Luke · chapter 9 of 24
Updated on
Luke 9 is a turning point of the Gospel. Jesus sends out the twelve, feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish, and Peter confesses that he is the Christ of God. Jesus predicts his death and calls people to take up the cross, is transfigured before three disciples, and sets his face toward Jerusalem, while defining the cost of following him.
Up to now Luke has shown who Jesus is by his words and miracles. In chapter 9 the question becomes explicit and the narrative changes course: Jesus speaks of his suffering and begins the journey to Jerusalem, which will occupy much of the Gospel. Following him now also means carrying the cross.
Jesus sends out the twelve with power and authority over demons and diseases to proclaim the kingdom of God, with no staff, bag, bread or money. Herod hears of all that is happening and wonders who Jesus is. When the apostles return, Jesus withdraws with them toward Bethsaida, but the crowds follow. Late in the day the disciples want to send the people away; Jesus tells them to give them something to eat themselves. With five loaves and two fish he blesses, breaks and gives, and about five thousand men eat until satisfied; twelve baskets are left over.
While Jesus prays alone, he asks the disciples who the crowds say he is, and then who they say he is. Peter answers that he is the Christ of God. Jesus orders them not to tell it yet and announces that the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, be killed and rise on the third day. He adds that whoever wants to follow him must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow, because whoever loses his life for him will save it.
About eight days later, Jesus goes up a mountain with Peter, John and James. While he prays, his face changes and his clothes gleam. Moses and Elijah speak with him about his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. A cloud covers them and a voice says that Jesus is his chosen Son and that they should listen to him. Coming down, Jesus frees a boy from a demon and again announces his betrayal. The disciples argue about who is greatest; Jesus sets a child in their midst. Then he sets his face to go to Jerusalem, a Samaritan village does not receive him, and Jesus rebukes James and John, who wanted to call down fire. The chapter ends with three people who want to follow him, to whom Jesus speaks of the cost.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Jesus asks the disciples who they say he is, and Peter answers that he is the Christ of God. It is the central point of the Gospel: recognizing that Jesus is the promised Messiah.
Jesus says that anyone who wants to follow him must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow. Discipleship means daily surrender, not a single gesture, and the way of the cross comes before the way of glory.
On the mountain, Moses and Elijah speak with Jesus about his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. The word used recalls the exodus: his death and resurrection will be the new and final rescue.
From the cloud, the Father says that Jesus is his chosen Son and tells them to listen to him. Peter had wanted to build three tents; God's voice puts Jesus above Moses and Elijah.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and the task of proclaiming the kingdom of God. — Luke 9:1-2
Answer: Five loaves and two fish. — Luke 9:13-16
Answer: That he was the Christ of God. — Luke 9:20
Answer: That he must suffer many things, be rejected by the elders, chief priests and scribes, be killed and be raised on the third day. — Luke 9:22
Answer: Moses and Elijah, who spoke of his departure that he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. — Luke 9:30-31
Answer: Let the dead bury their own dead; you go and proclaim the kingdom of God. — Luke 9:59-60
Luke 9 puts before us the question Jesus asked Peter: who do you say I am? It is not enough to repeat what others say; we must confess personally. In a small group you can share how each person came to recognize Jesus as the Christ.
The call to deny ourselves and take up the daily cross is demanding and honest. Jesus does not offer a comfortable discipleship, but one in which we lose our life to find it. Ask what you need to let go of to follow him more freely, and remember that the one who calls us is the same one who feeds thousands with little: trust that he multiplies what we hand over to him.
Luke 9 ends with Jesus walking toward Jerusalem and three would-be followers hesitating at the cost. Luke 10 continues with the sending of seventy-two others and the parable of the good Samaritan.
It is a moment when three disciples see Jesus' glory, confirmed by the Father's voice and the presence of Moses and Elijah, who represent the law and the prophets. It anticipates the glory of the resurrection and helps the disciples face the announcement of the cross.
The cross was an instrument of execution, and the image speaks of being willing to die to self-interest, to suffer for following Christ and to obey him each day. Luke adds the word daily, making it a constant attitude and not an isolated act.
Because his mission was to save, not destroy. The brothers were thinking of Elijah, but Jesus rebukes them. Luke thus shows that the road to Jerusalem is one of self-giving, not revenge against those who reject the message.