Luke 9:33
Peter's request was wrong for two reasons. First, it devalued Jesus by putting him on the same level as Moses and Elijah. This is implied by his desire to build three tents. Second, his request was contrary to God's plan for Jesus to die and rise again in Jerusalem (vv. 22, 31).
Luke 9:34-35
cloud. A common symbol for God's presence (Exod. 24:15-18; 40:34-38). voice. God again affirmed Jesus's sonship (3:22). Moreover, he emphasized that Jesus was the
chosen Christ (see Ps. 2:7). Peter was urged to listen to Jesus rather than give directions to him.
listen to him. Because he is greater than even Moses and Elijah he must be listened to (Deut. 18:15; Heb. 1:1-3). Every believer should listen to Jesus through God's written word (2 Pet. 1:16-21).
Luke 9:39
spirit. A demonic spirit (v. 42).
hardly ever leaves. The demon afflicted the boy continually.
Luke 9:41
unbelieving and depraved generation. Jesus compared those there to the generation of Israel that wandered in the wilderness. They witness God's mighty acts but failed to believe (Deut. 32:4-5, 20; see 11:30-32, 50-51; 17:25).
put up with you? Jesus had just commissioned his disciples with spiritual power and authority (vv. 1-2). They should have been able to heal the boy (v. 40). His frustration came not with the disciples' inability, but their faithlessness (v. 45; 8:25).
Luke 9:43
amazed . . . marveling. The crowd's response was typical for those seeing Jesus's miracles (4:32; 8:25; 11:14). It did not indicate faith.
Luke 9:44
Jesus tried to drive home his impending death on the cross.
Son of Man. See note on 5:22-24. betrayed. One of Jesus's twelve apostles betrayed him to the Jewish leadership who opposed Jesus (v. 22; 22:1-6). See
WLC 160.
Luke 9:45
The disciples would not fully comprehend Jesus's mission until their eyes were opened by the risen Christ (24:45-47).
Luke 9:46
Ironically, just after Jesus emphasized his rejection and willingness to die for his people, the disciples argue about greatness (vv. 22, 44; Mark 10:45; Phil. 2:5-11).
Luke 9:47
knowing . . . hearts. As before (5:22), Jesus's ability to discern the hearts (thoughts) of others is a sign of his deity.
little child. Hebrew culture loved children and saw them as a gift from God (Ps. 127:3-5). However, they had no standing in the larger society. They were not considered
great in any sense.
Luke 9:48
welcomes. The rabbis in Jesus's day never gave any attention to children. Yet, Jesus welcomed children and encouraged others to do the same. How one understood the relationship between a caregiver and a child is a good indication of how they understood their relationship to God. Children can be loved but do not have the ability to do anything to deserve or repay that love. They have no wealth or influence in society. God condescended to love and care for us—people of no consequence compared to him.
least . . . great. The child in their midst became a dramatic illustration. Greatness in the kingdom is not like greatness in the world. True greatness in the eyes of God is seen when we take the lowest place, humbling ourselves (Mark 9:35).
Related Resources
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0
International License.
