The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on ActsLuke 9

Lu 9:1 LXI. THIRD CIRCUIT OF GALILEE. THE TWELVE INSTRUCTED AND SENT FORTH. Mt 9:35-38 10:1,5-42 Mr 6:6-13 Lu 9:1-6 He called his twelve disciples together. See TFG "Mr 6:7".

Lu 9:2 And he sent them forth. See TFG "Mr 6:7".

Lu 9:3 Take nothing for your journey, etc. See TFG "Mr 6:8".

Lu 9:4 And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart. See TFG "Mr 6:10".

Lu 9:5 And as many as receive you not, etc. See TFG "Mr 6:11".

Lu 9:7 LXII. HEROD ANTIPAS SUPPOSES JESUS TO BE JOHN. Mt 14:1-12 Mr 6:14-29 Lu 9:7-9 Herod the tetrarch. See TFG "Mr 6:14".

Lu 9:8 And by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. See TFG "Mr 6:15".

Lu 9:9 And Herod said, John I beheaded. See TFG "Mr 6:16". But who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him. Jesus purposely kept out of the reach of Herod, knowing the treacherous cunning of his nature (Lu 13:32), and Herod's curiosity was not gratified until the day of Christ's crucifixion (Lu 23:8-12), and then its gratification was without sanctification. (TFG 370)

Lu 9:10 LXIII. FIRST WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY AND RETURN. (Spring, A.D. 29.) A. RETURN OF THE TWELVE AND RETIREMENT TO THE EAST SHORE OF GALILEE. Mt 14:13 Mr 6:30-32 Lu 9:10 Joh 6:1 And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done. See TFG "Mr 6:30". And he took them. The apostles. And withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida. See TFG "Mr 6:32".

Lu 9:11 LXIII. FIRST WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY AND RETURN. (Spring, A.D. 29.) B. FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND. Mt 14:13-21 Mr 6:33-44 Lu 9:11-17 Joh 6:2-14 But the multitudes perceiving it. Heard of Jesus and his disciples crossing the lake. Followed him. See TFG "Mr 6:33". (TFG 375)

Lu 9:12 And the day began to wear away. See TFG "Mr 6:35". Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages . . . and get provisions. See TFG "Mr 6:36".

Lu 9:13 We have no more than five loaves and two fishes. See TFG "Mr 6:38".

Lu 9:14 For they were about five thousand men. See TFG "Mr 6:44". Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each. See TFG "Mr 6:39".

Lu 9:15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. See Mr 6:40.

Lu 9:16 And looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake. See TFG "Mr 6:41".

Lu 9:17 And there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets. See TFG "Joh 6:12".

Lu 9:18 LXX. THIRD WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY. B. THE GREAT CONFESSION MADE BY PETER. (Near Caesarea Philippi, Summer, A.D. 29.) Mt 16:13-20 Mr 8:27-30 Lu 9:18-21 Who do the multitudes say that I am? See TFG "Mr 8:27".

Lu 9:19 John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again. See TFG "Mr 8:28".

Lu 9:20 But who say ye that I am? etc. See TFG "Mr 8:29".

Lu 9:21 But he charged them, and commanded them to tell this to no man. See TFG "Mr 8:30".

Lu 9:22 LXX. THIRD WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY. C. PASSION FORETOLD. PETER REBUKED. Mt 16:21-28 Mr 8:31-9:1 Lu 9:22-27 The Son of man must suffer many things, etc. See TFG "Mr 8:31".

Lu 9:23 And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. See TFG "Mr 8:34".

Lu 9:24 For whosoever would save his life shall lose it, etc. See TFG "Mr 8:35".

Lu 9:25 For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self? See TFG "Mr 8:36".

Lu 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, etc. See TFG "Mr 8:38".

Lu 9:27 There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. See TFG "Mr 9:1".

Lu 9:28 LXX. THIRD WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY. D. THE TRANSFIGURATION. CONCERNING ELIJAH. (A Spur of Hermon, near Caesarea Philippi.) Mt 17:1-13 Mr 9:2-13 Lu 9:28-36 And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, etc. See TFG "Mr 9:2". The "sayings" referred to were the words of Jesus with regard to his suffering at Jerusalem. (TFG 418)

Lu 9:29 And his raiment became white and dazzling. See TFG "Mr 9:3".

Lu 9:30 And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah. See TFG "Mr 9:4".

Lu 9:31 Who appeared in glory. That is, Moses and Elijah. And spake of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. The word for "decease" is exodus, an unusual word for death. It means a departure and is, as Bengel says, a very weighty word, since it includes the passion, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. (TFG 419)

Lu 9:32 Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep. It being night. (TFG 419)

Lu 9:33 And let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. See TFG "Mr 9:5".

Lu 9:34 There came a cloud, and overshadowed them. See TFG "Mr 9:7".

Lu 9:35 This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him. See TFG "Mr 9:7".

Lu 9:36 When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. See TFG "Mr 9:8". And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen. See TFG "Mr 9:9".

Lu 9:37 LXX. THIRD WITHDRAWAL FROM HEROD'S TERRITORY. E. HEALING THE DEMONIAC BOY. (Region of Caesarea Philippi.) Mt 17:14-20 Mr 9:14-29 Lu 9:37-43 When they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him. See TFG "Mr 9:14".

Lu 9:38 A man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son. See TFG "Mr 9:17".

Lu 9:39 It hardly departeth from him. The phrase "hardly departeth from him" rather suggests the continual unrest in which the demon kept his victim rather than that the demon ever really relinquished his possession of him. Pauses in the delirium of agony were regarded as departures of the demon. (TFG 423-424)

Lu 9:41 O faithless and perverse generation. See TFG "Mr 9:19".

Lu 9:42 But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy. See TFG "Mr 9:25". And gave him back to his father. For comment on similar conduct see TFG "Lu 7:15".

Lu 9:43 And they were all astonished at the majesty of God. The failure of the disciples had only emphasized the power of the Master. LXXI. RETURN TO GALILEE. THE PASSION FORETOLD. Mt 17:22,23 Mr 9:30-32 Lu 9:43-45 He said unto his disciples. See TFG "Mr 9:31". (TFG 426)

Lu 9:44 For the Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men. See TFG "Mt 17:22".

Lu 9:45 But they understood not this saying . . . and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. See TFG "Mr 9:32".

Lu 9:46 LXXIII. FALSE AMBITION VERSUS CHILDLIKENESS. (Capernaum, Autumn, A.D. 29.) Mt 18:1-14 Mr 9:33-50 Lu 9:46-50 And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest. See TFG "Mr 9:33".

Lu 9:48 Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me. See TFG "Mr 9:37".

Lu 9:49 Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. See TFG "Mr 9:38".

Lu 9:50 Forbid him not: for he that is not against you is for you. See TFG "Mr 9:39".

Lu 9:51 LXXVI. THE PRIVATE JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM. (Through Samaria. Probably September, A.D. 29.) Lu 9:51-56 Joh 7:10 When the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. Taken in its strictest sense, the expression "received up" refers to our Lord's ascension, but it is here used to embrace his entire passion. Though our Lord's death was still six months distant, his going to Jerusalem is described as attended with a special effort, because from that time forth Jerusalem was to occupy the position of headquarters, as Capernaum had done, and his withdrawals and returns would be with regard to it. (TFG 441-442)

Lu 9:52 And sent messengers before his face. The presence of the twelve alone is sufficient to account for the messengers. He did not wish to overtax the fickle hospitality of the Samaritans by coming unannounced. (TFG 442)

Lu 9:53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he were going to Jerusalem. Had Jesus come among them on a missionary tour he would doubtless have been received. But when he came as a Jew passing through to Jerusalem, and using their highway as a convenience, they rejected him. (TFG 442)

Lu 9:54-56 And when his disciples James and John saw this. Refusing to receive a religious teacher was considered a rejection of his claim. They said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them? This rejection roused the ire of the two sons of thunder and prompted them to suggest that the example of Elijah be followed (2Ki 1:9-12), but Jesus was a Saviour and not a destroyer, so he passed on to another village. The conduct of John in after years contrasts sharply with the wish which he here expressed (Ac 8:14-25). (TFG 442)

Lu 9:57 LXXVII. AS TO SACRIFICE FOR CHRIST'S SERVICE. (Samaria. Probably September, A.D. 29.) Lu 9:57-62 And as they went on the way. The way through Samaria to Jerusalem. (TFG 443)

Lu 9:58 The foxes have holes . . . but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. See TFG "Mt 8:20".

Lu 9:59 But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. For comment upon similar language see TFG "Mt 8:21".

Lu 9:60 Leave the dead to bury their own dead. For comment upon similar language see TFG "Mt 8:22".

Lu 9:62 No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Comparing Lu 9:57-62 and Mt 8:19-22, we find that Matthew gives two and Luke three proposals to follow him, and that they differ widely as to the time. It is likely that the first instance occurred where Matthew places it, and the last two occurred where Luke places them, and that each Evangelist borrowed an item from another period and joined it to his incident because of the similarity of the subject. But as such proffers of discipleship may have been very common, the incidents may be entirely different. The teaching of the last incident is that at a command of Christ all conflicting obligations must be set aside. (TFG 443)