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Luke9

King James Version · Public Domain

1Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

3And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

4And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

5And 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.

6And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

7Now 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;

8And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

9And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

10And 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.

11And 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.

12And 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.

13But 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.

14For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

15And they did so, and made them all sit down.

16Then 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.

17And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

18And 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?

19They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

20He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

21And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

22Saying, 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.

23And 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.

24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

26For 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.

27But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

28And 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.

29And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

30And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

31Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

32But 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.

33And 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.

34While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

35And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

36And 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.

37And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.

38And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.

39And, 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.

40And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

41And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.

42And 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.

43And 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,

44Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

45But 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.

46Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

47And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

48And 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.

49And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

50And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

51And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

52And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

53And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

54And 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?

55But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

56For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

57And 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.

58And 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.

59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

60Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Luke 9.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The apostles sent forth. (1–9). The multitude miraculously fed. (10–17). Peter's testimony to Christ, Self-denial enjoined. (18–27). The transfiguration. (28–36). An evil spirit cast out. (37–42). Christ checks the ambition of his disciples. (43–50). He reproves their mistaken zeal. (51–56). Every thing to be given up for Christ. (57–62).

vv1-9

Christ sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were able to teach others what they had received from the Lord. They must not be anxious to commend themselves to people's esteem by outward appearance. They must go as they were. The Lord Jesus is the fountain of power and authority, to whom all creatures must, in one way or another, be subject; and if he goes with the word of his ministers in power, to deliver sinners from Satan's bondage, they may be sure that he will care for their wants. When truth and love thus go together, and yet the message of God is rejected and despised, it leaves men without excuse, and turns to a testimony against them. Herod's guilty conscience was ready to conclude that John was risen from the dead. He desired to see Jesus; and why did he not go and see him? Probably, because he thought it below him, or because he wished not to have any more reprovers of sin. Delaying it now, his heart was hardened, and when he did see Jesus, he was as much prejudiced against him as others, Lu 23:11.

vv10-17

The people followed Jesus, and though they came unseasonably, yet he gave them what they came for. He spake unto them of the kingdom of God. He healed those who had need of healing. And with five loaves of bread and two fishes, Christ fed five thousand men. He will not see those that fear him, and serve him faithfully, want any good thing. When we receive creature-comforts, we must acknowledge that we receive them from God, and that we are unworthy to receive them; that we owe them all, and all the comfort we have in them, to the mediation of Christ, by whom the curse is taken away. The blessing of Christ will make a little go a great way. He fills every hungry soul, abundantly satisfies it with the goodness of his house. Here were fragments taken up: in our Father's house there is bread enough, and to spare. We are not straitened, nor stinted in Christ.

vv18-27

It is an unspeakable comfort that our Lord Jesus is God's Anointed; this signifies that he was both appointed to be the Messiah, and qualified for it. Jesus discourses concerning his own sufferings and death. And so far must his disciples be from thinking how to prevent his sufferings, that they must prepare for their own. We often meet with crosses in the way of duty; and though we must not pull them upon our own heads, yet, when they are laid for us, we must take them up, and carry them after Christ. It is well or ill with us, according as it is well or ill with our souls. The body cannot be happy, if the soul be miserable in the other world; but the soul may be happy, though the body is greatly afflicted and oppressed in this world. We must never be ashamed of Christ and his gospel.

Cross References

Luke 9
v9Luke 23:8thematic

Herod's desire to see Jesus is eventually realized only when Jesus is sent to him as a prisoner.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v29Exodus 34:29-35typology

Moses' face shining after praying on the mount typefies Christ's transfiguring countenance.

Supported by JFB

v57Matthew 8:19thematic

Parallel account of the scribe offering to follow Jesus whithersoever He goes.

Supported by John Calvin

v611 Kings 19:20contrast

Elisha was permitted to bid farewell to his family, whereas Jesus demands immediate, unconditional commitment.

v1Matthew 10:1thematic

Matthew's parallel account of Jesus calling and empowering the twelve disciples for their mission.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Mark 6:7-13thematic

Mark's parallel account of the sending out of the twelve with power over unclean spirits.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v3Luke 22:35contrast

Jesus references back to this mission, contrasting their temporary lack with future preparations.

v20Matthew 16:16thematic

The parallel confession of Peter, identifying Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Supported by JFB

v282 Peter 1:16thematic

Peter's eyewitness testimony of Christ's majesty on the holy mount.

Supported by JFB

v35Deuteronomy 18:15fulfillment

The Father's command 'hear him' fulfills Moses' prophecy of the coming Prophet.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v49Mark 9:38-40thematic

Parallel incident of the disciples forbidding someone casting out demons in Christ's name.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v542 Kings 1:10-14allusion

Direct precedent cited by James and John when they ask to command fire from heaven as Elijah did.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v59Matthew 8:21thematic

Parallel dialogue of a disciple asking to first go and bury his father.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v62Luke 17:32thematic

A solemn warning against looking back to what was left behind, exemplified by Lot's wife.

v5Acts 13:51thematic

Paul and Barnabas carry out this exact instruction by shaking dust from their feet.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v7Matthew 14:1-12thematic

The detailed background of Herod's execution of John and his troubled conscience regarding Jesus.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v10Mark 6:30thematic

Mark's parallel account of the apostles returning and gathering to report to Jesus.

Supported by JFB

v12John 6:5-15thematic

John's parallel account of the feeding of the five thousand, leading to the Bread of Life discourse.

Supported by JFB

v132 Kings 4:43typology

Elisha's miraculous feeding of one hundred men with twenty loaves, typifying Christ's greater miracle.

v23Matthew 16:24thematic

Parallel instruction on self-denial and taking up the cross to follow Christ.

Supported by John Calvin

v28Matthew 17:1-13thematic

Matthew's parallel account of the Transfiguration, including Moses and Elijah.

Supported by JFB

v28Mark 9:2-13thematic

Mark's parallel account describing Christ's glistening, white garments.

Supported by JFB

v34Exodus 40:34-38typology

The divine cloud that overshadowed the tabernacle now overshadows the disciples.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v41Matthew 17:17thematic

Parallel of Jesus' rebuke to the faithless and perverse generation after the failed exorcism.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v46Matthew 18:1-5thematic

Parallel teaching on humility and greatness using a child as an emblem.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v51Isaiah 50:7allusion

Prophetic description of setting one's face like flint, echoed in Jesus setting His face to Jerusalem.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v61Matthew 10:37thematic

Loving family more than Christ makes one unworthy of His discipleship.

v61Luke 14:26thematic

The demand to prioritize Christ over all family relationships to be His disciple.

v62Genesis 19:17thematic

The urgent command to escape for one's life and not look back behind.

v62Hebrews 10:38thematic

Warnings against drawing back after starting the path of faith, which displeases God.

v3Luke 10:4-12thematic

Jesus gives identical instructions of urgency and dependency when sending out the seventy.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v13Numbers 11:21-23contrast

Moses' doubt about feeding a massive assembly, mirroring the disciples' weak faith here.

v18Mark 8:27-30thematic

Mark's parallel of Jesus asking His disciples who the crowds and they say He is.

Supported by JFB

v27Matthew 16:28thematic

Parallel promise of seeing the Son of man coming in His kingdom.

Supported by JFB

v27Mark 9:1thematic

Parallel promise of seeing the kingdom of God come with power.

Supported by JFB

v32Matthew 26:40-43contrast

The disciples are heavy with sleep here, contrasting with their sleep in Gethsemane.

Supported by JFB