91 And He called the twelve together , and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases . 2 And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing . 3 And He said to them, " Take nothing for your journey , neither a staff , nor a bag , nor bread , nor money ; and do not even have two tunics apiece . 4 "Whatever house you enter , stay there until you leave that city . 5 "And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city , shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them." 6 Departing , they began going throughout the villages , preaching the gospel and healing everywhere .
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening ; and he was greatly perplexed , because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead , 8 and by some that Elijah had appeared , and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen again . 9 Herod said , "I myself had John beheaded ; but who is this man about whom I hear such things ?" And he kept trying to see Him.
10 When the apostles returned , they gave an account to Him of all that they had done . Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida . 11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing . 12 Now the day was ending , and the twelve came and said to Him, "Send the crowd away , that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat ; for here we are in a desolate place ." 13 But He said to them, "You give them something to eat !" And they said , "We have no more than five loaves and two fish , unless e perhaps we go and buy food for all these people ." 14 (For there were about five thousand men .) And He said to His disciples , "Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each ." 15 They did so , and had them all sit down . 16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish , and looking up to heaven , He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people . 17 And they all ate and were satisfied ; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 9:1-17
Commentary on Luke 9:1-9
(Read Luke 9:1-9)
Christ sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were able to teach others what they had received from the Lord. They must not be anxious to commend themselves to people's esteem by outward appearance. They must go as they were. The Lord Jesus is the fountain of power and authority, to whom all creatures must, in one way or another, be subject; and if he goes with the word of his ministers in power, to deliver sinners from Satan's bondage, they may be sure that he will care for their wants. When truth and love thus go together, and yet the message of God is rejected and despised, it leaves men without excuse, and turns to a testimony against them. Herod's guilty conscience was ready to conclude that John was risen from the dead. He desired to see Jesus; and why did he not go and see him? Probably, because he thought it below him, or because he wished not to have any more reprovers of sin. Delaying it now, his heart was hardened, and when he did see Jesus, he was as much prejudiced against him as others, Luke 23:11.
Commentary on Luke 9:10-17
(Read Luke 9:10-17)
The people followed Jesus, and though they came unseasonably, yet he gave them what they came for. He spake unto them of the kingdom of God. He healed those who had need of healing. And with five loaves of bread and two fishes, Christ fed five thousand men. He will not see those that fear him, and serve him faithfully, want any good thing. When we receive creature-comforts, we must acknowledge that we receive them from God, and that we are unworthy to receive them; that we owe them all, and all the comfort we have in them, to the mediation of Christ, by whom the curse is taken away. The blessing of Christ will make a little go a great way. He fills every hungry soul, abundantly satisfies it with the goodness of his house. Here were fragments taken up: in our Father's house there is bread enough, and to spare. We are not straitened, nor stinted in Christ.