CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Luke 9
Chapter 9 of 24
Chapter Overview
What happens in Luke 9
This pivotal chapter marks a turning point in Luke's Gospel. Jesus sends the twelve on mission, feeds five thousand, and receives Peter's confession that He is the Christ. He then reveals His coming suffering, is transfigured in glory, and 'sets his face' toward Jerusalem. The chapter includes lessons on discipleship, self-denial, and the cost of following Jesus.
Scripture
Luke 9
Sending Out the Twelve
Study note
Jesus gives the twelve power and authority over demons and diseases and sends them out to preach the kingdom and heal the sick. He instructs them to travel light, depending on others' hospitality, and to shake the dust off their feet if rejected. Meanwhile, Herod the tetrarch hears about Jesus' works and is perplexed, wondering if John the Baptist has risen from the dead. This mission expands Jesus' reach while foreshadowing the future mission of the church.
1 Jesus brought his twelve disciples together. He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to heal diseases. Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2 Then he sent them out to announce God's kingdom and to make sick people well. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
3 He gave them these instructions: "Do not bring anything for the trip -- no walking stick, no bag, no food, no money. Do not even pack a spare set of clothes." And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
4 "When someone opens their home to you, stay there until you move on to the next town." And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
5 "If a town refuses to welcome you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a warning to them." 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 They headed out and went from village to village. Everywhere they went, they shared the good news and healed people. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
7 Word of everything that was happening reached Herod the ruler, and it left him deeply confused. Some people were saying that John had come back from the dead. 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 Others claimed that Elias had shown up. Still others thought one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.
9 Herod said, "I already had John's head chopped off. So who is this person I keep hearing all these stories about?" He was very eager to meet Jesus. And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.
Feeding the Five Thousand
Study note
When the apostles return, Jesus withdraws with them to Bethsaida, but the crowds follow. Rather than sending the hungry multitude away, Jesus commands His disciples to feed them, then multiplies five loaves and two fish to satisfy about five thousand men. The twelve baskets of leftovers -- one for each apostle -- demonstrate that God's provision through Jesus is more than sufficient. This is the only miracle besides the resurrection recorded in all four Gospels.
10 When the apostles returned, they told Jesus all about their experiences. He then took them with him to a quiet spot near the town of Bethsaida to rest. 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 But the crowds tracked them down and followed. Jesus welcomed them, talked to them about God's kingdom, and healed everyone who was sick. 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 As evening approached, the twelve came to Jesus and said, "You should send all these people away so they can find food and shelter in the nearby towns and farms. There is nothing to eat out here." 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 Jesus told them, "You feed them." They protested, "All we have is five loaves of bread and two fish. Unless you want us to go shopping for food for this entire crowd?" 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 There were about five thousand men there. Jesus told his disciples, "Have everybody sit down in groups of around fifty." For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
15 They did exactly that, and all the people sat down. And they did so, and made them all sit down.
16 Jesus picked up the five loaves and the two fish, looked toward heaven, and thanked God for the food. Then he broke them into pieces and kept handing them to his disciples to pass out to the crowd. 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 Everybody ate until they were completely full. Afterward, they gathered up the leftovers and filled twelve baskets. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
Peter's Confession and the Way of the Cross
Study note
While praying alone, Jesus asks His disciples who the people say He is, then who they say He is. Peter answers, 'The Christ of God.' Jesus immediately reveals that the Christ must suffer, be rejected, and be killed before rising on the third day. He then calls all who would follow Him to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him. The paradox of the kingdom is clear: saving your life means losing it, and losing your life for Jesus' sake means saving it.
18 One day Jesus was praying alone with just his disciples nearby. He asked them, "Who do the people say I am?" 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 answered, "Some say John the Baptist. Others say Elias. And some think you are one of the prophets from long ago who has come back." They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
20 "What about you?" he asked. "Who do you think I am?" Peter spoke up: "You are the Christ of God." He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
21 Jesus gave them strict orders not to share this with anyone. And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;
22 Then he told them, "The Son of man is going to go through many suffering. The elders, leading priests, and religion teachers will reject him. He will be put to death, but on the third day he will come back to life." 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 Speaking to the whole group, he said, "If any of you want to walk with me, you have to stop putting yourself first. Pick up your cross every day and follow me." 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 "Anyone who clings to their life will end up losing it. But anyone who gives up their life for my sake will find it." For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25 "What has a person truly gained if they get the whole world but destroy themselves in the process?" For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
26 "If anyone is ashamed to be connected to me and my teachings, the Son of man will be ashamed of that person too. He will feel the same way when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels." 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 let me tell you something true: some of you standing right here will not die before you see God's kingdom." 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.
The Transfiguration
Study note
About eight days after Peter's confession, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain to pray. His appearance is transformed with dazzling glory, and Moses and Elijah appear and discuss His coming 'departure' (literally 'exodus') at Jerusalem. A cloud overshadows them and the Father's voice declares, 'This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!' The Transfiguration confirms Jesus' divine glory even as He walks toward suffering and death.
28 About eight days after saying these things, Jesus took Peter, John, and James and hiked up a mountain to pray. 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 While he was praying, his face began to look completely different, and his clothes turned a blinding, brilliant white. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
30 Out of nowhere, two men appeared and began having a conversation with him. They were Moses and Elias. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
31 They appeared in heavenly glory. They were talking about how Jesus was about to leave this world, which he would carry out in Jerusalem. Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
32 Peter and the others had been fighting sleep. But when they fully woke up, they saw Jesus shining with glory. Two men were standing beside him. 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 to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles -- one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elias" -- not knowing what he said. 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 was still speaking, a cloud rolled in and covered them. They were terrified as the cloud closed in around them. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
35 Then a voice spoke from inside the cloud: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!" And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
36 After the voice finished speaking, Jesus was standing there alone. The disciples kept the whole experience to themselves and did not tell anyone about it at that time. 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.
Healing a Demon-Possessed Boy
Study note
Descending the mountain the next day, Jesus encounters a desperate father whose only son is tormented by a demon that the disciples could not cast out. Jesus expresses frustration with the faithless generation, then heals the boy. While everyone marvels at God's power, Jesus tells His disciples a second time that He will be handed over to men. They do not understand and are afraid to ask, showing how difficult the concept of a suffering Messiah was for them.
37 The following day, when they came back down the mountain, a big crowd was waiting for them. And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.
38 A man in the crowd yelled out, "Teacher, please, I am begging you -- look at my son! He is the only child I have." 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 "An evil spirit keeps attacking him. It makes him scream suddenly, throws him into violent convulsions until he foams at the mouth, and beats him up. It almost never leaves him alone." 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 "I asked your disciples to force it out, but they were not able to do it." And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.
41 Jesus responded, "You stubborn and mixed-up generation! How much longer do I have to stay here and deal with this? Bring your boy over here." And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
42 Even as the boy was walking toward Jesus, the demon slammed him down and threw him into a fit. But Jesus gave the evil spirit a sharp command, healed the boy, and handed him back to his father. 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 Everyone was astonished at God's incredible power. While the crowd was still marveling at everything Jesus had been doing, he pulled his disciples aside and said, 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 "Pay close attention to what I am about to say. The Son of man is going to be turned over to people who will do terrible things to him." Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
45 But they had no idea what he was talking about. The meaning was blocked from their understanding, and they were too scared to ask him to explain. 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.
Lessons on Greatness and Following Jesus
Study note
The disciples argue about who is greatest, and Jesus responds by placing a child beside Him, teaching that welcoming the least is welcoming God. He corrects John's attempt to stop an outsider casting out demons in Jesus' name. As Jesus sets His face toward Jerusalem, Samaritans reject Him, and three would-be followers learn the radical demands of discipleship: no guaranteed comfort, no delays for family duties, and no looking back once committed.
46 An argument broke out among the disciples over which one of them was the most important. Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
47 Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking. He brought a little child over and had the child stand right next to him. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
48 Then he said, "When you welcome a little child like this because of me, you are welcoming me. And when you welcome me, you are welcoming the One who sent me. The person who acts the most humble among you -- that is the person who is truly the greatest." 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 John spoke up, "Teacher, we saw a man driving out demons and using your name to do it. We told him to stop because he is not part of our group." 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 Jesus told him, "Do not try to stop him. If someone is not working against you, then they are on your side." And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
51 The time was getting closer for Jesus to go back to heaven. So he made up his mind to head for Jerusalem. And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
52 He sent some people ahead of him. They went into a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
53 But the villagers refused to welcome him because they could see he was on his way to Jerusalem. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
54 When James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from the sky and burn them up, like Elias did?" 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 Jesus turned around and corrected them firmly. He said, "You have no idea what kind of attitude you are showing." But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
56 "The Son of man did not come to destroy people -- he came to rescue them." So they moved on to a different village. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
57 While they were traveling down the road, someone said to Jesus, "I will go with you no matter where you go, Lord." 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 Jesus replied, "Foxes have their dens and birds have their nests, but the Son of man does not even have a place to rest his head." 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 To someone else, Jesus said, "Come be my follower." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go take care of my father's funeral." And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60 Jesus told him, "Let those who are spiritually dead handle the dead. Your job is to go out and spread the news about God's kingdom." Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61 Another person said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go home and say goodbye to my family." 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 Jesus answered, "Anyone who starts plowing but keeps looking back is not ready for God's kingdom." And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Key Themes
Themes in Luke 9
Jesus' true identity as the ChristThe necessity of the crossSelf-denial and discipleshipDivine glory and human sufferingThe cost of following JesusTrue greatness through humility
Prophetic Connections
How this chapter points to Christ
Luke 9:35 Deuteronomy 18:15
The divine command at the Transfiguration to 'listen to him' echoes Moses' prophecy that God would raise up a prophet like himself whom the people must obey.
Luke 9:31 Isaiah 53:3-5
Moses and Elijah discuss Jesus' coming 'departure' (exodus) at Jerusalem, pointing to the suffering servant prophesied by Isaiah who would bear the people's iniquities.
Apply This Today
Living Luke 9
Peter's confession is easy to repeat, but the call to carry a cross daily is where real discipleship is tested. The Transfiguration reassures us that suffering is not the final word -- glory awaits on the other side. Jesus' challenge to the three would-be followers forces us to examine our own excuses: are we truly willing to follow without conditions, without delays, and without looking back? The kingdom of God demands our full, immediate, and unconditional allegiance.
Go Deeper
Study Luke in Covenant Path
Read every chapter with study aids, bookmarks, and daily reading plans — free in the app.