Luke Chapter 9

New Testament Gospel 62 Verses

What is Luke 9 about?

The most detailed Gospel — Jesus as the Son of Man, with special emphasis on the poor, women, prayer, and the Holy Spirit. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
2And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
3And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.
4And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart.
5And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
6And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.
7Now 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;
8and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.
9And Herod said, John I beheaded: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.
10And 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.
11But 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.
12And 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.
13But 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.
14For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.
15And they did so, and made them all sit down.
16And 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.
17And they ate, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.
18And 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?
19And they answering said, John the Baptist; but others [say], Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
20And he said unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
21But he charged them, and commanded [them] to tell this to no man;
22saying, 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.
23And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self?
26For 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.
27But 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.
28And 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.
29And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment [became] white [and] dazzling.
30And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah;
31who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
32Now 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.
33And 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.
34And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
35And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him.
36And 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.
37And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him.
38And behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son; for he is mine only child:
39and 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.
40And I besought thy disciples to cast it out; and they could not.
41And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? bring hither thy son.
42And 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.
43And 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,
44Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men.
45But 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.
46And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest.
47But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side,
48and 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.
49And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us.
50But Jesus said unto him, Forbid [him] not: for he that is not against you is for you.
51And 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,
52and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
53And they did not receive him, because his face was [as though he were] going to Jerusalem.
54And 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?
55But he turned, and rebuked them.
56And they went to another village.
57And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58And 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.
59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.
61And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.
62But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Then he called his twelve disciples together, etc.] The Persic version reads, “all his twelve disciples”, the other nine, besides the three that were with him, when he raised Jairus's daughter, recorded in the foregoing chapter; the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read, “the twelve apostles”, for so Christ had named his disciples; (See Gill on “<400613>Matthew 6:13”). The Syriac version only reads, “his own twelve”; and this is agreeably to Luke's way of speaking; (see <420801>Luke 8:1, 9:12). And gave them power and authority over all devils; that is, all kinds of devils, particularly to cast them…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“MISSION OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES. (Luk 9:1-6) power and authority--He both qualified and authorized them.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“See the notes at Matthew 10:1-14. See the notes at Matthew 10:1-14. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Mat 10:1; Mar 6:7. Luke 9:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“9:1-6 Jesus now sent his twelve disciples to announce the Kingdom of God and demonstrate its authority by casting out demons and healing the sick. Jesus was training them to carry on his work after he was gone.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“he: Luk 6:13-16; Mat 10:2-5; Mar 3:13-19, Mar 6:7-13 gave: Luk 10:19; Mat 10:1, Mat 16:19; Mar 6:7, Mar 16:17, Mar 16:18; Joh 14:12; Act 1:8, Act 3:16; Act 4:30, Act 9:34 Luke 9:2”
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