Thirdmill Study Bible

Notes on Luke 9:21-28

Luke 9:21

The disciples had come to understand that Jesus is Christ. But they did not yet fully understand who the Christ is or what his ministry would be. Many people thought the Christ would be a political savior who would deliver ancient Israel from the Romans (see notes on 6:15; 23:2-5). Jesus forbade them to tell others about him until he better defined the Christ as a spiritual Savior (v. 22).

Luke 9:22

This verse describes what the Christ would be like. Jesus explained the essence of his ministry and the purpose for which he came into the world. Son of Man. A title for Jesus (see note on 5:22-24). suffer. Before he came to the cross, Jesus suffered many indignities. He was wrongly accused by his enemies (22:2; 23:1-5), betrayed by a friend (22:3-6, 47-48), blasphemed by his own people (22:63-65), abused by soldiers (23:11), and ridiculed by many (23:32-29). rejected. A legal term used for something closely inspected and found lacking. The leadership of Israel rejected Jesus as the promised Christ (22:66; 1 Pet. 2:6-8). killed. Jesus's death on the cross was the central act of his ministry. There, he died as a substitute for his people (John 10:11; 1 Pet. 3:18-20), brought forgiveness for their sin (Col. 1:13-14; Heb. 9:22), and secured their salvation (Rom. 3:21-26; Eph. 2:4-9; Col. 1:20). raised. The cross was not the final act of Jesus's ministry. As promised, Jesus was raised back to life from the dead (John 2:18-22; Acts 2:27; 1 Cor. 15:4). This vindicated his ministry (Rom. 1:4; 1 Tim. 3:16) and overcame death for his people (Rom. 8:11; Heb. 2:14-15).

Luke 9:23

deny himself. Self-denial is central to Christian discipleship (Phil. 2:3-11). Believers seek to make Christ their King above everything else, even their own desires and comfort. cross daily. The cross was a shameful instrument of death. Jesus died on a cross for his people to bring them to God (v. 22; Phil. 2:8; 1 Pet. 3:18). Symbolically, Jesus's disciples die on a cross. They do not die for salvation. They die to sin, selfishness, and safety (14:27; Acts 14:22; Gal. 2:20). This is an ongoing, even daily, mindset and activity (see Rom. 8:5-14; 12:1-2).

Luke 9:24-25

These verses help explain Jesus's previous statement (v. 23). It is foolish to trade even the whole world in this life for an eternity in hell. Yet, if a person loses his life in this world because of Jesus, he still gains eternity with God. Losing one's life means denying ourselves and following Jesus by faith. This could lead to the loss of one's life in martyrdom (see Matt. 10:28; 24:9; Acts 21:13).

Luke 9:26

ashamed. Publicly deny any connection to Jesus or his teaching. Though Jesus will be publicly rejected as the Christ (v. 22), his disciples should not reject him. Those who deny Christ in this life will be denied by him at the future judgment (12:8-9; 2 Tim. 2:11-12). Son of Man . . . glory. A reference to Jesus from Dan. 7:13-14 (see note on 5:22-24). kingdom of God. God's saving reign (see note on 4:43). before they see. The kingdom had already come into the world with Jesus (10:9; 11:20; 16:16; 17:21). However, it had not yet fully arrived. Jesus's resurrection was an important part of the kingdom's arrival (24:44-49).