Notes on Luke 9:4-22

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.

Luke 9:5

shake off the dust. This was a symbolic act for removing the defilement when removing from Gentile areas (see 10:11; Acts 13:51). Those towns that rejected the gospel message would be left to await God's judgment (see 10:12-15).

Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch. See note on 3:1. John . . . risen. See note on 3:18-20. perplexed. Herod was a man of immense wealth and power. But Jesus made him nervous because he was reminded his own weakness and sinfulness. Herod wanted to know more about Jesus's identity. He didn't like Jesus's preaching. He wanted to know if Jesus was a threat to him. who is this . . . ? An important question many asked (5:21; 7:20, 49; 9:18-20; 20:2; 22:67-71; 23:3, 9). It is a question that must still be answered today.

Luke 9:10-11

Jesus intended to further instruct the apostles privately after they returning from preaching and healing (vv. 2, 6). However, the crowds followed them. Despite his plans, Jesus welcomed the crowds and ministered to them (see vv. 1-2; 4:43; 8:1; Acts 1:8). Bethsaida. Since they were in an isolated place (v. 12), Luke probably intended to say that the solitary place was in the region of Bethsaida. This town is north of the Sea of Galilee (John 12:21).

Luke 9:12-13

This is similar to the Exodus in the Old Testament. After God rescued his people from Egypt, he brought them through the wilderness (Exod. 13:17-18). Though they had seen him miraculously divide the Red Sea (Exod. 14:5-31), they grumbled about not having food (Exod. 16:1-2). The disciples were like ancient Israel. They were in an isolated place in need of food (v. 12). Despite recently seeing the miraculous power of God (v. 2, 6), the apostles' faith was discouraged by the size of the crowd (v. 14). They failed to trust that God would provide for their needs.

Luke 9:14

five thousand men. Only the men were counted. If families were there, the full size of the crowd could have been 15,000 or more (figuring a wife and at least one child for each man). We know that there was at least one child there because that is where they got small amount of the bread and fish (v. 13, 16; John 6:9).

Luke 9:16-17

Jesus miraculously provided for his disciples and the crowds. Not only were they satisfied, there was some fish and bread left over. The provision isn't a simple repeat of the Exodus where each had what they needed (see note on 9:13; Exod. 16:18). The provision overflows with abundance.

Luke 9:18-22

These verses mark an important shift in the narrative of Luke. Jesus began directly instructing the disciples about his identity as the Christ. This included the nature of his work the Savior who would die for the sins of his people and rise again as King.

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