Luke 9

Luke 9:1-17

Jesus Delegates His Authority to the Apostles – In Luke 9:1-17 we have two stories of how Jesus delegated His authority to His disciples. He sends them out to use the authority of His name and heal the sick, and He tests their faith in the miracle of feeding the five thousand. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. Jesus Sends Out His Disciples — Luke 9:1-62. Herod’s Perplexity — Luke 9:7-93. Feeding the Five Thousand — Luke 9:10-17 Luke 9:1-6 — Jesus Sends Out His Disciples (Matthew 10:5-15, Mark 6:7-13) – In Luke 9:1-6 we have the story of Jesus sending out His twelve apostles by delegating to them the authority of His name. Comparison of Narrative Material in the Synoptic Gospels - When we compare this story in the three Synoptic Gospels, we can easily recognize how they each emphasize their themes by the differences given in each account. We find Mark clearly emphasizing the proclamation of the Gospel by His disciples with signs and miracles accompanying them. This version is thus emphasizing the theme of the Gospel of Mark. Mark 6:12-13, “And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.” Luke’s Gospel emphasizes the effectiveness of the disciples as they ministered under the authority of Jesus name, while taking the Gospel to many towns and villages when it says, “(they) went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.”Luke 9:6, “And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where” Matthew’s Gospel makes no reference to the preaching of the disciples, but rather, gives us a lengthy discourse by Jesus. This is because Matthew’s Gospel is structured around Jesus’ five discourses, which emphasizes the teaching ministry as the means of taking the Gospel to the world. Luke 9:7-9 — Herod’s Perplexity (Matthew 14:1-12, Mark 6:14-29) – Luke 9:7-9 records the story of Herod’s perplexity about Jesus’ ministry and the death of John the Baptist. When comparing this story in the Synoptic Gospels, we see that Mark 6:14-29 records the most lengthy account of the death of John the Baptist. Mark gives more detail of the reason for his death, which was because of his preaching a Gospel of repentance to King Herod, and it records Herod’s perplexity of Jesus’ miracles; thus making an emphasis upon preaching and miracles. Luke’s Gospel gives the shortest account by simply noting Herod’s testimony of perplexity as to who Jesus was, having heard so many things about Him. Matthew’s record of this account is placed among a collection of accounts of how to handle offences in the Kingdom of God; for the death of John the Baptist was an opportunity to get offended. Luke 9:10-17 — The Feeding of the Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, John 6:1-14) – Luke 9:10-17 records the story of the feeding of the five thousand. This story is place in the same subsection of narrative material as Jesus sending out His twelve disciples because these twelve apostles were a part of this miracle of feeding the five thousand by handing out the bread and fish. Thus, they were partaking of the same anointing that Jesus ministered under to perform this miracle. Symbolic Meaning of the Bread - Notes these insightful words of Frances J. Roberts regarding the symbolic meaning of the bread: “It is a joy to My heart when My children rely upon Me. I delight in working things out for thee, but I delight even more in thee thyself than in anything I do to help thee. Even so, I want you to delight in Me just for Myself, rather than in anything ye do for Me. Service is the salvage of love. It is like the twelve baskets of bread that were left over. The bread partaken of was like fellowship mutually given; and the excess and overflow was a symbol of service.

I do not expect thee to give to others until ye have first thyself been a partaker. I will provide you with plentiful supply to give if ye first come to receive for thine own needs. This is in no way selfishness. It is the Law of Life. Can the stalk of corn produce the ear unless first it receive its own life from the parent seed? No more can ye produce fruit in thy ministry except ye be impregnated with divine life from its source in God Himself.

It was from the hands of the Christ that the multitudes received bread. From His hands ye also must receive thy nurture, the Bread of Life to sustain thy health and thy life. “Let Him fully satisfy thy soul-hunger, and then thou shalt go forth with a full basket on thine arm. Twelve baskets there were (Matthew 14:20). One for each disciple. There will always be the multitudes to be fed, but the few called to minister. This is by My own arrangement. As the Scripture says: Do not many desire to be teachers, for thereby is attached more heavy responsibility (James 3:1).”[212] [212] Frances J. Roberts, Come Away My Beloved (Ojai, California: King’s Farspan, Inc., 1973), 153-4.Jesus’ Touch - As Jesus touched the bread, it brought life to the loaves and they multiplied, much like the rod of Aaron’s that budded when placed into the Ark of the Covenant. The Ministry of Helps - The principle of the ministry of helps is seen in this story. The twelve disciples were helping Jesus to distribute the bread. As the blessing and anointing was flowing through Jesus Christ to break the bread, so was this anointing imparted unto the disciples as they took of this bread and broke it and saw it multiply by their hands also. Noting that this event took place late in the day, Jesus would not have had time to break enough bread himself to feed the five thousand. The disciples were clearly breaking the bread they had received from Jesus. This story teaches us that there is an anointing imparted as we serve in the ministry of helps. The Divine Principle of Thankfulness - Today in Israel, tour guides will suggest that there were about 40,000 people present at this time that were feed miraculously. In this story, we see a divine principle that will work in our lives. Jesus took what small provision His Heavenly Father provided and gave God thanks for it. God was then able to bless what He had and cause it to multiply. Our Father will do the same for us. We are to be thankful for what we presently have and serve Him so that He can bless and multiply our provision. Luke 9:11 — Comments – The public ministry of Jesus Christ reached its peak of popularity during the miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand, as the multitudes around Galilee followed Him. At the end of the narrative section in John 6:60-66 many disciples forsook Him. Jesus will be left standing in the synagogue of Capernaum asking His closest disciples if they will forsake Him also (John 6:67-71). Jesus’ miracles have brought attention to His message, but not commitment from His followers. Luke 9:13 — Comments - The Gospel of John tells us that there was a small boy in the crowd who has some food. He was willing to offer it unto Jesus and His disciples. We know that there were others who had brought some small portions of food with them, but had not offered it, probably because they did not think that it was enough to help the situation. God can take our smallest gifts and work mighty miracles with it if we will only be willing to offer it unto Him. Note these insightful words from Sadhu Sundar Singh regarding the lad with the loaves and fishes. “Sometimes when there is some great act of service to be done, I choose for My purpose those who are little esteemed in the eyes of the world, for they make no boast of their own power or wisdom, but putting their entire trust in Me, and accounting what little ability they possess as of no great value, they devote all they have and are to My work for men (1 Cor. i.26-30). For instance, when I fed in the wilderness five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, you will remember that I did not perform this miracle by the agency of My disciples, for they were full of doubt and perplexity and wished to send the multitude away hungry (John vi.9). My servant on that occasion was a little lad whom I had cured of the palsy. Filled with a desire to hear My words he determined to follow Me. His poor mother wrapped up in his clothes some barley cakes and dried fish, enough for two or three days journey, so when inquiry was made for food for the multitude this faithful little lad at once brought all that he had and laid it at the disciples’ feet. Though there were wealthy people there who had with them much better food, such as wheaten cakes, they were not prepared to give them up; so it was from the barley cakes of this boy, My namesake, that by My blessing the multitude was fed with the choicest food.”[213] [213] Sadhu Sundar Singh, At the Master’s Feet, translated by Arthur Parker (London: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1922) [on-line], accessed 26 October 2008, available from Internet, “IV Service,” section 2, part 6.Luke 9:16 — Word Study on “loaves” – The Greek word á̓ ?́ ?ñôïò means “bread.” Leon Morris describes this bread as the size of a “bun” so that several pieces could be eaten at a single meal.[214] [214] Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, in The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992), 378.Luke 9:17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets. Luke 9:17 — Comments - These twelve baskets of bread served as physical evidence of the miracle of feeding five thousand. The small boy had given so little, yet the returns were enormous. It is the same way in our lives when we give to Jesus. Jesus may have offered these twelve baskets of bread to the little boy who first gave his food to Jesus.

Luke 9:18-50

Jesus’ Authority Revealed – After the disciples of Jesus saw His divine authority displayed in every area of human life and even over creation itself, and after they were sent out and walked in this authority, Luke 9:18-50 records how they came to the place of understanding Him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. Peter’s Confession — Luke 9:18-272. The Transfiguration of Jesus — Luke 9:28-363. A Healing that Revealed His Majesty — Luke 9:37-454. The Disciples Dispute Over Greatness — Luke 9:46-50

Luke 9:28-36

The Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 2-8) – Luke 9:28-36 records the events during the day that Jesus was transfigured upon the mount revealing Himself in His heavenly glory to three disciples. This passage supports the previous story of Peter’s confession as Jesus reveals Himself to the disciples to a greater degree.Luke 9:31 — Comments – Man walked in this glory before his fall in the Garden of Eden (Psalms 8:4-5). Psalms 8:4-5, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” Luke 9:35 — Comments – The voice of God the Father spoke from Heaven to mankind on a number of occasions. God spoke to King Nebuchadnezzar when he took his mind from him for a season (Daniel 4:31). God spoke from Heaven at the water baptism of His Son Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22). God spoke to the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35-36, 2 Peter 1:17-18). God spoke to Jesus when He rode into Jerusalem before His Passion (John 12:28-29). Jesus spoke to Paul from Heaven on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-7). Luke 9:36 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.

Luke 9:37-45

A Healing that Revealed His Majesty (Matthew 17:14-18; Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:14-27; Mark 9:30-32) – Luke 9:37-45 gives the account of Jesus healing the boy with the unclean spirit. This healing is placed within the subsection emphasizing Jesus revealing Himself to His disciples as the Christ, the Son of the Living God. This healing is place here because it also reveals Jesus’ majesty, for the people were all amazed at the “majesty” of God. Luke 9:43, “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,” Grammar-Syntax - It is interesting to note that Peter uses this same Greek word to describe the appearance of Jesus Christ while on the Mount of Transfiguration, which is part of the narrative material found within this subsection revealing Jesus’ majesty. 2 Peter 1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” Luke 9:43 — Word Study on “the mighty power” – Strong says the Greek word μεγαλειότης (G3168) means, “superbness, i.e. glory or spendor.” BDAG defines it as “grandeur, sublimity, or majesty.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used only 3 times in the New Testament, being translated in the KJV as, “mighty power 1, magnificence 1, majesty 1.” The other two uses are found in Acts 19:27 and 2 Peter 1:16. It is interesting to note that Peter uses this same Greek word to describe the appearance of Jesus Christ while on the Mount of Transfiguration, which is part of the narrative material found within this subsection revealing Jesus’ majesty. Acts 19:27, “So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.” 2 Peter 1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

Luke 9:46-50

The Disciples Dispute Over Greatness (Matthew 18:1-5, Mark 9:33-37) - Luke 9:46-50 reveals the respond of the disciples to the revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who dwells in glory and majesty. They become covetous to share in this glory (Luke 9:46-48) and jealous of others who may possess some of it (Luke 9:49-50). Both of these vices are the results of pride in man’s heart. Thus, Jesus spoke to them on humility (Luke 9:46-48) and unity (Luke 9:49-50) among His disciples. These two issues are a great problem among Christian leaders in the body of Christ today. A Dispute Over Greatness – In Luke 9:46-48 Jesus deals with pride in the hearts of the disciples as they argue over which one of them is the greatest. Therefore, He explains to them the principles of the Kingdom regarding greatness, which lies in humility. Jealously Over Another’s Ministry (Mark 9:38-40) – After teaching on humility Jesus had to deal with jealously and division among His disciples (Luke 9:49-50). In this passage of Scripture Jesus responds to complains of others who were not with them by telling them a divine principle of unity in the body of Christ. This theme will later become a part of Paul’s message in his epistles as he teaches on unity in the body of Christ.

Luke 9:51-10

Training for Discipleship – Luke 9:51 to Luke 10:37 give us three accounts of Jesus teaching His disciples on different aspects of serving in the Kingdom of God. He teaches on the right attitude of a disciple, which is to walk in love (Luke 9:51-56), on the cost of discipleship, which involves a person’s willingness to serve the Lord with all of his heart, mind, body and finances (Luke 9:57-62), and on using the authority of the name of Jesus (Luke 10:1-24). These narrative stories reveal the progressive training of Christian disciples. One must first have the right attitude of the heart, always desiring to save others rather than to destroy lives (Luke 9:51-56). This is the preparation of the heart. Then a disciple has to be willing to give himself entirely to the Lord (Luke 9:57-62).

This involves a mental decision of the mind. When one takes these two steps, he is ready to go out with authority and power in the name of Jesus and work signs and miracles (Luke 10:1-24). This is the physical service of our bodies yielded to Him. Thus, we have three lessons by Jesus Christ on the spiritual, mental and physical preparations for discipleship. Just as He “stedfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,” so must His disciples be ready to do the same. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. Rebuke - Rejection by Samaritans — Luke 9:51-562. Correction - Three Examples of Cost of Discipleship — Luke 9:57-623. Exhortation - The Seventy Sent Out — Luke 10:1-244. Instruction - Instructs Lawyer on Eternal Life — Luke 10:25-37 The Travel Narrative to Jerusalem: Jesus Teaches His Disciples to Testify and Walk in His Authority – Luke 9:51 to Luke 21:38 is commonly called the Travel Narrative because it gives us the longest account of Jesus’ final journey to Jerusalem. This narrative material begins with His rejection by the Samaritans while passing through their country and culminates in His triumphant entry into the city of David and His daily teaching in the Temple.

Luke gives his readers unique narrative material in this section of his Gospel in an effort to show how all of these events led to His death and atonement on Calvary. In this section, emphasis is placed upon Jesus training the twelve apostles to become witnesses of Him through His teaching ministry. We see Jesus’ teaching ministry mentioned in Luke 13:22. Luke 13:22, “And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.” At this point in Jesus’ ministry, He sets His face towards Jerusalem with the decision that His time in Galilee was ending, where He had enjoyed a successful ministry, and it was time to face Calvary. His objective has been reached, as He had revealed Himself to the Twelve as the Savior of the World and the Son of God, and they had embraced Him. These disciples now saw Him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God (Luke 9:20). With this phase of His ministry complete, it was now time for His destiny to Calvary to be fulfilled. The emphasis in the Travel Narrative changes from Jesus revealing His divine authority and power to His disciples towards an emphasis upon teaching and instructing His disciples on how to walk in the authority of His name. The Travel Narrative begins by showing Jesus training and sending out the seventy disciples to become witnesses of the Kingdom of God. We find Him exhorting, correcting and rebuking the people He meets along this journey. This journey to Jerusalem, thus, serves as a training ground for the twelve apostles to learn how to fulfill their divine commission after His ascension into Heaven. They, too, will embark upon their own separate journeys to the Cross, while testifying of the Kingdom of God as will be recorded in the book of Acts. They, too, will encounter people on a daily basis and learn how to minister to them by watching Jesus during His journey to the Cross. Jesus’ final words before His ascension will be a commission to His disciples to be witnesses of the Kingdom of God (Luke 24:46-49). In 2 Timothy 4:1-2 Paul instructs young Timothy in a similar manner. He says, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” Thus, Paul’s phrase “be instant in season, out of season” means to be always ready to speak under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit because He will be there every time to anoint a preacher of the Gospel. Paul was simply telling this young preach from years of personal experience that God would be faithful to speak through him on all occasions and with all types of messages. Young Timothy must learn to let the Holy Spirit lead him on what needed to be said for each occasion, whether it was with reprove, rebuke, or exhortation with all longsuffering and doctrine. For we see Jesus Christ in the Gospel speaking different ways to different people. Some He instructed and encouraged because of their good hearts.

Others He rebuked because of the hardness of their hearts. While others He corrected because of their simple ignorance. This is what we find Jesus doing in His Travel Narrative from Galilee to Jerusalem. It is interesting to note that much of this material in the Travel Narrative, particularly Luke 9:51 to Luke 19:48, is unique to the four Evangelists. This is because Luke is giving a unique message to his readers, which message is the equipping and training of the Twelve to take the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the world.

Luke 9:57-62

Jesus Corrects His Disciples: Three Examples of the Cost of Discipleship (Matthew 8:19-22) – In Luke 9:57-62 we have the story of Jesus confronting His followers with the true cost of discipleship. Jesus is still calling disciples at this time in His public ministry, because in the following passage he sends out the Seventy for training. The early Church fathers testify that many of these Seventy served in the early Church. The emphasis in Luke 9:57-62 is how Jesus corrected some of the disciples who followed Him because of their unwillingness to forsake all to follow Him. Thus, it deals with a person’s mental preparation for Christian service. In this passage, Jesus encounters three followers whose hearts were eager to follow Him. Jesus tests their willingness to do so. He first deals with the cost of forsaking all material pursuits (Luke 9:57-58), then of putting the work of the Kingdom first (Luke 9:59-60), and finally of perseverance (Luke 9:61-62). Although our hearts may be willing to serve the Lord as these three followers showed, they must develop discipline in their finances (Luke 9:57-58), in their physical activity (Luke 9:59-60) and determine by their will to stick to their calling (Luke 9:61-62).

Thus, after one gives their heart to the Lord, they must then determine by their will to forsake all, in finances, in body and in mind in order to be a true disciple. Thus, this passage of Scripture teaches us that a true disciple of Christ Jesus must be willing to give himself entirely to the Lord, his heart, his mind and will, his body in service and his finances. It places emphasis upon the mind of man. We find Jesus referring to the cost of discipleship and the need to forsake all in Matthew 19:23-30. In Matthew’s passage, He has just spoken to the rich young rule and told him to sell all that he has and come follow Him. After this man turned away sorrowful, Jesus said that “every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” Thus, He noted that when we are willing to forsake these things, He would return them to us both in this life and in the life to come. So, the point is not that He does not want us to have these nice things, but that He does not want them to have us and to control us and to prevent us from serving the Lord. If we will give our lives totally to Him, then He will give us back these things the way He sees it is best for us. Note that Luke 9:57-62 immediately precedes the passage where Jesus appoints another seventy disciples in order to send them out. Thus, in this passage of Scripture Jesus was identifying those who were not willing to forsake all and follow Him and excluding them from this higher calling. Luke 9:58 — Comments - Abraham left Haran at the age of seventy-five and wandered for one hundred years in the promised. He died at the age of one hundred seventy-five. His willingness to abandon the financial security of his home and relatives resulted in God making Him rich financially. Hebrews 11:8-10, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” In addition, our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Jesus was not of this world (verse 14). We are in the world, but not of the world (John 17:11; John 17:14). Philippians 3:20, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” John 17:11, “And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” John 17:14, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” Also, the children of Israel wandered for forty years in the wilderness before entering Canaan to settle down. Jesus is our example. When we are born again, we are to live by faith and no longer pursue and store up earthly treasures. We are to become mindful of heavenly rewards and future promises. We are no longer of this sinful world. 1 John 5:19, “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” Luke 9:60 — Comments - In Luke 9:60 Jesus tells this person to forsake all and go preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Jesus will send out the Seventy in the next passage of Scripture, so He is looking for those who are willing to follow Him. When we are saved, we put God above our family (Matthew 10:37). Illustrations - Abraham left many of his family members when he left Ur and headed for Canaan. Also, Jesus put His ministry above His earthly family (Luke 8:19-21). Matthew 10:37, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Luke 8:19-21, “Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. It was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. He answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” Luke 9:61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62 — Scripture References - Note the following reference verses that discuss the issue of perseverance and not drawing back: Genesis 19:17, “And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” Genesis 19:24, “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;” Hebrews 10:39, “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”