The Gospel According to Saint Luke
Luke 9
Chapter IX · Vol. IV, pp. 170–172
1 Christ sendeth his apostles to work miracles, and preach the gospel. 7 Herod desireth to see Christ. 12 Christ feedeth five thousand: 18 inquireth what opinion the world had of him: foretelleth his passion: 23 proposeth to all the pattern of his patience. 28 The transfiguration. 37 He healeth the lunatic: 43 again forewarneth his disciples of his passion: 46 commendeth humility: 51 biddeth them to show mildness towards all, without desire of revenge: 57 proposeth terms to three persons who offer to follow him.
1 THEN hea called his twelve disciples together, and bgave them power1 and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
a Mat.10.1-42. Mar.3.13;6.7-13. ch.6.13-16.
b ch.10.17,19. Mar.16.17,18. Jn.14.12. Ac.3.6-8;9.34.
1 See note on Mat.10.1.—C.
3 And he said unto them, dTake nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
d Mat.10.9,10. Mar.6.8,9. ch.10.4;12.22;22.35. 2 Ti.2.4. Ps.37.3,5. Is.33.16.
4 Ande whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.2
e Mat.10.11-13. Mar.6.8. ch.10.5,6.
2 This precept furnishes a most valuable instruction to all who are engaged in the work of Christ. By confining them to one house, it gives them opportunity of studying character, an essential element in every preacher of the gospel who would 'rightly divide the word of truth.' 2. It enables them to form more intimate friendships, which are often of great value to themselves when they depart, and to their successors, whom they are thus qualified to introduce. 3. It enables them to economize, and prevents them from dissipating time. 4. It enables them to give themselves to reading and study at every interval of leisure. 5. It prevents exposure to the dangers of mixed society, and in the midst of a life of frequent change, preserves in full vigour the domestic principle and habits.—C.
5 Andg 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.
g Mat.10.14,15. Mar.6.11. ch.10.10-12. Ac.13.51;18.6. Ne.5.13.
6 Andh they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
h Mat.11.1,5. Mar.6.12,13. ver.1,2. Jn.14.12.
7 Nowi 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;
8 Andj of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.
9 And Herod said, kJohn have I beheaded: but who is this,3 of whom I hear such things? Andl he desired to see him.
k Mat.14.1-12. Mar.6.14-28. See ver.7.
3 Herod is represented by Mat. (14.1) as affirming that Jesus was John risen from the dead; here, as perplexed and inquiring. These two different statements involve, however, no contradiction; for Herod might, in the moment of his perplexity (a mixture of doubt and fear) make the inquiry; and within a very brief space, when his mind was more settled, make the affirmation.—C.
l ch.13.31,32;23.8.
10 Andn the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. oAnd he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called pBethsaida.
11 And the people, when they qknew it, followed him: and rhe received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
q Ro.10.14,17.
r Jn.6.37. ch.15.2. He.4.16. Is.61.1. Mar.1.14,15.
12 Ands when the day began to wear away,4 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.
13 But he said unto them, tGive 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.
14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, uMake them sit down by fifties in a company.
A.M. cir. 4035. A.D. cir. 31.
15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.
16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and vlooking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
17 Andx they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up yof fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
18 Andz it came to pass, as he was 5alone6 praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?7
5 Privately.
6 Alone. Rather, 'apart,' in retirement from the multitude, for the purpose of prayer and undisturbed communion with his Father—an impressive example of the duty and privilege of believers, whose spirits may derive such revival by occasional retirement from the bustle of the world for secret prayer, as the wearied body derives from daily rest and food, Ps.4.4;22.2;42.8;63.6;77.6;119.55,148. Is.26.9.—C.
7 The place where this occurred is mentioned by Matthew (16.13) and Mark (8.27). It was in the region of Cæsarea Philippi.—P.
19 They answering said, aJohn the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
21 Andd he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;
d Mar.8.26,30;7.36. 1 Co.2.8.
22 Saying, eThe 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.
e Mat.17.22,23;16.21,22;20.17,18. Mar.8.31;9.31;10.33. ch.18.31;24.7,26. Ps.118.22. Is.53.2-12. 1 Co.15.4.
23 Andg 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.
24 For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
26 Fori 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.Cited in WLC 56
i Mat.10.33. Mar.8.38. ch.12.8,9. 2 Ti.2.12. 1 Jn.2.22,23. Re.3.5. Mat.24.30;25.31. 2 Th.1.8-10. Da.7.10. Jude 4.
27 Butj I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
28 Andk it came to pass, about an eight days8 after these sayings,9 he took lPeter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to npray.1
8 Matthew says 'six days'—meaning that, in legal phrase, is called 'six clear days'—exclusive of the day before and the day after. Luke reckons the time inclusive of the day on which the preceding discourses were delivered and the day on which the transfiguration took place.—C.
9 Or, things.
l ch.6.14;8.51.
n ch.6.12. Ps.109.4.
1 Luke's account of the transfiguration is in some points fuller than those of the other evangelists. He gives in addition: 1. Our Lord's immediate object in going up to the mountain; it was 'to pray.' 2. He tells us how Christ was engaged when the transfiguration began:—'As he prayed.' 3. He further tells us the subject on which our Lord spake with Moses and Elias;—it was 'of his decease.' This is one of many illustrations of the importance of studying the gospels in harmony.—P.
29 And as he prayed, othe fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
31 Whoq appeared in glory, and rspake of his decease which he should accomplish2 at Jerusalem.
A.M. cir. 4036. A.D. cir. 32.
q Mat.28.3. Col.3.4. Phi.3.21.
r 1 Co.2.2. Phi.3.8-10. Col.2.15, with ver.22; ch.xxii. xxiii. Mat.xxvi. xxvii. Jn.xviii. xix.
2 Which he should accomplish or fulfil, as it was the accomplishment of many prophecies—as it was his great act of obedience to the will of his Father, and as it was the victory over Satan, sin, and death.—C.
32 But Peter and they that were with him weres heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, tthey saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
t Jn.1.14. 1 Pe.1.16,17.
33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, uit is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: vnot knowing what he said.
34 While he thus spake, there came a xcloud, and overshadowed them: and they yfeared as they entered into the cloud.
36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. bAnd they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
b Mat.17.9. Mar.9.9,10. Ec.3.7.
37 Andc it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.
38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, dI beseech thee, look upon my son; efor he is mine only child.
39 And lo, ga spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.
40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and hthey could not.
h 2 Ki.4.31. Mat.17.16; 13.58. Ac.19.13-16.
41 And Jesus answering said, O ifaithless and perverse generation! how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? jBring thy son hither.
42 And as he was yet a coming, kthe devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.3
43 Andl 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,
44 Letn these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.Cited in WLC 160
n Mat.17.22,23; 16.21; 20.18,19,28; 26.2; 21.38,39. ch.18.31; 24.6,26; ver.22. Jn.2.19; 3.14; 10.18; 12.32,33; 19.11. Ac.2.23; 4.27,28. ch.xxii. xxiii. 2 Sa.24.14.
45 Buto 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.
46 Thenp there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.4
p ch.22.24-30. Mat.18.1-6. Mar.9.33-37.
4 See note on Mat.18.1.—C.
48 And said unto them, sWhosoever shall receive this child5 in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth him that sent me: tfor he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
49 Andu John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.
u Mar.9.38-40. ch.11.19. Nu.11.27-29. Job 5.2. Ec.4.4. Ga.5.26.
51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be xreceived up,6 he ystedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,7
* Jesus now leaves Galilee not to return till after his resurrection. Luke details the incidents which occurred during the journey, most of which are peculiar to him, not being found in the other Gospels. Christ's route was not direct, and appears to have occupied a considerable time. We learn from Jn.10.22 that our Lord was at Jerusalem at the feast of dedication, which took place about the end of December. Between that time and the passover when he was crucified he could not have returned to Galilee, for we are able to gather from incidental notices in John where that period was spent. Consequently the journey here referred to by Luke was made in December.—P.
x Mar.16.19. Ac.1.2. Jn.13.1; 17.11,13; 16.5,28; 14.2,3. He.1.3.
6 The time at which he should be received up into glory, Ac.1.2. 1 Ti.3.16.—C.
y Eze.4.3. Ac.21.13. Phi.3.14.
7 See note * in first column.
52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the zSamaritans, to make ready for him.
53 And athey did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to8 Jerusalem.
a Jn.4.4,9.
8 The Samaritans were offended with Jesus, whose going up to worship in the temple at Jerusalem, implied a despising or condemnation of theirs upon Mount Gerizim.—C.
54 And when his disciples bJames and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that cwe command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?Cited in WLC 105
b See ver.28. Mar.10.35-37.
55 But he turned, dand rebuked them, and said, Ye know not ewhat manner of spirit9 ye are of.Cited in WLC 105
e Mat.26.35. Ro.10.2. Ja.3.14-16.
9 Self-ignorance is one of the chief diseases of the human mind; and the knowledge, faith, and fellowship of 'Christ crucified' its only remedy, 1 Co.2.2. Ga.2.20. Phi.3.10. Zeal for truth, for the honour of Christ, and for the glory of God, is a noble and a necessary principle; but the zealous must be watchful over their spirit, lest they should be induced by it to offer their own fire upon God's altar.—C.
56 Forg the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
57 Andh it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man1 said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
h Mat.8.19-22; 13.20-22. Jn.6.26. 1 Ti.6.5. Ex.19.8; 24.3.
1 See note on Mat.8.19,20.—C.
58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; ibut the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.2Cited in WSC 27
i Mat.8.20. 2 Co.8.9. Ps.22.6; 109.22; 40.17; 69.29. Phi.2.7,8. Mat.11.20.
2 The full force and pathos of this statement is lost if we overlook the import of the name Son of man. It is explained in Da.7.13. It represents our Lord as possessed of universal dominion—ruling supreme in the universe. He who was thus omnipotent, with a kingdom wide as creation, so humbled himself for us, that he was more destitute than birds or foxes.—P.
59 And he said unto another, jFollow me. But he said, kLord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
j Mat.4.19,21; 16.24; 9.9.
k Mat.8.21. Hag.1.2, with 1 Ki.19.20.
60 Jesus said unto him, lLet the dead bury their dead; nbut go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
l Mat.8.22. ch.15.32. Ep.2.1. 1 Ti.5.6. Le.21.10-12. Nu.6.6,7.
n 2 Ti.4.2. Mar.16.15. ver.2. 1 Co.15.10.
61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but olet me first go bid them farewell which are at home at my house.
o 1 Ki.19.20. Mat.22.5. ch.14.20,26. Jn.21.16.
Notes
Ver. 62. This implied refusal of a farewell interview may, at first sight, seem severe, but was, on the contrary, true compassion, and founded on a deep knowledge of 'what was in man.' Had his follower returned, he would have been assailed by his unbelieving relatives—by some with tears, by some with reproaches, by some with ridicule, by some with worldly hopes and fears.—His spirit would thus have been harassed—perhaps, in the end, chafed and irritated; and, in any event, he must have been exposed to great temptations to apostasy, from all which our Lord delivers him, by the prescription of self-denial, and instant decision of purpose.—C.
Reflections.—With authority Jesus commissions his gospel ministers: with faithfulness and care they must labour; and men's eternal state must be fixed as they hear or reject their messages. In times of scarcity and distress we should cast all our care on God, and be always ready to divide the little subsistence that we have with the hungry. By his blessing, restored through Christ, we may live comfortably, and in a Christian manner, on a little. Happy are they who boldly confess the Redeemer, whatever they may suffer on his account. What is lost for him on earth will be more than compensated in heaven. But dreadful is their eternal state who prefer the honours, profits, and pleasures of a present world, to him and his everlasting salvation, or who are ashamed of his truths and ways.—Astonishing is the influence of close fellowship with God. Easily it could even overset our mortal constitution. And how delightful then is heaven, where Jesus and all his saints shall for ever appear in their glory, and for ever, with joy inexpressible, contemplate his expiatory sufferings! In hopes of it, let me love his person, obey his directions, and trust all my cares and maladies to his power and skill. Let me accurately observe whether I have true faith, and in what degree; and into what debates I enter, and with what manner of spirit. Alas, what defects, prejudices, pride, and passion, he finds in the very best on earth! Heartily he detests them; and much more to have his gospel propagated by their means. But with great tenderness he treats the meek and humble, pities their infirmities, and cherishes their good intentions concerning him.