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.

Listen to this chapter

Jesus Commissions the Twelve

¶ Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

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

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

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

And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

Herod's Perplexity over Jesus

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;

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

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

Feeding the Five Thousand

¶ And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.

And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: 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 but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.

For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

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

Then 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 did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ

¶ And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

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

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

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

For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

The Transfiguration

¶ And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

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

And it came to pass, as they departed 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 Elias: not knowing what he said.

While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

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

And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

Healing the Demonized Boy

¶ And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.

And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.

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

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

And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.

And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

¶ And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

The Second Passion Prediction

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

But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

Humility and True Greatness

Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this 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 shall be great.

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

And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem

¶ And it came to pass, when the time was 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 would go to Jerusalem.

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

But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

The Cost of Discipleship

¶ And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air 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.

Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, 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.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate