Luke 9

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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;

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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?

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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,

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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,

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

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

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?

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

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

What does Luke 9:55 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 9:55 is part of a larger narrative where Jesus and his disciples are traveling to Jerusalem, and they pass through a Samaritan village.

The Samaritans do not welcome them because of the ongoing hostility between Jews and Samaritans, as well as because Jesus's face was set towards Jerusalem, highlighting the religious tensions.

In response to the rejection, James and John, two of Jesus' disciples, suggest calling down fire from heaven to destroy the village.

This verse captures Jesus' rebuke of his disciples for such a violent and intolerant spirit.

On a literal level, Jesus is telling his disciples that they are behaving in a manner that is contrary to the spirit and mission he embodies, which is one of love, compassion, and forgiveness.

He rebukes the impulse to violently retaliate against those who do not welcome or accept them.

On a deeper level, Jesus is teaching about the nature of his ministry and the Kingdom of God, which stands in stark contrast to vengeance and violence.

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Luke's Gospel was written in a first-century Greco-Roman context, a time when the nascent Christian community was trying to define its identity in a world filled with various religious and cultural beliefs.

The Samaritans and Jews had a strained relationship due to differences in religious beliefs and historical disagreements.

By this point in Jesus' ministry, his followers would have been familiar with his teachings on loving enemies and non-retaliation, as well as the inclusive nature of God's grace.

The rebuke from Jesus reflects a significant moment where he reinforces that his followers should not resort to violence or seek retribution, even when faced with rejection or hostility.

This message was crucial for the formation of Christian ethics in the early church and its differentiation from other prevailing attitudes of the time.

Theological Insights

From a theological viewpoint, different traditions draw unique insights from this verse. A traditional Christian interpretation would reiterate Jesus' embodiment of divine love and mercy, and his desire for his disciples to emulate these attributes.

Many see the verse as a pivotal teaching against violence and for a radical form of pacifism. It contrasts human instinct with divine will, where humans may seek vengeance, but Jesus ministers through grace and forgiveness.

Some theologians may argue that this verse demonstrates Christ's divinity and omniscience, as he could see the hearts of his disciples and understood they were acting out of a spirit contrary to his teachings.

Others may view it as an important lesson in Christian humility and the need to refrain from judgment, even in the face of opposition.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in daily life by promoting an attitude of forgiveness rather than one of retaliation.

It teaches against acting out of anger or vengeance and encourages individuals to consider the spirit or intentions behind their actions.

It can inspire believers to show grace to those who do not share their beliefs or who may be openly hostile.

The verse also suggests exercising self-restraint in emotionally charged situations, focusing on the teachings of Jesus about love and acceptance.

In interpersonal relationships, this teaching could be reflected in being patient and understanding rather than immediate retribution when one feels wronged. In broader societal terms, this can pertain to advocating for peace and reconciliation over escalations of conflict or violence.

Cross-References

Matthew 5:44 – "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for those which despitefully use you, and persecute you;"
Romans 12:19 – "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
Ephesians 4:31-32 – "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Language Study

A key phrase in the original Greek text of this verse is "οὐκ οἴδατε ποίου πνεύματός ἐστε" (ouk oidate poiou pneumatos este).

The phrase translates directly as "you do not know of what spirit you are." The word "πνεύματος" (pneumatos), translated as "spirit," is significant and has a range of meanings including wind, breath, spirit, or emotional state.

In this context, Jesus is highlighting that the disciples' desire for retribution is not inspired by the Holy Spirit, or God's divine will, but rather a spirit of violence and vengeance.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Different ancient religions and cultures had various myths and interpretations of divine interaction, including vengeance and retribution.

In some traditions, gods would smite or punish those who did not show proper respect or hospitality.

The Samaritans themselves, who were related to the Jews but had distinct religious practices, had their own expectations of divine behavior.

In contrast, Jesus' rebuke of this attitude reflects a departure from the norm where the divine is expected to punish or destroy enemies. Instead, it depicts a higher calling to love and forgive, setting a precedent in religious teachings that value mercy over judgment.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, it does engage with psychology and human behavior.

Modern psychological studies examine how individuals and groups respond to rejection and hostility.

Research on aggression and retaliation suggests that seeking vengeance is a natural impulse rooted in our evolutionary past.

However, teachings like those found in Luke 9:55 encourage a departure from these natural inclinations towards more compassionate and socially constructive responses.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and theologians have provided interpretations of Luke 9:55.

Many emphasize the contrast Jesus makes between the disciples' violent inclinations and the peaceable kingdom he came to establish.

Some point out that this verse highlights Jesus' mission to break down barriers, even those as entrenched as the Jewish-Samaritan divide.

They also note that the rebuke serves to correct the disciples' misunderstanding of the nature of Jesus' power and authority, which is rooted in love, not in coercive force.

Commentary often acknowledges the difficulty humans have in aligning themselves with the self-sacrificial love of Christ, considering the natural human tendency towards self-defense and retribution.

Luke 9

Luke 9

What does Luke 9:55 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 9:55 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?