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Luke Chapter
Nine
Luke 9
In chapter 9 the Lord charges the disciples with the same
mission in Israel as that which He Himself fulfilled. They preach the kingdom
heal the sick
and cast out devils. But this is added
that their work takes
the character of a final mission. Not that the Lord had ceased to work
for He
also sent forth the seventy; but final in this sense
that it became a definite
testimony against the people if they rejected it. The twelve were to shake off
the dust from their feet on leaving the cities that would reject them. This is
intelligible at the point we have reached in the Gospel. It is repeated
with a
yet greater force
in the case of the seventy. We shall speak of it in the
chapter that relates to their being sent forth. Their mission comes after the
manifestation of His glory to the three disciples. But the Lord as long as He
was here continued His exercise of power in mercy
for it was what He
personally was here
and sovereign goodness in Him was above all the evil He
met with.
To go on with our chapter. That which follows verse 7 shews that the
fame of His marvellous works had reached the ears of the king. Israel was
without excuse. Whatever little conscience there was felt the effect of His
power. The people also followed Him. Gone apart with the disciples
who had
returned from their mission
He is soon surrounded by the multitude; again
their servant in grace
however great their unbelief
He preaches to them and
heals all who needed it.
But He would give them a fresh and very especial proof of
the divine power and presence that was among them. It had been said that in the
time of Israel's blessing from the Lord
when He should make the horn of David
to flourish
He would satisfy the poor with bread. Jesus now does so. But there
is more than this here. We have seen throughout this Gospel that He exercises
this power
in His humanity
by the unmeasured energy of the Holy Ghost. Hence
a marvellous blessing for us
granted according to the sovereign counsels of
God
through the perfect wisdom of Jesus in selecting His instruments. He will
have the disciples do it. Nevertheless the power that performs it is all His
own. The disciples see nothing beyond that which their eyes can estimate. But
if He who feeds them is Jehovah
He ever takes His place Himself in the
dependence of the nature He had assumed. He retires with His disciples
and
there
afar from the world
He prays. And
as in the two remarkable cases [1] of the descent of the Holy Ghost and the
selection of the Twelve
so here also His prayer is the occasion of the
manifestation of His glory-glory which was due to Him
but which the Father
gave Him as man
and in connection with the sufferings and the humiliation
which
in His love
He voluntarily underwent.
The attention of the people was excited
but they did not
go beyond the speculations of the human mind with regard to the Saviour. The
disciples' faith recognised without hesitation the Christ in Jesus. But He was
no longer to be proclaimed as such-the Son of man was to suffer. Counsels more
important
a glory more excellent than that of the Messiah
were to be
realised: but it should be through suffering-suffering that
as to human trials
His disciples were to share by following Him. But in losing their life for Him
they would gain it; for in following Jesus
the eternal life of the soul was
the question and not merely the kingdom. Moreover He who was now rejected would
return in His own glory
namely
as Son of man (the character He takes in this
Gospel)
in the glory of the Father
for He was the Son of God
and in that of
the angels as Jehovah the Saviour
taking place above them
although (yea as)
man: He was worthy of this
for He created them. The salvation of the soul
the
glory of Jesus acknowledged according to His rights
everything warned them to
confess Him while He was despised and disallowed. Now
to strengthen the faith
of those whom He would make pillars
and through them the faith of all
He
announces that some of them
before they tasted death (they should neither wait
for death
in which the value of eternal life would be felt
nor for the return
of Christ)
should see the kingdom of God.
In consequence of this declaration
eight days later He
took the three who afterwards were pillars
and went up into a mountain to
pray. There He is transfigured. He appears in glory
and the disciples see it.
But Moses and Elias share it with Him. The saints of the Old Testament have
part with Him in the glory of the kingdom founded upon His death. They speak
with Him of His decease. They had heretofore spoken of other things. They had
seen the law set up
or had sought to bring the people back to it
for the
introduction of blessing; but now that this new glory is the subject
all
depends on the death of Christ
and on that alone. Everything else disappears.
The heavenly glory of the kingdom and death are in immediate relationship.
Peter sees only the introduction of Christ into a glory equal to theirs;
connecting the latter in his mind with that which they both were to a Jew
and
associating Jesus with it. It is then that the two disappear entirely
and
Jesus remains alone. It was He alone whom they were to hear. The connection of
Moses and Elias with Jesus in the glory
depended on the rejection of their
testimony by the people to whom they had addressed it.
But this is not all. The church
properly so called
is not seen here.
But the sign of the excellent glory
of the presence of God
shews itself-the
cloud in which Jehovah dwelt in Israel. Jesus brings the disciples to it as
witnesses. Moses and Elias disappear
and
Jesus having brought the disciples
close to the glory
the God of Israel manifests Himself as the Father
and owns
Jesus as the Son in whom He delighted. All is changed in the relationships of
God with man. The Son of man
put to death on earth
is owned in the excellent
glory to be the Son of the Father. The disciples know Him thus by the testimony
of the Father
are associated with Him
and
as it were
introduced into
connection with the glory in which the Father Himself thus acknowledged
Jesus-in which the Father and the Son are found. Jehovah makes Himself known as
Father by revealing the Son. And the disciples find themselves associated on
earth with the abode of glory
from whence
at all times
Jehovah Himself had
protected Israel. Jesus was there with them
and He was the Son of God. What a
position! What a change for them! It is
in fact
the change from all that was
most excellent in Judaism to connection with the heavenly glory
which was
wrought at that moment
in order to make all things new. [2]
The personal profit of this passage is great
in that it
reveals to us
in a very striking manner
the heavenly and glorious state. The
saints are in the same glory as Jesus
they are with Him
they converse
familiarly with Him
they converse on that which is nearest to His heart-on His
sufferings and death. They speak with the sentiments that flow from
circumstances which affect the heart. He was to die in the beloved Jerusalem
instead of their receiving the kingdom. They speak as understanding the
counsels of God; for the thing had not yet taken place. Such are the
relationships of the saints with Jesus in the kingdom. For
up to this point
it is the manifestation of the glory as the world will see it
with the
addition of the intercourse between the glorified and Jesus. The three were
standing on the mountain. But the three disciples go beyond thus. They are
taught of the Father. His own affections for His Son are made known to them.
Moses and Elias have borne testimony to Christ
and shall be glorified with
Him; but Jesus now remains alone for the church. This is more than the kingdom
it is fellowship with the Father
and with His Son Jesus (not understood
assuredly
at that time
but now is by the power of the Holy Ghost). It is
wonderful
this entrance of the saints into the excellent glory
into the
Shekinah
the abode of God; and these revelations on God's part of His own
affections for His Son. This is more than the glory. Jesus
however
is always
the object that fills the scene for us. Observe also for our position down here
that the Lord speaks as intimately of His death to His disciples on the earth
as to Moses and Elias. These are not more intimate with Him than are Peter
James
and John. Sweet and precious thought! And mark how thin a veil there is
between us and what is heavenly. [3]
That which follows is the application of this revelation
to the state of things below. The disciples are unable to profit by the power
of Jesus
already manifested
to cast out the power of the enemy. And this
justifies God in that which was revealed of His counsels on the mount
and
leads to the setting aside of the Jewish system
in order to introduce their
fulfilment. But this does not hinder the action of the grace of Christ in
delivering men while He was yet with them
until man had finally rejected Him.
But
without noticing the fruitless astonishment of the people
He insists with
His disciples on His rejection and on His crucifixion; carrying this principle
on to the renunciation of self
and the humility which would receive that which
was least.
In the remainder of the chapter
from verse 46
the
Gospel gives us the different features of selfishness and of the flesh that are
in contrast with the grace and devotedness manifested in Christ
and that tend
to prevent the believer from walking in His steps. Verses 46-48; 49
50; 51-56
respectively
present examples [4] of this; and
from 57 to 62
the contrast
between the illusive will of man and the efficacious call of grace; the
discovery of the repugnance of the flesh
when there is a true call; and the
absolute renunciation of all things
in order to obey it
are set before us by
the Spirit of God. [5] The Lord (in reply to the spirit that sought
the aggrandisement of their own company on earth
forgetful of the cross)
expresses to the disciples that which He did not conceal from Himself
the
truth of God
that all were in such wise against them that
if any one were not
so
he was even thereby for them. So thoroughly did the presence of Christ test
the heart. The other reason
given elsewhere
is not repeated here. The Spirit
in this connection
confines Himself to the point of view we are considering.
Thus rejected
the Lord judges no one. He does not avenge Himself; He was come
to save men's lives. That a Samaritan should repulse the Messiah was
to the
disciples
worthy of destruction. Christ came to save the lives of men. He
submits to the insult
and goes elsewhere. There were some who wished to serve
Him here below. He had no home to which He could take them. Meantime
for this
very reason
the preaching of the kingdom was the only thing to His unwearying
love; the dead (to God) might bury the dead. He who was called
who was alive
must be occupied with one thing
with the kingdom
to bear testimony to it; and
that without looking back
the urgency of the matter lifting him above all
other thoughts. He who had put his hand to the plough must not look back. The
kingdom
in presence of the enmity-the ruin-of man
of all that opposed it
required the soul to be wholly absorbed in its interests by the power of God.
The work of God
in the presence of Christ's rejection
demanded entire
consecration.
[1]
Observe also here
that it is not only in the case of acts of power
or in that
of testimony to the glory of His Person in answer to His prayer
that these
prayers are offered. His conversation with the disciples respecting the change
in the dispensations of God (in which He speaks of His sufferings
and forbids
them to make Him known as the Christ) is introduced by His prayer when He was
in a desert place with them. That His people were to be given up for a time
occupied His heart as much as the glory. Moreover
He pours out His heart to
God
whatever may be the subject that occupies Him according to the ways of
God.
[2] It
is the display of the kingdom
not of the church in heavenly places. I suppose
the words "they entered" must refer to Moses and Elias. But the cloud
overshadowed the disciples. Yet it carries us beyond that display. The word
"overshadowed" is the same as that used by the LXX for the cloud
coming and filling the tabernacle. We learn from Matthew it was a bright cloud.
It was the Shekinah of glory which had been with Israel in the wilderness-I may
say the Father's house. His voice came from it. Into this they entered. It is
this in Luke that makes the disciples afraid. God had talked with Moses out of
it; but here they enter into it. Thus
besides the kingdom
there is the proper
dwelling-place of the saints. This is found in Luke only. We have the kingdom
Moses and Elias in the same glory with the Son
and others in flesh on the
earth
but the heavenly sojourn of the saints also.
[3] Note
too that if Jesus takes up the disciples to see the glory of the kingdom
and
the entrance of the saints into the excellent glory where the Father was
He
came down also and met the crowd of this world and the power of Satan where we
have to walk.
[4]
These three passages point out
each in succession
a more subtle selfishness
less easily detected by man: gross personal selfishness
corporate selfishness
and the selfishness that clothes itself with the appearance of zeal for the
Lord
but which is not likeness to Him.
[5]
Observe that
when the will of man acts
he does not feel the difficulties
but
he is not qualified for the work. When there is a true call
the hindrances are
felt.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Luke》
Luke 9
Chapter Contents
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)
Commentary on Luke 9:1-9
(Read Luke 9:1-9)
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
Luke 23:11.
Commentary on Luke 9:10-17
(Read Luke 9:10-17)
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.
Commentary on Luke 9:18-27
(Read Luke 9:18-27)
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.
Commentary on Luke 9:28-36
(Read Luke 9:28-36)
Christ's transfiguration was a specimen of that glory in
which he will come to judge the world; and was an encouragement to his
disciples to suffer for him. Prayer is a transfiguring
transforming duty
which makes the face to shine. Our Lord Jesus
even in his transfiguration
was
willing to speak concerning his death and sufferings. In our greatest glories
on earth
let us remember that in this world we have no continuing city. What
need we have to pray to God for quickening grace
to make us lively! Yet that
the disciples might be witnesses of this sign from heaven
after awhile they
became awake
so that they were able to give a full account of what passed. But
those know not what they say
that talk of making tabernacles on earth for glorified
saints in heaven.
Commentary on Luke 9:37-42
(Read Luke 9:37-42)
How deplorable the case of this child! He was under the
power of an evil spirit. Disease of that nature are more frightful than such as
arise merely from natural causes. What mischief Satan does where he gets
possession! But happy those that have access to Christ! He can do that for us
which his disciples cannot. A word from Christ healed the child; and when our
children recover from sickness
it is comfortable to receive them as healed by
the hand of Christ.
Commentary on Luke 9:43-50
(Read Luke 9:43-50)
This prediction of Christ's sufferings was plain enough
but the disciples would not understand it
because it agreed not with their
notions. A little child is the emblem by which Christ teaches us simplicity and
humility. What greater honour can any man attain to in this world
than to be
received by men as a messenger of God and Christ; and to have God and Christ
own themselves received and welcomed in him! If ever any society of Christians
in this world
had reason to silence those not of their own communion
the
twelve disciples at this time had; yet Christ warned them not to do the like
again. Those may be found faithful followers of Christ
and may be accepted of
him
who do not follow with us.
Commentary on Luke 9:51-56
(Read Luke 9:51-56)
The disciples did not consider that the conduct of the
Samaritans was rather the effect of national prejudices and bigotry
than of
enmity to the word and worship of God; and through they refused to receive
Christ and his disciples
they did not ill use or injure them
so that the case
was widely different from that of Ahaziah and Elijah. Nor were they aware that
the gospel dispensation was to be marked by miracles of mercy. But above all
they were ignorant of the prevailing motives of their own hearts
which were
pride and carnal ambition. Of this our Lord warned them. It is easy for us to
say
Come
see our zeal for the Lord! and to think we are very faithful in his
cause
when we are seeking our own objects
and even doing harm instead of good
to others.
Commentary on Luke 9:57-62
(Read Luke 9:57-62)
Here is one that is forward to follow Christ
but seems
to have been hasty and rash
and not to have counted the cost. If we mean to
follow Christ
we must lay aside the thoughts of great things in the world. Let
us not try to join the profession of Christianity
with seeking after worldly
advantages. Here is another that seems resolved to follow Christ
but he begs a
short delay. To this man Christ first gave the call; he said to him
Follow me.
Religion teaches us to be kind and good
to show piety at home
and to requite
our parents; but we must not make these an excuse for neglecting our duty to
God. Here is another that is willing to follow Christ
but he must have a
little time to talk with his friends about it
and to set in order his
household affairs
and give directions concerning them. He seemed to have
worldly concerns more upon his heart than he ought to have
and he was willing
to enter into a temptation leading him from his purpose of following Christ. No
one can do any business in a proper manner
if he is attending to other things.
Those who begin with the work of God
must resolve to go on
or they will make
nothing of it. Looking back
leads to drawing back
and drawing back is to
perdition. He only that endures to the end shall be saved.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Luke》
Luke 9
Verse 4
[4] And
whatsoever house ye enter into
there abide
and thence depart.
There abide and thence depart — That is
stay in that house till ye leave the city.
Verse 7
[7] Now 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;
It was said by some —
And soon after by Herod himself. Matthew 14:1; Mark 6:14.
Verse 8
[8] And
of some
that Elias had appeared; and of others
that one of the old prophets
was risen again.
That Elijah had appeared — He could not rise again
because he did not die.
Verse 10
[10] And
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.
Verse 12
[12] And 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.
Matthew 14:15; Mark 6:35; John 6:3.
Verse 18
[18] And
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?
Apart —
From the multitude.
And he asked them —
When he had done praying
during which they probably stayed at a distance. Matthew 14:13; Mark 8:27.
Verse 22
[22]
Saying
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.
Saying — Ye
must prepare for a scene far different from this.
Verse 23
[23] And
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.
Let him deny himself
and take up his cross — The necessity of this duty has been shown in many places: the extent of
it is specified here
daily - Therefore that day is lost wherein no cross is
taken up.
Verse 24
[24] For
whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life
for my sake
the same shall save it.
Matthew 16:25; Mark 8:35; John 12:25.
Verse 28
[28] And
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.
Verse 31
[31] Who
appeared in glory
and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at
Jerusalem.
In glory —
Like Christ with whom they talked.
Verse 32
[32] But
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.
They saw his glory —
The very same expression in which it is described by St. John
John 1:14; and by St. Peter
2 Peter 1:16.
Verse 34
[34]
While he thus spake
there came a cloud
and overshadowed them: and they feared
as they entered into the cloud.
A cloud came and overshadowed them all. And
they
the apostles
feared
while they (Moses and Elijah) entered into the
cloud
which took them away.
Verse 37
[37] And
it came to pass
that on the next day
when they were come down from the hill
much people met him.
Verse 44
[44] Let
these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered
into the hands of men.
Let these sayings sink down into your ears — That is
consider them deeply. In joy remember the cross. So wisely does
our Lord balance praise with sufferings. Matthew 17:22; Mark 9:31.
Verse 46
[46] Then
there arose a reasoning among them
which of them should be greatest.
And there arose a reasoning among them — This kind of reasoning always arose at the most improper times that
could be imagined.
Verse 47
[47] And
Jesus
perceiving the thought of their heart
took a child
and set him by him
Verse 48
[48] And
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.
And said to them — If
ye would be truly great
humble yourselves to the meanest offices. He that is
least in his own eyes shall be great indeed.
Verse 49
[49] And
John answered and said
Master
we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and
we forbad him
because he followeth not with us.
Verse 51
[51] And
it came to pass
when the time was come that he should be received up
he
stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem
The days are fulfilled that he should be
received up — That is
the time of his passion was now
at hand. St. Luke looks through this
to the glory which was to follow.
He steadfastly set his face — Without fear of his enemies
or shame of the cross
Hebrews 12:2.
Verse 52
[52] And
sent messengers before his face: and they went
and entered into a village of
the Samaritans
to make ready for him.
He sent messengers to make ready — A lodging and needful entertainment for him and those with him.
Verse 53
[53] And
they did not receive him
because his face was as though he would go to
Jerusalem.
His face was as though he would go to
Jerusalem — It plainly appeared
he was going to
worship at the temple
and thereby
in effect
to condemn the Samaritan worship
at Mount Gerizim.
Verse 54
[54] And
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?
As Elisha did — At
or near this very place
which might put it into the minds of the apostles to
make the motion now
rather than at any other time or place
where Christ had
received the like affront.
Verse 55
[55] But
he turned
and rebuked them
and said
Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are
of.
Ye know not what manner of spirit — The spirit of Christianity is. It is not a spirit of wrath and vengeance
but of peace
and gentleness
and love.
Verse 57
[57] And
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.
Verse 58
[58] And
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.
But Jesus said to him — First understand the terms: consider on what conditions thou art to
follow me.
Verse 61
[61] And
another also said
Lord
I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them
farewell
which are at home at my house.
Suffer me first to bid them farewell that are
in my house — As Elisha did after Elijah had called him
from the plough
1 Kings 19:19; to which our Lord's answer seems
to allude.
Verse 62
[62] And
Jesus said unto him
No man
having put his hand to the plough
and looking
back
is fit for the kingdom of God.
Is fit for the kingdom of God — Either to propagate or to receive it.
── John ‘Wesley《Explanatory Notes on Luke》
Chapter 9. The Will of a Worker
As He Prays
His Face Altered
I. Send out
Twelve Disciples
II. The Way of
the Cross
III. Begin the
Final Journey
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》