Luke9

Jesus empowers His twelve disciples to preach the Kingdom and heal, sending them out without provisions. Upon their return, He miraculously feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fishes. Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ of God, after which Jesus foretells His suffering and teaches on the cost of discipleship, culminating in His Transfiguration before Peter, James, and John.

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Jesus Commissions the Twelve

And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.

And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart.

And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.

Herod's Perplexity over Jesus

Now Herod the tetrarch 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;

and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

And Herod said, John I beheaded: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.

Feeding the Five Thousand

And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done. And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida.

But the multitudes perceiving it followed him: and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and them that had need of healing he cured.

And the day began to wear away; 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.

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

For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.

And they did so, and made them all sit down.

And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

And they ate, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

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 am?

And they answering said, John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

And he said unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

But he charged them, and commanded them to tell this to no man;

saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

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.

For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self?

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.

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 God.

The Transfiguration

And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray.

And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and dazzling.

And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah;

who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

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

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 Moses, and one for Elijah: not knowing what he said.

And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him.

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.

Healing the Demonized Boy

And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him.

And behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son; for he is mine only child:

and behold, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth, and it hardly departeth from him, bruising him sorely.

And I besought thy disciples to cast it out; and they could not.

And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? bring hither thy son.

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 boy, and gave him back to his father.

And they were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marvelling at all the things which he did, he said unto his disciples,

The Second Passion Prediction

Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men.

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.

Humility and True Greatness

And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest.

But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side,

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

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us.

But Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against you is for you.

Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem

And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he were going to Jerusalem.

And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?

But he turned, and rebuked them.

And they went to another village.

The Cost of Discipleship

And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

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.

And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.

And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.

But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Study Notes for Luke 9

Verse 1

Luke emphasizes that the disciples were given both power (dynamis) and authority (exousia) over evil forces, indicating that their mission was backed by divine authorization.

Verse 3

The command to take nothing emphasizes radical dependence on God and the hospitality of those receiving the message, ensuring the mission is swift and focused.

Verse 5

Shaking off the dust symbolized severing fellowship and declaring that the responsibility for rejection lay with the inhabitants of that town (cf. Acts 13:51).

Verse 7

Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, had previously murdered John the Baptist. His fear and perplexity highlight the widespread speculation regarding Jesus' identity.

Verse 10

The apostles return and report their work, after which Jesus seeks solitude. The crowds follow him, demonstrating their hunger for the Kingdom message.

Verse 12

The disciples' practical concern for logistics contrasts sharply with Jesus' divine solution. This miracle serves as a messianic sign (echoing Moses/manna) and a model for the disciples' future ministry.

Verse 17

The collection of twelve baskets of fragments, one for each disciple, symbolizes the superabundant provision of God and ensures that nothing is wasted.

Verse 18

Luke stresses that this pivotal exchange occurred while Jesus was praying, emphasizing the divine source of Peter’s revelation.

Verse 20

Peter’s confession, 'The Christ of God,' is the central affirmation of faith in the Synoptic Gospels, confirming Jesus' identity as the long-awaited Messiah.

Verse 21

Jesus imposes the 'Messianic Secret' because the public understanding of the Messiah was political and military; Jesus needed to redefine messiahship through suffering.

Verse 22

This is the first of three major passion predictions in Luke. The term Son of man connects Jesus' suffering with Daniel 7:13, linking humanity, humiliation, and future glory.

Verse 23

Taking up the cross 'daily' is unique to Luke, emphasizing that discipleship involves continuous self-denial, not just a one-time decision.

Verse 27

This verse refers either to the Transfiguration (which immediately follows) or, more broadly, to the spiritual establishment and power demonstrated by the early church after Pentecost.

Verse 28

The Transfiguration occurs as Jesus is praying and serves as a preview of his divine glory, confirming the truth of Peter’s confession.

Verse 31

Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets. They discuss Jesus’ 'decease' (Greek: *exodos*), linking his death to the great Exodus event of Israel's deliverance.

Verse 33

Peter’s suggestion to build three shelters attempts to place Jesus on equal footing with Moses and Elijah, demonstrating his misunderstanding of Jesus’ supreme authority.

Verse 35

The divine voice confirms Jesus' unique status as the Son and explicitly commands the disciples to 'hear him,' establishing Jesus' authority over the Law and the Prophets.

Verse 37

The descent from the mountain of glory (Transfiguration) directly into the chaos of human suffering emphasizes the practical, suffering nature of Jesus' ministry.

Verse 40

The disciples' failure, despite the power given to them in 9:1, highlights that spiritual authority requires faith and dependence on Jesus, which they lacked.

Verse 44

Jesus immediately shifts the focus from amazement at his power back to his impending suffering, correcting the disciples' focus on earthly glory.

Verse 45

The disciples' inability to grasp the prediction shows that their expectations of a conquering Messiah prevented them from accepting the necessity of suffering.

Verse 46

The disciples’ argument over who is greatest immediately follows the prediction of suffering, demonstrating their persistent misunderstanding of the Kingdom’s nature.

Verse 48

Jesus uses a child as a living parable. True greatness in the Kingdom is found not in status or power, but in humble service and welcoming the weakest members of society.

Verse 49

John’s question reveals an elitist or proprietary attitude among the disciples, wanting to control who performs ministry. Jesus rejects this narrow view.

Verse 51

This verse marks the theological and geographical turning point of Luke’s Gospel, initiating the long 'Travel Narrative.' Jesus 'steadfastly set his face' (a phrase denoting firm resolve) toward his passion.

Verse 53

Samaritans rejected Jesus because his destination (Jerusalem) indicated loyalty to the rival Jewish center of worship, highlighting the deep ethnic and religious division.

Verse 54

James and John’s aggressive, punitive suggestion invokes the actions of Elijah. They are rebuked for seeking vengeance rather than exhibiting grace.

Verse 56

This key statement defines the mission of Christ: salvation, not destruction. This theme contrasts sharply with the popular expectation of a destructive messianic judgment.

Verse 58

Jesus challenges the man's impulsive commitment by emphasizing the radical insecurity and self-denial required of those who follow the Son of man, who possesses no earthly home.

Verse 60

The phrase 'Let the dead bury their dead' is a powerful call for immediate priority. Jesus demands urgent action and uncompromising loyalty to the Kingdom above all family obligations.

Verse 62

This illustrates the necessity of single-minded focus in ministry. Looking back suggests regret or divided loyalty, rendering one unfit for the task of proclaiming the Kingdom.

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Luke9

Jesus Commissions the Twelve

Herod's Perplexity over Jesus

Feeding the Five Thousand

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

The Transfiguration

Healing the Demonized Boy

The Second Passion Prediction

Humility and True Greatness

Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem

The Cost of Discipleship

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