I. The Healing of a Boy with an Evil Spirit (37-45)
* This illustration titled "Jesus Casts the Spirit from the Lunatic" is from a book by Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712 now in public domain. The book's title is "De schriftuurlyke geschiedenissen en gelykenissen van het Oude en Nieuwe Verbond / Vertoonende drie honderd zeven en dertig konstige figuuren ; verrykt met bybelse verklaaringen en stichtelyke verzen, door Joannes Luiken, met het leven van den dichter
This woodcut illustrate Jesus healing a spirit-possessed child who is rolling around on the ground before him. The multi-peaked mountain in behind him.
The Dutch artist and poet Johannes Luyken drew and etched this emblem and wrote the accompanying poem. Mark 9:17-27 is cited on top. Luke 9:42 is cited at the bottom.
Courtesy of the Digital Image Archive, Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology, Emory University: http://www.pitts.emory.edu.
>1. What problem was Jesus confronted with upon coming down from the mountain were he had been transformed? (37-40)
* Luke 9:37-40 "The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. A man in the crowd called out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not."
* This event is also recorded in Matthew 17:14-23 and Mark 9:14-32. John does not record this event.
* "The next day, when they came down from the mountain" -The traverse up the mountain took a day. Jesus' transfiguration took while he was praying at night while the disciples were trying to sleep. At daybreak they went down the mountain. Mount Hermon being 9,232 feet (2,814 meters) high would have taken several hours to traverse.
* "a large crowd met him"-They were waiting for him.
* "A man in the crowd" -Since Jesus wasn't there in the morning and not knowing where Jesus was, the disciples that did not go up the mountain tried unsuccessfully tried to cast the evil spirit out.
* "spirit" -An unclean (unholy) spirit. At one time all demons were like the angels. However, they rebelled against God. Thus, they became unclean. Sin is described as being dirty and unholy.
>What can be learned from Jesus' response? (41-43)
* Luke 9:41-43 "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here." Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples,"
* "unbelieving" -Faith in Jesus is the key. This statement was directed at the disciples lack of faith.
* "perverse" -Obstinately persisting in an error or a fault; wrongly self-willed or stubborn in sin and unbelief. This was directed at the crowd, more specifically the teachers of the law. Mark 9:1 records that the teachers of the law were arguing with Jesus' disciples when he can down the mountain.
* Later, privately when they were on their way to Capernaum (Matthew 17:19, 22) the disciples asked why they could not drive the demon out. Jesus told them, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'" (Matthew 17:20-21)
* Hebrews 11:1-2 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for."
* Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
* Jesus and three of his apostles came down the mountain after Jesus was transfigured to find a large crowd, confusion, and arguing. (Mark 9:14-15) The commotion centered around a father who wanted Jesus to drive an evil (unclean) spirit out of his boy.
The signs of demon possession in the New Testament include: speechlessness (Matthew 9:33); deafness (Mark 9:25); blindness (Matthew 12:22); fierceness (Matthew. 8:28); unusual strength (Mark 5:4); convulsions (Mark 1:26); and foaming at the mouth (Luke 9:39). Most of the New Testament references to demon possession appear in the Gospels and represent the outburst of satanic opposition to God's work in and through Christ. The gospel writers made clear distinctions between diseases and the work of demons in and through a person. (Matthew 4:23-24)
The nine apostles who did not go up the mountain could not drive the unclean spirit out (40). Interesting because a short while before when Jesus sent all twelve apostles out they could. (9:1-2, 6; Mark 6:7, 13; Matthew 10:1, 8.) To them Jesus said, "O unbelieving and perverse generation how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here." (Matthew 17:19-21; Mark 9:28-29)
Considering my own faith, or rather lack of faith, I am ashamed. I know and accept all the Bible says and enjoy exploring its great riches. I commune with God in prayer and meditation. I meet with fellow believers regularly. Yet, on a day-to-day basis, when life comes at me like a manic, I am no different than the nine apostles. Lord, put up with me as I seek today to apply faith.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 9:37-41.
>2. What did Jesus tell them, comparing it to what he had told them only around two weeks earlier? (22, 44)
* Luke 9:44 "Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men."
* Luke 9:22 and Mark 8:32 records Jesus saying this first time which was right after Peter's confession that he is the Christ. Mark doesn't quote Jesus. He only comments Jesus told them. Luke does. "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
* Matthew 17:22, Mark 9:31, and Luke 9:44 records Jesus telling this to the disciples the second time which was right after he came down from the mountain where he was transformed before Peter, James, and John.
* "Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you" -Jesus was telling them to think about it until they understand and accept it because they didn't the first time.
* The second time Jesus again was specific.
>What is interesting about their response this time?
* Luke 9:45 "But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it."
* Matthew 17:23b adds, "Matthew 17:23 "They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life." And the disciples were filled with grief."
* "But they did not understand what this meant." -Their ears heard, but their brain could not determine it's meaning. The fact that they were filled with grief as Matthew states, but Luke does not, indicates that they knew Jesus was saying he was about to die in Jerusalem. So, what they did not understand was what his death made possible.
* "It was hidden from them" -Luke does not say who hide it. Perhaps God did, as some say. If God hid it, then Jesus was telling them now so they would know after his death that he knew what was about to happen to him and he willfully went to Jerusalem anyway. Or perhaps and most likely is that Satan hid it from them through the false teachings of the religious leaders.
* "so that they did not grasp it" -They could not comprehend what Jesus death meant and why he was telling them this.
* "they were afraid to ask him about it" -Fear of looking like a fool considering that he just rebuked the nine for their lack of faith.
* Adam Clarke wrote concerning Mark 9:32, the parallel passage, "This whole verse is missing in two manuscripts, in the first edition of Erasmus, and in that of Aldus. Mill approves of the omission. It does not appear likely, from Matthew's account, that three of the disciples, Peter, James, and John, could be ignorant of the reasons of Christ's death and resurrection, after the transfiguration; on the contrary, from the circumstances there related, it is very probable that from that time they must have had at least a general understanding of this important subject; but the other nine might have been ignorant of this matter, who were not present at the transfiguration; probably it is of these that the evangelist speaks here." (Adam Clarke's Commentary.)
* Jesus rebuked the evil (unclean, unholy) spirit. Jesus has authority over unholy demons because he is the ultimate power. Evil spirits fear his power. They leave when he says, "Leave" (Zechariah 3:2; Mark 1:25; Luke 4:25, 39; Jude 1:9). Luke states that the boy was healed. Jesus gave the boy back to his father. The people marveled at Jesus' power and authority for the boy was cured.
While the people were distracted by amazement at Jesus' power, Jesus pulled his disciples aside and told them, "Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men." This was the second time Jesus told them (Luke 9:22), only this time he added, "Listen carefully..." Again, they did not understand for they did not consider it the first time they heard it. "In one ear and out the other," as the old saying goes.
If the disciples had thought about what Jesus was saying at this miracle, they would have learned that Jesus could easily stop his suffering and crucifixion from happening. This would have saved them from confusion and humiliation when it happened.
When Jesus was arrested by the temple guards Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant, probably a boy. Jesus did not command an army of angels to fight for him. He did not command his disciples to fight for him. Instead, Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" (John 18:11) Listen to Jesus today and not be ashamed tomorrow.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 9:42-45.
II. Who Would Be the Greatest (46-48)
>3. What argument arose among the disciples?
* Luke 9:46 "An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest."
* The disciples argument and Jesus' rebuke is also recorded in Matthew 18:1-9 and Mark 9:33-37. John does not record this argument.
* "An argument" -They often were arguing about this subject. (Matthew 18:1-9, Mark 9:33-50)
>What does this argument reveal about the hopes and aspirations of the disciples?
* Adam Clarke wrote, "Could these disciples have viewed the kingdom of Christ in any other light than that of a temporal one? Hence they wished to know whom he would make his prime minister-whom his general-whom his chief chancellor-whom supreme judge, etc., etc. Is it he who first became thy disciple, or he who is thy nearest relative, or he who has most frequently entertained thee, or he who is the oldest, merely as to years? Could this inquiry have proceeded from any but the nine disciples who had not witnessed our Lord's transfiguration? Peter, James, and John, were surely more spiritual in their views! And yet how soon did even these forget that his kingdom was not of this world! See Mark 10:35, etc.; John 18:10, etc. The disciples having lately seen the keys delivered to Peter, and found that he, with James and John, had been privileged with being present at the transfiguration, it is no wonder if a measure of jealousy and suspicion began to work in their minds. From this inquiry we may also learn, that the disciples had no notion of Peter's supremacy; nor did they understand, as the Roman Catholics will have it, that Christ had constituted him their head, either by the conversation mentioned Matthew 16:18, 19, or by the act mentioned in the conclusion of the preceding chapter. Had they thought that any such superiority had been designed, their present question must have been extremely impertinent. Let this be observed."
* Their comprehension of "The Kingdom of God", or as Matthew referred to it "The Kingdom of Heaven" what that it was the same as earthly kingdoms. This is similar to Israel during Samuel's time who did not like the political structure of Israel during the time of Judges. They told Samuel that they wanted Israel to be like all the other kingdoms of the world.
* Many churches are structured more like businesses and countries too.
>4. How did Jesus teach them about true greatness? (47-48)
* Luke 9:47-48 "Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest."
* Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary says, "From Matthew 18:1 we should infer that the subject was introduced, not by our Lord, but by the disciples themselves, who came and asked Jesus who should be greatest. Perhaps one or two of them first referred the matter to Jesus, who put them off till they should all be assembled together at Capernaum. He had all the while "perceived the thought of their heart" (Lk 9:47); but now that they were all together "in the house," He questions them about it, and they are put to the blush, conscious of the temper towards each other which it had kindled. This raised the whole question afresh, and at this point our Evangelist takes it up. The subject was suggested by the recent announcement of the Kingdom (Mt 16:19-28), the transfiguration of their Master, and especially the preference given to three of them at that scene."
* He does not teach them humility. Rather, acceptance of everyone, whether of lowly stature or not.
>What does it mean to welcome a child?
* "took a little child and had him stand beside him" -Old enough to obey. Old enough to stand beside him. More than a toddler, but less than an adolescent (teenager).
* "welcomes" -"Dechomai" in the original Greek meaning "receive", "take", and "accept".
* The disciples eagerness for greatness, authority, and power caused them to put down others. Such is the way of the world; promote self no matter what happens to everyone else.
>To do it in Jesus' name?
* "in my name welcomes me"
* "whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me"
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>How did the disciples' idea of greatness differ from Jesus'?
* "For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest."
* The disciples were presumptuously proud. They argued about who was the greatest among them (46; Mark 9:33-35). The argument came from their pride and ambitions. Pride is an arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment caused by a high opinion of oneself; our skills, accomplishments, state, possessions, or position. Pride is easier to recognize than define, easier to recognize in others than oneself.
Many biblical words describe this concept, each with its own emphasis. Some of the synonyms for pride include arrogance, presumption, conceit, self-satisfaction, boasting, and high-mindedness. It is the opposite of humility, the proper attitude one should have in relation to God. Pride is rebellion against God because it attributes to self the honor and glory due to God alone.
Jesus knew the disciples' thoughts and hearts (47). Jesus does not want his disciples to be proud. So, he teaches me with a simple illustration with a child. "Then he said to them, 'Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all--he is the greatest.'" Humility is the opposite of pride.
Proverbs 11:2 states, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." And Proverbs 22:4 promises, "Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life."
Listen to the above comments on Luke 9:46-48.
III. Sons of Thunder, James and John (49-56)
* The 1904 print by Providence Lithograph Co. is now in public domain. Luke 9:51-52 is cited while Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey is the image.
>5. Why did John stop the man who was driving out demons in Jesus' name?
* Luke 9:49 ""Master," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us."
* This is also in Mark 9:38-41.
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>What does this show about him?
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>How was Jesus' idea different?
* Luke 9:50 "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "for whoever is not against you is for you."
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* Jesus' teaching here is related to the former concerning the disciples' pride. The Twelve were more exclusive than Jesus. Jesus' disciples wanted to stop a man who they believed was practicing faith without Jesus' official license and authority. He was not "one of them." They were greater, and he was lesser, was the thought that drove the disciples to want to stop him. Happily, they asked Jesus before they stopped him.
Jesus told his disciples to not stop the man who was driving out demons in Jesus' name. Then he gave them a brief lesson. "Whoever is not against you is for you." Jesus contrasted the opposition the religious leaders were giving them because they were not taught by one of them to their request to stop the man acting in Jesus' name because he was not one of them. The disciples' hearts were fermenting the yeast of the religious leaders.
Institutionalized religious education has its benefits. However, it has just as many inherited problems and even hindrances to the spread of the gospel. Silo-authority mentality and niche-group practices can be more harmful to a believer than the threat of world mentality. Neither Jesus, John the Baptist, many of the prophets, and even the Twelve went to the equivalent of a seminary school in their time.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 9:49-50.
>6. Why was Jesus resolute to get to Jerusalem? (22, 44, 51)
* Luke 9:51 "As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem."
* Luke 9:22 "And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life."
* Luke 9:44 "Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men."
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* Luke records in verse 51, "As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem." Luke marks time so the reader will relate to Jesus and the disciple's mindset and heart. The two were very different. Jesus would leave and the disciples were not ready. For me to relate I need to understand what was happening at this time.
Luke uniquely records the events in verses 51-56 and many that follow, up to Luke 18:14. The unique accounts are mostly parables. The three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) simultaneously record many prior events; Jesus sending out the twelve, feeding the 5,000, Peter's confession, Jesus' transfiguration, healing a boy with an evil spirit, and the disciple's argument about who is the greatest. Then Luke records unique events until the Synoptic Gospels record the same event again, people bringing little children to Jesus (Luke 18:15, Matthew 19:13, and Mark 10:13).
The events only recorded in Luke records Jesus' trip from Galilee to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication (aka Hanukkah and The Festival of Lights). The festival is in December (winter in Palestine). John 10:22-39 records some of Jesus' activities during the festival in Jerusalem. After Hanukkah Jesus stayed across the Jordan far east Judea (perhaps Perea), not near Jerusalem. (John 10:40-42)
Luke 13:22 is the start of Jesus' final trip to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover, which is in the spring. Matthew 20:17 and Mark 10:1 also record the start of this final journey. When he started is not clear and where he started is not clear but might be somewhere in the south of Galilee and north of Samaria (Luke 17:11). Jesus' passion would be during the coming Passover, around four months from 9:51. Twice already Jesus told them what would come to pass. They did not understand Jesus. They held onto the false teachings about the Messiah taught by the religious leaders. They were not ready. They were about to be surprised, frightened, and crushed. They did not listen to Jesus. How many now have a wrong understanding of Jesus' second coming?
Listen to the above comments on Luke 9:51.
>Why did the Samaritans not welcome Jesus? (52-53)
* Luke 9:52-53 "And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem."
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>How did James and John react?
* Luke 9:54 "When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?"
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>What does this event show about them?
* Samaria was a region sandwiched between Judea to the south and Galilee to the north. Perea was the eastern neighbor on the other side of the Jordan River and The Mediterranean Sea was its western shore.
The people of Samaria and the Jews had dissension since the time of King Solomon (John 4). The Jewish return from Babylon centuries later did not change the discord caused by social and religious differences. The disciples were no different than their fellow Jews.
Jesus however was different. Jesus did not exclude the Samaritans from his ministry during, as he called it, "The year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:19) As Jesus headed south from Mount Herman to Jerusalem he decided to pass through Samaria as he had done at least one time earlier. Jesus sent messengers on ahead to get things ready for him. At this time a crowd was following him (52).
The Samaritans in this village knew that the band of Jews preparing to stay in their town were going to The Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah, The Feast of Lights). The old differences of religious opinions arose mostly stemming from the fact that when Jews returned from Babylon centuries earlier excluded the Samaritans from helping in the rebuilding of the Temple. They did not welcome Jesus.
The Apostles James and John were fiery fellows. They asked Jesus if they could use their God-given power "to call fire down from heaven to destroy them." (54) Elijah, the ancient prophet who lived in this area had done this (2 Kings 1:9-16). Luke records that Jesus rebuked them. This is probably how these two disciples were given the name "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17).
I learn two things. First, to use God's given gifts as he intends them to be used, not for personal vendettas. Second, to be open-hearted and help those working in God's mission field.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 9:52-56.
>Why did Jesus rebuke them?
* Luke 9:55-56 "But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village."
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IV. The Cost of Following Jesus (57-62)
>7. What did Jesus teach the man who volunteered to follow him anywhere?
* Luke 9:57-58 "As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
* These statements are also recorded in Matthew 8:18-22. Either Luke does not follow chronological order or Jesus said this more than once.
* "As they were walking along the road" -Jesus was passing through Samaria to Jerusalem for the feast of Dedication (Hanukkah, Feast of Lights).
* "a man said to him" -If this is the same event as Matthew 8:19, then the person was a teacher of the law. However, I do not believe it was the same event. Many people were wanting to follow Jesus. Jesus had several saying to tell them they will be on the road and will seldom be able to be in comfort and live a "normal" life.
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>What do you think Jesus perceived as this man's spiritual problem?
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>8. When Jesus invited another man to follow him how did he respond?
* Luke 9:59 "He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
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>What was wrong with his priorities?
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>What either/or choice did Jesus give him?
* Luke 9:60 "Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
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>What does this mean to us?
* When people hear the good news, they either quickly reject it, accept it superficially, conditionally, or wholeheartedly and absolutely. Jesus' parable of the soil types is meant to help those who follow him understand this and be prepared (Matthew 13, Mark 4).
Luke 14:25-34 records that Jesus will tell the crowds who follow him to Jerusalem short allegories concerning deciding to follow him. He concludes with, "...any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27, 33)
The first man publicly decided to follow Jesus wherever he would go. Jesus' allegories of foxes and birds having homes and he does not are meant to tell the man that he must leave everything, expect not to return, and expect to live in uncomfortable and unpleasant places.
The second man Jesus invited to follow him. The man wanted to delay because he wanted to "bury his father". It is unlikely his father had just died because he would have been too occupied with funeral preparations to see Jesus. Most likely he believed his father would die soon and he wanted to delay following Jesus till his father passed. Commonly, death is impossible to predict. It could have been years.
Jesus's reply would be a stunning instruction to his fellow Jews, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Most in Jesus' day considered burying their parents a commandment of the Law of Moses. Jesus told him that the spiritually dead could bury the physically dead, and the spiritually alive should preach the kingdom of God.
The third man publicly declared that he wanted to follow Jesus. Jesus' answer is simple. As soon as I decide I am to be ready to work. The allegory of the plow reminds of Elisha being called by Elijah to follow him (1 Kings 19:19-20). Understand and be prepared mentally.
Listen to the above comments on Luke 9:57-62.
>9. What did Jesus teach the man who wanted to go back to say good-bye to his family?
* Luke 9:61-62 "Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
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>What did this man have to overcome to be fit for the kingdom of God?
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>10. Considering Jesus responses in this study can you see his heart desire? (Heb. 12:2-3)
* Hebrews 12:2-3 "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
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>What does it cost to be a Jesus' disciple? (Rom. 12:1-2)
* Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
