Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 9:54

"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?" — Luke 9:54 (ASV)

And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, even as Elias did?

James and John, two of the most loving of Christ's disciples, John the most loving of all, startle us all by failing in the matter of love, and so being as bad as the Samaritans themselves.

I have often noticed that very "liberal minded" people, who denounce bigotry in general, do it with about seven times as much bigotry as those who are out-and-out bigots. In fact, it is a wonderfully easy thing to be a bigot against all bigotry, and to be illiberal towards everybody except fellow-liberals.

Well, that is a pity; it is far better to have the spirit of Christ, even when the Samaritans refuse to exercise hospitality. At any rate, let them live.

You notice that John quotes the example of Elijah; and this should teach us that the best men mentioned in Scripture did things which we may not copy, and that they did some things rightly which it would be wrong for us to do.

Under special inspiration of God, Elijah, the prophet of fire, could call down fire from heaven; but you and I must not do so. We are not sent for any such purpose. Let us, therefore, be cautious about how we make even prophets our exemplars in everything.