Worthy.Bible » Parallel » Luke » Chapter 9

Luke 9:1-62 King James Version (KJV)

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

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;

8 And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

9 And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

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.

11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

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.

13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.

14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.

15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.

16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

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?

19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

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.

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.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

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.

29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

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.

33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.

38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.

39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.

42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

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.

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.

50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

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,

52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

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?

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

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.

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.

59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

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.

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.


Luke 9:1-62 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Then G1161 he called G4779 his G846 twelve G1427 disciples G3101 together, G4779 and G2532 gave G1325 them G846 power G1411 and authority G1849 over G1909 all G3956 devils, G1140 and G2532 to cure G2323 diseases. G3554

2 And G2532 he sent G649 them G846 to preach G2784 the kingdom G932 of God, G2316 and G2532 to heal G2390 the sick. G770

3 And G2532 he said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 Take G142 nothing G3367 for G1519 your journey, G3598 neither G3383 staves, G4464 nor G3383 scrip, G4082 neither G3383 bread, G740 neither G3383 money; G694 neither G3383 have G2192 two G1417 coats G5509 apiece. G303

4 And G2532 whatsoever G3739 G302 house G3614 ye enter G1525 into, G1519 there G1563 abide, G3306 and G2532 thence G1564 depart. G1831

5 And G2532 whosoever G3745 G302 will G1209 not G3361 receive G1209 you, G5209 when ye go G1831 out of G575 that G1565 city, G4172 shake off G660 the very G2532 dust G2868 from G575 your G5216 feet G4228 for G1519 a testimony G3142 against G1909 them. G846

6 And G1161 they departed, G1831 and went G1330 through G2596 the towns, G2968 preaching the gospel, G2097 and G2532 healing G2323 every where. G3837

7 Now G1161 Herod G2264 the tetrarch G5076 heard G191 of all G3956 that was done G1096 by G5259 him: G846 and G2532 he was perplexed, G1280 because G1223 that it was said G3004 of G5259 some, G5100 that G3754 John G2491 was risen G1453 from G1537 the dead; G3498

8 And G1161 of G5259 some, G5100 that G3754 Elias G2243 had appeared; G5316 and G1161 of others, G243 that G3754 one G1520 of the old G744 prophets G4396 was risen again. G450

9 And G2532 Herod G2264 said, G2036 John G2491 have G607 I G1473 beheaded: G607 but G1161 who G5101 is G2076 this, G3778 of G4012 whom G3739 I G1473 hear G191 such things? G5108 And G2532 he desired G2212 to see G1492 him. G846

10 And G2532 the apostles, G652 when they were returned, G5290 told G1334 him G846 all that G3745 they had done. G4160 And G2532 he took G3880 them, G846 and went aside G5298 privately G2596 G2398 into G1519 a desert G2048 place G5117 belonging to the city G4172 called G2564 Bethsaida. G966

11 And G1161 the people, G3793 when they knew G1097 it, followed G190 him: G846 and G2532 he received G1209 them, G846 and spake G2980 unto them G846 of G4012 the kingdom G932 of God, G2316 and G2532 healed G2390 them that had G2192 need G5532 of healing. G2322

12 And G1161 when the day G2250 began G756 to wear away, G2827 then G1161 came G4334 the twelve, G1427 and said G2036 unto him, G846 Send G630 the multitude G3793 away, G630 that G2443 they may go G565 into G1519 the towns G2968 and G2532 country G68 round about, G2945 and lodge, G2647 and G2532 get G2147 victuals: G1979 for G3754 we are G2070 here G5602 in G1722 a desert G2048 place. G5117

13 But G1161 he said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 Give G1325 ye G5210 them G846 to eat. G5315 And G1161 they said, G2036 We G2254 have no G3756 G1526 more G4119 but G2228 five G4002 loaves G740 and G2532 two G1417 fishes; G2486 except G1509 we G2249 should go G4198 and buy G59 meat G1033 for G1519 all G3956 this G5126 people. G2992

14 For G1063 they were G2258 about G5616 five thousand G4000 men. G435 And G1161 he said G2036 to G4314 his G846 disciples, G3101 Make G2625 them G846 sit down G2625 by G303 fifties G4004 in a company. G2828

15 And G2532 they did G4160 so, G3779 and G2532 made G347 them all G537 sit down. G347

16 Then G1161 he took G2983 the five G4002 loaves G740 and G2532 the two G1417 fishes, G2486 and looking up G308 to G1519 heaven, G3772 he blessed G2127 them, G846 and G2532 brake, G2622 and G2532 gave G1325 to the disciples G3101 to set before G3908 the multitude. G3793

17 And G2532 they did eat, G5315 and G2532 were G5526 all G3956 filled: G5526 and G2532 there was taken up G142 of fragments G2801 that remained G4052 to them G846 twelve G1427 baskets. G2894

18 And G2532 it came to pass, G1096 as G1722 he was G1511 alone G2651 praying, G4336 his G846 disciples G3101 were with G4895 him: G846 and G2532 he asked G1905 them, G846 saying, G3004 Whom G5101 say G3004 the people G3793 that I G3165 am? G1511

19 They G1161 answering G611 said, G2036 John G2491 the Baptist; G910 but G1161 some G243 say, Elias; G2243 and G1161 others G243 say, that G3754 one G5100 of the old G744 prophets G4396 is risen again. G450

20 G1161 He said G2036 unto them, G846 But G1161 whom G5101 say G3004 ye G5210 that I G3165 am? G1511 G1161 Peter G4074 answering G611 said, G2036 The Christ G5547 of God. G2316

21 And G1161 he straitly charged G2008 them, G846 and commanded G3853 them to tell G2036 no man G3367 that thing; G5124

22 Saying, G2036 G3754 The Son G5207 of man G444 must G1163 suffer G3958 many things, G4183 and G2532 be rejected G593 of G575 the elders G4245 and G2532 chief priests G749 and G2532 scribes, G1122 and G2532 be slain, G615 and G2532 be raised G1453 the third G5154 day. G2250

23 And G1161 he said G3004 to G4314 them all, G3956 If any man G1536 will G2309 come G2064 after G3694 me, G3450 let him deny G533 himself, G1438 and G2532 take up G142 his G846 cross G4716 daily, G2250 G2596 and G2532 follow G190 me. G3427

24 For G1063 whosoever G3739 G302 will G2309 save G4982 his G846 life G5590 shall lose G622 it: G846 but G1161 whosoever G3739 G302 will lose G622 his G846 life G5590 for my G1700 sake, G1752 the same G3778 shall save G4982 it. G846

25 For G1063 what G5101 is G5623 a man G444 advantaged, G5623 if he gain G2770 the whole G3650 world, G2889 and G1161 lose G622 himself, G1438 or G2228 be cast away? G2210

26 For G1063 whosoever G3739 G302 shall be ashamed G1870 of me G3165 and G2532 of my G1699 words, G3056 of him G5126 shall G1870 the Son G5207 of man G444 be ashamed, G1870 when G3752 he shall come G2064 in G1722 his own G846 glory, G1391 and G2532 in his Father's, G3962 and G2532 of the holy G40 angels. G32

27 But G1161 I tell G3004 you G5213 of a truth, G230 there be G1526 some G5100 standing G2476 here, G5602 which G3739 shall G1089 not G3364 taste G1089 of death, G2288 till G2193 G302 they see G1492 the kingdom G932 of God. G2316

28 And G1161 it came to pass G1096 about G5616 an eight G3638 days G2250 after G3326 these G5128 sayings, G3056 G2532 he took G3880 Peter G4074 and G2532 John G2491 and G2532 James, G2385 and went up G305 into G1519 a mountain G3735 to pray. G4336

29 And G2532 as G1722 he G846 prayed, G4336 the fashion G1491 of his G846 countenance G4383 was G1096 altered, G2087 and G2532 his G846 raiment G2441 was white G3022 and glistering. G1823

30 And, G2532 behold, G2400 there talked G4814 with him G846 two G1417 men, G435 which G3748 were G2258 Moses G3475 and G2532 Elias: G2243

31 Who G3739 appeared G3700 in G1722 glory, G1391 and spake G3004 of his G846 decease G1841 which G3739 he should G3195 accomplish G4137 at G1722 Jerusalem. G2419

32 But G1161 Peter G4074 and G2532 they that were with G4862 him G846 were G2258 heavy G916 with sleep: G5258 and G1161 when they were awake, G1235 they saw G1492 his G846 glory, G1391 and G2532 the two G1417 men G435 that stood with G4921 him. G846

33 And G2532 it came to pass, G1096 as G1722 they G846 departed G1316 from G575 him, G846 Peter G4074 said G2036 unto G4314 Jesus, G2424 Master, G1988 it is G2076 good G2570 for us G2248 to be G1511 here: G5602 and G2532 let us make G4160 three G5140 tabernacles; G4633 one for G3391 thee, G4671 and G2532 one for G3391 Moses, G3475 and G2532 one for G3391 Elias: G2243 not G3361 knowing G1492 what G3739 he said. G3004

34 While G1161 he G846 thus G5023 spake, G3004 there came G1096 a cloud, G3507 and G2532 overshadowed G1982 them: G846 and G1161 they feared G5399 as G1722 they G1565 entered G1525 into G1519 the cloud. G3507

35 And G2532 there came G1096 a voice G5456 out of G1537 the cloud, G3507 saying, G3004 This G3778 is G2076 my G3450 beloved G27 Son: G5207 hear G191 him. G846

36 And G2532 when the voice G5456 was past, G1722 G1096 Jesus G2424 was found G2147 alone. G3441 And G2532 they G846 kept it close, G4601 and G2532 told G518 no man G3762 in G1722 those G1565 days G2250 any G3762 of those things which G3739 they had seen. G3708

37 And G1161 it came to pass, G1096 that on G1722 the next G1836 day, G2250 when they G846 were come down G2718 from G575 the hill, G3735 much G4183 people G3793 met G4876 him. G846

38 And, G2532 behold, G2400 a man G435 of G575 the company G3793 cried out, G310 saying, G3004 Master, G1320 I beseech G1189 thee, G4675 look G1914 upon G1909 my G3450 son: G5207 for G3754 he is G2076 mine G3427 only child. G3439

39 And, G2532 lo, G2400 a spirit G4151 taketh G2983 him, G846 and G2532 he suddenly G1810 crieth out; G2896 and G2532 it teareth G4682 him G846 that he foameth G876 again, G3326 and G2532 bruising G4937 him G846 hardly G3425 departeth G672 from G575 him. G846

40 And G2532 I besought G1189 thy G4675 disciples G3101 to G2443 cast G1544 him G846 out; G1544 and G2532 they could G1410 not. G3756

41 And G1161 Jesus G2424 answering G611 said, G2036 O G5599 faithless G571 and G2532 perverse G1294 generation, G1074 how G2193 long G4219 shall I be G2071 with G4314 you, G5209 and G2532 suffer G430 you? G5216 Bring G4317 thy G4675 son G5207 hither. G5602

42 And G1161 as he G846 was G4334 yet G2089 a coming, G4334 the devil G1140 threw G4486 him G846 down, G4486 and G2532 tare G4952 him. And G1161 Jesus G2424 rebuked G2008 the unclean G169 spirit, G4151 and G2532 healed G2390 the child, G3816 and G2532 delivered G591 him G846 again G591 to his G846 father. G3962

43 And G1161 they were G1605 all G3956 amazed G1605 at G1909 the mighty power G3168 of God. G2316 But G1161 while they wondered G2296 every one G3956 at G1909 all things G3956 which G3739 Jesus G2424 did, G4160 he said G2036 unto G4314 his G846 disciples, G3101

44 Let these G5128 sayings G3056 sink down G5087 into G1519 your G5210 G5216 ears: G3775 for G1063 the Son G5207 of man G444 shall be G3195 delivered G3860 into G1519 the hands G5495 of men. G444

45 But G1161 they understood not G50 this G5124 saying, G4487 and G2532 it was G2258 hid G3871 from G575 them, G846 that G3363 they perceived G143 it G846 not: G3363 and G2532 they feared G5399 to ask G2065 him G846 of G4012 that G5127 saying. G4487

46 Then G1161 there arose G1525 a reasoning G1261 among G1722 them, G846 which G5101 G302 of them G846 should be G1498 greatest. G3187

47 And G1161 Jesus, G2424 perceiving G1492 the thought G1261 of their G846 heart, G2588 took G1949 a child, G3813 and set G2476 him G846 by G3844 him, G1438

48 And G2532 said G2036 unto them, G846 Whosoever G3739 G1437 shall receive G1209 this G5124 child G3813 in G1909 my G3450 name G3686 receiveth G1209 me: G1691 and G2532 whosoever G3739 G1437 shall receive G1209 me G1691 receiveth him G1209 that sent G649 me: G3165 for G1063 he that is G5225 least G3398 among G1722 you G5213 all, G3956 the same G3778 shall be G2071 great. G3173

49 And G1161 John G2491 answered G611 and said, G2036 Master, G1988 we saw G1492 one G5100 casting out G1544 devils G1140 in G1909 thy G4675 name; G3686 and G2532 we forbad G2967 him, G846 because G3754 he followeth G190 not G3756 with G3326 us. G2257

50 And G2532 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto G4314 him, G846 Forbid G2967 him not: G3361 for G1063 he G3739 that is G2076 not G3756 against G2596 us G2257 is G2076 for G5228 us. G2257

51 And G1161 it came to pass, G1096 when G1722 the time G2250 was come G4845 that he G846 should be received up, G354 G2532 he G846 stedfastly set G4741 his G846 face G4383 to go G4198 to G1519 Jerusalem, G2419

52 And G2532 sent G649 messengers G32 before G4253 his G846 face: G4383 and G2532 they went, G4198 and entered G1525 into G1519 a village G2968 of the Samaritans, G4541 to G5620 make ready G2090 for him. G846

53 And G2532 they did G1209 not G3756 receive G1209 him, G846 because G3754 his G846 face G4383 was G2258 as though he would go G4198 to G1519 Jerusalem. G2419

54 And G1161 when his G846 disciples G3101 James G2385 and G2532 John G2491 saw G1492 this, they said, G2036 Lord, G2962 wilt thou G2309 that we command G2036 fire G4442 to come down G2597 from G575 heaven, G3772 and G2532 consume G355 them, G846 even G2532 as G5613 Elias G2243 did? G4160

55 But G1161 he turned, G4762 and rebuked G2008 them, G846 and G2532 said, G2036 Ye know G1492 not G3756 what manner G3634 of spirit G4151 ye G5210 are of. G2075

56 For G1063 the Son G5207 of man G444 is G2064 not G3756 come G2064 to destroy G622 men's G444 lives, G5590 but G235 to save G4982 them. And G2532 they went G4198 to G1519 another G2087 village. G2968

57 And G1161 it came to pass, G1096 that, as they G846 went G4198 in G1722 the way, G3598 a certain G5100 man said G2036 unto G4314 him, G846 Lord, G2962 I will follow G190 thee G4671 whithersoever G3699 G302 thou goest. G565

58 And G2532 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto him, G846 Foxes G258 have G2192 holes, G5454 and G2532 birds G4071 of the air G3772 have nests; G2682 but G1161 the Son G5207 of man G444 hath G2192 not G3756 where G4226 to lay G2827 his head. G2776

59 And G1161 he said G2036 unto G4314 another, G2087 Follow G190 me. G3427 But G1161 he said, G2036 Lord, G2962 suffer G2010 me G3427 first G4412 to go G565 and bury G2290 my G3450 father. G3962

60 G1161 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto him, G846 Let G863 the dead G3498 bury G2290 their G1438 dead: G3498 but G1161 go G565 thou G4771 and preach G1229 the kingdom G932 of God. G2316

61 And G1161 another G2087 also G2532 said, G2036 Lord, G2962 I will follow G190 thee; G4671 but G1161 let G2010 me G3427 first G4412 go bid them farewell, G657 which are at home at G1519 my G3450 house. G3624

62 And G1161 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto G4314 him, G846 No man, G3762 having put G1911 his G846 hand G5495 to G1909 the plough, G723 and G2532 looking G991 back, G1519 G3694 is G2076 fit G2111 for G1519 the kingdom G932 of God. G2316


Luke 9:1-62 American Standard (ASV)

1 And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

2 And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.

4 And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart.

5 And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

6 And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done: and he was much perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead;

8 and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

9 And Herod said, John I beheaded: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.

10 And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done. And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida.

11 But the multitudes perceiving it followed him: and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and them that had need of healing he cured.

12 And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place.

13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people.

14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.

15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.

16 And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

17 And they ate, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.

18 And it came to pass, as he was praying apart, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that I am?

19 And they answering said, John the Baptist; but others `say', Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

20 And he said unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

21 But he charged them, and commanded `them' to tell this to no man;

22 saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

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.

24 For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and `the glory' of the Father, and of the holy angels.

27 But I tell you of a truth, There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

28 And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray.

29 And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment `became' white `and' dazzling.

30 And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah;

31 who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

32 Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

33 And it came to pass, as they were parting from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah: not knowing what he said.

34 And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him.

36 And when the voice came, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen.

37 And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him.

38 And behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son; for he is mine only child:

39 and behold, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth, and it hardly departeth from him, bruising him sorely.

40 And I besought thy disciples to cast it out; and they could not.

41 And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? bring hither thy son.

42 And as he was yet a coming, the demon dashed him down, and tare `him' grievously. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.

43 And they were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marvelling at all the things which he did, he said unto his disciples,

44 Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men.

45 But they understood not this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

46 And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest.

47 But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side,

48 and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little 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 is great.

49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us.

50 But Jesus said unto him, Forbid `him' not: for he that is not against you is for you.

51 And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

52 and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

53 And they did not receive him, because his face was `as though he were' going to Jerusalem.

54 And when his disciples James and John saw `this', they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?

55 But he turned, and rebuked them.

56 And they went to another village.

57 And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

58 And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven `have' nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

60 But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.

61 And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.

62 But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.


Luke 9:1-62 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And having called together his twelve disciples, he gave them power and authority over all the demons, and to cure sicknesses,

2 and he sent them to proclaim the reign of God, and to heal the ailing.

3 And he said unto them, `Take nothing for the way, neither staff, nor scrip, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats each;

4 and into whatever house ye may enter, there remain, and thence depart;

5 and as many as may not receive you, going forth from that city, even the dust from your feet shake off, for a testimony against them.'

6 And going forth they were going through the several villages, proclaiming good news, and healing everywhere.

7 And Herod the tetrarch heard of all the things being done by him, and was perplexed, because it was said by certain, that John hath been raised out of the dead;

8 and by certain, that Elijah did appear, and by others, that a prophet, one of the ancients, was risen;

9 and Herod said, `John I did behead, but who is this concerning whom I hear such things?' and he was seeking to see him.

10 And the apostles having turned back, declared to him how great things they did, and having taken them, he withdrew by himself to a desert place of a city called Bethsaida,

11 and the multitudes having known did follow him, and having received them, he was speaking to them concerning the reign of God, and those having need of service he cured.

12 And the day began to decline, and the twelve having come near, said to him, `Let away the multitude, that having gone to the villages and the fields round about, they may lodge and may find provision, because here we are in a desert place.'

13 And he said unto them, `Give ye them to eat;' and they said, `We have no more than five loaves, and two fishes: except, having gone, we may buy for all this people victuals;'

14 for they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, `Cause them to recline in companies, in each fifty;'

15 and they did so, and made all to recline;

16 and having taken the five loaves, and the two fishes, having looked up to the heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and was giving to the disciples to set before the multitude;

17 and they did eat, and were all filled, and there was taken up what was over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.

18 And it came to pass, as he is praying alone, the disciples were with him, and he questioned them, saying, `Who do the multitudes say me to be?'

19 And they answering said, `John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and others, that a prophet, one of the ancients, was risen;'

20 and he said to them, `And ye -- who do ye say me to be?' and Peter answering said, `The Christ of God.'

21 And having charged them, he commanded `them' to say this to no one,

22 saying -- `It behoveth the Son of Man to suffer many things, and to be rejected by the elders, and chief priests, and scribes, and to be killed, and the third day to be raised.'

23 And he said unto all, `If any one doth will to come after me, let him disown himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me;

24 for whoever may will to save his life, shall lose it, and whoever may lose his life for my sake, he shall save it;

25 for what is a man profited, having gained the whole world, and having lost or having forfeited himself?

26 `For whoever may be ashamed of me, and of my words, of this one shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he may come in his glory, and the Father's, and the holy messengers';

27 and I say to you, truly, there are certain of those here standing, who shall not taste of death till they may see the reign of God.'

28 And it came to pass, after these words, as it were eight days, that having taken Peter, and John, and James, he went up to the mountain to pray,

29 and it came to pass, in his praying, the appearance of his face became altered, and his garment white -- sparkling.

30 And lo, two men were speaking together with him, who were Moses and Elijah,

31 who having appeared in glory, spake of his outgoing that he was about to fulfil in Jerusalem,

32 but Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep, and having waked, they saw his glory, and the two men standing with him.

33 And it came to pass, in their parting from him, Peter said unto Jesus, `Master, it is good to us to be here; and we may make three booths, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah,' not knowing what he saith:

34 and as he was speaking these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them, and they feared in their entering into the cloud,

35 and a voice came out of the cloud saying, `This is My Son -- the Beloved; hear ye him;'

36 and when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone; and they were silent, and declared to no one in those days anything of what they have seen.

37 And it came to pass on the next day, they having come down from the mount, there met him a great multitude,

38 and lo, a man from the multitude cried out, saying, `Teacher, I beseech thee, look upon my son, because he is my only begotten;

39 and lo, a spirit doth take him, and suddenly he doth cry out, and it teareth him, with foaming, and it hardly departeth from him, bruising him,

40 and I besought thy disciples that they might cast it out, and they were not able.'

41 And Jesus answering said, `O generation, unstedfast and perverse, till when shall I be with you, and suffer you? bring near hither thy son;'

42 and as he is yet coming near, the demon rent him, and tore `him' sore, and Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the youth, and gave him back to his father.

43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God, and while all are wondering at all things that Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

44 `Lay ye to your ears these words, for the Son of Man is about to be delivered up to the hands of men.'

45 And they were not knowing this saying, and it was veiled from them, that they might not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

46 And there entered a reasoning among them, this, Who may be greater of them?

47 and Jesus having seen the reasoning of their heart, having taken hold of a child, set him beside himself,

48 and said to them, `Whoever may receive this child in my name, doth receive me, and whoever may receive me, doth receive Him who sent me, for he who is least among you all -- he shall be great.'

49 And John answering said, `Master, we saw a certain one in thy name casting forth the demons, and we forbade him, because he doth not follow with us;'

50 and Jesus said unto him, `Forbid not, for he who is not against us, is for us.'

51 And it came to pass, in the completing of the days of his being taken up, that he fixed his face to go on to Jerusalem,

52 and he sent messengers before his face, and having gone on, they went into a village of Samaritans, to make ready for him,

53 and they did not receive him, because his face was going on to Jerusalem.

54 And his disciples James and John having seen, said, `Sir, wilt thou `that' we may command fire to come down from the heaven, and to consume them, as also Elijah did?'

55 and having turned, he rebuked them, and said, `Ye have not known of what spirit ye are;

56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save;' and they went on to another village.

57 And it came to pass, as they are going on in the way, a certain one said unto him, `I will follow thee wherever thou mayest go, sir;'

58 and Jesus said to him, `The foxes have holes, and the fowls of the heaven places of rest, but the Son of Man hath not where he may recline the head.'

59 And he said unto another, `Be following me;' and he said, `Sir, permit me, having gone away, first to bury my father;'

60 and Jesus said to him, `Suffer the dead to bury their own dead, and thou, having gone away, publish the reign of God.'

61 And another also said, `I will follow thee, sir, but first permit me to take leave of those in my house;'

62 and Jesus said unto him, `No one having put his hand on a plough, and looking back, is fit for the reign of God.'


Luke 9:1-62 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 And having called together the twelve, he gave them power and authority over all demons, and to heal diseases,

2 and sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

3 And he said to them, Take nothing for the way, neither staff, nor scrip, nor bread, nor money; nor to have two body-coats apiece.

4 And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide and thence go forth.

5 And as many as may not receive you, going forth from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a witness against them.

6 And going forth they passed through the villages, announcing the glad tidings and healing everywhere.

7 And Herod the tetrarch heard of all the things which were done [by him], and was in perplexity, because it was said by some that John was risen from among [the] dead,

8 and by some that Elias had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.

9 And Herod said, John *I* have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things? and he sought to see him.

10 And the apostles having returned related to him whatever they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart into [a desert place of] a city called Bethsaida.

11 But the crowds knowing [it] followed him; and he received them and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and cured those that had need of healing.

12 But the day began to decline, and the twelve came and said to him, Send away the crowd that they may go into the villages around, and [into] the fields, and lodge and find victuals, for here we are in a desert place.

13 And he said to them, Give *ye them to eat. And they said, We have not more than five loaves and two fishes, unless *we* should go and buy food for all this people;

14 for they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down in companies by fifties.

15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.

16 And taking the five loaves and the two fishes, looking up to heaven he blessed them, and broke and gave to the disciples to set before the crowd.

17 And they all ate and were filled; and there was taken up of what had remained over and above to them in fragments twelve hand-baskets.

18 And it came to pass as he was praying alone, his disciples were with him, and he asked them saying, Who do the crowds say that I am?

19 But they answering said, John the baptist; but others, Elias; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen again.

20 And he said to them, But *ye*, who do ye say that I am? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

21 But, earnestly charging them, he enjoined [them] to say this to no man,

22 saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

23 And he said to [them] all, If any one will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me;

24 for whosoever shall desire to save his life shall lose it, but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, *he* shall save it.

25 For what shall a man profit if he shall have gained the whole world, and have destroyed, or come under the penalty of the loss of himself?

26 For whosoever shall have been ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he shall come in his glory, and [in that] of the Father, and of the holy angels.

27 But I say unto you of a truth, There are some of those standing here who shall not taste death until they shall have seen the kingdom of God.

28 And it came to pass after these words, about eight days, that taking Peter and John and James he went up into a mountain to pray.

29 And as he prayed the fashion of his countenance became different and his raiment white [and] effulgent.

30 And lo, two men talked with him, who were Moses and Elias,

31 who, appearing in glory, spoke of his departure which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

32 But Peter and those with him were oppressed with sleep: but having fully awoke up they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him.

33 And it came to pass as they departed from him, Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

34 But as he was saying these things, there came a cloud and overshadowed them, and they feared as they entered into the cloud:

35 and there was a voice out of the cloud saying, *This* is my beloved Son: hear him.

36 And as the voice was [heard] Jesus was found alone: and *they* kept silence, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

37 And it came to pass on the following day, when they came down from the mountain, a great crowd met him.

38 And lo, a man from the crowd cried out saying, Teacher, I beseech thee look upon my son, for he is mine only child:

39 and behold, a spirit takes him, and suddenly he cries out, and it tears him with foaming, and with difficulty departs from him after crushing him.

40 And I besought thy disciples that they might cast him out, and they could not.

41 And Jesus answering said, O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you and suffer you? Bring hither thy son.

42 But as he was yet coming, the demon tore him and dragged him all together. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child and gave him back to his father.

43 And all were astonished at the glorious greatness of God. And as all wondered at all the things which [Jesus] did, he said to his disciples,

44 Do *ye* let these words sink into your ears. For the Son of man is about to be delivered into men's hands.

45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them that they should not perceive it. And they feared to ask him concerning this saying.

46 And a reasoning came in amongst them, who should be [the] greatest of them.

47 And Jesus, seeing the reasoning of their heart, having taken a little child set it by him,

48 and said to them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receives me, and whosoever shall receive me receives him that sent me. For he who is the least among you all, *he* is great.

49 And John answering said, Master, we saw some one casting out demons in thy name, and we forbad him, because he follows not with us.

50 And Jesus said to him, Forbid [him] not, for he that is not against you is for you.

51 And it came to pass when the days of his receiving up were fulfilled, that *he* stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.

52 And he sent messengers before his face. And having gone they entered into a village of the Samaritans that they might make ready for him.

53 And they did not receive him, because his face was [turned as] going to Jerusalem.

54 And his disciples James and John seeing [it] said, Lord, wilt thou that we speak [that] fire come down from heaven and consume them, as also Elias did?

55 But turning he rebuked them [and said, Ye know not of what spirit ye are].

56 And they went to another village.

57 And it came to pass as they went in the way, one said to him, I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest, Lord.

58 And Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes and the birds of the heaven roosting-places, but the Son of man has not where he may lay his head.

59 And he said to another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, allow me to go first and bury my father.

60 But Jesus said to him, Suffer the dead to bury their own dead, but do *thou* go and announce the kingdom of God.

61 And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord, but first allow me to bid adieu to those at my house.

62 But Jesus said to him, No one having laid his hand on [the] plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.


Luke 9:1-62 World English Bible (WEB)

1 He called the twelve{TR reads "his twelve disciples" instead of "the twelve"} together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

2 He sent them forth to preach the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

3 He said to them, "Take nothing for your journey--neither staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats apiece.

4 Into whatever house you enter, stay there, and depart from there.

5 As many as don't receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them."

6 They departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the Gospel, and healing everywhere.

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,

8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.

9 Herod said, "John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things?" He sought to see him.

10 The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done. He took them, and withdrew apart to a deserted place of a city called Bethsaida.

11 But the multitudes, perceiving it, followed him. He welcomed them, and spoke to them of the Kingdom of God, and he cured those who needed healing.

12 The day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said to him, "Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and farms, and lodge, and get food, for we are here in a deserted place."

13 But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we should go and buy food for all these people."

14 For they were about five thousand men. He said to his disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each."

15 They did so, and made them all sit down.

16 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to the sky, he blessed them, and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude.

17 They ate, and were all filled. They gathered up twelve baskets of broken pieces that were left over.

18 It happened, as he was praying alone, that the disciples were with him, and he asked them, "Who do the multitudes say that I am?"

19 They answered, "'John the Baptizer,' but others say, 'Elijah,' and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again."

20 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."

21 But he warned them, and commanded them to tell this to no one,

22 saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up."

23 He said to all, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross,{TR, NU add "daily"} and follow me.

24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it.

25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits his own self?

26 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of 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.

27 But I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here, who will in no way taste of death, until they see the Kingdom of God."

28 It happened about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up onto the mountain to pray.

29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling.

30 Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah,

31 who appeared in glory, and spoke of his departure,{Literally, "exodus"} which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him.

33 It happened, as they were parting from him, that Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let's make three tents: one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah," not knowing what he said.

34 While he said these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud.

35 A voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!"

36 When the voice came, Jesus was found alone. They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

37 It happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met him.

38 Behold, a man from the crowd called out, saying, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child.

39 Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely.

40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldn't."

41 Jesus answered, "Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here."

42 While he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him violently. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.

43 They were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marveling at all the things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples,

44 "Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man will be delivered up into the hands of men."

45 But they didn't understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

46 There arose an argument among them about which of them was the greatest.

47 Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child, and set him by his side,

48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great."

49 John answered, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn't follow with us."

50 Jesus said to him, "Don't forbid him, for he who is not against us is for us."

51 It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem,

52 and sent messengers before his face. They went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him.

53 They didn't receive him, because he was traveling with his face set towards Jerusalem.

54 When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky, and destroy them, just as Elijah did?"

55 But he turned and rebuked them, "You don't know of what kind of spirit you are.

56 For the Son of Man didn't come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." They went to another village.

57 As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, "I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord."

58 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

59 He said to another, "Follow me!" But he said, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father."

60 But Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce the Kingdom of God."

61 Another also said, "I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to bid farewell to those who are at my house."

62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."


Luke 9:1-62 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 And getting the twelve together, he gave them power and authority over all evil spirits and over diseases, to make them well.

2 And he sent them out to be preachers of the kingdom of God, and to make well those who were ill.

3 And he said to them, Take nothing for your journey, no stick or bag or bread or money, and do not take two coats.

4 And if you go into a house, let that house be your resting-place till you go away.

5 And if any people will not take you in, when you go away from that town, put off its dust from your feet for a witness against them.

6 And they went away, journeying through all the towns, preaching the good news and making people free from diseases in all places.

7 Now Herod the king had news of all these things: and he was in doubt, because it was said by some people that John had come back from the dead;

8 And by some, that Elijah had come; and by others, that one of the old prophets had come back to life.

9 And Herod said, I put John to death: but who is this, of whom such stories are given to me? And he had a desire to see him.

10 And the twelve, when they came back, gave him an account of what they had done. And he took them with him and went away from the people to a town named Beth-saida.

11 But the people, getting news of it, went after him: and he was pleased to see them, and gave them teaching about the kingdom of God, and made those well who were in need of it.

12 And the day went on; and the twelve came to him and said, Send these people away so that they may go into the towns and the country round about and get resting-places and food for themselves, for we are in a waste place.

13 But he said, Give them food yourselves. And they said, We have only five cakes of bread and two fishes, if we do not go and get food for all these people.

14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them be seated in groups, about fifty to a group.

15 And they did so, and made them all be seated.

16 And he took the five cakes of bread and the two fishes and, looking up to heaven, he said words of blessing over them, and when they had been broken, he gave them to the disciples to give to the people.

17 And they all took the food and had enough; and they took up of the broken bits which were over, twelve baskets full.

18 And it came about that when he was in prayer, by himself, and the disciples were with him, he put a question to them, saying, Who do the people say I am?

19 And they, answering, said, John the Baptist; but others say Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets has come back.

20 And he said, But who do you say that I am? And Peter, answering, said, The Christ of God.

21 But he gave them special orders, not to say this to any man;

22 Saying, The Son of man will undergo much and be put on one side by the rulers and the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and be put to death, and on the third day he will come back to life.

23 And he said to them all, If any man has a desire to come after me, let him give up all, and take up his cross every day, and come after me.

24 For whoever has a desire to keep his life will have it taken from him, but whoever gives up his life because of me, will keep it.

25 For what profit will a man have if he gets all the world, but undergoes loss or destruction himself?

26 For if any man has a feeling of shame because of me or of my words, the Son of man will have shame because of him when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

27 But truly I say to you, Some of those who are here now will have no taste of death till they see the kingdom of God.

28 And about eight days after he had said these things, he took Peter and John and James with him and went up into the mountain for prayer.

29 And while he was in prayer, his face was changed and his clothing became white and shining.

30 And two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him;

31 Who were seen in glory and were talking of his death which was about to take place in Jerusalem.

32 Now Peter and those who were with him were overcome with sleep: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who were with him.

33 And when they were about to go away from him, Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah: having no knowledge of what he was saying.

34 And while he said these things, the shade of a cloud came over them, and they were full of fear when they went into the cloud.

35 And there was a voice from the cloud saying, This is my Son, the man of my selection; give ear to him.

36 And after the voice was gone they saw that Jesus was by himself. And they kept quiet, and said nothing at that time to anyone of the things which they had seen.

37 And on the day after, when they came down from the mountain, a great band of people came to him.

38 And a man from among them, crying out, said, Master, I make a request to you, give a thought to my son, for he is my only child:

39 And see, a spirit takes him, and suddenly he gives a cry, twisted in pain and streaming at the lips, and when it goes away from him at last, he is marked as from blows.

40 And I made a request to your disciples to send it out of him, but they were not able to do it.

41 And Jesus said, O generation without faith and false in heart, how long will I have to be with you and put up with you? let your son come here.

42 And while he was coming, he was pushed violently down and twisted by the evil spirit. But Jesus gave sharp orders to the unclean spirit, and made the boy well, and gave him back to his father.

43 And they were full of wonder at the great power of God. But while they were all wondering at all the things which he did, he said to his disciples,

44 Let these words go deep into your ears, for the Son of man will be given up into the hands of men.

45 But this saying was not clear to them and its sense was kept secret from them so that they were not able to see it: and they had fear of questioning him about it.

46 Now there was a discussion among them about which of them would be the greatest.

47 But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their hearts, he took a small child and put him by his side,

48 And said to them, Whoever gives honour to this child in my name, gives honour to me: and whoever gives honour to me, gives honour to him who sent me: for whoever is least among you all, that man is great.

49 And John, answering, said, Master, we saw a man driving out evil spirits in your name, and we did not let him do it, because he was not one of us.

50 But Jesus said to him, Let him do it, for he who is not against you is for you.

51 And it came about that when the days were near for him to be taken up, his face was turned to go to Jerusalem,

52 And he sent men before: and they came to a small town of Samaria to make ready for him.

53 But they would not have him there, because he was clearly going to Jerusalem.

54 And when his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, Lord, may we send fire from heaven and put an end to them?

55 But turning round he said sharp words to them.

56 And they went to another small town.

57 And when they were on the way, a certain man said to him, I will come after you wherever you go.

58 And Jesus said to him, Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have resting-places, but the Son of man has nowhere to put his head.

59 And he said to another, Come after me. But he said, Lord, let me first go and give the last honours to my father.

60 But he said to him, Let the dead take care of their dead; it is for you to go and give news of the kingdom of God.

61 And another man said, I will come with you, Lord, but first let me say a last good-day to those who are at my house.

62 But Jesus said, No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is good enough for the kingdom of God.

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Luke 9

Commentary on Luke 9 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 9

In this chapter we have,

  • I. The commission Christ gave to his twelve apostles to go out for some time to preach the gospel, and confirm it by miracles (v. 1-6).
  • II. Herod's terror at the growing greatness of our Lord Jesus (v. 7-9).
  • III. The apostles' return to Christ, his retirement with them into a place of solitude, the great resort of people to them notwithstanding, and his feeding five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes (v. 10-17).
  • IV. His discourse with his disciples concerning himself and his own sufferings for them, and their for him (v. 18-27).
  • V. Christ's transfiguration (v. 28-36).
  • VI. The cure of a lunatic child (v. 37-42).
  • VII. The repeated notice Christ gave his disciples of his approaching sufferings (v. 43-45).
  • VIII. His check to the ambition of his disciples (v. 46-48), and to their monopolizing the power over devils to themselves (v. 49, 50).
  • IX. The rebuke he gave them for an over-due resentment of an affront given him by a village of the Samaritans (v. 51-56).
  • X. The answers he gave to several that were inclined to follow him, but not considerately, or not zealously and heartily, so inclined (v. 57-62).

Luk 9:1-9

We have here,

  • I. The method Christ took to spread his gospel, to diffuse and enforce the light of it. He had himself travelled about, preaching and healing; but he could be only in one place at a time, and therefore now he sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were pretty well instructed in the nature of the present dispensation, and able to instruct others and deliver to them what they had received from the Lord. Let them disperse themselves, some one way and some another, to preach the kingdom of God, as it was now about to be set up by the Messiah, to make people acquainted with the spiritual nature and tendency of it, and to persuade them to come into the interests and measures of it. For the confirming of their doctrine, because it was new and surprising, and very different from what they had been taught by the scribes and Pharisees, and because so much depended upon men's receiving, or not receiving it, he empowered them to work miracles (v. 1, 2): He gave them authority over all devils, to dispossess them, and cast them out, though ever so numerous, so subtle, so fierce, so obstinate. Christ designed a total rout and ruin to the kingdom of darkness, and therefore gave them power over all devils. He authorized and appointed them likewise to cure disease, and to heal the sick, which would make them welcome wherever they came, and not only convince people's judgments, but gain their affections. This was their commission. Now observe,
    • 1. What Christ directed them to do, in prosecution of this commission at this time, when they were not to go far or be out long.
      • (1.) They must not be solicitous to recommend themselves to people's esteem by their outward appearance. Now that they begin to set up for themselves, they must have no dress, nor study to make any other figure than what they made while they followed him: they must go as they were, and not change their clothes, or so much as put on a pair of new shoes.
      • (2.) They must depend upon Providence, and the kindness of their friends, to furnish them with what was convenient for them. They must not take with them either bread or money, and yet believe they should not want. Christ would not have his disciples shy of receiving the kindnesses of their friends, but rather to expect them. Yet St. Paul saw cause not to go by this rule, when he laboured with his hands rather than be burdensome.
      • (3.) They must not change their lodgings, as suspecting that those who entertained them were weary of them; they have no reason to be so, for the ark is a guest that always pays well for its entertainment: "Whatsoever house ye enter into there abide (v. 4), that people may know where to find you, that your friends may know you are not backward to serve them, and your enemies may know you are not ashamed nor afraid to face them; there abide till you depart out of that city; stay with those you are used to.'
      • (4.) They must put on authority, and speak warning to those who refused them as well as comfort to those that received them, v. 5. "If there be any place that will not entertain you, if the magistrates deny you admission and threaten to treat you as vagrants, leave them, do not force yourselves upon them, nor run yourselves into danger among them, but at the same time bind them over to the judgment of God for it; shake off the dust of your feet for a testimony against them.' This will, as it were, be produced in evidence against them, that the messengers of the gospel had been among them, to make them a fair offer of grace and peace, for this dust they left behind there; so that when they perish at last in their infidelity this will lay and leave their blood upon their own heads. Shake off the dust of your feet, as much as to say you abandon their city, and will have no more to do with them.
    • 2. What they did, in prosecution of this commission (v. 6): They departed from their Master's presence; yet, having still his spiritual presence with them, his eye and his arm going along with them, and, thus borne up in their work, they went through the towns, some or other of them, all the towns within the circuit appointed them, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. Their work was the same with their Master's, doing good both to souls and bodies.
  • II. We have here Herod's perplexity and vexation at this. The communicating of Christ's power to those who were sent forth in his name, and acted by authority from him, was an amazing and convincing proof of his being the Messiah, above any thing else; that he could not only work miracles himself, but empower others to work miracles too, this spread his fame more than any thing, and made the rays of this Sun of righteousness the stronger by the reflection of them even from the earth, from such mean illiterate men as the apostles were, who had nothing else to recommend them, or to raise any expectations from them, but that they had been with Jesus, Acts 4:13. When the country sees such as these healing the sick in the name of Jesus it gives it an alarm. Now observe,
    • 1. The various speculations it raised among the people, who, though they thought not rightly, yet could not but think honourably, of our Lord Jesus, and that he was an extraordinary person, one come from the other world; that either John Baptist, who was lately persecuted and slain for the cause of God, or one of the old prophets, that had been persecuted and slain long since in that cause, was risen again, to be recompensed for his sufferings by this honour put upon him; or that Elias, who was taken alive to heaven in a fiery chariot, had appeared as an express from heaven, v. 7, 8.
    • 2. The great perplexity it created in the mind of Herod: When he had heard of all that was done by Christ, his guilty conscience flew in his face, and he was ready to conclude with them that John was risen from the dead. He thought he had got clear of John, and should never be troubled with him any more, but, it seems, he is mistaken; either John is come to life again or here is another in his spirit and power, for God will never leave himself without witness. "What shall I do now?' saith Herod. "John have I beheaded, but who is this? Is he carrying on John's work, or is he come to avenge John's death? John baptized, but he does not; John did no miracle, but he does, and therefore appears more formidable than John.' Note, Those who oppose God will find themselves more and more embarrassed. However, he desired to see him, whether he resembled John or no; but he might soon have been put out of this pain if he would but have informed himself of that which thousands knew, that Jesus preached, and wrought miracles, a great while before John was beheaded, and therefore could not be John raised from the dead. He desired to see him; and why did he not go and see him? Probably, because he thought it below him either to go to him or to send for him; he had enough of John Baptist, and cared not for having to do with any more such reprovers of sin. He desired to see him, but we do not find that ever he did, till he saw him at his bar, and then he and his men of war set him at nought, Lu. 23:11. Had he prosecuted his convictions now, and gone to see him, who knows but a happy change might have ben wrought in him? But, delaying it now, his heart was hardened, and when he did see him he was as much prejudiced against him as any other.

Luk 9:10-17

We have here,

  • I. The account which the twelve gave their Master of the success of their ministry. They were not long out; but, when they returned, they told him all that they had done, as became servants who were sent on an errand. They told him what they had done, that, if they had done any thing amiss, they might mend it next time.
  • II. Their retirement, for a little breathing: He took them, and went aside privately into a desert place, that they might have some relaxation from business and not be always upon the stretch. Note, He that hath appointed our man-servant and maid-servant to rest would have his servants to rest too. Those in the most public stations, and that are most publicly useful, must sometimes go aside privately, both for the repose of their bodies, to recruit them, and for the furnishing of their minds by meditation for further public work.
  • III. The resort of the people to him, and the kind reception he gave them. They followed him, though it was into a desert place; for that is no desert where Christ is. And, though they hereby disturbed the repose he designed here for himself and his disciples, yet he welcomed them, v. 11. Note, Pious zeal may excuse a little rudeness; it did with Christ, and should with us. Though they came unseasonably, yet Christ gave them what they came for.
    • 1. He spoke unto them of the kingdom of God, the laws of that kingdom with which they must be bound, and the privileges of that kingdom with which they might be blessed.
    • 2. He healed them that had need of healing, and, in a sense of their need, made their application to him. Though the disease was ever so inveterate, and incurable by the physicians, though the patients were ever so poor and mean, yet Christ healed them. There is healing in Christ for all that need it, whether for soul or body. Christ hath still a power over bodily diseases, and heals his people that need healing. Sometimes he sees that we need the sickness for the good of our souls, more than the healing for the ease of our bodies, and then we must be willing for a season, because there is need, to be in heaviness; but, when he sees that we need healing, we shall have it. Death is his servant, to heal the saints of all diseases. He heals spiritual maladies by his graces, by his comforts, and has for each what the case calls for; relief for every exigence.
  • IV. The plentiful provision Christ made for the multitude that attended him. With five loaves of bread, and two fishes, he fed five thousand men. This narrative we had twice before, and shall meet with it again; it is the only miracle of our Saviour's that is recorded by all the four evangelists. Let us only observe out of it,
    • 1. Those who diligently attend upon Christ in the way of duty, and therein deny or expose themselves, or are made to forget themselves and their outward conveniences by their zeal for God's house, are taken under his particular care, and may depend upon Jehovah-jireh-The Lord will provide. He will not see those that fear him, and serve him faithfully, want any good thing.
    • 2. Our Lord Jesus was of a free and generous spirit. His disciples said, Send them away, that they may get victuals; but Christ said, "No, give ye them to eat; let what we have go as far as it will reach, and they are welcome to it.' Thus he has taught both ministers and Christians to use hospitality without grudging, 1 Pt. 4:9. Those that have but a little, let them do what they can with that little, and that is the way to make it more. There is that scatters, and yet increases.
    • 3. Jesus Christ has not only physic, but food, for all those that by faith apply themselves to him; he not only heals them that need healing, cures the diseases of the soul, but feeds them too that need feeding, supports the spiritual life, relieves the necessities of it, and satisfies the desires of it. Christ has provided not only to save the soul from perishing by its diseases, but to nourish the soul unto life eternal, and strengthen it for all spiritual exercises.
    • 4. All the gifts of Christ are to be received by the church in a regular orderly manner; Make them sit down by fifties in a company, v. 14. Notice is here taken of the number of each company which Christ appointed for the better distribution of the meat and the easier computation of the number of the guests.
    • 5. When we are receiving our creature-comforts, we must look up to heaven. Christ did so, to teach us to do so. 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 removed, and the covenant of peace settled,-that we depend upon God's blessing upon them to make them serviceable to us, and desire that blessing.
    • 6. The blessing of Christ will make a little go a great way. The little that the righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked, a dinner of herbs better than a stalled ox.
    • 7. Those whom Christ feeds he fills; to whom he gives, he gives enough; as there is in him enough for all, so there is enough for each. He replenishes every hungry soul, abundantly satisfies it with the goodness of his house. Here were fragments taken up, to assure us that in our Father's house there is bread enough, and to spare. We are not straitened, or stinted, in him.

Luk 9:18-27

In these verses, we have Christ discoursing with his disciples about the great things that pertained to the kingdom of God; and one circumstance of this discourse is taken notice of here which we had not in the other evangelists-that Christ was alone praying, and his disciples with him, when he entered into this discourse, v. 18. Observe,

  • 1. Though Christ had much public work to do, yet he found some time to be alone in private, for converse with himself, with his Father, and with his disciples.
  • 2. When Christ was alone he was praying. It is good for us to improve our solitude for devotion, that, when we are alone, we may not be alone, but may have the Father with us.
  • 3. When Christ was alone, praying, his disciples were with him, to join with him in his prayer; so that this was a family-prayer. Housekeepers ought to pray with their households, parents with their children, masters with their servants, teachers and tutors with their scholars and pupils.
  • 4. Christ prayed with them before he examined them, that they might be directed and encouraged to answer him, by his prayers for them. Those we give instructions to we should put up prayers for and with. He discourses with them,
    • I. Concerning himself; and enquires,
      • 1. What the people said of him: Who say the people that I am? Christ knew better than they did, but would have his disciples made sensible, by the mistakes of others concerning him, how happy they were that were led into the knowledge of him and of the truth concerning him. We should take notice of the ignorance and errors of others, that we may be the more thankful to him who has manifested himself to us, and not unto the world, and may pity them, and do what we can to help them and to teach them better. They tell him what conjectures concerning him they had heard in their converse with the common people. Ministers would know better how to suit their instructions, reproofs, and counsels, to the case of ordinary people, if they did but converse more frequently and familiarly with them; they would then be the better able to say what is proper to rectify their notions, correct their irregularities, and remove their prejudices. The more conversant the physician is with his patient, the better he knows what to do for him. Some said that he was John Baptist, who was beheaded but the other day; others Elias, or one of the old prophets; any thing but what he was.
      • 2. What they said of him. "Now see what an advantage you have by your discipleship; you know better.' "So we do,' saith Peter, "thanks be to our Master for it; we know that thou art the Christ of God, the Anointed of God, the Messiah promised.' It is matter of unspeakable comfort to us that our Lord Jesus is God's anointed, for then he has unquestionable authority and ability for his undertaking; for his being anointed signifies his being both appointed to it and qualified for it. Now one would have expected that Christ should have charged his disciples, who were so fully apprized and assured of this truth, to publish it to every one they met with; but no, he strictly charged them to tell no man that thing as yet, because there is a time for all things. After his resurrection, which completed the proof of it, Peter made the temple ring of it, that God had made this same Jesus both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36); but as yet the evidence was not ready to be summed up, and therefore it must be concealed; while it was so, we may conclude that the belief of it was not necessary to salvation.
    • II. Concerning his own sufferings and death, of which he had yet said little. Now that his disciples were well established in the belief of his being the Christ, and able to bear it, he speaks of them expressly, and with great assurance, v. 22. It comes in as a reason why they must not yet preach that he was the Christ, because the wonders that would attend his death and resurrection would be the most convincing proof of his being the Christ of God. It was by his exaltation to the right hand of the Father that he was fully declared to be the Christ, and by the sending of the Spirit thereupon (Acts 2:33); and therefore wait till that is done.
    • III. Concerning their sufferings for him. So far must they be from thinking how to prevent his sufferings that they must rather prepare for their own.
      • 1. We must accustom ourselves to all instances of self-denial and patience, v. 23. This is the best preparative for martyrdom. We must live a life of self-denial, mortification, and contempt of the world; we must not indulge our ease and appetite, for then it will be hard to bear toil, and weariness, and want, for Christ. We are daily subject to affliction, and we must accommodate ourselves to it, and acquiesce in the will of God in it, and must learn to endure hardship. We frequently 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, carry them after Christ, and make the best of them.
      • 2. We must prefer the salvation and happiness of our souls before any secular concern whatsoever. Reckon upon it,
        • (1.) That he who to preserve his liberty or estate, his power or preferment, nay, or to save his life, denies Christ and his truths, wilfully wrongs his conscience, and sins against God, will be, not only not a saver, but an unspeakable loser, in the issue, when profit and loss come to be balanced: He that will save his life upon these terms will lose it, will lose that which is of infinitely more value, his precious soul.
        • (2.) We must firmly believe also that, if we lose our life for cleaving to Christ and our religion, we shall save it to our unspeakable advantage; for we shall be abundantly recompensed in the resurrection of the just, when we shall have it again a new and an eternal life.
        • (3.) That the gain of all the world, if we should forsake Christ, and fall in with the interests of the world, would be so far from countervailing the eternal loss and ruin of the soul that it would bear no manner of proportion to it, v. 25. If we could be supposed to gain all the wealth, honour, and pleasure, in the world, by denying Christ, yet when, by so doing, we lose ourselves to all eternity, and are cast away at last, what good will our worldly gain do us? Observe, In Matthew and Mark the dreadful issue is a man's losing his own soul, here it is losing himself, which plainly intimates that our souls are ourselves. Animus cujusque is est quisque-The soul is the man; and it is well or ill with us according as it is well or ill with our souls. If they perish for ever, under the weight of their own guilt and corruption, it is certain that we are undone. The body cannot be happy if the soul be miserable in the other world; but the soul may be happy though the body be greatly afflicted and oppressed in this world. If a man be himself cast away, eµ zeµmioµtheis-if he be damaged,-or if he be punished, si mulctetur-if he have a mulct put upon his soul by the righteous sentence of Christ, whose cause and interest he has treacherously deserted,-if it be adjudged a forfeiture of all his blessedness, and the forfeiture be taken, where is his gain? What is his hope?
      • 3. We must therefore never be ashamed of Christ and his gospel, nor of any disgrace or reproach that we may undergo for our faithful adherence to him and it, v. 26. For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, and justly. When the service and honour of Christ called for his testimony and agency, he denied them, because the interest of Christ was a despised interest, and every where spoken against; and therefore he can expect no other than that in the great day, when his case calls for Christ's appearance on his behalf, Christ will be ashamed to own such a cowardly, worldly, sneaking spirit, and will say, "He is none of mine; he belongs not to me.' As Christ had a state of humiliation and of exaltation, so likewise has his cause. They, and they only, that are willing to suffer with it when it suffers, shall reign with it when it reigns; but those that cannot find in their hearts to share with it in its disgrace, and to say, If this be to be vile, I will be yet more vile, shall certainly have no share with it in its triumphs. Observe here, How Christ, to support himself and his followers under present disgraces, speaks magnificently of the lustre of his second coming, in prospect of which he endured the cross, despising the shame.
        • (1.) He shall come in his own glory. This was not mentioned in Matthew and Mark. He shall come in the glory of the Mediator, all the glory which the Father restored to him, which he had with God before the worlds were, which he had deposited and put in pledge, as it were, for the accomplishing of his undertaking, and demanded again when he had gone through it. Now, O Father, glorify thou me, Jn. 17:4, 5. He shall come in all that glory which the Father conferred upon him when he set him at his own right hand, and gave him to be head over all things to the church; in all the glory that is due to him as the assertor of the glory of God, and the author of the glory of all the saints. This is his own glory.
        • (2.) He shall come in his Father's glory. The Father will judge the world by him, having committed all judgment to him; and therefore will publicly own him in the judgment as the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person.
        • (3.) He shall come in the glory of the holy angels. They shall all attend him, and minister to him, and add every thing they can to the lustre of his appearance. What a figure will the blessed Jesus make in that day! Did we believe it, we should never be ashamed of him or his words now.
    • Lastly, To encourage them in suffering for him, he assures them that the kingdom of God would now shortly be set up, notwithstanding the great opposition that was made to it, v. 27. "Though the second coming of the Son of man is at a great distance, the kingdom of God shall come in its power in the present age, while some here present are alive.' They saw the kingdom of God when the Spirit was poured out, when the gospel was preached to all the world and nations were brought to Christ by it; they saw the kingdom of God triumph over the Gentile nations in their conversion, and over the Jewish nation in its destruction.

Luk 9:28-36

We have here the narrative of Christ's transfiguration, which was designed for a specimen of that glory of his in which he will come to judge the world, of which he had lately been speaking, and, consequently, an encouragement to his disciples to suffer for him, and never to be ashamed of him. We had this account before in Matthew and Mark, and it is well worthy to be repeated to us, and reconsidered by us, for the confirmation of our faith in the Lord Jesus, as the brightness of his Father's glory and the light of the world, for the filling of our minds with high and honourable thoughts of him, notwithstanding his being clothed with a body, and giving us some idea of the glory which he entered into at his ascension, and in which he now appears within the veil, and for the raising and encouraging of our hopes and expectations concerning the glory reserved for all believers in the future state.

  • I. Here is one circumstance of the narrative that seems to differ from the other two evangelists that related it. They said that it was six days after the foregoing sayings; Luke says that it was about eight days after, that is, it was that day sevennight, six whole days intervening, and it was the eighth day. Some think that it was in the night that Christ was transfigured, because the disciples were sleepy, as in his agony, and in the night his appearance in splendour would be the more illustrious; if in the night, the computation of the time would be the more doubtful and uncertain; probably, in the night, between the seventh and eighth day, and so about eight days.
  • II. Here are divers circumstances added and explained, which are very material.
    • 1. We are here told that Christ had this honour put upon him when he was praying: He went up into a mountain to pray, as he frequently did (v. 28), and as he prayed he was transfigured. When Christ humbled himself to pray, he was thus exalted. He knew before that this was designed for him at this time, and therefore seeks it by prayer. Christ himself must sue out the favours that were purposed for him, and promised to him: Ask of me, and I will give thee, Ps. 2:8. And thus he intended to put an honour upon the duty of prayer, and to recommend it to us. It is a transfiguring, transforming duty; if our hearts be elevated and enlarged in it, so as in it to behold the glory of the Lord, we shall be changed into the same image from glory to glory, 2 Co. 3:18. By prayer we fetch in the wisdom, grace, and joy, which make the face to shine.
    • 2. Luke does not use the word transfigured-metamorphoµtheµ (which Matthew and Mark used), perhaps because it had been used so much in the Pagan theology, but makes use of a phrase equivalent, to eidos tou prosoµpou heteron-the fashion of his countenance was another thing from what it had been: his face shone far beyond what Moses's did when he came down from the mount; and his raiment was white and glistering: it was exastraptoµn-bright like lightning (a word used only here), so that he seemed to be arrayed all with light, to cover himself with light as with a garment.
    • 3. It was said in Matthew and Mark that Moses and Elias appeared to them; here it is said that they appeared in glory, to teach us that saints departed are in glory, are in a glorious state; they shine in glory. He being in glory, they appeared with him in glory, as all the saints shall shortly do.
    • 4. We are here told what was the subject of the discourse between Christ and the two great prophets of the Old Testament: They spoke of his decease, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. Elegon teµn exodon autou-his exodus, his departure; that is, his death.
      • (1.) The death of Christ is here called his exit, his going out, his leaving the world. Moses and Elias spoke of it to him under that notion, to reconcile him to it, and to make the foresight of it the more easy to his human nature. The death of the saints is their exodus, their departure out of the Egypt of this world, their release out of a house of bondage. Some think that the ascension of Christ is included here in his departure; for the departure of Israel out of Egypt was a departure in triumph, so was his when he went from earth to heaven.
      • (2.) This departure of his he must accomplish; for thus it was determined, the matter was immutably fixed in the counsel of God, and could not be altered.
      • (3.) He must accomplish it at Jerusalem, though his residence was mostly in Galilee; for his most spiteful enemies were at Jerusalem, and there the sanhedrim sat, that took upon them to judge of prophets.
      • (4.) Moses and Elias spoke of this, to intimate that the sufferings of Christ, and his entrance into his glory, were what Moses and the prophets had spoken of; see Lu. 24:26, 27; 1 Pt. 1:11.
      • (5.) Our Lord Jesus, even in his transfiguration, was willing to enter into a discourse concerning his death and sufferings, to teach us that meditations on death, as it is our departure out of this world to another, are never unseasonable, but in a special manner seasonable when at any time we are advanced, lest we should be lifted up above measure. In our greatest glories on earth, let us remember that here we have no continuing city.
    • 5. We are here told, which we were not before, that the disciples were heavy with sleep, v. 32. When the vision first began, Peter, and James, and John were drowsy, and inclined to sleep. Either it was late, or they were weary, or had been disturbed in their rest the night before; or perhaps a charming composing air, or some sweet and melodious sounds, which disposed them to soft and gentle slumbers, were a preface to the vision; or perhaps it was owing to a sinful carelessness: when Christ was at prayer with them, they did not regard his prayer as they should have done, and, to punish them for that, they were left to sleep on now, when he began to be transfigured, and so lost an opportunity of seeing how that work of wonder was wrought. These three were now asleep, when Christ was in his glory, as afterwards they were, when he was in his agony; see the weakness and frailty of human nature, even in the best, and what need they have of the grace of God. Nothing could be more affecting to these disciples, one would think, than the glories and the agonies of their Master, and both in the highest degree; and yet neither the one nor the other would serve to keep them awake. What need have we to pray to God for quickening grace, to make us not only alive, but lively! Yet that they might be competent witnesses of this sign from heaven, to those that demanded one, after awhile they recovered themselves, and became perfectly awake; and then they took an exact view of all those glories, so that they were able to give a particular account, as we find one of them does, of all that passed when they were with Christ in the holy mount, 2 Pt. 1:18.
    • 6. It is here observed that it was when Moses and Elias were now about to depart that Peter said, Lord, it is good to be here, let us make three tabernacles. Thus we are often not sensible of the worth of our mercies till we are about to lose them; nor do we covet and court their continuance till they are upon the departure. Peter said this, not knowing what he said. Those know not what they say that talk of making tabernacles on earth for glorified saints in heaven, who have better mansions in the temple there, and long to return to them.
    • 7. It is here added, concerning the cloud that overshadowed them, that they feared as they entered into the cloud. This cloud was a token of God's more peculiar presence. It was in a cloud that God of old took possession of the tabernacle and temple, and, when the cloud covered the tabernacle, Moses was not able to enter (Ex. 40:34, 35), and, when it filled the temple, the priests could not stand to minister by reason of it, 2 Chr. 5:14. Such a cloud was this, and then no wonder that the disciples were afraid to enter into it. But never let any be afraid to enter into a cloud with Jesus Christ; for he will be sure to bring them safely through it.
    • 8. The voice which came from heaven is here, and in Mark, related not so fully as in Matthew: This is my beloved Son, hear him: though those words, in whom I am well pleased, which we have both in Matthew and Peter, are not expressed, they are implied in that, This is my beloved Son; for whom he loves, and in whom he is well pleased, come all to one; we are accepted in the Beloved.
    • Lastly, The apostles are here said to have kept this vision private. They told no man in those days, reserving the discovery of it for another opportunity, when the evidences of Christ's being the Son of God were completed in the pouring out of the Spirit, and that doctrine was to be published to all the world. As there is a time to speak, so there is a time to keep silence. Every thing is beautiful and useful in its season.

Luk 9:37-42

This passage of story in Matthew and Mark follows immediately upon that of Christ's transfiguration, and his discourse with his disciples after it; but here it is said to be on the next day, as they were coming down from the hill, which confirms the conjecture that Christ was transfigured in the night, and, it should seem, though they did not make tabernacles as Peter proposed, yet they found some shelter to repose themselves in all night, for it was not till next day that they came down from the hill, and then he found things in some disorder among his disciples, though not so bad as Moses did when he came down from the mount. When wise and good men are in their beloved retirements, they would do well to consider whether they are not wanted in their public stations.
In this narrative here, observe,

  • 1. How forward the people were to receive Christ at his return to them. Though he had been but a little while absent, much people met him, as, at other times, much people followed him; for so it was foretold concerning him, that to him should the gathering of the people be.
  • 2. How importunate the father of the lunatic child was with Christ for help for him (v. 38): I beseech thee, look upon my son; this is his request, and it is a very modest one; one compassionate look from Christ is enough to set every thing to rights. Let us bring ourselves and our children to Christ, to be looked upon. His plea is, He is my only child. They that have many children may balance their affliction in one with their comfort in the rest; yet, if it be an only child that is a grief, the affliction in that may be balanced with the love of God in giving his only-begotten Son for us.
  • 3. How deplorable the case of the child was, v. 39. He was under the power of an evil spirit, that took him; and diseases of that nature are more frightful than such as arise merely from natural causes: when the fit seized him without any warning given, he suddenly cried out, and many a time his shrieks had pierced the heart of his tender father. This malicious spirit tore him, and bruised him, and departed not from him but with great difficulty, and a deadly gripe at parting. O the afflictions of the afflicted in this world! And what mischief doth Satan do where he gets possession! But happy they that have access to Christ!
  • 4. How defective the disciples were in their faith. Though Christ had given them power over unclean spirits, yet they could not cast out this evil spirit, v. 40. Either they distrusted the power they were to fetch in strength from, or the commission given to them, or they did not exert themselves in prayer as they ought; for this Christ reproved them. O faithless and perverse generation. Dr. Clarke understands this as spoken to his disciples: "Will ye be yet so faithless and full of distrust that ye cannot execute the commission I have given you?'
  • 5. How effectual the cure was, which Christ wrought upon this child, v. 42. Christ can do that for us which his disciples cannot: Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit then when he raged most. The devil threw the child down, and tore him, distorted him, as if he would have pulled him to pieces. But one word from Christ healed the child, and made good the damage the devil had done him. And it is here added that he delivered him again to his father. Note, When our children are recovered from sickness, we must receive them as delivered to us again, receive them as life from the dead, and as when we first received them. It is comfortable to receive them from the hand of Christ, to see him delivering them to us again: "Here, take this child, and be thankful; take it, and bring it up for me, for thou hast it again from me. Take it, and do not set thy heart too much upon it.' With such cautions as these, parents should receive their children from Christ's hands, and then with comfort put them again into his hands.

Luk 9:43-50

We may observe here,

  • I. The impression which Christ's miracles made upon all that beheld them (v. 43): They were all amazed at the mighty power of God, which they could not but see in all the miracles Christ wrought. Note, The works of God's almighty power are amazing, especially those that are wrought by the hand of the Lord Jesus; for he is the power of God, and his name is Wonderful. Their wonder was universal: they wondered every one. The causes of it were universal: they wondered at all things which Jesus did; all his actions had something uncommon and surprising in them.
  • II. The notice Christ gave to his disciples of his approaching sufferings: The Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men, wicked men, men of the worst character; they shall be permitted to abuse him at their pleasure. That is here implied which is expressed by the other evangelists: They shall kill him. But that which is peculiar here is,
    • 1. The connection of this with what goes next before, of the admiration with which the people were struck at beholding Christ's miracles (v. 43): While they all wondered at all things which Jesus did, he said this to his disciples. They had a fond conceit of his temporal kingdom, and that he should reign, and they with him, in secular pomp and power; and now they thought that this mighty power of his would easily effect the thing, and his interest gained by his miracles in the people would contribute to it; and therefore Christ, who knew what was in their hearts, takes this occasion to tell them again, what he had told them before, that he was so far from having men delivered into his hands that he must be delivered into the hands of men, so far from living in honour that he must die in disgrace; and all his miracles, and the interest he has by them gained in the hearts of the people, will not be able to prevent it.
    • 2. The solemn preface with which it is introduced: "Let these sayings sink down into your ears; take special notice of what I say, and mix faith with it; let not the notions you have of the temporal kingdom of the Messiah stop your ears against it, nor make you unwilling to believe it. Admit what I say, and submit to it.' Let it sink down into your hearts; so the Syriac and Arabic read it. The word of Christ does us no good, unless we let it sink down into our heads and hearts.
    • 3. The unaccountable stupidity of the disciples, with reference to this prediction of Christ's sufferings. It was said in Mark, They understood not that saying. It was plain enough, but they would not understand it in the literal sense, because it agreed not with their notions; and they could not understand it in any other, and were afraid to ask him lest they should be undeceived and awaked out of their pleasing dream. But it is here added that it was hidden from them, that they perceived it not, through the weakness of faith and the power of prejudice. We cannot think that it was in mercy hidden from them, lest they should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow at the prospect of it; but that it was a paradox, because they made it so to themselves.
  • III. The rebuke Christ gave to his disciples for their disputing among themselves which should be greatest, v. 46-48. This passage we had before, and, the more is the pity, we shall meet with the like again. Observe here,
    • 1. Ambition of honour, and strife for superiority and precedency, are sins that most easily beset the disciples of our Lord Jesus, for which they deserve to be severely rebuked; they flow from corruptions which they are highly concerned to subdue and mortify, v. 46. They that expect to be great in this world commonly aim high, and nothing will serve them short of being greatest; this exposes them to a great deal of temptation and trouble, which they are safe from that are content to be little, to be least, to be less than the least.
    • 2. Jesus Christ is perfectly acquainted with the thoughts and intents of our hearts: He perceived their thoughts, v. 47. Thoughts are words to him, and whispers are loud cries. It is a good reason why we should keep up a strict government of our thoughts because Christ takes a strict cognizance of them.
    • 3. Christ will have his disciples to aim at that honour which is to be obtained by a quiet and condescending humility, and not at that which is to be obtained by a restless and aspiring ambition. Christ took a child, and set him by him, v. 47 (for he always expressed a tenderness and kindness for little children), and he proposed this child to them for an example.
      • (1.) Let them be of the temper of this child, humble and quiet, and easy to itself; let them not affect worldly pomp, or grandeur, or high titles, but be as dead to them as this child; let them bear no more malice to their rivals and competitors than this child did. Let them be willing to be the least, if that would contribute any thing to their usefulness, to stoop to the meanest office whereby they might do good.
      • (2.) Let them assure themselves that this was the way to preferment; for this would recommend them to the esteem of their brethren: they that loved Christ would therefore receive them in his name, because they did most resemble him, and they would likewise recommend themselves to his favour, for Christ would take the kindnesses done to them as done to himself: Whosoever shall receive one such child, a preacher of the gospel that is of such a disposition as this, he placeth his respect aright, and receiveth me; and whosoever receiveth me, in such a minister, receiveth him that sent me; and 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? This honour have all the humble disciples of Jesus Christ, and thus they shall be truly great that are least among them.
  • IV. The rebuke Christ gave to his disciples for discouraging one that honoured him and served him, but was not of their communion, not only not one of the twelve, nor one of the seventy, but not one of those that ever associated with them, or attended on them, but, upon occasional hearing of Christ, believed in him, and made use of his name with faith and prayer in a serious manner, for the casting out of devils. Now,
    • 1. This man they rebuked and restrained; they would not let him pray and preach, though it was to the honour of Christ, though it did good to men and weakened Satan's kingdom, because he did not follow Christ with them; he separated from their church, was not ordained as they were, paid them no respect, nor gave them the right hand of fellowship. Now, if ever any society of Christians in this world had reason to silence those that were not of their communion, the twelve disciples at this time had; and yet,
    • 2. Jesus Christ chid them for what they did, and warned them not to do the like again, nor any that profess to be successors of the apostles: "Forbid him not (v. 50), but rather encourage him, for he is carrying on the same design that you are, though, for reasons best known to himself, he does not follow with you; and he will meet you in the same end, though he does not accompany you in the same way. You do well to do as you do, but it does not therefore follow that he does ill to do as he does, and that you do well to put him under an interdict, for he that is not against us is for us, and therefore ought to be countenanced by us.' We need not lose any of our friends, while we have so few, and so many enemies. Those may be found faithful followers of Christ, and, as such, may be accepted of him, though they do not follow with us. See Mk. 9:38, 39. O what a great deal of mischief to the church, even from those that boast of relation to Christ, and pretend to envy for his sake, would be prevented, if this passage of story were but duly considered!

Luk 9:51-56

This passage of story we have not in any other of the evangelists, and it seems to come in here for the sake of its affinity with that next before, for in this also Christ rebuked his disciples, because they envied for his sake. There, under colour of zeal for Christ, they were for silencing and restraining separatists: here, under the same colour, they were for putting infidels to death; and, as for that, so for this also, Christ reprimanded them, for a spirit of bigotry and persecution is directly contrary to the spirit of Christ and Christianity. Observe here,

  • I. The readiness and resolution of our Lord Jesus, in prosecuting his great undertaking for our redemption and salvation. Of this we have an instance, v. 51: When the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. Observe
    • 1. There was a time fixed for the sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus, and he knew well enough when it was, and had a clear and certain foresight of it, and yet was so far from keeping out of the way that then he appeared most publicly of all, and was most busy, knowing that his time was short.
    • 2. When he saw his death and sufferings approaching, he looked through them and beyond them, to the glory that should follow; he looked upon it as the time when he should be received up into glory (1 Tim. 3:16), received up into the highest heavens, to be enthroned there. Moses and Elias spoke of his death as his departure out of this world, which made it not formidable; but he went further, and looked upon it as his translation to a better world, which made it very desirable. All good Christians may frame to themselves the same notion of death, and may call it their being received up, to be with Christ where he is; and, when the time of their being received up is at hand, let them lift up their heads, knowing that their redemption draws nigh.
    • 3. On this prospect of the joy set before him, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem the place where he was to suffer and die. He was fully determined to go, and would not be dissuaded; he went directly to Jerusalem, because there now his business lay, and he did not go about to other towns, or fetch a compass, which if he had done, as commonly he did, he might have avoided going through Samaria. He went cheerfully and courageously thither, though he knew the things that should befal him there. He did not fail nor was discouraged, but set his face as a flint, knowing that he should be not only justified, but glorified (Isa. 50:7), not only not run down, but received up. How should this shame us for, and shame us out of, our backwardness to do and suffer for Christ! We draw back, and turn our faces another way from his service who stedfastly set his face against all opposition, to go through with the work of our salvation.
  • II. The rudeness of the Samaritans in a certain village (not named, nor deserving to be so) who would not receive him, nor suffer him to bait in their town, though his way lay through it. Observe here,
    • 1. How civil he was to them: He sent messengers before his face, some of his disciples, that went to take up lodgings, and to know whether he might have leave to accommodate himself and his company among them; for he would not come to give offence, or if they took any umbrage at the number of his followers. He sent some to make ready for him, not for state, but convenience, and that his coming might be no surprise.
    • 2. How uncivil they were to him, v. 53. They did not receive him, would not suffer him to come into their village, but ordered their watch to keep him out. He would have paid for all he bespoke, and been a generous guest among them, would have done them good, and preached the gospel to them, as he had done some time ago to another city of the Samaritans, Jn. 4:41. He would have been, if they pleased, the greatest blessing that ever came to their village, and yet they forbid him entrance. Such treatment his gospel and ministers have often met with. Now the reason was because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem; they observed, by his motions, that he was steering his course that way. The great controversy between the Jews and the Samaritans was about the place of worship-whether Jerusalem or mount Gerizim near Sychar; see Jn. 4:20. And so hot was the controversy between them that the Jews would have no dealings with the Samaritans, nor they with them, Jn. 4:9. Yet we may suppose that they did not deny other Jews lodgings among them, no, not when they went up to the feast; for if that had been their constant practice Christ would not have attempted it, and it would have been a great way about for some of the Galileans to go to Jerusalem any other way than through Samaria. But they were particularly incensed against Christ, who was a celebrated teacher, for owning and adhering to the temple at Jerusalem, when the priests of that temple were such bitter enemies to him, which, they hoped, would have driven him to come and worship at their temple, and bring that into reputation; but when they saw that he would go forward to Jerusalem, notwithstanding this, they would not show him the common civility which probably they used formerly to show him in his journey thither.
  • III. The resentment which James and John expressed of this affront, v. 54. When these two heard this message brought, they were all in a flame presently, and nothing will serve them but Sodom's doom upon this village: "Lord,' say they, "give us leave to command fire to come down from heaven, not to frighten them only, but to consume them.'
    • 1. Here indeed was something commendable, for they showed,
      • (1.) A great confidence in the power they had received from Jesus Christ; though this had not been particularly mentioned in their commission, yet they could with a word's speaking fetch fire from heaven. Theleis eipoµmen-Wilt thou that we speak the word, and the thing will be done.
      • (2.) A great zeal for the honour of their Master. They took it very ill that he who did good wherever he came and found a hearty welcome should be denied the liberty of the road by a parcel of paltry Samaritans; they could not think of it without indignation that their Master should be thus slighted.
      • (3.) A submission, notwithstanding, to their Master's good will and pleasure. They will not offer to do such a thing, unless Christ give leave: Wilt thou that we do it?
      • (4.) A regard to the examples of the prophets that were before them. It is doing as Elias did? they would not have thought of such a thing if Elijah had not done it upon the soldiers that came to take him, once and again, 2 Ki. 1:10, 12. They thought that this precedent would be their warrant; so apt are we to misapply the examples of good men, and to think to justify ourselves by them in the irregular liberties we give ourselves, when the case is not parallel.
    • 2. But though there was something right in what they said, yet there was much more amiss, for
      • (1.) This was not the first time, by a great many, that our Lord Jesus had been thus affronted, witness the Nazarenes thrusting him out of their city, and the Gadarenes desiring him to depart out of their coast; and yet he never called for any judgment upon them, but patiently put up with the injury.
      • (2.) These were Samaritans, from whom better was not to be expected, and perhaps they had heard that Christ had forbidden his disciples to enter into any of the cities of the Samaritans (Mt. 10:5), and therefore it was not so bad in them as in others who knew more of Christ, and had received so many favours from him.
      • (3.) Perhaps it was only some few of the town that knew any thing of the matter, or that sent that rude message to him, while, for aught they knew, there were many in the town who, if they had heard of Christ's being so near them, would have gone to meet him and welcomed him; and must the whole town be laid in ashes for the wickedness of a few? Will they have the righteous destroyed with the wicked?
      • (4.) Their Master had never yet upon any occasion called for fire from heaven, nay, he had refused to give the Pharisees any sign from heaven when they demanded it (Mt. 16:1, 2); and why should they think to introduce it? James and John were the two disciples whom Christ had called Boanerges-sons of thunder (Mk. 3:17); and will not that serve them, but they must be sons of lightning too?
      • (5.) The example of Elias did not reach the case. Elijah was sent to display the terrors of the law, and to give proof of that, and to witness as a bold reprover against the idolatries and wickednesses of the court of Ahab, and it was agreeable enough to him to have his commission thus proved; but it is a dispensation of grace that is now to be introduced, to which such a terrible display of divine justice will not be at all agreeable. Archbishop Tillotson suggests that their being now near Samaria, where Elijah called for fire from heaven, might help to put it in their heads; perhaps at the very place; but, though the place was the same, the times were altered.
  • IV. The reproof he gave to James and John for their fiery, furious zeal (v. 55): He turned with a just displeasure, and rebuked them; for as many as he loves he rebukes and chastens, particularly for what they do, that is irregular and unbecoming them, under colour of zeal for him.
    • 1. He shows them in particular their mistake: Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of; that is,
      • (1.) "You are not aware what an evil spirit and disposition you are of; how much there is of pride, and passion, and personal revenge, covered under this pretence of zeal for your Master.' Note, There may be much corruption lurking, nay, and stirring too, in the hearts of good people, and they themselves not be sensible of it.
      • (2.) "You do not consider what a good spirit, directly contrary to this, you should be of. Surely you have yet to learn, though you have been so long learning, what the spirit of Christ and Christianity is. Have you not been taught to love your enemies, and to bless them that curse you, and to call for grace from heaven, not fire from heaven, upon them? You know not how contrary your disposition herein is to that which it was the design of the gospel you should be delivered into. You are not now under the dispensation of bondage, and terror, and death, but under the dispensation of love, and liberty, and grace, which was ushered in with a proclamation of peace on earth and good will toward men, to which you ought to accommodate yourselves, and not by such imprecations as these oppose yourselves.'
    • 2. He shows them the general design and tendency of his religion (v. 56): The Son of man is not himself come, and therefore does not send you abroad to destroy men's lives, but to save them. He designed to propagate his holy religion by love and sweetness, and every thing that is inviting and endearing, not by fire and sword, and blood and slaughter; by miracles of healing, not by plagues and miracles of destruction, as Israel was brought out of Egypt. Christ came to slay all enmities, not to foster them. Those are certainly destitute of the spirit of the gospel that are for anathematizing and rooting out by violence and persecution all that are not of their mind and way, that cannot in conscience say as they say, and do as they do. Christ came, not only to save men's souls, but to save their lives too-witness the many miracles he wrought for the healing of diseases that would otherwise have been mortal, by which, and a thousand other instances of beneficence, it appears that Christ would have his disciples do good to all, to the utmost of their power, but hurt to none, to draw men into his church with the cords of a man and the bands of love, but not think to drive men into it with a rod of violence or the scourge of the tongue.
  • V. His retreat from this village. Christ would not only not punish them for their rudeness, but would not insist upon his right of travelling the road (which was as free to him as to his neighbours), would not attempt to force his way, but quietly and peaceably went to another village, where they were not so stingy and bigoted, and there refreshed himself, and went on his way. Note, When a stream of opposition is strong, it is wisdom to get out of the way of it, rather than to contend with it. If some be very rude, instead of revenging it, we should try whether others will not be more civil.

Luk 9:57-62

We have here an account of three several persons that offered themselves to follow Christ, and the answers that Christ gave to each of them. The two former we had an account of in Mt. 19:21.

  • I. Here is one that is extremely forward to follow Christ immediately, but seems to have been too rash, hasty, and inconsiderate, and not to have set down and counted the cost.
    • 1. He makes Christ a very large promise (v. 57): As they went in the way, going up to Jerusalem, where it was expected Christ would first appear in his glory, one said to him, Lord, I will follow thee withersoever thou goest. This must be the resolution of all that will be found Christ's disciples indeed; they follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes (Rev. 14:4), though it be through fire and water, to prisons and deaths.
    • 2. Christ gives him a necessary caution, not to promise himself great things in the world, in following him, but, on the contrary, to count upon poverty and meanness; for the Son of man has not where to lay his head.
      We may look upon this,
      • (1.) As setting forth the very low condition that our Lord Jesus was in, in this world. He not only wanted the delights and ornaments that great princes usually have, but even such accommodations for mere necessity as the foxes have, and the birds of the air. See what a depth of poverty our Lord Jesus submitted to for us, to increase the worth and merit of his satisfaction, and to purchase for us a larger allowance of grace, that we through his poverty might be rich, 2 Co. 8:9. He that made all did not make a dwelling-place for himself, not a house of his own to put his head in, but what he was beholden to others for. He here calls himself the Son of man, a Son of Adam, partaker of flesh and blood. He glories in his condescension towards us, not only to the meanness of our nature, but to the meanest condition in that nature, to testify his love to us, and to teach us a holy contempt of the world and of great things in it, and a continual regard to another world. Christ was thus poor, to sanctify and sweeten poverty to his people; the apostles had not certain dwelling-place (1 Co. 4:11), which they might the better bear when they knew their Master had not; see 2 Sa. 11:11. We may well be content to fare as Christ did.
      • (2.) As proposing this to the consideration of those who intend to be his disciples. If we mean to follow Christ, we must lay aside the thoughts of great things in the world, and not reckon upon making any thing more than heaven of our religion, as we must resolve not to take up with any thing less. Let us not go about to compound the profession of Christianity with secular advantages; Christ has put them asunder, let us not think of joining them together; on the contrary, we must expect to enter into the kingdom of heaven through many tribulations, must deny ourselves, and take up our cross. Christ tells this man what he must count upon if he followed him, to lie cold and uneasy, to fare hard, and live in contempt; if he could not submit to this, let him not pretend to follow Christ. This word sent him back, for aught that appears; but it will be no discouragement to any that know what there is in Christ and heaven to set in the scale against this.
  • II. Here is another, that seems resolved to follow Christ, but he begs a day, v. 59. To this man Christ first gave the call; he said to him, Follow me. He that proposed the thing of himself fled off when he heard of the difficulties that attended it; but this man to whom Christ gave a call, though he hesitated at first, yet, as it should seem, afterwards yielded; so true was that of Christ, You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, Jn. 15:16. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth (as that forward spark in the foregoing verses), but of God that showeth mercy, that gives the call, and makes it effectual, as to this man here. Observe,
    • 1. The excuse he made: "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. I have an aged father at home, who cannot live long, and will need me while he does live; let me go and attend on him until he is dead, and I have performed my last office of love to him, and then I will do any thing.' We may here see three temptations, by which we are in danger of being drawn and kept from following Christ, which therefore we should guard against:-
      • (1.) We are tempted to rest in a discipleship at large, in which we may be at a loose end, and not to come close, and give up ourselves to be strict and constant.
      • (2.) We are tempted to defer the doing of that which we know to be our duty, and to put if off to some other time. When we have got clear of such a care and difficulty, when we have despatched such a business, raised an estate to such a pitch, then we will begin to think of being religious; and so we are cozened out of all our time, by being cozened out of the present time.
      • (3.) We are tempted to think that our duty to our relations will excuse us from our duty to Christ. It is a plausible excuse indeed: "Let me go and bury my father,-let me take care of my family, and provide for my children, and then I will think of serving Christ;' whereas the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof must be sought ad minded in the first place.
    • 2. Christ's answer to it (v. 60): "Let the dead bury their dead. Suppose (which is not likely) that there are none but the dead to bury their dead, or none but those who are themselves aged and dying, who are as good as dead, and fit for no other service, yet thou hast other work to do; go thou, and preach the kingdom of God.' Not that Christ would have his followers or his ministers to be unnatural; our religion teaches us to be kind and good in every relation, to show piety at home, and to requite our parents. But we must not make these offices an excuse from our duty to God. If the nearest and dearest relation we have in the world stand in our way to keep us from Christ, it is necessary that we have a zeal that will make us forget father and mother, as Levi did, Deu. 33:9. This disciple was called to be a minister, and therefore must not entangle himself with the affairs of this world, 2 Tim. 2:4. And it is a rule that, whenever Christ calls to any duty, we must not consult with flesh and blood, Gal. 1:15, 16. No excuses must be admitted against a present obedience to the call of Christ.
  • III. Here is another that is willing to follow Christ, but he must have a little time to talk with his friends about it.
    Observe,
    • 1. His request for a dispensation, v. 61. He said, "Lord, I will follow thee; I design no other, I am determined to do it: but let me first go bid them farewell that are at home.' This seemed reasonable; it was what Elisha desired when Elijah called him,Let me kiss my father and my mother; and it was allowed him: but the ministry of the gospel is preferable, and the service of it more urgent than that of the prophets; and therefore here it would not be allowed. Suffer me apotaxasthai tois eis ton oikon mou-Let me go and set in order my household affairs, and give direction concerning them; so some understand it. Now that which was amiss in this is,
      • (1.) That he looked upon his following Christ as a melancholy, troublesome, dangerous thing; it was to him as if he were going to die and therefore he must take leave of all his friends, never to see them again, or never with any comfort; whereas, in following Christ, he might be more a comfort and blessing to them than if he had continued with them.
      • (2.) That he seemed to have his worldly concerns more upon his heart than he ought to have, and than would consist with a close attendance to his duty as a follower of Christ. He seemed to hanker after his relations and family concerns, and he could not part easily and suitably from them, but they stuck to him. It may be he had bidden them farewell once, but Loth to depart bids oft farewell, and therefore he must bid them farewell once more, for they are at home at his house.
      • (3.) That he was willing to enter into a temptation from his purpose of following Christ. To go and bid them farewell that were at home at his house would be to expose himself to the strongest solicitations imaginable to alter his resolution; for they would all be against it, and would beg and pray that he would not leave them. Now it was presumption in him to thrust himself into such a temptation. Those that resolve to walk with their Maker, and follow their Redeemer, must resolve that they will not so much as parley with their tempter.
    • 2. The rebuke which Christ gave him for this request (v. 62): "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and designing to make good work of his ploughing, will look back, or look behind him, for then he makes balks with his plough, and the ground he ploughs is not fit to be sown; so thou, if thou hast a design to follow me and to reap the advantages of those that do so, yet if thou lookest back to a worldly life again and hankerest after that, if thou lookest back as Lot's wife did to Sodom, which seems to be alluded to here, thou art not fit for the kingdom of God.'
      • (1.) "Thou art not soil fit to receive the good seed of the kingdom of God if thou art thus ploughed by the halves, and not gone through with.'
      • (2.) "Thou art not a sower fit to scatter the good seed of the kingdom if thou canst hold the plough no better.' Ploughing is in order to sowing. As those are not fit to be sown with divine comforts whose fallow ground is not first broken up, so those are not fit to be employed in sowing who know not how to break up the fallow ground, but, when they have laid their hand to the plough, upon every occasion look back and think of quitting it. Note, Those who begin with the work of God must resolve to go on with it, or they will make nothing of it. Looking back inclines to drawing back, and drawing back is to perdition. Those are not fit for heaven who, having set their faces heavenward, face about. But he, and he only, that endures to the end, shall be saved.