Read the Passage: Luke 9:1–26

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: Luke 9:1–26

Preaching (9:1–11)

At this juncture in His ministry, the disciples had spent more than a year being taught by Christ. Therefore, with the goal of gaining practical ministry experience, as Jesus was set to head towards Jerusalem, He dispatched His disciples, two-by-two, to serve in various ministry locations. In Luke 9:1–3 we read that as Christ sent His disciples out: (1) He gave them authority over demons and power to heal the sick; (2) He charged them to preach the kingdom of God; and (3) He instructed them not to take extra supplies on their journey. It seems that the prohibition of taking extra material goods was not meant as a timeless rule for all Christian workers (cf. Luke 22:35–38). Rather, it was designed to increase the faith of the disciples and to allow for ministry flexibility, as well as to place the burden for financing gospel work upon the larger Body of Christ (cf. Luke 9:4–6).

Luke 9:7–9 reveals that news of Jesus’ ministry eventually reached King Herod. While Luke does not narrate the events, Herod had earlier imprisoned and killed John the Baptist (cf. Matt. 14:1–12). Thus, when Herod heard about Christ’s mighty works, in his guilt, Herod concluded that Jesus was John the Baptist, resurrected (cf. Mark 6:16). This caused Herod to want to see Jesus, which he eventually would (cf. Luke 23:8–12). Luke notes that some people believed Jesus to be Elijah or one of the other Old Testament prophets. Luke 9:10–11 records that when the apostles returned, they informed Christ about their ministry endeavors. Jesus then attempted to take the disciples aside to Bethsaida, so that they could rest. Mark 6:32 reports this was because “they did not even have time to eat.” However, the crowds followed Christ and His apostles to Bethsaida.

Feeding (9:12–17)

The account of the feeding of the five thousand is recorded in Luke 9:12–17. This is one of Jesus’ most well-known miracles, and it is the only one of Christ’s 37 miracles that is recorded in all four Gospels. Recall that at Luke 9:10–11 Jesus had retreated with the disciples to Bethsaida in order to rest. Bethsaida was a small fishing village, on the edge of the wilderness, on the northeast shore of the Sea of Galilee. The populace, who were enamored with Jesus’ ministry, had followed Him into the wilderness. Although Christ graciously taught and healed many in the crowd—which likely totaled more than 20,000 people—at the end of the day, there was no food readily available. Next, in order to show the disciples that He could provide for the crowd, just as He had taken care of them (cf. Luke 9:4–5), Jesus multiplied 5 loaves and 2 fish and fed the entire crowd, with there being 12 baskets full of leftover pieces.

Teaching (9:18–26)

Earlier, in the narrative of Luke 9:8, it was reported that some people, including King Herod, believed that Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets. Now, in Luke 9:18, Jesus pointedly asked the disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” The apostles answered with the previously reported list of identities. Then, Christ asked the disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:20). Peter, serving as a spokesman for the apostles, answered, “[You are] the Christ of God” (Luke 9:21). While the phrase “Christ of God” is unique in Scripture, Peter was confessing his belief that Jesus is the promised Messiah. As He had done earlier (cf. Luke 5:14; 8:56), so again here Christ commanded the disciples to tell no one about His identity. This so-called Messianic secret, which occurs in each of the Gospels, appears to be a matter of utility, for Jesus had more ministry to accomplish.

In Luke 9:23–26, Jesus briefly comments on the true cost of discipleship—a topic He will return to with more detail at the end of this chapter (cf. Luke 9:57–62). Here in this current passage Christ teaches that His followers must be willing to deny themselves as they follow Him. Such self-denial includes things such as: obeying Jesus’ commands, serving others, suffering, and even a willingness to lay down one’s life for the sake of the gospel. It seems that Christ’s teaching here was sparked by His own claim in Luke 9:22 that He would soon suffer and die. Note Jesus’ teaching about the necessity of “taking up one’s cross” to follow Him. This is in stark contrast with many peoples’ false notion that becoming a Christian includes “laying down one’s cross” as they errantly expect God to give them physical health, material wealth, and worldly happiness as followers of Jesus.

Application Questions:

1. If, as Jesus taught, it is hard for a prophet to be received in His hometown (cf. Luke 4:24), why did He spend so much time ministering in Galilee?
2. What is the most biblically faithful way to raise funds for financial support in ministry endeavors?
3. How important is the concept of Sabbath, or other regular resting, for effective ministry? Is burning out for Christ a good ministry strategy?
4. If it was already evident to many that Jesus was the Messiah, why did He not want this fact to be broadcast by His apostles?
5. In light of Jesus’ clear teachings about the cost of true discipleship, why do heresies such as the prosperity gospel still flourish?