College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Luke 19 - Introduction
Butler's Comments
Chapter Nineteen
THE SON OF MAN SPEAKING ABOUT SALVATION
IDEAS TO INVESTIGATE:
1.
Why did Zacchaeus think he should restore four times anything he had defrauded (Luke 19:8)?
2.
How does the parable of the pounds correct the misconception of the immediate coming of the kingdom of God (Luke 19:11)?
3.
How could stones cry out in acclamation of Jesus (Luke 19:39)?
4.
Who are the enemies of Jerusalem who will cast up a bank (Luke 19:43)?
5.
Where is it written, My house shall be a house of prayer (Luke 19:45)?
Applebury's Comments
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Outline
A.
Luke recorded the story of Zacchaeus the Publican (Luke 19:1-10).
1.
His desire to see Jesus (Luke 19:1-4).
a)
Jesus was passing through Jericho.
b)
Zacchaeus was a chief publican, and rich.
c)
Being small of stature, he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed up into a sycamore tree.
2.
Jesus in the house of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5-7).
a)
When Jesus saw him, He said, Hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.
b)
Zacchaeus welcomed him with joy.
c)
The people criticized Him, saying, He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.
3.
The effect of Jesus presence in the home of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8-10).
a)
Zacchaeus said, Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone, I restore it fourfold.
b)
Jesus said, Today is salvation come to this house, since he is also a son of Abraham.
c)
Then He added, For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
B.
Luke recorded the Parable of the Pounds (Luke 19:11-27).
1.
The occasion: He was near Jerusalem, and some supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately (Luke 19:11).
2.
The nobleman who was to receive a kingdom (Luke 19:12-14).
a)
He went to a far country to receive a kingdom and to return.
b)
He gave his servants ten pounds and said, Trade with these until I come.
c)
His citizens hated him and sent a delegation to say, We won-'t have this man reigning over us.
3.
What happened when the nobleman returned (Luke 19:15-27).
a)
The accounting by the servants (Luke 19:15-26).
(1)
One had gained ten pounds and was given authority over ten cities.
(2)
Another gained five pounds and was put over five cities.
(3)
One gained nothing;
(a)
He made the excuse that he was afraid and uttered false charges against his master.
(b)
But the king showed how he could have at least returned the money with interest.
(c)
His pound was given to the one who had ten.
(4)
The principle involved: To every one who has gained, there shall be given more; but from the one who has no increase, even what he has shall be taken away.
b)
The death sentence for those who refused to have him as their king (Luke 19:27).
C.
Luke gave the account of the Triumphal Entry (Luke 19:28-40).
1.
The preparation (Luke 19:28-35).
a)
Time: After He had spoken the parable of the Pounds, as He was going on to Jerusalem (Luke 19:28).
b)
Place: Near Bethphage and Bethany (Luke 19:29).
c)
Action: The disciples bring a colt for Him to ride on (Luke 19:30-35).
(1)
They told the owner that the Lord had need of the colt.
(2)
They threw their garment on the colt, and Jesus sat on him.
2.
The welcome (Luke 19:36-38).
a)
They spread their garments on the way.
b)
At the descent of the mount of Olives, the crowd praised God saying, Blessed is the King that cometh in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven and glory in the highest.
3.
The complaint (Luke 19:39-40).
a)
The Pharisees said, Teacher, rebuke your disciples.
b)
He said, I tell you, if they become silent the stones will cry out.
D.
Luke told about Jesus-' lament over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44).
1.
When He saw the city, He wept over it (Luke 19:41).
2.
He said, If you had known the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes.
3.
What would happen to the city (Luke 19:43-44).
a)
It would be besieged by the enemy.
b)
Its people would be dashed to the ground.
c)
Its building would be destroyed.
4.
All this, because they did not know the time of their visitation (Luke 19:44).
E.
Luke told about the cleansing of the Temple (Luke 19:45-48).
1.
The temple cleansed (Luke 19:45-46).
a)
He drove the merchants out.
b)
He said, It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers.
2.
The Teacher threatened (Luke 19:47-48).
a)
He was teaching daily in the temple.
b)
The chief priests, the scribes, and the principal men of the people sought a way to destroy Him.
c)
They were unable to do so for all the people were hanging on His words listening to Him.
Summary
As Luke neared the close of his account of the Life of Christ, he crowded as many incidents into it as possible. Five are given in this chapter, some of which are mentioned only briefly.
The story of Zacchaeus presents another practical defense of Jesus-' ministry in behalf of the lost sinner. He was criticized, of course, for going into the house of this chief publican, but He answered, The Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost.
The Parable of the Pounds answers many questions about the nature of the kingdom of God. The story of the nobleman who went into a far country to receive a kingdom and return shows that Jesus was soon to return to the Father where He would be seated at the right hand of the throne of God and reign as King until the end of the age. Then He will return to call upon His servants to render account of their stewardship. Those who have been faithful will be rewarded accordingly, but no excuse will be accepted for failing to carry out His orders. Even the opportunity to serve will be taken away from the one who does not use it in this life. Those who reject Him as King will be destroyed when He comes again.
The story of the Triumphal Entry presents Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a colt as the prophet had said. As He came to the descent of the mount of Olives, He was met by a crowd that spontaneously cried out, Blessed is the King that comes in the name of the Lord. The ubiquitous Pharisees heard it and said, Teacher, rebuke your disciples. He said, I tell you if they become silent, the stones will cry out. But soon the enemy would stir them up and they would be yelling, Let him be crucified.
As Jesus looked at the city He wept over it. If you had known the things that belong to peace, but now they are hid from your eyes. The time would come when their city would be besieged, its people dashed to the ground, and its buildings utterly destroyed. All this was because they did not know the One sent from God with the message of peace.
He went into the city and once again found the temple being used as a place of merchandise. He drove out the merchants as He had done at the beginning of His ministry and said again, It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer. You have made it a den of robbers.
As He was teaching in the temple, the chief priests and scribes and prominent men were seeking a way to destroy Him. How to do it without arousing the people, was their only concern, for all the people were hanging on His words, listening to the story of eternal life.
Questions
1.
What is known about the history of Jericho?
2.
Why was Zacchaeus called a chief publican?
3.
Why did he want to see Jesus?
4.
How did he overcome his handicap?
5.
Why did Jesus say, I must abide in your house today?
6.
What did the crowds say about this?
7.
What did Zacchaeus propose to do about his life?
8.
What is the significance of the remark: If I have wrongfully exacted aught?
9.
Why did Jesus say that salvation had come to his house?
10.
What did his being a son of Abraham have to do with it?
11.
What was the purpose of Jesus-' ministry as seen in His remark at the close of the story of Zacchaeus?
12.
What was the occasion for telling the Parable of the Pounds?
13.
What is the parable about?
14.
Why didn-'t the people understand Jesus-' purpose in going to Jerusalem?
15.
Who is represented by the nobleman in the parable?
16.
What does the parable teach about the kingdom of God and the office of Christ as King?
17.
When did He receive the kingdom?
18.
What will He do when He comes again?
19.
What are His servants to do while He is away?
20.
Who are represented by the citizens who refused to have Him as their King?
21.
On what basis were the servants rewarded?
22.
What lesson is taught by the one who didn-'t use his talent?
23.
When will the opportunity to serve be taken away?
24.
What will happen to those who reject Christ as King?
25.
What does Bethphage mean? Bethany?
26.
Where were these villages located?
27.
How explain the owners willingness to let the disciples take the colt?
28.
What is suggested by the fact that Jesus rode the colt into Jerusalem?
29.
What did the people say when they saw Him coming?
30.
What was the objection of the Pharisees?
31.
How explain Jesus-' answer?
32.
What did Jesus do when He saw the city? Why?
33.
What is meant by the time of visitation?
34.
What was to happen to the city? When?
35.
What evidence is there to support the view that Jesus cleansed the temple at the beginning of His ministry and again at its close?
36.
What is the significance of Jesus-' statement, It is written?
37.
What method did Jesus use in His ministry and what does it suggest for the present age?
38.
Who were involved in the conspiracy to destroy Jesus?
39.
What was restraining them?
40.
How does Luke describe the attitude of the people toward Jesus-' ministry of teaching?