‏ Luke 9

The Mission of the Twelve Apostles

This section describes how Jesus sent out his twelve apostles to spread his message and do good works. Jesus had been teaching and healing people, but he could only be in one place at a time. So, he sent his disciples to reach more people, giving them authority and instructions for their mission. This passage shows how Jesus trained his followers to depend on God, serve others, and prepare for opposition.

v. 1-2: Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them power over all demons and to cure diseases. He sent them out to preach about the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Their mission was to tell people about God’s coming kingdom and to show God’s love through healing. Jesus gave them real authority to help others, showing that his power is greater than evil and sickness.

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v. 3-5: Jesus told them to travel simply and trust God for their needs. They were not to take extra clothes, food, or money, but to depend on the kindness of people they met. They should stay in the same house in each town, not moving around for better treatment. If people rejected them, they were to leave that place and shake the dust off their feet as a warning. This teaches us to rely on God, to be content, and not to worry about material things when serving him. It also shows that if people reject God’s message, it is their own responsibility.

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v. 6: The disciples did what Jesus said. They went from town to town, preaching the good news and healing people everywhere. Their work was just like Jesus’—helping both souls and bodies. They obeyed his instructions and trusted him to provide for them and guide them.

v. 7-9: News about Jesus and his disciples’ work spread everywhere, even reaching Herod the ruler. People wondered who Jesus was—some thought he was John the Baptist raised from the dead, others Elijah, or another ancient prophet. Herod was confused and wanted to see Jesus, especially since he had already killed John the Baptist. This shows that when God’s work grows, it attracts attention and even opposition from powerful people. The world may not understand Jesus or his followers, and sometimes there is danger, but God is in control.

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The Multitude Miraculously Fed

After the apostles returned from their preaching mission, they reported to Jesus all they had done. Jesus took them aside for some rest and private time, but the crowds followed. Jesus welcomed the people, taught them about God’s kingdom, and healed those in need. When it grew late, he miraculously fed over five thousand people with just five loaves and two fish, teaching his disciples about trust, compassion, and God’s power to provide.

v. 10: The apostles returned and told Jesus everything they had done on their mission. Jesus took them with him privately to a desert place near Bethsaida, so they could rest and have time away from the crowds. This shows that Jesus cares for his followers’ need to rest and reflect after working hard, and that private time with God is important.

v. 11: Even though Jesus tried to get away, the crowds found out and followed him. He welcomed them, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. Jesus never turned people away who were seeking help or wanting to learn about God. He showed compassion to everyone, even when it interrupted his plans.

v. 12: As the day grew late, the twelve disciples came to Jesus and suggested he send the crowd away to nearby villages and farms to find food and lodging. They were in a remote place, and the disciples were concerned about the people’s needs. This shows that the disciples were thinking about practical matters, but still didn’t realize fully what Jesus could do.

v. 13: Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” The disciples replied that they only had five loaves of bread and two fish, unless they went and bought food for all these people. The disciples focused on their limited resources instead of trusting Jesus’ power. Jesus wanted to teach them to depend on God, not just their own abilities.

v. 14: There were about five thousand men there. Jesus told his disciples to have the people sit down in groups of about fifty each. This organization helped everyone receive the food in order and made it easier to see the miracle that was about to happen.

v. 15: The disciples did what Jesus said, and everyone sat down. Obeying Jesus, even when it seems strange, prepares us to see his work in our lives.

v. 16: Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. Jesus showed thankfulness to God and involved the disciples in serving others. This teaches us to thank God for what we have, even if it seems small, and to use it to help others.

v. 17: Everyone ate and was satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of leftovers. Jesus provided more than enough for everyone, showing God’s abundance and generosity. The miracle teaches that when we give what we have to Jesus, he can multiply it far beyond what we expect, and there will even be more left over.

Peter’s Confession and Jesus Teaches about Self-Denial

This section records an important conversation between Jesus and his disciples. Jesus asks them who people think he is, and then who they themselves believe he is. Peter’s answer shows true faith. Jesus then predicts his coming suffering and death for the first time, and teaches that anyone who wants to follow him must also be ready to deny themselves and carry their cross. He stresses the value of the soul over worldly gain, the importance of not being ashamed of Christ, and gives a promise that some will see God's kingdom come with power.

v. 18: Jesus was praying alone, but his disciples were also with him. After praying, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” This shows how Jesus often prayed before important moments and involved his disciples in deep discussions. It also reminds us that spending time with God helps us understand him better.

v. 19: The disciples answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” People had many different ideas about Jesus, but they did not fully understand who he really was. This shows that even when people see miracles, they might not recognize who Jesus truly is.

v. 20: Jesus then asked, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ of God.” Peter recognized that Jesus is the promised Messiah, sent and anointed by God. Knowing who Jesus is makes all the difference in our lives.

v. 21: Jesus warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ yet. The full proof would be shown later, especially after his death and resurrection. At this stage, Jesus wanted people to come to faith in God’s time and way, not through rumors or political excitement.

v. 22: Jesus said that he, the Son of Man, must suffer many things, be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, be killed, and on the third day be raised to life. Jesus openly told his disciples about his coming suffering and death. He explained that suffering is part of God’s plan, and his resurrection would prove he is truly the Christ.

v. 23: Jesus told everyone, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” To be a true disciple, we must be ready to put God first, say “no” to selfish desires, and be willing to face difficulties for following Jesus. This is not just a one-time decision, but something we must do every day.

v. 24: He continued, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” If we try to keep our lives by avoiding sacrifice or suffering for Jesus, we will lose what really matters. But if we are willing to give up everything for Jesus, we will gain true and eternal life.

v. 25: Jesus asked, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” He teaches that the soul is worth more than anything else. No amount of money, power, or success is worth losing our relationship with God.

v. 26: He warned, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” We must not be embarrassed about following Jesus or sharing his teachings, even if others make fun of us. If we are ashamed of him now, he will not stand up for us when he returns.

v. 27: Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” This means that some of his disciples would see God’s kingdom come with power, especially after Jesus’ resurrection and when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost.

The Transfiguration

This passage tells the story of Jesus' transfiguration. This event gave the disciples a glimpse of the glory Jesus will have when he comes to judge the world. It encouraged them to stay strong in their faith, even if they had to suffer. The transfiguration helps us believe that Jesus is truly the brightness of his Father’s glory and prepares us to hope for the glory awaiting all believers.

v. 28: About eight days after Jesus spoke about his suffering, he took Peter, John, and James up a mountain to pray (Luke 9:28 ^a). Luke says “about eight days,” while Matthew and Mark say “six days.” It may have been at night, since the disciples became sleepy.

v. 29: As Jesus was praying, his appearance changed. His face looked different, shining more brightly than when Moses came down from Mount Sinai. His clothes became dazzling white, like lightning. By praying, Jesus showed that prayer is important and can change us, too (2 Corinthians 3:18 ^b).

v. 30-31: Two men appeared with Jesus—Moses and Elijah. They appeared in glory, showing that the saints who have died are now in a glorious state. They talked with Jesus about his coming death in Jerusalem, calling it his “departure” or “exodus.” This showed that Jesus’ suffering and glory were predicted by the prophets (Luke 24:26-27; 1 Peter 1:11 ^c), and that even in moments of glory, it is good to remember our purpose and future.

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v. 32: At first, Peter, James, and John were very sleepy. Maybe it was late or they were tired. Even during this amazing event, they struggled to stay awake. But when they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men with him. This reminds us that even the strongest believers need God’s help to stay alert and pay attention to spiritual things (2 Peter 1:18 ^d).

v. 33: As Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter said, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” But Peter did not really understand what he was saying. Sometimes we only realize how valuable something is when it is about to go away. Also, Peter did not realize that the saints in glory have better homes in heaven and do not need earthly shelters.

v. 34: While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them. The disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud. In the Old Testament, a cloud was a sign of God’s special presence, like when God filled the tabernacle or temple (Exodus 40:34-35; 2 Chronicles 5:14 ^e). Even though the disciples were afraid, it is always safe to enter a cloud when Jesus is with us.

v. 35: From the cloud came a voice: “This is my beloved Son; listen to him!” God was telling the disciples to pay attention to Jesus. The words “beloved Son” mean that God is pleased with him. Through Jesus, we also become accepted by God.

v. 36: After the voice spoke, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept what they had seen to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time. There is a right time to speak and a right time to be silent. Later, when the Holy Spirit came and the truth about Jesus was fully revealed, they shared this story with everyone.

An Evil Spirit Expelled

This section describes how Jesus healed a boy who was suffering because of an evil spirit. It happened the day after Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain. The story shows both the power of Jesus and the weakness of his disciples’ faith. It teaches us to bring our troubles to Jesus and to trust in his ability to help us, especially when others cannot.

v. 37: The next day, as Jesus and his three disciples came down from the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for him. Even though Jesus had only been away a short time, many people came to meet him. This reminds us that people were always eager to see Jesus and receive his help.

v. 38: A man from the crowd cried out to Jesus, begging for help for his only son. He asked, “I beg you, look upon my son.” This shows how much the father cared for his child and believed that Jesus could help. When we have problems, we should bring them to Jesus, just like this father did (Luke 9:38 ^f).

v. 39: The boy was in a terrible condition. An evil spirit would suddenly take hold of him, making him cry out and hurt his body. The spirit would leave him only after causing great pain and injury. This shows how much suffering evil can cause, and how desperate some situations are. But it also shows that Jesus cares about people who are hurting deeply (Luke 9:39 ^g).

v. 40: The boy’s father explained that he had asked Jesus’ disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they could not do it. Even though Jesus had given his disciples power over evil spirits before, this time they failed. It teaches us that we must keep trusting in Jesus and not rely only on ourselves (Luke 9:40 ^h).

v. 41: Jesus responded by saying, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you?” He was disappointed by the lack of faith, even among his own disciples. Faith is necessary to see God’s power at work. Jesus then told the father to bring the boy to him.

v. 42: As the boy was coming, the evil spirit threw him into a violent fit, trying to harm him one last time. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. This shows that Jesus has complete authority over evil, and that his healing is full and complete (Luke 9:42 ⁱ).

Ambition of the Disciples Reproved

In this section, we see how people reacted with amazement to Jesus’ miracles, but also how his disciples misunderstood his mission. Jesus warned them again about his coming suffering, but they struggled to understand. He also taught them important lessons about humility and accepting others who serve God, even if they are not part of the same group.

v. 43: Everyone was amazed at the mighty power of God when they saw the miracles Jesus did (Luke 9:43 ^j). Every action of Jesus made people wonder, because they saw God’s power working through him. These miracles reminded everyone that Jesus is the power of God and his name is Wonderful. The people recognized that God was working through Jesus in a way no one else could, and their response should be one of awe and thankfulness.

v. 44: While people were still amazed, Jesus told his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” He wanted them to really pay attention and not let their ideas about a powerful, earthly kingdom make them ignore his warning about suffering and death (Luke 9:44 ^k). He urged them to let his words go deep into their hearts and minds.

v. 45: But the disciples did not understand what Jesus meant. The meaning was hidden from them, and they were afraid to ask him about it (Luke 9:45 ^l). Sometimes, people cannot accept the truth because it does not fit what they want to believe. Their lack of understanding came from weak faith and strong prejudice.

v. 46: Then the disciples started arguing about which one of them was the greatest (Luke 9:46 ^m). Ambition and the desire to be first are common temptations. Jesus’ followers must be careful to avoid pride and the need to be important, because these desires can cause trouble and keep us from serving others humbly.

v. 47: Jesus knew what they were thinking. He took a child and had him stand beside him (Luke 9:47 ⁿ). Jesus always showed love to children, and he used this child as an example. He wanted his disciples to be humble, gentle, and not care about high positions, just like a child.

v. 48: Jesus said, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For the one who is least among you all is the one who is great” (Luke 9:48 ^o). Jesus taught that true greatness comes from humility and serving others, not from seeking honor for ourselves. When we welcome and care for even the least important people, we honor Jesus and God the Father.

v. 49: John told Jesus, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he does not follow with us” (Luke 9:49 ^p). The disciples were bothered by someone doing good in Jesus’ name who was not part of their group. They thought only those close to them should work for Jesus.

v. 50: But Jesus replied, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you” (Luke 9:50 ^q). Jesus wanted them to understand that people can serve God faithfully even if they are not in the same group or do things a little differently. We should encourage others who work for Christ, because if they are not against us, they are on our side (Mark 9:38-39 ^r).

The Samaritans Refuse to Receive Christ; Mistaken Zeal of James and John

This section tells the story of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, his rejection by a Samaritan village, and the response of his disciples. It teaches about Jesus’ steadfast purpose, the wrong kind of religious zeal, and the true spirit of following him. The story shows that Jesus came not to destroy but to save, and it warns against harshness and revenge in the name of religion.

v. 51: When the time came for Jesus to be taken up to heaven, he set out for Jerusalem with firm determination. He knew he was going to suffer and die, but he looked beyond his suffering to the glory that would follow (Isaiah 50:7 ^s). Jesus’ courage and purpose are an example for us, showing that we should do what is right even when it is difficult or dangerous.

v. 52: Jesus sent messengers ahead of him, who went into a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. He did this so that his coming would not surprise anyone and to make sure there would be a place for him and his disciples to stay. This shows Jesus’ kindness and respect for others, even when traveling through places where he was not always welcome.

v. 53: However, the people in the Samaritan village did not welcome Jesus because he was traveling toward Jerusalem. There was a long-standing disagreement between Jews and Samaritans about the right place to worship God (John 4:20 ^t). The Samaritans saw that Jesus was going to Jerusalem and, because of their prejudice, refused to receive him.

v. 54: When James and John, two of Jesus’ disciples, saw how the village treated him, they became angry and asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to destroy them?” They remembered how the prophet Elijah had called down fire on his enemies (2 Kings 1:10,12 ^u). Although their desire to defend Jesus showed loyalty, their attitude was too harsh and vengeful. They did not understand that Jesus’ mission was about mercy, not punishment.

v. 55: Jesus turned and rebuked James and John. He told them that they did not understand what kind of spirit they should have as his followers. Jesus came to teach love, patience, and forgiveness, not to take revenge or use violence against those who rejected him. He reminded them that his message was about grace, not judgment.

v. 56: Jesus explained that he, the Son of Man, came not to destroy people’s lives, but to save them. Instead of fighting back, he and his disciples simply went on to another village. This teaches us to respond to rejection with patience and to keep doing good, even when others are unkind.

Every Thing to Be Left for Christ

This passage tells us about three different people who wanted to follow Jesus. Each person had their own reasons and excuses. Jesus uses their examples to teach what it truly means to be his disciple. He shows that following him is not always easy, and sometimes we must give up things we care about. The lesson is clear: we must put Jesus first, above comfort, family, or anything else.

v. 57: As Jesus and his followers were traveling, a man said to him, “Lord, I will follow you wherever you go” (Luke 9:57 ^v). This sounds like a strong promise, and Jesus wants all his disciples to be willing to follow him anywhere (Revelation 14:4 ^w). But it is important to count the cost before making such a promise.

v. 58: Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head” (Luke 9:58 ^x). Jesus was showing how poor he was. He had less comfort than animals. He wanted this man to understand that following him might mean facing hardship and not having a home. Jesus himself lived very simply to teach us not to love the world too much. If we follow him, we must be ready to deny ourselves and take up our cross (2 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Corinthians 4:11 ^y).

v. 59: Jesus said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father” (Luke 9:59 ^z). Sometimes, we try to delay obeying Jesus because of other important things. Jesus wants us to put him first, even above family duties. He calls people at different times, and when he calls, we should answer right away (John 15:16 ^aa).

v. 60: Jesus answered, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60 ^ab). Jesus is not telling us to be unkind to our families, but he wants us to know that nothing should stop us from doing God’s work. If we are called to a special task, we must not let anything—even good things—get in the way (Deuteronomy 33:9; 2 Timothy 2:4 ^ac; Galatians 1:15-16 ^ad).

v. 61: Another person said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family” (Luke 9:61 ^ae). He wanted to follow Jesus, but he also wanted to take care of his home and loved ones first. Sometimes, this can be a temptation to delay or change our minds. If we keep looking back, we might never fully commit to following Jesus.

v. 62: Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 ^af). Jesus used the example of a person ploughing a field. If the person keeps looking back, the lines will not be straight, and the work will not be good. In the same way, if we want to follow Jesus, we must not let anything pull us away. Only those who keep going and do not turn back will be ready for God’s kingdom. Looking back can lead to falling away, but those who keep going to the end will be saved.