Notes on Luke 8:50-9:50

Luke 8:50

Jesus comforted Jairus and encouraged him to believe.

Luke 8:51

Peter and John and James. Three disciples who emerged as a smaller group of important leaders among the apostles (see 9:28).

Luke 8:52-53

The crowd believed that Jesus could heal the girl (vv. 40-42, 49). But they did not understand the power of Jesus even over death.

Luke 8:54

Touching a dead body made one ceremonially unclean (Num. 19:11). But, Jesus's holy power and authority reversed the direction of purification (5:13; 7:14-15). Jesus's touch sanctified and restored life.

Luke 8:55

spirit returned. A person's spirit continues to exist after death (see Luke 23:46; Acts 7:59). At the command of Jesus, the girl's spirit returned to her body (see 1 Kgs 17:21-22). rose up . . . eat. Obvious evidence of the girl's restored life.

Luke 8:56

Jesus's instruction was very different from what he told the Gerasene man (v. 39). The man possessed by demons was in a Gentile area. This little girl lived in the Jewish area of Galilee. Many Jews had wrong ideas about the Christ's ministry. The miracles were signs meant to point to spiritual truths (11:14-23; Acts 2:22-36). He told the parents to tell no one so the people better listen to his gospel preaching. This would allow them to understand Jesus's life and ministry as the Christ.

Preparation of the Twelve Apostles - Luke 9:1-50

Jesus sent the twelve apostles out to engage in ministry. After they returned, he continued to instruct them and engage in ministry with them.

Luke 9:1

the twelve. The twelve apostles. See note on 6:13. power and authority. Power is the ability to do something while authority is the right to do something. demons . . . diseases. Before this only Christ had the power and authority to cast out demons and heal. Here he extended that to the disciples. This was empowerment for their ministry (v. 2).

Luke 9:2

kingdom of God. Like Jesus, the apostles were sent to preach the kingdom of God. It was about the spiritual reign of God over his people (see note on 4:43), a reign that would impact all areas of life, including religious, political and family life. The apostles did not bring about the kingdom. They announced that God was bringing the kingdom in Christ. It could only be entered by faith (Mark 1:15). heal. The apostles healed the sick to authenticate their message and show the presence of God's kingdom (4:16-19).

Luke 9:3

Jesus's instructions emphasized the apostle's dependence on God for their needs (see 12:22-31). This is similar to the instructions given to Israel for the first Passover (Exod. 12:11). Israel needed to be ready to leave once the final plague fell on Egypt. There was urgency to their preparation. Likewise, there is urgency to the apostles' mission. They spread an important message in a short time.

Luke 9:4

God used the hospitality of believers to provide for the apostles on their mission. But they were not gaining profit for themselves. They stayed only until it was time to move on to another town.

Luke 9:5-6

peace. The reason for the mission's urgency (v. 4). The disciple's preaching would be peace with God to those who accept it. person of peace. One who accepts the message of the kingdom. return. The blessing (v. 5) would be nullified for those who are not men of peace.

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