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Dave Burnette's Commentary

Luke Chapter 9 

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Luke
Date Penned: (60 AD)
Overview: Luke Presents the Life of Christ  (c 1-24)
Theme:  The Message & Ministry of Jesus, the Savior (c 4-21)
Message: Jesus is Transfigured (v 1-62)

Luke 9 Commentary

(9:1-6) Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles - After giving examples of Jesus’ pattern of preaching about the Kingdom of God and of his power through all types of miracles, Luke reported how Jesus sent out the Twelve to continue this work. This begins two missionary trips (9:1; 10:1). Luke is the only Gospel writer that includes two trips, and the disciples probably were sent on other trips as well. Jesus gave the Twelve some instructions and then sent them on a “training mission.” They would soon be the ones left to carry on Jesus’ work after he was gone.

(9:7-9) Herod Kills John the Baptist - The ministry of Jesus and his disciples was effective. The gospel message even reached Herod, leaving him questioning: “Who is this man?”


(9:10-17) Jesus Feeds Five Thousand - Apart from Jesus’ resurrection, this is the only miracle that appears in all four Gospels, showing its importance to Jesus’ ministry and to the early church. While many people have tried to explain away the incident, it is clear that all the Gospel writers saw this as a marvelous miracle.

(9:18-20) Peter Says Jesus is the Messiah - Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah, marks a turning point in this Gospel. Luke had been meticulously recording the reactions of people to Jesus and his message and their questions revolving around Jesus’ identity. Peter gave a clear answer to Jesus’ identity.

(9:21-27) Jesus Predicts His Death the First Time - Jesus responded to Peter’s confession that he was the Messiah with a prophecy of his own death and resurrection. Most Jews at this time were expecting a political messiah, a person who would deliver them from their subjection to the Romans. To correct this, Jesus depicted his suffering and death at the hands of the religious leaders (see 9:43-45).

(9:8-36) Jesus is Transfigured on the Mountain - Drowsily, Peter, James, and John awoke to an extraordinary sight—Moses and Elijah, with Jesus, standing together in a moment of glorious heavenly splendor. Stunned—Peter blurted out that he would build three shrines. Peter’s instant reaction was to commemorate this moment of glory, at this very site. But God himself answered Peter. No shrines were needed; instead the disciples needed to recognize Jesus’ unique identity—that he was God’s Son—and obey what he told them to do.

(9:37-43) Jesus Heals a Demon Possessed Boy - Luke closely tied the Transfiguration to this healing of a demon-possessed boy. The ignorance and unbelief of the disciples was the same issue that God had spoken about on the mountain. He had commanded Peter, James, and John to “listen” to Jesus. There was no reason for the disciples to be defeated by any demon; all they needed to do was to believe in Jesus and dedicate themselves to prayer (see Matthew 17:20; Mark 9:29).

(9:43-45) Jesus Predicts His Death the Second Time - While Jesus was still in the limelight, while the people were still marveling over his recent exorcism, Jesus took time to reiterate to his disciples that the path he was traveling was the way of suffering—the way of the cross (9:23-27). Jesus calls all his followers to that path.

(9:46-48) The Disciples Argue About Who Would Be the Greatest - This argument among the disciples about who would be the greatest highlights how they did not understand Jesus’ mission (9:45). Jesus was trying to prepare these men for the suffering and rejection that would come. At the same time, however, the disciples were enjoying all the attention and even disputing with each other over who was the greatest. So Jesus called over a little child—considered the most lowly person in first-century society—to show them their false priorities.

(9:49-50) The Disciples Forbid Another to Use Jesus' Name - Here the disciples displayed their tendency to be a closed group. Jesus rebuked their attempt to be exclusive. His ministry was to empower and encourage all those who do good, not to limit and restrict. Christians must welcome and encourage all who serve in the name of Christ. Having the same Lord should cover a multitude of differences.

(9:51-62) Jesus Teaches About the Cost of Following Him - Luke began an extended section of his Gospel presenting the teaching and parables of Jesus that, for the most part, focus on the cost of discipleship and the coming suffering that Jesus would endure. Jesus was preparing his disciples for the rejection, suffering, and death that he would experience.

 


Dave Burnette's Life Application

Are You a Disciple?

 Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the book of Luke with Chapter 9. In our text today we see Luke's account of the disciples being sent out to Minister, John the Baptist being killed, Jesus continuing to minister by feeding the 5 thousand, He heals a demon possessed boy, while He teaches, rebukes, and instructs the disciples. What catches my eye is how Jesus makes disciples or followers by instructing them with His Words. In making application we that the Lord is still making disciples out of those who are saved through His Word and His Spirit. Today we are reproved, rebuked, and extorted by the Lord through His Indwelling Spirit and His Word, the Bible. How about You? Are you a Disciple of Jesus-Christ? Let us learn from our text today to see that Jesus is still making disciples of those who are born again by His Indwelling Holy Spirit which guides us into all truth through the precious Word of God, The Bible. 

 

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Luke 9

Luke 9

 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.