Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 9

Matthew Henry Commentary

Luke 9

1662–1714
Presbyterian
Matthew Henry
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry Commentary

Luke 9

1662–1714
Presbyterian
Verses 1-9

"And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart. And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere. Now 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; and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said, John I beheaded: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him." — Luke 9:1-9 (ASV)

Christ sent His twelve disciples out, who by this time were able to teach others what they had received from the Lord. They were not to be anxious to commend themselves to people's esteem by outward appearance. They were to go as they were.

The Lord Jesus is the fountain of power and authority, to whom all creatures must, in one way or another, be subject; and if He accompanies the word of His ministers with power to deliver sinners from Satan's bondage, they may be sure that He will care for their needs. When truth and love thus go together, and yet the message of God is rejected and despised, it leaves them without excuse and turns to a testimony against them.

Herod's guilty conscience was ready to conclude that John had risen from the dead. He desired to see Jesus; and why did he not go and see Him? Probably because he thought it beneath him, or because he did not wish to have any more reprovers of sin. Delaying it now, his heart was hardened, and when he did see Jesus, he was just as prejudiced against Him as others were (Luke 23:11).

Verses 10-17

"And 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. But 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. And 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. But 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. For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each. And they did so, and made them all sit down. And 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 ate, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets." — Luke 9:10-17 (ASV)

The people followed Jesus, and though they came inopportunely, He gave them what they came for. He spoke to them of the kingdom of God. He healed those who had need of healing. And with five loaves of bread and two fish, Christ fed five thousand men.

He will not allow those who fear Him and serve Him faithfully to lack any good thing. When we receive creature-comforts, we must acknowledge that we receive them from God and that we are unworthy to receive them. We must also acknowledge that we owe them all, and all the comfort we have in them, to the mediation of Christ, by whom the curse is taken away.

The blessing of Christ will make a little go a long way. He fills every hungry soul, abundantly satisfying it with the goodness of His house. Here were fragments taken up: in our Father's house there is bread enough, and to spare. We are not restricted nor limited in Christ.

Verses 18-27

"And 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? And they answering said, John the Baptist; but others [say], Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again. And he said unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God. But he charged them, and commanded [them] to tell this to no man; saying, 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. And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self? For 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. But 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." — Luke 9:18-27 (ASV)

It is an unspeakable comfort that our Lord Jesus is God's Anointed; this signifies that he was both appointed to be the Messiah and qualified for it.

Jesus speaks about his own sufferings and death. And his disciples must be so far from thinking how to prevent his sufferings, that they must instead prepare for their own. We often meet with crosses in the way of duty; and though we must not pull them upon our own heads, yet, when they are laid for us, we must take them up and carry them after Christ.

It is well or ill with us, depending on how it is with our souls. The body cannot be happy if the soul is miserable in the other world; but the soul may be happy, though the body is greatly afflicted and oppressed in this world.

We must never be ashamed of Christ and his gospel.

Verses 28-36

"And 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. And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment [became] white [and] dazzling. And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah; who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now 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. And 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. And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him. And 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." — Luke 9:28-36 (ASV)

Christ's transfiguration was a glimpse of that glory in which He will come to judge the world and was an encouragement to His disciples to suffer for Him. Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face shine.

Our Lord Jesus, even in His transfiguration, was willing to speak about His death and sufferings. In our greatest glories on earth, let us remember that in this world we have no continuing city.

How much we need to pray to God for reviving grace, to enliven us! Yet, so that the disciples might be witnesses of this sign from heaven, after a while they awoke, so that they were able to give a full account of what happened. But those who talk about making tabernacles on earth for glorified saints in heaven do not know what they are saying.

Verses 37-42

"And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him. And behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son; for he is mine only child: and 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. And I besought thy disciples to cast it out; and they could not. And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? bring hither thy son. And 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." — Luke 9:37-42 (ASV)

How deplorable the case of this child! He was under the power of an evil spirit. Diseases of that nature are more frightful than those that arise merely from natural causes. What mischief Satan does where he gets possession!

But happy are those who have access to Christ! He can do for us what His disciples cannot. A word from Christ healed the child; and when our children recover from sickness, it is comforting to receive them as healed by the hand of Christ.

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