Notes on Luke 11:25-13:9

Luke 11:25

swept out and put in order. One can try to reform himself all that he wants. But unless Christ is the one bringing about the transformation, there will be no lasting salvation for him (see John 3:3, 5-6, Gal. 5:22-23; Phil. 1:6).

Luke 11:26

final condition. The state of a person on the day of judgment (see 18:8; Rom. 2:5; 2 Pet. 3:7; 1 John 4:7).

Jesus' Blessings and Judgment - Luke 11:27-13:9

The following section is marked by Jesus' contrasts between the blessed and the condemned. This difference is commonly seen in how people respond to God's word through Jesus.

Luke 11:27

The woman expressed the common mindset of the day that a woman may be great if she bears a great son. By heaping blessedness on the mother, she was heaping blessedness on the child (Jesus).

Luke 11:28

Jesus did not contradict the woman (v. 27). Instead, he pointed to the real source of Mary's greatness. Mary was like every believer who experiences the saving power of God. Namely, she was blessed because she heard God's Word kept it (see Jas. 1:22).

Luke 11:29

seeks a sign. As opposed to simply hearing God's Word and keeping it (v. 28). They wanted something to prove Jesus' authenticity. evil. Jesus said it was wicked to reject God's Word, claiming to need something else. This was especially true considering all of the signs he has already performed (healings, miracles, etc.). Their request for a sign was simply an excuse for their refusal to repent before Jesus. sign of Jonah. See v. 30.

Luke 11:30

Jonah. An Old Testament prophet in Israel who was called to preach repentance to Gentiles (Jon. 1:1-2). Ninevites. People of Ninevah, the capital city of ancient Assyria. sign. At first, Jonah disobeyed God's call (Jon. 1:3-6). This resulted in him being cast off a boat into the sea during a storm (Jon. 1:7-16). God graciously and miraculously sent a great fish to swallow and rescue him from drowning (Jon. 1:17–2:10). After three days and three nights in the fish, Jonah was vomited onto dry land and answered God's call to preach to Ninevah (Jon. 1:17; 2:10–3:5). Jonah's rescue by the fish was a sign of repentance (Jon. 3:6-10). Son of Man. In the same way Jonah was in the fish for three days, so Jesus would be in the grave three days, then he would rise again (9:22; 18:33; Acts 10:39-40). This would be a sign for the people which authenticated his ministry (Matt. 12:40).

Luke 11:31

Queen of the South. The Queen of Sheba (modern Yemen) who visited King Solomon in Israel (1 Kgs. 10:1-13). She traveled far to encounter Solomon's wisdom and left praising God (1 Kgs. 10:9). judgment . . . condemn. On the last day, she will be witness against the Jews. She was a Gentile who praised God because of Solomon. Yet, Jesus is greater than Solomon. The Jews should have believed him.

Luke 11:32

men of Nineveh. See note on v. 30. Like the Queen of Sheba (v. 31), these Gentiles will be witnesses against ancient Israel at the judgment. They repented with sackcloth and ashes at Jonah's preaching (Jon. 3:6-9). The Jews should have repented at the preaching of Jesus who is greater than Jonah.

Luke 11:33

God's word is like a lamp which gives light (Ps. 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:19). Jesus preached it everywhere, all the time. God's word is meant to be proclaimed, giving light to the whole world.

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