Bible Commentaries
Luke 9

Verses 1-62

Feeding the Five Thousand. Peter’s Confession. The Transfiguration

1-6. Mission of the Twelve (Matthew 10:1, Matthew 10:5-15; Mark 6:7-13). See on Mt.

7-9. Herod thinks that John is risen again (Matthew 14:1; Mark 6:14). See on Mt.

10-17. Feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:30; John 6:1). See on Mt and Jn.

18-27. Confession of Peter (Matthew 16:13; Mark 8:27). See on Mt. St. Luke’s account is the most imperfect. Why he omits to mention the locality (Cæsarea Philippi), and Christ’s rebuke to Peter, which were certainly in his source, does not appear. He alone mentions that Christ was ’praying alone ’(Luke 9:18).

28-36. The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2). See on Mt.

31. Lk alone mentions the subject of the conversation, Christ’s death.

37-43. The epileptic healed (Matthew 17:14; Mark 9:14) See on Mt and Mk.

43b-45. He predicts His Passion (Matthew 17:22; Mark 9:30). See on Mt. It is not clear why St. Luke omits the prophecy of the resurrection, which certainly was in the source used by the synoptists. See Mt and Mk.

46-48. Who should be greatest (Matthew 18:1; Mark 9:33). See on Mt.

49, 50. The man casting out devils in Christ’s name. See on Mark 9:38-41.

Luke 9:51 to Luke 19:28. The Peræan Ministry. Here begins a long and important section consisting of ten chapters (Luke 9:51 to Luke 19:28) peculiar to the third Gospel, and called generally the ’Peræan section.’ (For ’Peræa’ see on Matthew 19:1.) From the narratives of Mt and Mk, who devote but a chapter to it (Matthew 19 Mark 10), it would be supposed that the final journey of Jesus to Jerusalem occupied not more than a week or two, but in St. Luke it is so crowded with incidents, that several months must be assigned to it. It need not, however, be supposed that all the incidents and discourses which. St. Luke places in this period really belong to it. Marks of time are infrequent and vague, and lead to the conclusion that many of the incidents came into the evangelist’s hands with no indications of date, and were, therefore, grouped together in this appendix to the Galilean ministry. All the Gospels agree in bringing our Lord to Peræa shortly before the Passion.

Some think that St. Luke describes not one, but three journeys to Jerusalem: (1) Luke 9:51 = John 7:1 to John 10:39; (Feast of Tabernacles and of Dedication; (2) Luke 13:22 = John 11 (raising of Lazarus); (3) Luke 17:11 = John 11:55; (journey from Ephraim to Jerusalem). But it is better to hold that St. Luke describes only one journey, which partook largely of the nature of an extended missionary tour.

51-56. James and John desire to call down fire upon a Samaritan village (peculiar to Lk). Though James and John did not gain their title ’Boanerges’ (Mark 3:17) from this incident, yet it undoubtedly illustrates the character of the ’Sons of Thunder’ on its weaker side. Their desire for vengeance was a fault, but a generous one. They resented, not a personal slight, but an insult to the Master whom they had now come to regard as greater than Moses or Elijah or any OT. saint. They were right to be angry, but they were wrong in their anger to forget mercy, and to desire to destroy rather than to save sinners.

51. When the time was come (RV ’when the days were well nigh come’) that he should be received up] lit. ’for His Ascension,’ St. Luke thus indicating that His painful death would have a glorious issue. Set his face] see Isaiah 50:7. St. Mark states that Jesus went before, and the disciples followed in amazement and apprehension (Mark 10:32).

52. Samaritans] see on John 4:4, John 4:8-9, John 4:20. To make ready] viz. a lodging and a meal.

53. As though he would go to Jerusalem] The Samaritans expected a Messiah, but the fact that Jesus was going to Jerusalem to worship, rather than to their own holy mountain Gerizim, was a sufficient proof to them that Jesus was not he. The Jews often passed through Samaria, but they seldom availed themselves of Samaritan hospitality, though according to the rabbis ’their land was clean, their waters were clean, their dwellings were clean, and their roads were clean.’

54. Even as Elias (Elijah) did] 2 Kings 1:10. Omitted by RV.

55. Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of] (omitted by important ancient authorities, see RV), i.e. either, (1) ye know not that the spirit of the new covenant is one of forbearance and forgiveness; or, (2) ye know not that the spirit which you exhibit comes from Satan not from God.

56. For the Son.. save them] These beautiful words are wanting in many ancient authorities, but are in any case an authentic utterance of Jesus, appropriately inserted here.

57-62. Jesus is joined by new disciples. See on Matthew 8:19-22.

61, 62. Peculiar to Lk.

61. Bid them farewell] Our Lord probably does not forbid the man to take leave of his relations, but only indicates in a striking and figurative way that those who aspire to be followers of Him, especially in the work of the ministry, must disentangle themselves from family ties, and give themselves wholeheartedly to the work.