Luke 9

Who Is This?

Now 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; Luke 9:7–9

Herod and the people guess that Jesus is John or Elijah or an old prophet risen. Luke raises the question of who Jesus really is, which Peter answers a few verses later.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Luke 9:18-20 — the same rumors are repeated and Peter answers, The Christ of God
• a parallel account in Mark 6:14-16 — Mark's account of Herod's perplexity

Bread of Life

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. Luke 9:10–17

In a desert place Jesus feeds thousands with bread, as the LORD fed Israel with manna in the wilderness. The miracle points to Him as the Bread of Life, and His actions (took, blessed, brake, gave) foreshadow the sacrament.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by John 6:32-35 — after the feeding Jesus explains, I am the bread of life
• alludes to Exodus 16:15 — the manna: This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat
• alludes to 2 Kings 4:42-44 — Elisha feeds a hundred men with a few loaves and there is some left
• alludes to Luke 22:19 — he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them

The Christ of God

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek Christos, Hebrew Messiah)

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? Luke 9:18–21

Peter testifies that Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One that God promised and sent. Jesus asks every disciple the same question: whom do you say that I am?

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 16:15-17 — Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God; revealed by the Father
• a parallel account in Mark 8:29 — Thou art the Christ
• the same title in Luke 2:26 — Simeon promised he would see the Lord's Christ

Son of Man

Son of Man — in Restoration scripture, the Son of Man of Holiness, i.e. the Son of God the Father

Saying, 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. Luke 9:22

Right after Peter's testimony, Jesus foretells His own suffering, rejection, death, and Resurrection on the third day. He knew exactly what His mission would cost and chose it.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Isaiah 53:3 — He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows
• fulfilled by Luke 24:6-7 — the angels at the tomb recall these words: crucified, and the third day rise again
• interpreted by Moses 6:57 — Man of Holiness is his name, and the name of his Only Begotten is the Son of Man
• a parallel account in Mark 8:31 — Mark's account of the first Passion prophecy

Take Up the Cross and Follow Me

And 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. Luke 9:23–25

Jesus invites all to follow Him by giving up selfishness and carrying their own cross every day. Losing our life for His sake is how we truly find it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 16:24-25 — Matthew's account of the call to take up the cross
• alluded to by 3 Nephi 12:30 — it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross

Second Coming in Glory

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. Luke 9:26

Jesus prophesies that He will return in His own glory, the Father's glory, and with holy angels. How we treat Him and His words now matters on that day.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 16:27 — the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels
• the same event in Matthew 25:31 — When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him

The Transfigured Christ

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. Luke 9:28–29

On the mountain, while praying, Jesus is transfigured and His divine glory shines through. Peter, James, and John see Him as He truly is.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 17:1-2 — Matthew's account of the Transfiguration
• the same event in 2 Peter 1:16-18 — Peter: we were eyewitnesses of his majesty... in the holy mount
• alludes to Exodus 34:29 — the skin of Moses' face shone after speaking with the LORD on the mount

His Decease at Jerusalem

And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Luke 9:30–32

Moses (the law) and Elijah (the prophets) come and speak with Jesus about the death He will accomplish at Jerusalem. The Greek word for 'decease' is exodus: as Moses led Israel out of bondage, Jesus' death and Resurrection will lead all people out of bondage to sin and death.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by Luke 24:27 — beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded... the things concerning himself
• alluded to by John 1:14 — we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father
• typified by Exodus 14:30 — the LORD saved Israel that day: the Exodus deliverance as a type of His redemption

Beloved Son

While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. Luke 9:34–36

God the Father speaks from the cloud and declares Jesus His Beloved Son, commanding the Apostles to listen to Him. Then Moses and Elijah are gone and only Jesus remains: He is the one to hear.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Deuteronomy 18:15 — the Prophet like Moses: unto him ye shall hearken
• the same title in Luke 3:22 — at His baptism: Thou art my beloved Son
• the same title in Joseph Smith—History 1:17 — This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
• the same title in 3 Nephi 11:7 — Behold my Beloved Son... hear ye him
• a parallel account in Matthew 17:5 — Matthew's account of the voice from the cloud

The Mighty Power of God in Jesus

And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. Luke 9:41–43

Coming down from the mountain, Jesus casts out the spirit the disciples could not. The crowd sees in His act the mighty power of God.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 9:17-27 — Mark's fuller account of the healing of the boy

Son of Man Delivered

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. Luke 9:44–45

Even while the crowds marvel, Jesus again foretells that He will be betrayed into the hands of men. The disciples do not yet understand that His glory will come through suffering.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by Luke 22:48 — Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
• a parallel account in Mark 9:31 — Mark's account of the second Passion prophecy

Sent of the Father

And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, Luke 9:47–48

Jesus teaches that kindness to a humble child in His name is kindness to Him, and receiving Him is receiving the Father who sent Him. He always points to the Father as the one who sent Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 9:36-37 — Mark's account of the child set in their midst
• the same title in John 13:20 — he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me

Power in His Name

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. Luke 9:49–50

Devils flee when the name of Jesus is invoked. His name carries His authority and power.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 9:38-39 — no man which shall do a miracle in my name can lightly speak evil of me
• alluded to by Acts 4:12 — none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved

Setting His Face to Jerusalem

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, Luke 9:51–53

Knowing His death, Resurrection, and Ascension were near, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem where He would work out the Atonement. Isaiah had foreseen the Servant who sets His face like flint toward His suffering.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Isaiah 50:6-7 — I gave my back to the smiters... therefore have I set my face like a flint
• alludes to Malachi 3:1 — I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me
• fulfilled by Acts 1:9-11 — he was taken up; received up into heaven

Savior

And 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? Luke 9:54–56

When James and John want to call down fire on a village that rejected Him, Jesus rebukes them. His mission is to save lives, not destroy them.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Luke 19:10 — the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost
• alludes to John 3:17 — God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved
• alludes to 2 Kings 1:10 — Elijah called fire down from heaven, the precedent the disciples cite

Son of Man Without a Home

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. Luke 9:57–58

The Creator of the world had no home of His own during His ministry. Following Him means being willing to give up comfort.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Matthew 8:20 — the same saying in Matthew
• alluded to by 2 Corinthians 8:9 — though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor

Follow Me

And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Luke 9:59–62

Jesus, addressed as Lord, calls would-be disciples to follow Him without delay or looking back. Discipleship means putting Him first above every other claim.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 1 Kings 19:19-21 — Elisha at the plough asks to kiss his parents before following Elijah
• a parallel account in Matthew 8:21-22 — Let the dead bury their dead