Luke 9 Bible Commentary

9:1  And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. THIRD CIRCUIT OF GALILEE. THE TWELVE INSTRUCTED AND SENT FORTH. Matthew 9:35-38; Matthew 10:1,5-42; Mark 6:6-13; Luke 9:1-6
He called his twelve disciples together. For a complete list of the apostles, see Matthew 10:2.

9:2  And he sent them forth¹ to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
And he sent them forth. See Mark 6:7.

9:3  And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey¹, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.
Take nothing for your journey, etc. See Mark 6:8.

9:4  And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart¹.
And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart. See Mark 6:10.

9:5  And as many as receive you not¹, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
And as many as receive you not, etc. See Mark 6:11.

9:7  Now Herod the tetrarch¹ heard of all that was done: and he was much perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead; HEROD ANTIPAS SUPPOSES JESUS TO BE JOHN. Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9
Herod the tetrarch. See Mark 6:14.

9:8  and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again¹.
And by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. See Mark 6:15.

9:9  And Herod said, John I beheaded¹: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.
And Herod said, John I beheaded. See Mark 6:16.
But who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him. Jesus purposely kept out of the reach of Herod, knowing the treacherous cunning of his nature (Luke 13:32), and Herod's curiosity was not gratified until the day of Christ's crucifixion (Luke 23:8-12), and then its gratification was without sanctification.

9:10  And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done¹. And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida². FIRST WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY AND RETURN. (Spring, A.D. 29.) A. RETURN OF THE TWELVE AND RETIREMENT TO THE EAST SHORE OF GALILEE. Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:30-32; Luke 9:10; John 6:1
And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done. See Mark 6:30.
And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida. See Mark 6:32.

9:11  But the multitudes perceiving it¹ followed him²: and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and them that had need of healing he cured. FIRST WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY AND RETURN. (Spring, A.D. 29.) B. FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND. Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:33-44; Luke 9:11-17; John 6:2-14
But the multitudes perceiving it. Heard of Jesus and his disciples crossing the lake.
Followed him. See Mark 6:33.

9:12  And the day began to wear away¹; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude 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.
And the day began to wear away. See Mark 6:35.
Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages . . . and get provisions. See Mark 6:36.

9:13  But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes¹; except we should go and buy food for all this people.
We have no more than five loaves and two fishes. See Mark 6:38.

9:14  For they were about five thousand men¹. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each².
For they were about five thousand men. See Mark 6:44.
Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each. See Mark 6:39.

9:15  And they did so, and made them all sit down¹.
And they did so, and made them all sit down. See Mark 6:40.

9:16  And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake¹; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
And looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake. See Mark 6:41.

9:17  And they ate, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets¹.
And there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets. See John 6:12.

9:18  And it came to pass, as he was praying apart, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that I am¹? THIRD WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY. B. THE GREAT CONFESSION MADE BY PETER. (Near Caesarea Philippi, Summer, A.D. 29.) Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21
Who do the multitudes say that I am? See Mark 8:27.

9:19  And they answering said, John the Baptist; but others [say], Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again¹.
John the Baptist; but others [say], Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again. See Mark 8:28.

9:20  And he said unto them, But who say ye that I am¹? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
But who say ye that I am? etc. See Mark 8:29.

9:21  But he charged them, and commanded [them] to tell this to no man¹;
But he charged them, and commanded [them] to tell this to no man. See Mark 8:30.

9:22  saying, The Son of man must suffer many things¹, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. THIRD WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY. C. PASSION FORETOLD. PETER REBUKED. Matthew 16:21-28; Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:22-27
The Son of man must suffer many things, etc. See Mark 8:31.

9:23  And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me¹.
And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. See Mark 8:34.

9:24  For whosoever would save his life shall lose it¹; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
For whosoever would save his life shall lose it, etc. See Mark 8:35.

9:25  For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self¹?
For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self? See Mark 8:36.

9:26  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and [the glory] of the Father, and of the holy angels.
For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words , etc. See Mark 8:38.

9:27  But I tell you of a truth, There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God¹.
There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. See Mark 9:1.

9:28  And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings¹, that he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray. THIRD WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY. D. THE TRANSFIGURATION. CONCERNING ELIJAH. (A Spur of Hermon, near Caesarea Philippi.) Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36
And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, etc. See Mark 9:2. The "sayings" referred to were the words of Jesus with regard to his suffering at Jerusalem.

9:29  And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment [became] white [and] dazzling¹.
And his raiment [became] white [and] dazzling. See Mark 9:3.

9:30  And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah¹;
And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah. See Mark 9:4.

9:31  who appeared in glory¹, and spake of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem².
Who appeared in glory. That is, Moses and Elijah.
And spake of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. The Greek word for decease is "exodus", an unusual word for death. It means a departure and is, as Bengel says, a very weighty word, since it includes the passion, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.

9:32  Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep¹: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep. It being night.

9:33  And it came to pass, as they were parting from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses¹, and one for Elijah: not knowing what he said.
And let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses,
and one for Elijah. See Mark 9:5.

9:34  And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them¹: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
There came a cloud, and overshadowed them. See Mark 9:7.

9:35  And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him¹.
This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him. See Mark 9:7.

9:36  And when the voice came, Jesus was found alone¹. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen².
When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. See Mark 9:8.
And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen. See Mark 9:9.

9:37  And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him¹. THIRD WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY. E. HEALING THE DEMONIAC BOY. (Region of Caesarea Philippi.) Matthew 17:14-20; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43
When they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him. See Mark 9:14.

9:38  And behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son¹; for he is mine only child:
A man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son. See Mark 9:17.

9:39  and behold, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth, and it hardly departeth from him¹, bruising him sorely.
It hardly departeth from him. The phrase suggests the continual unrest in which the demon kept his victim rather than that the demon ever really relinquished his possession of him. Pauses in the delirium of agony were regarded as departures of the demon.

9:41  And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation¹, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? bring hither thy son.
O faithless and perverse generation. See Mark 9:19.

9:42  And as he was yet a coming, the demon dashed him down, and tare [him] grievously. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy¹, and gave him back to his father².
But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy. See Mark 9:25.
And gave him back to his father. For comment on similar conduct, see Luke 7:15.

9:43  And they were all astonished at the majesty of God¹. But while all were marvelling at all the things which he did, he said unto his disciples²,
And they were all astonished at the majesty of God. The failure of the disciples had only emphasized the power of the Master.

RETURN TO GALILEE. THE PASSION FORETOLD. Matthew 17:22,23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43-45
He said unto his disciples. See Mark 9:31.

9:44  Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men¹.
For the Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men. See Matthew 17:22.

9:45  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 they understood not this saying . . . and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. See Mark 9:32.

9:46  And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest¹. FALSE AMBITION VERSUS CHILDLIKENESS. (Capernaum, Autumn, A.D. 29.) Matthew 18:1-14; Mark 9:33-50; Luke 9:46-50
And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest. See Mark 9:33.

9:48  and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me¹: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great.
Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me. See Mark 9:37.

9:49  And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us¹.
Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. See Mark 9:38.

9:50  But Jesus said unto him, Forbid [him] not: for he that is not against you is for you¹.
Forbid [him] not: for he that is not against you is for you. See Mark 9:39.

9:51  And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up¹, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, THE PRIVATE JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM. (Through Samaria. Probably September, A.D. 29.) Luke 9:51-56; John 7:10
When the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up. Taken in its strictest sense, the expression "received up" refers to our Lord's ascension, but it is here used to embrace his entire passion.
He steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. Though our Lord's death was still six months distant, his going to Jerusalem is described as attended with a special effort, because from that time forth Jerusalem was to occupy the position of headquarters, as Capernaum had done, and his withdrawals and returns would be with regard to it.

9:52  and sent messengers before his face¹: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
And sent messengers before his face. The presence of the twelve alone is sufficient to account for the messengers. He did not wish to overtax the hospitality of the Samaritans by coming unannounced.

9:53  And they did not receive him, because his face was [as though he were] going to Jerusalem¹.
And they did not receive him, because his face was [as though he were] going to Jerusalem. Had Jesus come among them on a missionary tour he would doubtless have been received. But when he came as a Jew passing through to Jerusalem, and using their highway as a convenience, they rejected him.

9:54  And when his disciples James and John saw [this]¹, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them²? Luke 9:54-56
And when his disciples James and John saw [this]. Refusing to receive a religious teacher was considered a rejection of his claim.
They said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them? This rejection roused the ire of the two sons of thunder and prompted them to suggest that the example of Elijah be followed (2 Kings 1:9-12), but Jesus was a Savior and not a destroyer, so he passed on to another village. The conduct of John in after years contrasts sharply with the wish which he here expressed. See Acts 8:14-25.

9:57  And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. AS TO SACRIFICE FOR CHRIST'S SERVICE. (Samaria. Probably September, A.D. 29.) Luke 9:57-62
And a they went on the way. The way through Samaria to Jerusalem.

9:58  And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
The foxes have holes . . . but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. See Matthew 8:20.

9:59  And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father¹.
But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. See Matthew 8:21.

9:60  But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead¹; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.
Leave the dead to bury their own dead. See Matthew 8:22.

9:62  But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God¹.
No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Comparing Luke 9:57-62 and Matthew 8:19-22, we find that Matthew gives two and Luke gives three proposals to follow him, and that they differ widely as to the time. It is likely that the first instance occurred where Matthew places it, and the last two occurred where Luke places them, and that each Evangelist borrowed an item from another period and joined it to his incident because of the similarity of the subject. But as such proffers of discipleship may have been very common, the incidents may be entirely different. The teaching of the last incident is that at a command of Christ all conflicting obligations must be set aside.