Luke Chapter 9

(Luke 9:1 NASB)  And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and to heal diseases.

Luke 9:1:      This is a parallel passage to what we see in Matthew 10 and Mark 6.  Yeshua calls the twelve together and gave them specific power over demons and power to heal.  This was a specific gift to His twelve disciples.  Paul, as an apparent replacement for Judas, was given these same gifts.
This is another proof of the deity of Yeshua.  He granted these powers to others.  Only Elohim can grant these kinds of things to people.
I do not recall anyone else in the Brit Hadasha with these same powers.  While it may be possible that Elohim has blessed a few others with these same powers, I have never seen evidence of it.  If someone claims that they have this same gift, then I am more than skeptical.  Especially if they are not speaking of the Kingdom of Elohim being at hand.  Also, if that person is not Torah observant to the Father, then they are either a liar, or their power comes from elsewhere.

 

(Luke 9:2 NASB)  And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to perform healing.

Luke 9:2:      Why did Elohim give them the power to heal?  To proclaim the Kingdom of Elohim is to say the Kingdom of Elohim is here.  What were the things that would prove this to their audience?  It would be to perform the miracles that were foretold to happen when the Kingdom arrives (Isa. 29:17-20, 35:4-10).

 

(Luke 9:3 NASB)  And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece.
(Luke 9:4 NASB)  “And whatever house you enter, stay there, and take your leave from there.
(Luke 9:5 NASB)  “And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

Luke 9:5:      In Mark 6:8-9, they are allowed to take sandals and a staff.  The account in Matthew clears up this alleged discrepancy by saying they are not to take any “extra” sandals or staffs (Matt. 10:9-10).

 

(Luke 9:6 NASB)  And departing, they began going about among the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.

Luke 9:6:      They were going to the villages doing exactly what they were told.  They were telling the people “Repent, for the Kingdomof Elohim is at hand,” and they were healing people to prove that message.

 

(Luke 9:7 NASB)  Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,
(Luke 9:8 NASB)  and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others, that one of the prophets of old had risen again.
(Luke 9:9 NASB)  And Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.

Luke 9:9:      Why was Herod so greatly perplexed?  It was not just because he had a righteous man killed.  It was because he heard that another kingdom was coming.

 

(Luke 9:10 NASB)  And when the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. And taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida.
(Luke 9:11 NASB)  But the multitudes were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing.

Luke 9:11:      Yeshua is doing that which He told His disciples to do.  He is speaking of the Kingdom of Elohim and healing the sick to prove His message.

 

(Luke 9:12 NASB)  And the day began to decline, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.”
(Luke 9:13 NASB)  But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.”

Luke 9:13:      When Israel left Egypt and was on their way to the Promised Land, Elohim provided for them in all ways including food and water.  In the same way, Yeshua is going to provide for the people in order to prove that the Kingdom is, indeed, at hand.

 

(Luke 9:14 NASB)  (For there were about five thousand men.) And He said to His disciples, “Have them recline to eat in groups of about fifty each.”
(Luke 9:15 NASB)  And they did so, and had them all recline.

Luke 9:15:      He had them split into groups of fifty.  I do not know the significance of this number, but there is a purpose behind it.  Even if that purpose was to ensure everyone is fed.

 

(Luke 9:16 NASB)  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the multitude.
(Luke 9:17 NASB)  And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.

Luke 9:17:      Why did Yeshua feed this multitude?  Because it was prophesied in Ezekiel that when the Kingdom comes, He would feed them in the pastures of Israel (Ezek. 34:12-16).  This was another proof of His message.
On a side note, Elisha performed a similar miracle (2 Kings 4:42-44).  However, Yeshua fed many, many more and with much, much less.

 

(Luke 9:18 NASB)  And it came about that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, “Who do the multitudes say that I am?”
(Luke 9:19 NASB)  And they answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.”
(Luke 9:20 NASB)  And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

Luke 9:20:      Yeshua wanted to hear the answer from His disciples.  He wanted to see if they know who He is and if they are convinced of His message of the coming Kingdom.
He told them not to tell anyone because the time for Him to reveal who He is to the masses is not yet.

 

(Luke 9:21 NASB)  But He warned them, and instructed them not to tell this to anyone,
(Luke 9:22 NASB)  saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.”
(Luke 9:23 NASB)  And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Luke 9:23:      Yeshus is telling them not only that He would be killed and raised up on the third day, but He tells them the method with which He would be executed.  It was common knowledge that the Romans required a condemned criminal to carry the beam to which he would be nailed to the place of his execution.
However, I do not think that is the meaning of what Yeshua is saying here.  The word for “cross” is actually “stake.”  The Greek word is “stauros.” “G4716. stauros, stow-ros’; from the base of G2476; a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (spec.) a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); fig. exposure to death, i.e. self-denial; by impl. the atonement of Christ:–cross.”
Yeshua says we are to take up our post daily and follow Him.  What are we told about our “post” in Torah?  We are told to have Torah written upon it (Deut. 6:1-9).  We are told to do this in order that we will not forget Yahweh our Elohim (Deut. 6:10-13).  The Hebrew word for “doorpost” is “Mezuwzah.”  H4201. mezuwzah, mez-oo-zaw’; or  mezuzah, mez-oo-zaw’; from the same as H2123; a door-post (as prominent):–(door, side) post.
If we compare these two passages, we see that Yeshua is saying that we are to take up His Torah daily and follow Him.

 

(Luke 9:24 NASB)  “For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.

Luke 9:24:      This is an interesting message.  What is it’s meaning outside of Torah and obedience to His Word?  In past days of being a New Testament Christian, it did not make sense to me at all.  I thought it meant I have to love Jesus every day.
However, this passage says no such thing.  It is saying that we are to obey His Torah and in His Torah, there is life (Lev. 18:5, Deut. 4:1, 5:33, 30:6, 19-20, Ezek. 20:11, 13, 21).
Looking closer at this passage, the word for “save” is sozo.  4982. sozo, sode’-zo; from a prim.  sos (contr. for obsol.  saos, “safe”); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (lit. or fig.):–heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
The Greek word for “lose” is apollumi.  G622. apollumi, ap-ol’-loo-mee; from G575 and the base of G3639; to destroy fully (reflex. to perish, or lose), lit. or fig.:–destroy, die, lose, mar, perish.
A valid translation of this verse is “For whoever wishes to (preserve) his life shall (fully destroy) it, but whoever (fully destroys) his life for My sake, he is the one who will (preserve) it.”  We are to die to our lives of rebellion against Torah and live according to Torah in order to save our lives.

 

(Luke 9:25 NASB)  “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?
(Luke 9:26 NASB)  “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Luke 9:26:      What are the words of Messiah?  His words are the words of His Father (John 12:49-50).  His Words are the Words that He gave to Moses, His Torah (Ex. 24:3-4, 8, Deut. 4:10).  Yeshua was sent with His Fathers Words, just as promised in Torah (Deut. 18:18-19).
If we are ashamed of His Torah, the Son of Man will be ashamed of us when He returns in glory.

 

(Luke 9:27 NASB)  “But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:27:      This passage has caused some to think this is a reference to John in seeing the Revelation.  That is probably not what Yeshua is referencing here.  He is speaking of the transfiguration which is a picture of His kingdom after it has come in glory and power.  Mark gives us a little more detail on this passage (Mark 9:1).

 

(Luke 9:28 NASB)  And some eight days after these sayings, it came about that He took along Peter and John and James, and went up to the mountain to pray.
(Luke 9:29 NASB)  And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.

Luke 9:29:      Why did His face become different?  It was because, like Moses, He spoke with the Father (Ex. 34:29-35).  This was not the only time this happened to Yeshua.  On another occasion after Yeshua was alone with the Father, He looked like a ghost (Matt. 14:23-26).
His clothing becoming white and gleaming is a reference to His righteousness (Rev. 19:7-8).

 

(Luke 9:30 NASB)  And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah,
(Luke 9:31 NASB)  who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
(Luke 9:32 NASB)  Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.

Luke 9:32:      The three of them were speaking of His death, burial and resurrection which He was soon to accomplish in Jerusalem.

 

(Luke 9:33 NASB)  And it came about, as these were parting from Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”– not realizing what he was saying.

Luke 9:33:      Peter has been the object of some derision for this by some Bible teachers. That is because these teachers do not understand Scripture, but Peter does understand Scripture.  Peter was referring to the time when Elohim would restore His people and “tabernacle” with them (Rev. 21:3).

 

(Luke 9:34 NASB)  And while he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
(Luke 9:35 NASB)  And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”

Luke 9:35:      This is why Yeshua asked them who they thought He was.  They got the answer from the Father.  Furthermore, they were being told that Yeshua is the Prophet, like Moses, sent by the Father and that they are to listen to Him (Deut. 18:15-19).

 

(Luke 9:36 NASB)  And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.
(Luke 9:37 NASB)  And it came about on the next day, that when they had come down from the mountain, a great multitude met Him.

Luke 9:37:      Just Like Moses, after meeting with the Father, Yeshua came down from the mountain and addresses the multitudes that were waiting for Him.

 

(Luke 9:38 NASB)  And behold, a man from the multitude shouted out, saying, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only boy,
(Luke 9:39 NASB)  and behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly screams, and it throws him into a convulsion with foaming at the mouth, and as it mauls him, it scarcely leaves him.

Luke 9:39:      While this may sound similar to the little boy at the table next to you in the restaurant when you go out to eat, this is a serious case.

 

(Luke 9:40 NASB)  “And I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.”
(Luke 9:41 NASB)  And Jesus answered and said, “O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you, and put up with you? Bring your son here.”
(Luke 9:42 NASB)  And while he was still approaching, the demon dashed him to the ground, and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.

Luke 9:42:      Yeshua is probably referring to the remaining disciples that did not go up to the mountain.  They did not witness the testimony of the Father on the mountaintop.
Those disciples were unable to cast out this demon.  Yeshua states it is because of their unbelief, or they were not fully convinced.

 

(Luke 9:43 NASB)  And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples,
(Luke 9:44 NASB)  “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”
(Luke 9:45 NASB)  But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they might not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.

Luke 9:45:      While the disciples heard Yeshua make this simple statement, they did not understand it.  The Spirit concealed the meaning of this simple phrase from them.

 

(Luke 9:46 NASB)  And an argument arose among them as to which of them might be the greatest.
(Luke 9:47 NASB)  But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side,
(Luke 9:48 NASB)  and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for he who is least among you, this is the one who is great.”

Luke 9:48:      They were arguing over who will be the greatest in the kingdom.  Keep in mind that the Kingdom is the theme and message of the Gospel, so it weighed heavily on their minds.
The disciples were having a problem with humility.  Pride was getting in the way.  They did not understand that those who were the least would be the greatest in the Kingdom (Psalm 138:6, Prov. 15:33, 16:18-19, 29:23, Isaiah 57:15).  There was even an entire Psalm written about humbling oneself as a child before Elohim (Psalm 131).
Our hope is not in what we can do or in who is the greatest in the Kingdom.  Our hope is in the Yahweh of Israel.

 

(Luke 9:49 NASB)  And John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to hinder him because he does not follow along with us.”
(Luke 9:50 NASB)  But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.”

Luke 9:50:      This is almost identical to the reaction of Moses to a similar situation (Num. 11:26-30).
Yeshua said that if they are not against them then these people are for them.  If they have similar goals and are not against them, then they are on the same side.  We must keep that in mind.

 

(Luke 9:51 NASB)  And it came about, when the days were approaching for His ascension, that He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem;

Luke 9:51:      Yeshua is now preparing to go to Jerusalem to be taken by His enemies.  He has set His face resolutely to go to Jerusalem.  In the meantime, He has places He will visit. The next ten chapters pertain to that journey toward Jerusalem.

 

(Luke 9:52 NASB)  and He sent messengers on ahead of Him. And they went, and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make arrangements for Him.
(Luke 9:53 NASB)  And they did not receive Him, because He was journeying with His face toward Jerusalem.

Luke 9:53:      Why did the Samaritans not receive Him? What was their problem with Him going to Jerusalem?  They did not believe that Elohim’s plan concerned Judah and Jerusalem.  They believed that Elohim’s plan had to do with them and their land instead of Judah.  They were wrong.  We cannot redirect Elohim and His plan to accommodate our desires and traditions.  His mission still pertains to Judah, Jerusalem, and the Jewish people.

 

(Luke 9:54 NASB)  And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”
(Luke 9:55 NASB)  But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;
(Luke 9:56 NASB)  for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” And they went on to another village.

Luke 9:56:      The bracketed portions of this passage are not in the ancient manuscripts.  Yeshua did rebuke them and they went to another village.  But we do not know for certain what He said to them.
The disciples had the mentality that they were Elijah whose purpose was to call down fire upon Samaria (1 Kings 1:10-12).  That was not their purpose.  Yeshua was in control of the situation, not them.

 

(Luke 9:57 NASB)  And as they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.”
(Luke 9:58 NASB)  And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Luke 9:58:      This man had good intentions to follow Yeshua in all that He does.  This is similar to what the people told Moses when he gave them the Torah of Elohim (Deut. 5:27-29).  But Yeshua’s is similar to that of His Father’s in that He knows this man does not, on his own accord, have the heart to do everything required of the Father.
He tells the man that this is not easy.  He knows that no man will be able to follow Him through His rejection and suffering that He will soon endure.

 

(Luke 9:59 NASB)  And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Permit me first to go and bury my father.”
(Luke 9:60 NASB)  But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:60:      Another man wanted to attend to the burial of His Father before he followed Yeshua.  Yeshua is telling him that He must not let anything stop Him from obedience to the Father immediately.  Let those who are already dead in their trespasses and sins bury the dead.  The time to obey Him is now, not later.

 

(Luke 9:61 NASB)  And another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.”

Luke 9:61:      Yeshua was hearing excuses about following Him immediately.  If those at home are important, they too will follow Yeshua and His Torah (Deut. 33:8-10).

 

(Luke 9:62 NASB)  But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:62:      These are tough words.  Yeshua said that no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of Elohim.  What does he mean by “looking back?”  He means to look back upon the world and their folly (Psalm 85:8).  We are to follow His Torah and keep to it (Psalm 78:8-10).