Luke 9

King James Version

Full text for Luke Chapter 9

1¶ Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

3And he said unto them, ‹Take nothing for [your] journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.›

4‹And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.›

5‹And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.›

6And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

7Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;

8And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

9And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

10¶ And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.

11And the people, when they knew [it], followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

12And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.

13But he said unto them, ‹Give ye them to eat.› And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.

14For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, ‹Make them sit down by fifties in a company.›

15And they did so, and made them all sit down.

16Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

17And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

18¶ And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, ‹Whom say the people that I am?›

19They answering said, John the Baptist; but some [say], Elias; and others [say], that one of the old prophets is risen again.

20He said unto them, ‹But whom say ye that I am?› Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

21And he straitly charged them, and commanded [them] to tell no man that thing;

22Saying, ‹The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.›

23And he said to [them] all, ‹If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.›

24‹For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.›

25‹For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?›

26‹For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and [in his] Father's, and of the holy angels.›

27‹But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.›

28¶ And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

29And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment [was] white [and] glistering.

30And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

31Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

32But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

33And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

34While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

35And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

36And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept [it] close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

37¶ And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.

38And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.

39And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

40And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

41And Jesus answering said, ‹O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.›

42And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare [him]. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

43¶ And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,

44‹Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.›

45But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.

46Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

47And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

48And said unto them, ‹Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.›

49And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

50And Jesus said unto him, ‹Forbid [him] not: for he that is not against us is for us.›

51¶ And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

52And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

53And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

54And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

55But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, ‹Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.›

56‹For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save [them].› And they went to another village.

57¶ And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain [man] said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

58And Jesus said unto him, ‹Foxes have holes, and birds of the air [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay [his] head.›

59And he said unto another, ‹Follow me.› But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

60Jesus said unto him, ‹Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.›

61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

62And Jesus said unto him, ‹No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.›

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jesus empowers His twelve disciples to preach the Kingdom and heal, sending them out without provisions. Upon their return, He miraculously feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fishes. Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ of God, after which Jesus foretells His suffering and teaches on the cost of discipleship, culminating in His Transfiguration before Peter, James, and John.

Medium Summary

Jesus commissions His twelve disciples, granting them power over devils and diseases, sending them forth to preach the Kingdom of God with instructions to rely solely on divine provision. After their successful mission, Jesus withdraws with them, but the multitudes follow, leading to the miraculous feeding of five thousand men. Later, Jesus questions His disciples' understanding of His identity, prompting Peter's confession that He is the Christ of God, which Jesus immediately follows with a prophecy of His suffering, death, and resurrection. He then teaches on the necessity of self-denial and cross-bearing for true discipleship. This is followed by the Transfiguration on a mountain, where Moses and Elias appear with Him, and a voice from a cloud declares Him to be God's beloved Son. Descending, Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy whom His disciples could not cure, and continues to teach on humility and the steadfast commitment required for His followers, even as He sets His face towards Jerusalem despite Samaritan rejection.

Long Summary

The chapter begins with Jesus empowering His twelve disciples, granting them authority over all devils and the ability to cure diseases, sending them to preach the Kingdom of God and heal the sick, instructing them to take no provisions for their journey. Herod the tetrarch, hearing of these events, is perplexed, wondering if Jesus is John the Baptist risen, Elias, or an old prophet. Upon the disciples' return, Jesus withdraws with them to Bethsaida, but the crowds follow, whom He receives, teaching them and healing their infirmities. Faced with the multitude's hunger in a desert place, Jesus miraculously feeds about five thousand men with only five loaves and two fishes, with twelve baskets of fragments remaining. Later, while praying alone with His disciples, Jesus asks them about public opinion of Him, then directly asks their own belief, to which Peter declares Him to be "The Christ of God." Jesus strictly charges them not to reveal this, immediately predicting His suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection on the third day. He then calls all to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him, emphasizing that saving one's life will lead to losing it, and losing it for His sake will save it, warning against being ashamed of Him. About eight days later, Jesus takes Peter, John, and James to a mountain to pray, where He is transfigured before them, His countenance altered, and His raiment glistering white. Moses and Elias appear in glory, speaking with Him of His decease to be accomplished in Jerusalem. A cloud overshadows them, and a voice from the cloud proclaims, "This is my beloved Son: hear him." The disciples keep this vision secret. The next day, Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy whom His disciples could not cast out, rebuking the "faithless and perverse generation." He again foretells His betrayal into the hands of men, though the disciples do not understand. A dispute arises among them about who should be greatest, which Jesus addresses by setting a child among them, teaching that true greatness in His Kingdom is found in humility and in receiving the least, for the least among them shall be great. He also instructs them not to forbid others who cast out devils in His name, "for he that is not against us is for us." As the time for His ascension approaches, Jesus steadfastly sets His face to go to Jerusalem, facing rejection from a Samaritan village, and rebukes James and John for desiring to call down fire upon them. He concludes by teaching on the absolute commitment required for discipleship, stating that followers must not look back once they have committed to the Kingdom of God.

Core Concepts

  • Apostolic CommissioningJesus grants His twelve disciples power and authority over devils and diseases, sending them to preach the Kingdom of God without worldly provisions, emphasizing reliance on divine sustenance and hospitality.
  • Miraculous ProvisionJesus demonstrates His divine power by miraculously feeding approximately five thousand men with only five loaves and two fishes, with ample fragments remaining, illustrating His ability to provide abundantly.
  • Christ's Identity and SufferingPeter confesses Jesus as "The Christ of God," a truth Jesus immediately follows with the first clear prophecy of His impending suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection, which He commands them to keep secret.
  • The TransfigurationOn a mountain, Jesus' appearance is gloriously transformed before Peter, James, and John, joined by Moses and Elias, as a divine voice from a cloud declares Him to be God's beloved Son, confirming His divine nature.
  • Cost of DiscipleshipJesus teaches that following Him requires self-denial, daily cross-bearing, and a willingness to lose one's life for His sake, prioritizing the Kingdom of God above all earthly attachments and comforts.
  • Humility and ServiceJesus addresses the disciples' argument about greatness by placing a child among them, teaching that true greatness in His Kingdom is found in humility and in receiving the least, for the least among them shall be great.
  • Unwavering Commitment to JerusalemAs the time for His "reception up" approaches, Jesus resolutely sets His course for Jerusalem, demonstrating His steadfast purpose despite rejection from Samaritans and the demanding nature of His journey and mission.