Luk 9:18-27 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Luke 9:18-27: 9:18-27 Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Messiah marked a turning point, as Jesus moved from demonstrating his messianic authority through miracles to explaining the unexpected suffering of the Messiah. Jesus accepted the confession but clarified that his being the Messiah would involve suffering and death. He called his disciples to follow him regardless of the cost.

Summary for Luke 9:18-27: 9:18-27 ^a Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Messiah marked a turning point, as Jesus moved from demonstrating his messianic authority through miracles to explaining the unexpected suffering of the Messiah. Jesus accepted the confession but clarified that his being the Messiah would involve suffering and death. He called his disciples to follow him regardless of the cost.
9:19 ^b some say Elijah: See study note on 9:8.
9:20 ^c the Messiah: The phrase could be translated “the Lord’s Anointed,” a designation for the king of Israel (1 Sam 24:6 ^d, 10 ^e; 2 Sam 19:21 ^f; Ps 2:2 ^g). David was the Lord’s anointed, as was the Messiah.
Summary for Luke 9:21-22: 9:21-22 ^h not to tell anyone who he was: Jesus did not want to encourage a popular uprising; his calling was not to overthrow Rome, but to suffer and die.
9:22 ⁱ must suffer many terrible things: This was the first of Jesus’ prophecies concerning his coming death in Jerusalem (see 9:44 ^j; 17:25 ^k; 18:31-34 ^l). Jesus would fulfill Isa 52:13–53:12 ^m, in which the servant of the Lord (the Messiah) became a saving sacrifice for God’s people. These events were part of God’s purpose and plan. Despite opposition from human beings and from the spiritual forces of Satan, God works through the actions of human beings to accomplish his purposes. Though wicked men plotted against Jesus and put him to death, God accomplished salvation by raising Jesus from the dead (Luke 24:7 ⁿ, 26-27 ^o, 44-47 ^p; Acts 2:23-24 ^q; 3:18 ^r; 4:28 ^s).

• leading priests: Though Israel had only one high priest, the upper-class priests were the aristocracy; they served on the Sanhedrin and held positions of power in Jerusalem.
Summary for Luke 9:23-27: 9:23-27 ^t If any of you wants to be my follower: After predicting his own suffering and death, Jesus taught that all who follow him must also experience death to self. 9:23 ^u take up your cross daily: This did not simply mean carrying a heavy burden, but suffering a violent death by crucifixion. Believers must be completely willing to die to themselves and to live for God, even at the cost of their lives.
9:24 ^v hang on to your life: Placing oneself on the throne denies Jesus. The result is to lose one’s life, mainly at the last judgment (9:26 ^w; John 12:25 ^x).
9:26 ^y the Son of Man ... when he returns in his glory: See Dan 7:13-14 ^z; thematic note for The Son of Man at end of chapter.
9:27 ^aa This difficult verse has been interpreted as referring to: (1) the second coming of Christ; (2) the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70; (3) the resurrection of Jesus; or (4) the transfiguration, which follows in 9:28-36 ^ab. The last possibility is the most likely.