New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Luke 9
1
Jesus called the Twelve together. He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to heal sicknesses.
Reference
2
Then he sent them out to preach about God's kingdom and to heal those who were sick.
Reference
Kingdom
Luke 10:9
Matthew 3:2
Matthew 13:19
Matthew 24:14
Luke 9:11
Luke 10:11
Luke 16:16
Parallel theme
Mark 6:12
Mark 16:15
Luke 10:1
3
He told them, "Don't take anything for the journey. Do not take a walking stick or a bag. Do not take any bread, money or extra clothes.
Reference
5
Some people may not welcome you. If they don't, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town. This will be a witness against the people living there."
Reference
6
So the Twelve left. They went from village to village. They preached the good news and healed people everywhere.
7
Now Herod, the ruler of Galilee, heard about everything that was going on. He was bewildered, because some were saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead.
8
Others were saying that Elijah had appeared. Still others were saying that a prophet of long ago had come back to life.
Reference
9
But Herod said, "I had John's head cut off. So who is it that I hear such things about?" And he tried to see Jesus.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 23:8
10
The apostles returned. They told Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him. They went off by themselves to a town called Bethsaida.
Reference
11
But the crowds learned about it and followed Jesus. He welcomed them and spoke to them about God's kingdom. He also healed those who needed to be healed.
12
Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him. They said, "Send the crowd away. They can go to the nearby villages and countryside. There they can find food and a place to stay. There is nothing here."
Reference
13
Jesus replied, "You give them something to eat." The disciples answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish. We would have to go and buy food for all this crowd."
14
About 5,000 men were there. But Jesus said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about 50 each."
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 14:40
15
The disciples did so, and everyone sat down.
16
Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke them into pieces. Then he gave them to the disciples to set in front of the people.
Reference
Blessing
Luke 24:30
Kingdom
Matthew 14:19
Parallel theme
Matthew 15:36
Acts 27:35
Romans 14:6
John 6:11
John 6:23
Luke 22:19
17
All of them ate and were satisfied. The disciples picked up 12 baskets of leftover pieces.
Reference
18
One day Jesus was praying alone. Only his disciples were with him. He asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"
Reference
19
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist. Others say Elijah. Still others say that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life."
Reference
20
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 8:36
References Christ
John 7:41
John 4:29
Acts 9:22
Acts 17:3
Mark 8:29
John 4:42
John 1:41
John 20:31
John 11:27
21
Jesus strongly warned them not to tell this to anyone.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 16:20
22
He said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things. The elders will not accept him. The chief priests and teachers of the law will not accept him either. He must be killed and on the third day rise from the dead."
Reference
23
Then he said to all of them, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must say no to himself. He must pick up his cross every day and follow me.
Reference
24
If he wants to save his life, he will lose it. But if he loses his life for me, he will save it.
Reference
26
"Suppose you are ashamed of me and my words. The Son of Man will come in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. Then he will be ashamed of you.
Reference
Glory
Mark 8:38
Matthew 16:27
Matthew 25:31
Holy
Jude 1:14
Parallel theme
2 Timothy 2:12
Romans 1:16
Revelation 21:8
John 12:43
Revelation 20:11
2 Timothy 1:12
27
"What I'm about to tell you is true. Some who are standing here will not die before they see God's kingdom."
Reference
28
About eight days after Jesus said this, he went up on a mountain to pray. He took Peter, John and James with him.
Reference
29
As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed. His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 17:2
Revelation 20:11
Isaiah 53:2
Isaiah 33:17
Acts 6:15
Mark 16:12
John 1:14
30
Two men, Moses and Elijah,
31
appeared in shining glory. Jesus and the two of them talked together. They spoke about his coming death. He was going to die soon in Jerusalem.
Reference
32
Peter and his companions had been very sleepy. But then they became completely awake. They saw Jesus' glory and the two men standing with him.
Reference
33
As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter spoke up. "Master," he said to him, "it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters. One will be for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He didn't really know what he was saying.
34
While Jesus was speaking, a cloud appeared. It surrounded them. The disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud.
35
A voice came from the cloud. It said, "This is my Son, and I have chosen him. Listen to him."
Reference
36
When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept quiet about this. They didn't tell anyone at that time what they had seen.
Reference
References Jesus
Matthew 17:9
37
The next day Jesus and those who were with him came down from the mountain. A large crowd met Jesus.
38
A man in the crowd called out. "Teacher," he said, "I beg you to look at my son. He is my only child.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 4:47
39
A spirit takes hold of him, and he suddenly screams. It throws him into fits so that he foams at the mouth. It hardly ever leaves him. It is destroying him.
40
I begged your disciples to drive it out. But they couldn't do it."
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 9:1
41
"You unbelieving and evil people!" Jesus replied. "How long do I have to stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you?" Then he said to the man, "Bring your son here."
Reference
42
Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him into a fit. The boy fell to the ground. But Jesus ordered the evil spirit to leave the boy. Then Jesus healed him and gave him back to his father.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 7:15
43
They were all amazed at God's greatness. Everyone was wondering about all that Jesus did. Then Jesus said to his disciples,
44
"Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you. The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men."
Reference
45
But they didn't understand what this meant. That was because it was hidden from them. And they were afraid to ask Jesus about it.
Reference
46
The disciples began to argue about which one of them would be the most important person.
Reference
47
Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he took a little child and had the child stand beside him.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 16:30
Revelation 2:23
Hebrews 4:13
Psalm 139:2
Psalm 139:23
Jeremiah 17:10
References Jesus
Matthew 9:4
Luke 5:22
48
Then he spoke to them. "Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me," he said. "And anyone who welcomes me welcomes the One who sent me. The least important person among all of you is the most important."
Reference
49
"Master," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name. We tried to stop him, because he is not one of us."
51
The time grew near for Jesus to be taken up to heaven. So he made up his mind to go to Jerusalem.
Reference
52
He sent messengers on ahead. They went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him.
Reference
53
But the people there did not welcome Jesus. That was because he was heading for Jerusalem.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 4:9
54
The disciples James and John saw this. They asked, "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to destroy them?"
56
They went on to another village.
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 12:21
Matthew 20:28
John 10:10
Matthew 18:10
Luke 23:34
Luke 22:51
Salvation
John 3:17
Luke 19:10
John 12:47
1 Timothy 1:15
57
Once Jesus and those who were with him were walking along the road. A man said to Jesus, "I will follow you no matter where you go."
Reference
58
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes. Birds of the air have nests. But the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
Reference
59
He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
Reference
60
Jesus said to him, "Let dead people bury their own dead. You go and tell others about God's kingdom."
Reference
61
Still another man said, "I will follow you, Lord. But first let me go back and say good?by to my family."
Reference
Summary of Luke 9
Luke 9 marks a decisive turning point in Jesus' ministry because the Twelve are sent out, Jesus' identity as the Christ is explicitly recognized, His suffering and death are predicted, the Transfiguration reveals His glory, and Jesus begins His determined journey toward Jerusalem.
The chapter opens with Jesus giving the Twelve power and authority over demons and diseases and sending them throughout the villages to proclaim God's kingdom and heal the sick.
Their mission demonstrates that Jesus' work is no longer limited to His own direct activity, because His chosen representatives are now participating in the same proclamation and healing ministry.
Jesus instructs them to travel without extra supplies, requiring them to depend upon God and upon the hospitality of those who receive them rather than upon financial security or material preparation.
As the apostles travel, Herod Antipas hears about their work and becomes deeply confused about Jesus' identity.
Some people believe Jesus might be John the Baptist returned from the dead, while others compare Him with Elijah or another ancient prophet.
Herod remembers that he had John executed and wonders who Jesus really is, creating an important background of political tension and guilt surrounding Jesus' growing influence.
When the apostles return, Jesus takes them to the region around Bethsaida, but the crowds follow them.
Rather than sending the people away, Jesus welcomes them, teaches them about God's kingdom, and heals those who are sick.
As evening approaches, the disciples want the crowd dismissed so that people can find food and lodging, but Jesus tells them to feed the crowd themselves.
They have only five loaves and two fish, yet Jesus takes the food, gives thanks, breaks it, and distributes it through the disciples.
Approximately five thousand men are present, and everyone eats until satisfied, with twelve baskets of food remaining afterward.
The miracle demonstrates God's abundant provision and also places the disciples in the position of distributing what they themselves do not possess in sufficient quantity.
Jesus then asks the disciples who the crowds say He is, receiving answers that include John the Baptist, Elijah, and one of the ancient prophets.
When Jesus asks the disciples who they believe He is, Peter answers that He is God's Christ, making this one of the most important declarations concerning Jesus' identity in Luke's Gospel.
Yet Jesus immediately explains that His messianic mission will not be defined primarily by political power or earthly triumph, because the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and be raised on the third day.
This creates the central tension of the chapter: Jesus is the Christ, but He is a Christ who will reach His kingdom through suffering and sacrificial obedience rather than through conventional political power.
Jesus then explains that anyone who wants to follow Him must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him, presenting discipleship as a continual willingness to surrender personal ambition and security.
The reference to the cross would have been especially powerful in the first-century Roman world because crucifixion was a public and humiliating form of execution used by Roman authorities.
Jesus then asks what advantage there is in gaining the whole world while losing oneself, challenging the idea that wealth, influence, and worldly success are worthwhile if they come at the cost of one's relationship with God.
About eight days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain to pray, and while He is praying His appearance changes and His clothing becomes brilliantly white.
Moses and Elijah appear in glory and speak with Jesus about His coming "departure" in Jerusalem, linking His coming death with the larger story of God's work through Israel's Law and Prophets.
Moses is traditionally associated with the second millennium BC, while Elijah belongs to approximately the 9th century BC, making their appearance a powerful representation of the continuity between Israel's earlier revelation and Jesus' mission.
Peter suggests building three shelters, one for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, but while he is speaking a cloud appears and covers them.
A voice from the cloud declares that Jesus is God's chosen Son and commands the disciples to listen to Him, making clear that Jesus possesses a unique authority that cannot simply be placed on the same level as Moses or Elijah.
The disciples descend from the mountain and immediately encounter another desperate situation involving a boy suffering under the control of an evil spirit.
The father explains that Jesus' disciples have already tried to help but were unable to drive out the spirit.
Jesus rebukes the spirit, heals the boy, and gives him back to his father, demonstrating once again that Jesus possesses an authority that His disciples cannot exercise independently.
Immediately afterward, Jesus again tells the disciples that the Son of Man will be delivered into human hands, but they do not understand what He means and are afraid to ask Him.
Their lack of understanding becomes especially clear when they begin arguing about which of them is the greatest.
Jesus responds by placing a child beside Himself and explaining that true greatness in God's kingdom is demonstrated through humility and the willingness to welcome those who appear socially insignificant.
This teaching directly reverses the disciples' desire for status and shows that kingdom greatness is fundamentally different from worldly prominence.
John then reports that the disciples tried to stop someone who was driving out demons in Jesus' name because that person was not part of their group.
Jesus rejects this narrow attitude and tells them not to stop the person, teaching that His followers should not turn legitimate kingdom work into a competition for group control or recognition.
The final section of the chapter introduces one of Luke's most important geographical and theological transitions.
As the time approaches for Jesus to be taken up, He resolutely sets His face toward Jerusalem, beginning the journey that will eventually lead to His arrest, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.
Jesus sends messengers into a Samaritan village to prepare for Him, but the villagers refuse to welcome Him because He is traveling toward Jerusalem.
The hostility reflects the longstanding religious and social tension between Jews and Samaritans, whose competing claims concerning worship and sacred geography had created deep divisions.
James and John respond by asking whether they should call down fire from heaven and destroy the village, but Jesus rebukes them.
Their reaction demonstrates that even Jesus' closest disciples can misunderstand His mission, because the kingdom He is establishing is not advanced through revenge against those who reject Him.
Jesus simply moves on and continues toward Jerusalem.
The chapter concludes with three encounters involving potential disciples, each revealing the cost and urgency of following Jesus.
One person enthusiastically promises to follow Jesus wherever He goes, but Jesus explains that the Son of Man does not even have a permanent place to sleep, warning that discipleship cannot be reduced to a promise of comfort or security.
Another person wants to follow Jesus but asks first to bury his father, while another wants to say goodbye to his family.
Jesus responds with deliberately strong language about the urgency of proclaiming God's kingdom and concludes with the image of someone who begins plowing but keeps looking backward.
The agricultural picture communicates that discipleship requires forward-looking commitment, because someone who continually turns back cannot effectively pursue the work to which he has been called.
Historically, Luke 9 belongs approximately to AD 27–30, with Jesus' final journey toward Jerusalem eventually leading to events generally dated around AD 30–33.
The chapter contains references reaching much further back into biblical history, including Moses in the second millennium BC, Elijah in the 9th century BC, and prophetic and messianic expectations that developed throughout Israel's history.
The political background is dominated by Herod Antipas, Roman authority, Jewish religious leadership, and the complicated relationship between Jewish and Samaritan communities.
The chapter therefore combines political tension, religious expectation, miraculous activity, discipleship teaching, and prophetic fulfillment while increasingly directing the reader toward Jerusalem.
Luke 9 ultimately presents Jesus as the Christ who possesses divine authority yet deliberately chooses the path of suffering, the Son whose glory is revealed on the mountain yet whose mission leads toward Jerusalem, and the Master who calls His followers to abandon the pursuit of status, accept the cost of discipleship, extend mercy even toward opponents, and move forward with wholehearted commitment to God's kingdom.
The chapter opens with Jesus giving the Twelve power and authority over demons and diseases and sending them throughout the villages to proclaim God's kingdom and heal the sick.
Their mission demonstrates that Jesus' work is no longer limited to His own direct activity, because His chosen representatives are now participating in the same proclamation and healing ministry.
Jesus instructs them to travel without extra supplies, requiring them to depend upon God and upon the hospitality of those who receive them rather than upon financial security or material preparation.
As the apostles travel, Herod Antipas hears about their work and becomes deeply confused about Jesus' identity.
Some people believe Jesus might be John the Baptist returned from the dead, while others compare Him with Elijah or another ancient prophet.
Herod remembers that he had John executed and wonders who Jesus really is, creating an important background of political tension and guilt surrounding Jesus' growing influence.
When the apostles return, Jesus takes them to the region around Bethsaida, but the crowds follow them.
Rather than sending the people away, Jesus welcomes them, teaches them about God's kingdom, and heals those who are sick.
As evening approaches, the disciples want the crowd dismissed so that people can find food and lodging, but Jesus tells them to feed the crowd themselves.
They have only five loaves and two fish, yet Jesus takes the food, gives thanks, breaks it, and distributes it through the disciples.
Approximately five thousand men are present, and everyone eats until satisfied, with twelve baskets of food remaining afterward.
The miracle demonstrates God's abundant provision and also places the disciples in the position of distributing what they themselves do not possess in sufficient quantity.
Jesus then asks the disciples who the crowds say He is, receiving answers that include John the Baptist, Elijah, and one of the ancient prophets.
When Jesus asks the disciples who they believe He is, Peter answers that He is God's Christ, making this one of the most important declarations concerning Jesus' identity in Luke's Gospel.
Yet Jesus immediately explains that His messianic mission will not be defined primarily by political power or earthly triumph, because the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and be raised on the third day.
This creates the central tension of the chapter: Jesus is the Christ, but He is a Christ who will reach His kingdom through suffering and sacrificial obedience rather than through conventional political power.
Jesus then explains that anyone who wants to follow Him must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him, presenting discipleship as a continual willingness to surrender personal ambition and security.
The reference to the cross would have been especially powerful in the first-century Roman world because crucifixion was a public and humiliating form of execution used by Roman authorities.
Jesus then asks what advantage there is in gaining the whole world while losing oneself, challenging the idea that wealth, influence, and worldly success are worthwhile if they come at the cost of one's relationship with God.
About eight days later, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain to pray, and while He is praying His appearance changes and His clothing becomes brilliantly white.
Moses and Elijah appear in glory and speak with Jesus about His coming "departure" in Jerusalem, linking His coming death with the larger story of God's work through Israel's Law and Prophets.
Moses is traditionally associated with the second millennium BC, while Elijah belongs to approximately the 9th century BC, making their appearance a powerful representation of the continuity between Israel's earlier revelation and Jesus' mission.
Peter suggests building three shelters, one for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, but while he is speaking a cloud appears and covers them.
A voice from the cloud declares that Jesus is God's chosen Son and commands the disciples to listen to Him, making clear that Jesus possesses a unique authority that cannot simply be placed on the same level as Moses or Elijah.
The disciples descend from the mountain and immediately encounter another desperate situation involving a boy suffering under the control of an evil spirit.
The father explains that Jesus' disciples have already tried to help but were unable to drive out the spirit.
Jesus rebukes the spirit, heals the boy, and gives him back to his father, demonstrating once again that Jesus possesses an authority that His disciples cannot exercise independently.
Immediately afterward, Jesus again tells the disciples that the Son of Man will be delivered into human hands, but they do not understand what He means and are afraid to ask Him.
Their lack of understanding becomes especially clear when they begin arguing about which of them is the greatest.
Jesus responds by placing a child beside Himself and explaining that true greatness in God's kingdom is demonstrated through humility and the willingness to welcome those who appear socially insignificant.
This teaching directly reverses the disciples' desire for status and shows that kingdom greatness is fundamentally different from worldly prominence.
John then reports that the disciples tried to stop someone who was driving out demons in Jesus' name because that person was not part of their group.
Jesus rejects this narrow attitude and tells them not to stop the person, teaching that His followers should not turn legitimate kingdom work into a competition for group control or recognition.
The final section of the chapter introduces one of Luke's most important geographical and theological transitions.
As the time approaches for Jesus to be taken up, He resolutely sets His face toward Jerusalem, beginning the journey that will eventually lead to His arrest, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.
Jesus sends messengers into a Samaritan village to prepare for Him, but the villagers refuse to welcome Him because He is traveling toward Jerusalem.
The hostility reflects the longstanding religious and social tension between Jews and Samaritans, whose competing claims concerning worship and sacred geography had created deep divisions.
James and John respond by asking whether they should call down fire from heaven and destroy the village, but Jesus rebukes them.
Their reaction demonstrates that even Jesus' closest disciples can misunderstand His mission, because the kingdom He is establishing is not advanced through revenge against those who reject Him.
Jesus simply moves on and continues toward Jerusalem.
The chapter concludes with three encounters involving potential disciples, each revealing the cost and urgency of following Jesus.
One person enthusiastically promises to follow Jesus wherever He goes, but Jesus explains that the Son of Man does not even have a permanent place to sleep, warning that discipleship cannot be reduced to a promise of comfort or security.
Another person wants to follow Jesus but asks first to bury his father, while another wants to say goodbye to his family.
Jesus responds with deliberately strong language about the urgency of proclaiming God's kingdom and concludes with the image of someone who begins plowing but keeps looking backward.
The agricultural picture communicates that discipleship requires forward-looking commitment, because someone who continually turns back cannot effectively pursue the work to which he has been called.
Historically, Luke 9 belongs approximately to AD 27–30, with Jesus' final journey toward Jerusalem eventually leading to events generally dated around AD 30–33.
The chapter contains references reaching much further back into biblical history, including Moses in the second millennium BC, Elijah in the 9th century BC, and prophetic and messianic expectations that developed throughout Israel's history.
The political background is dominated by Herod Antipas, Roman authority, Jewish religious leadership, and the complicated relationship between Jewish and Samaritan communities.
The chapter therefore combines political tension, religious expectation, miraculous activity, discipleship teaching, and prophetic fulfillment while increasingly directing the reader toward Jerusalem.
Luke 9 ultimately presents Jesus as the Christ who possesses divine authority yet deliberately chooses the path of suffering, the Son whose glory is revealed on the mountain yet whose mission leads toward Jerusalem, and the Master who calls His followers to abandon the pursuit of status, accept the cost of discipleship, extend mercy even toward opponents, and move forward with wholehearted commitment to God's kingdom.