here used is "evangelizing," in Luke 9:2 it is "to herald." _healing_ In the other Evangelists _exorcisms_are prominent. Mark 6:13. The special object of the mission of the Twelve is plain from St Matthew. Our Lord had now been preaching for nearly a year in Galilee,... [ Continue Reading ]
7-9. Herod's Alarm. 7. _Herod the tetrarch_ Antipas. See Luke 3:1. _by him_ These words are omitted by א, B, C, D, L. The "_all the things that had occurred_" seems to be a special reference to the work of the Twelve which made our Lord's name more widely known. _it was said of some_ i.e. by some... [ Continue Reading ]
_that Elias had appeared_ In accordance with the prophecy of Malachi 4:5. The verb "appeared" is used instead of -risen again," because of Elijah's translation to heaven. The Talmud is full of the expected appearance of Elijah, and of instances in which he shewed himself to eminent Rabbis. _one of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_he desired_ Literally, "_was seeking_ this agrees with Luke 23:8, "he was desirous to see him of a long season." St Luke may have heard particulars about Herod from Chuzas (Luke 8:3) when he was with St Paul at Caesarea Stratonis, or from Manaen at Antioch (Acts 13:1). The curiosity of Herod about... [ Continue Reading ]
10-17. The Feeding of the Five Thousand. 10. _told him all that they had done_ This brief and meagre record, to which nothing is added by the other Evangelists, contrasts so strongly with the joyous exultation of the Seventy over their success, that we are led to infer that the training of the Twel... [ Continue Reading ]
_the people, when they knew it, followed him_ The ensuing miracle is one of the few narrated by all four Evangelists, Matthew 14:13-33; Mark 6:30-52; John 6:1-21, and is most important from the power displayed, the doctrines symbolized (Christ the bread of life), and the results to which it led (Joh... [ Continue Reading ]
_to wear away_ Rather, to decline. _then came the twelve_ They were afraid that when once the brief twilight was over, the famished multitude might lose their way or come to harm, and some calamity happen which would give a fresh handle against Jesus. John alone tells us that He had compassionately... [ Continue Reading ]
_We have no more but five loaves and two fishes_ Compare Numbers 11:22. It was Andrew who first mentioned this fact in a tentative sort of way. The little boy (_paidarion_) who carried them seems to have been in attendance on the Apostles; evidently this was the food which they had brought for their... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jive thousand men)_"Besides women and children," Matthew 14:21. These would probably not be numerous, and would not (in accordance with Eastern usage) sit down with the men, but would stand apart. _by fifties in a company_ The vivid details of Mark shew the eyewitness of St Peter. He compares them... [ Continue Reading ]
_brake_, _and gave_ The -brake" is in the aorist, and the -gave" in the imperfect, and although it is a useless presumption to enquire into the _mode_of this most remarkable miracle, these two words give us this detail only, that it took place between the act of breaking and the continuous distribut... [ Continue Reading ]
_of fragments_ Compare 2 Kings 4:43-44. These were collected by the order of Jesus, who thus strikingly taught that wastefulness even of miraculous plenty is entirely alien to the divine administration. _twelve baskets Cophini_, probably wicker-baskets (_salsilloth_, Jeremiah 6:9). Every Jew carri... [ Continue Reading ]
- 22. St Peter's Confession. Christ prophesies His Death and Resurrection. 18. _alone_ Rather, IN PRIVATE, as the context shews. _the people_ Rather, THE MULTITUDES; those whom Jesus had taught and healed and fed, or those who seem to have been always at no great distance. The two other Evangelists... [ Continue Reading ]
_John the Baptist_ See on Luke 9:7-9. The answer of the Apostle shewed the sad truth that Jesus had come to His own possessions and His own people received Him not; that the Light had shined in the darkness, and the darkness had not comprehended it. He had not come to _force belief,_but to _win con... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Christ of God_ "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God," Matthew 16:16. "The Lord's Christ," Luke 2:26. After the estranging speech at Capernaum our Lord had asked, "Will ye also go away?" and then St Peter's answer had been "we have believed and recognised that thou art _the Holy One... [ Continue Reading ]
_commanded them to tell no man_ For these perhaps among other reasons:-1. Because His work was not yet finished. 2. Because as yet their faith was very weak and their knowledge very partial. 3. Because they had not yet received the Holy Spirit to give power to their testimony. 4. Because the public... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Son of man must suffer many things_ It was necessary at once to dissipate the crude Messianic conceptions of earthly splendour and victory in which they had been brought up, and to substitute the truth of a suffering for that of a triumphant Messiah. _be rejected of the elders and chief pries... [ Continue Reading ]
- 27. THE CROSS AND THE KINGDOM. 23. _And he said to them all_ The word "all" implies the fact mentioned by St Mark (Mark 8:34), that before continuing His discourse He called up to Him the multitudes who were at a little distance. St Luke here omits the presumption and rebuke of St Peter, which is... [ Continue Reading ]
_whosoever will save his life shall lose it_ The words imply _whosoever shall make it his main will to save his life._See by way of comment the fine fragment (probably) of a very early Christian hymn in 2 Timothy 2:11-12, and observe that ψυχὴ means the natural, animal life of which the main interes... [ Continue Reading ]
_if he gain the whole world_ It was by the constant repetition of this verse that Ignatius Loyola won the life-long devotion of St Francis Xavier. _lose himself or be cast away_ Rather, destroy himself, and suffer loss.... [ Continue Reading ]
_whosoever shall be ashamed of me_ Compare Luke 12:9; 2Ti 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 2:12. __... [ Continue Reading ]
_which shall not taste of death_ In the Arabian poem, Antar, Death is represented as slaying men by handing them a cup of poison. This was a common Eastern metaphor. _till they see the kingdom of God_ St Mark (Mark 9:1) adds "coming in power." St Matthew (Matthew 16:28) says "till they see the Son... [ Continue Reading ]
28-36. The Transfiguration. 28. _about an eight days after_ See Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13. This is merely the inclusive reckoning which St Luke saw in his written sources, and means exactly the same thing as "after six days" in Mark 9:2. (This explains Matthew 27:63.) _he took_ The solemnity of... [ Continue Reading ]
_as he prayed_ The enquiry whether this heavenly brightness came from within, or as when the face of Moses shone by reflection from communion with God, seems irreverent and idle; but we may say that the two things are practically one. _the fashion of his countenance was alteread_ "His face did shin... [ Continue Reading ]
_two men_, _which were Moses and Elias_ The great Lawgiver and the great Prophet, of whom we are told that God buried the one (Deuteronomy 34:6) and the other had passed to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:1; 2 Kings 2:11). The two were the chief representatives of the Old Dispensation. The fo... [ Continue Reading ]
_spake of his decease_ The word used is _exodos_, -departure" a very unusual word for death, which also occurs in this connexion in 2 Peter 1:15. The reading _doxan,_-glory," though known to St Chrysostom, is only supported by a few cursives. _Exodos_is, as Bengel says, a very weighty word, involvin... [ Continue Reading ]
_were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake_ Rather, had been heavy with sleep; but on fully awaking. The word _diagregoresanies_does not here mean -having kept awake," but (to give the full force of the compound and aorist) _suddenly starting into full wakefulness._They started up, wide awake... [ Continue Reading ]
_as they departed_ Rather, were parting. _it is good for us to be here_ The word is not _agathon_, but _kalon;_ it is an excellent thing, or -it is _best_" (cf. Matthew 17:4; Matthew 26:24). _tabernacles_ like the little wattled _booths_(succoth), which the Israelites made for themselves at the Fe... [ Continue Reading ]
_there came a cloud, and overshadowed them_ "A bright cloud," Matthew 17:5. Possibly the Sheckinah, or cloud of glory (see on Luke 1:35), which was the symbol of the Divine Presence (Exodus 33:9; 1 Kings 8:10). If a mere mountain cloud had been intended, there would have been no reason for their fe... [ Continue Reading ]
_a voice out of the cloud_ 2 Peter 1:17-18. As in two other instances in our Lord's ministry, Luke 3:22; John 12:28. The other Synoptists add that at this Voice they fell prostrate, and, on Jesus touching them, suddenly raised their eyes and looked all around them, to find no one there but Jesus. _... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they kept it close_ until after the resurrection, in accordance with the express command of Jesus given them as they were descending the hill. Matthew 17:9. During the descent there also occurred the conversation about Elijah and John the Baptist. (Matthew 17:9-13; Mark 9:9-13.)... [ Continue Reading ]
37-48. THE DEMONIAC BOY. THE LESSON OF MEEKNESS. 37. _on the next day_ Proving that the Transfiguration took place at night: see on Luke 9:28. _much people met him_ St Mark records their "amazement" at seeing Him perhaps due to some lingering radiance and majesty which clung to Him after the Trans... [ Continue Reading ]
38. _of the company_ Rather, FROM THE CROWD. _Master_ Rather, TEACHER or RAHBI. _he is mine only child_ See on Luke 8:42. __... [ Continue Reading ]
_a spirit taketh him_ This was the supernatural aspect of his deafness, epilepsy, and madness. St Matthew gives the natural aspect when he says, "he is a lunatic, and sore vexed, &c.," Luke 17:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
_and they could not_ Jesus afterwards, at their request, told them the reason of this, which was their deficient faith. Matthew 17:19-21.... [ Continue Reading ]
_O faithless and perverse generation_ Doubtless the Spirit of Jesus was wrung by the contrast so immortally portrayed in the great picture of Raphael between the peace and glory which He had left on the mountain, and this scene of weak faith, abject misery, and bitter opposition faltering disciples,... [ Continue Reading ]
_rebuked the unclean spirit_ See the fuller details and the memorable cry of the poor father in Mark 9:21-24. The child had been rendered deaf and dumb by his possession; in the last paroxysm he wallowed on the ground foaming, and then lay as dead till Jesus raised him by the hand. Interesting paral... [ Continue Reading ]
_mighty power_ Rather, MAJESTY. 2 PETER 1:16. _while they wondered_ The power of the last miracle had rekindled some of their Messianic enthusiasm. Jesus had now reached the northern limits of Palestine, and apparently through bypaths, and with the utmost seeresy was retracing His steps, perhaps al... [ Continue Reading ]
_shall be delivered_ Rather, IS ABOUT TO BE DELIVERED (I.E. very soon).... [ Continue Reading ]
_shake off the very dust from your feet_ See Acts 13:51; Acts 18:6. __ _they understood not_ This ignorance and incapacity, so humbly avowed, should be contrasted with the boldness and fulness of their subsequent knowledge as one of the strongest proofs of the change wrought in them by the Resurre... [ Continue Reading ]
_a reasoning_Rather, A DISPUTE. _which of them should be greatest_ Their jealous ambition had been kindled partly by false Messianic hopes, partly perhaps by the recent distinction bestowed on Peter, James, and John. Observe how little Christ's words to Peter had been understood to confer on him an... [ Continue Reading ]
_perceiving the thought of their heart_ He asked the subject of their dispute, and when shame kept them silent, He sat down, and calling a little child, made the Twelve stand around while He taught this solemn lesson. _took a child_ This could not have been the future martyr St Ignatius, as legend... [ Continue Reading ]
_he that is least among you_ Comp. Matthew 23:11-12. He perhaps added the memorable words about offending His little ones. Matthew 18:6-10; Luke 17:2. _shall be great_ Rather, IS GREAT (א, B, C, L, X).... [ Continue Reading ]
49, 50. THE TOLERANCE OF JESUS. 49. _And John answered and said_ Mark 9:38-41. This sudden question seems to have been suggested by the words _"in my name"_ which Jesus had just used. _casting out devils in thy name_ It was common among the Jews to attempt exorcism by many different methods; see on... [ Continue Reading ]
_he that is not against us is for us_ Cf. Philippians 1:18. The _complementary_but not contradictory truth to this, is "He who is not with me is against me," Matthew 12:30. Both are true in different circumstances. Neutrality is sometimes as deadly as opposition (Judges 5:23); it is sometimes as eff... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 9:51 to Luke 18:31_. Rejected by the Samaritans. A lesson of Tolerance._ This section forms a great episode in St Luke, which may be called the departure for the final conflict, and is identical with the journey (probably to the Feast of the Dedication, John 10:22) which is partially Luke 9:51... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 9:51-56. Rejected by the Samaritans. A lesson of Tolerance. 51. _when the time was come that he should be received up_ Rather, WHEN THE DAYS OF HIS ASSUMPTION WERE DRAWING TO A CLOSE (literally, _were being fulfilled)._St Luke thus clearly marks the arrival of a final stage of our Lord's minis... [ Continue Reading ]
_sent messengers_ Some think that they were two of the Seventy disciples; others that they were James and John. _into a village of the Samaritans_ On the way to Judaea from Galilee He would doubtless avoid Nazareth, and therefore His road probably lay over Mount Tabor, past Little Hermon (see Luke 7... [ Continue Reading ]
_they did not receive him_ The aorist implies that they at once rejected Him. The Samaritans had shewn themselves heretofore not ill-disposed (John 4:39), and St Luke himself delights to record favourable notices of them (Luke 10:33; Luke 17:18). But (i) there was always a recrudescence of hatred be... [ Continue Reading ]
_James and John_ "What wonder that the Sons of Thunder wished to flash lightning?" St Ambrose. But one of these very disciples afterwards went to Samaria on a message of love (Acts 8:14-25). _fire to come down from heaven_ To avenge their helplessness under this gross and open insult of the Messiah... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of_ The whole of this passage down to "save them" is omitted in K, A, B, C, and other manuscripts; but it is impossible to doubt its genuineness, because it breathes a spirit far purer, loftier, and rarer than is ever discernible in ecclesiastical interpolat... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the Son of man is not come_, &c. This clause is omitted by the majority of uncials, and some editors therefore regard it as a repetition of Luke 19:10 or Matthew 18:11. However that may be, we have the same sentiment in John 3:17; Joh 12:47; 1 Timothy 1:15. The Sons of Thunder we re shewing the... [ Continue Reading ]
57-62. The Three Aspirants. 57. _as they went in the way_ St Matthew (Matthew 8:19-22) places these incidents before the embarkation for Gergesa. Lange's conjecture that the three aspirants were Judas Iscariot, Thomas, and Matthew is singularly baseless. _a certain man_ a Scribe (Matthew 8:19). Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus said unto him_ "In the man's flaring enthusiasm He saw the smoke of egotistical self-deceit" (Lange), and therefore He coldly checked a proffered devotion which would not have stood the test. _nests_ Rather, habitations, SHELTERS. Birds do not live in nests. In this verse more than in any ot... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father_ An ancient, but groundless tradition (Clem. Alex. _Strom,_ill. 4, § 25), says that this was Philip. This man was already a disciple (Matthew 8:21). The request could hardly mean -let me live at home till my father's death," which would be too indefini... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let the dead bury their dead_ i.e. let the _spiritually_dead (Ephesians 2:1; John 5:24-25) bury their physically dead. "Amandus est generator, sed praeponendus est Creator," Aug. The general lesson is that of Luke 14:26 _._... [ Continue Reading ]
_61.let me first go bid them farewell_ The incident and the allusion closely resemble the call of Elisha (1 Kings 19:20). But the call of Jesus is more pressing and momentous than that of Elijah. "The East is calling thee, thou art looking to the West," Aug. Neither Elijah nor Elisha is an adequate... [ Continue Reading ]
_No man having put his hand to the plough_ He who would make straight furrows must not look about him (Hesiod, _Works and Days,_11. 60). The light ploughs of the East, easily overturned, require constant attention. _fit_ Rather, well-adapted. By way of comment see Luke 17:32; Psalms 78:9; Hebrews 10... [ Continue Reading ]