Luke 9

In Luke 9, Jesus sends out the twelve apostles, giving them power and authority to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick. The chapter covers pivotal moments in Jesus' ministry, including the feeding of the five thousand, Peter’s confession of Christ, the Transfiguration, and teachings on the cost of discipleship. This chapter captures the disciples' growth in understanding who Jesus is, the challenges they face, and their call to follow Him with unwavering commitment.

Luke 9:1-6 (NKJV)
1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
3 And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.
4 Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.
5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Jesus empowers His disciples with authority over demons and the ability to heal, symbolizing their divine mandate. They are to rely on God’s provision, traveling light and depending on the hospitality of those who welcome them. By shaking the dust from their feet if rejected, they symbolically separate themselves from unbelief. This mission prepares them for greater responsibilities in spreading the gospel.

Luke 9:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,
8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.
9 Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.

Herod is disturbed by reports about Jesus, especially as some believe He is John the Baptist risen from the dead. This passage reveals Herod’s guilt and fear after executing John and his curiosity about Jesus’ true identity. Herod’s desire to see Jesus foreshadows the eventual confrontation between them, hinting at Herod’s intrigue mixed with unease.

Luke 9:10-17 (NKJV)
10 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.
12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.”
13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.”
14 For there were about five thousand men. Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.”
15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.
16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude.
17 So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.

This miraculous feeding demonstrates Jesus' compassion and power. The disciples see firsthand that Jesus can provide abundantly, even in a place of scarcity. The twelve baskets left over symbolize God’s provision and the disciples' role as carriers of His blessings. Through this event, Jesus teaches His followers about faith, generosity, and divine sufficiency.

Luke 9:18-20 (NKJV)
18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”
20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

In this pivotal moment, Jesus asks His disciples to identify who He is. While others speculate, Peter boldly declares Jesus as the Messiah. This confession marks a critical turning point, as it reveals the disciples' growing understanding of Jesus' true identity. Peter's answer emphasizes Jesus' divine mission, setting the stage for deeper teachings on His purpose.

Luke 9:21-27 (NKJV)
21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one,
22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?
26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

Here, Jesus introduces the reality of His impending suffering and the cost of discipleship. Following Him requires self-denial, sacrifice, and commitment. Jesus explains that true life is found in surrendering one’s life for His sake. The call to “take up his cross daily” emphasizes daily dedication. This passage challenges His followers to prioritize eternal values over worldly gains.

Luke 9:28-36 (NKJV)
28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.
30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah,
31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
32 But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.
33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud.
35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

This passage describes the Transfiguration, where Jesus’ divine nature is revealed in a glorious vision with Moses and Elijah, symbolizing the Law and the Prophets. The disciples witness a preview of Jesus’ heavenly glory, confirming His identity as the Son of God. Peter's suggestion to build tabernacles shows his awe but also his misunderstanding of the moment's significance. God’s voice from the cloud commands them to listen to Jesus, emphasizing His authority and foreshadowing the fulfillment of God’s plan through His sacrifice.

Luke 9:37-43 (NKJV)
37 Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him.
38 Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child.
39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him.
40 So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”
41 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”
42 And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.
43 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God.

After the divine experience on the mountain, Jesus encounters a challenging situation where His disciples have failed to cast out a demon. His rebuke highlights the need for greater faith. By healing the child, Jesus shows His compassion and authority over evil. The crowd’s amazement at God’s power reinforces Jesus’ mission to reveal God’s kingdom, contrasting with the disciples' struggle to fully grasp it.

Luke 9:44-45 (NKJV)
44 “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”
45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

Jesus again predicts His betrayal, preparing His disciples for His impending suffering. Despite this clear statement, the disciples do not understand, perhaps due to their preconceived expectations of the Messiah as a triumphant ruler. Their reluctance to seek clarification shows their fear and confusion, reflecting their gradual journey toward understanding His true purpose.

Luke 9:46-48 (NKJV)
46 Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest.
47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him,
48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.”

Amid their confusion, the disciples argue about rank and status. Jesus responds by teaching them humility, using a child as an example. In the kingdom of God, greatness is defined by humility and service, not ambition. Jesus highlights the value of simplicity and childlike faith, reminding them that true greatness lies in serving others selflessly.

Luke 9:49-50 (NKJV)
49 Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”
50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”

John’s concern about an outsider casting out demons reveals a possessive attitude toward ministry. Jesus corrects him, emphasizing unity and inclusiveness. By welcoming others who work in His name, Jesus broadens their understanding of the kingdom, reminding them that those who support His mission are allies, even if they are not part of their immediate group.

Luke 9:51-56 (NKJV)
51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,
52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him.
53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.
54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”
55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.
56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.

As Jesus resolutely heads to Jerusalem, His mission takes precedence over personal comfort. The Samaritans reject Him due to cultural tensions, but Jesus rebukes His disciples for their hostile reaction. This teaches them that His purpose is salvation, not judgment. Jesus exemplifies patience and mercy, encouraging His followers to respond with compassion rather than retribution.

Luke 9:57-62 (NKJV)
57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”
58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

In these concluding verses, Jesus clarifies the cost of discipleship. Following Him requires sacrifice, undivided loyalty, and a willingness to let go of worldly attachments. Each encounter highlights potential obstacles: comfort, family obligations, and past ties. Jesus calls His followers to a life of commitment, where prioritizing God’s kingdom over personal concerns is essential.