Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 9:51

"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," — Luke 9:51 (ASV)

Should be received up. The word here translated "received up" literally means a removal from a lower to a higher place, and here it evidently refers to the solemn ascension of Jesus to heaven. It is often used to describe that great event (see Acts 1:11, 22; Mark 16:19; 1 Timothy 3:16).

The time appointed for him to remain on the earth was about to expire, and he resolved to go to Jerusalem and die. From this we learn that Jesus made a voluntary sacrifice; that he chose to give his life for the sins of men.

Humanly speaking, had he remained in Galilee, he would have been safe. But, so that it might appear that he did not shun danger and that he was really a voluntary sacrifice—that no one had power over his life except as he was permitted (John 19:11)—he chose to put himself in the way of danger, and even to go into scenes which he knew would end in his death.

He steadfastly set his face. He determined to go to Jerusalem, or he set out resolutely. When a person goes toward an object, they may be said to set their face toward it. The expression here means only that he resolved to go, and it implies that he was not appalled by the dangers—that he was determined to brave all, and go up into the midst of his enemies—to die.