Luke 9 – The Mission of the Twelve and the Call to Follow Christ
Luke 9 is a pivotal turning point in the gospel. Jesus sends out His disciples, feeds thousands, reveals His glory on the mountaintop, and begins the journey to Jerusalem. It’s a chapter of power and glory—but also of sacrifice.
Called to Carry the Cross
This chapter balances the awe of miracles with the challenge of commitment. Jesus equips, empowers, and then corrects. From spiritual highs to moments of rebuke, Luke 9 reminds us that the way of Christ is not popularity—but purpose.
✔ The twelve are sent to heal and preach.
✔ Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish.
✔ Peter declares Jesus is the Christ.
✔ Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John.
✔ He foretells His death and calls us to carry the cross.
📖 Luke 9:23 – “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 is a shift from revelation to response—will we follow the Christ of miracles or the Christ of the cross?
Luke Chapter 9 - Overview
Luke 9:1–17 – Power and Provision
📖 Luke 9:2 – “And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.”
🔎 The disciples are empowered with both word and deed. Kingdom ministry is never just talk—it’s truth with compassion and action.
📖 Luke 9:3 – “And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.”
🔎 Radical dependence was part of the training. Ministry isn’t built on comfort but trust.
📖 Luke 9:13–14 – “But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes… For they were about five thousand men.”
🔎 Jesus tests their faith. He invites them to see beyond scarcity and into the realm of divine possibility. What seems impossible in human hands becomes abundant when surrendered to Christ. The disciples had facts—five loaves, two fish, and thousands to feed—but Jesus had compassion and power. He doesn’t just solve the problem; He involves them in the miracle, teaching that ministry isn’t about having enough, but trusting the One who is enough. When we bring our little to Jesus, He multiplies it beyond what we can imagine.
📖 Luke 9:16–17 – “Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes… and blessed them… And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.”
🔎 God’s provision exceeds the need. He satisfies fully and leaves overflow—one basket for each disciple. This detail is more than logistical—it’s symbolic. Each disciple walks away holding tangible evidence of God’s abundance. It’s a reminder that when we serve others in faith, we too are fed. The twelve baskets mirror the twelve tribes of Israel, pointing to God’s faithfulness to His covenant people. His provision isn’t just enough—it’s perfect, personal, and prophetic.
Luke 9:18–27 – The True Christ and the True Cost
📖 Luke 9:20 – “He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.”
🔎 The pivotal question. Jesus presses past public opinion to personal conviction. Knowing who Christ is changes everything.
📖 Luke 9:22 – “The Son of man must suffer many things… and be rejected… and be slain, and be raised the third day.”
🔎 Peter sees the crown—but Jesus reveals the cross. True Messiahship includes suffering, death, and victory through resurrection.
📖 Luke 9:23 – “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
🔎 This is not a one-time decision—but daily surrender. The call to follow Christ is a call to die to self. The cross isn’t merely symbolic—it represents death, shame, and suffering. Jesus calls us to lay down our ambitions, pride, and comfort every single day. Following Him means choosing obedience over ease, truth over popularity, and faith over fear. It means putting God’s will above our own, even when it’s costly. Each morning presents a fresh choice: will we carry our cross, or cling to our own way?
📖 Luke 9:24 – “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.”
🔎 The paradox of the kingdom: losing is winning. Self-preservation leads to loss, but surrender leads to eternal life.
Luke 9:28–36 – The Mount of Transfiguration
📖 Luke 9:29–30 – “And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias.”
🔎 Jesus is glorified in prayer. Heaven opens as Moses (the law) and Elijah (the prophets) appear—testifying that Christ is the fulfillment of both.
📖 Luke 9:35 – “And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.”
🔎 The Father’s voice affirms Jesus’ divine identity. Above all voices—even Moses and Elijah—we are to listen to Christ.
Luke 9:37–45 – Healing and Hidden Truths
📖 Luke 9:42–43 – “And 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 they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.”
🔎 From the glory of the mountain to the chaos of the valley, Jesus proves His power over darkness. The mission isn’t to stay on the mount—but to heal the broken below.
📖 Luke 9:44 – “Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.”
🔎 He reminds them again—victory will come through apparent defeat. Glory follows suffering.
Luke 9:46–62 – Kingdom Culture and Costly Commitment
📖 Luke 9:48 – “Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me… for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.”
🔎 Greatness in the kingdom is not measured by rank—but by humility. Jesus redefines leadership as lowliness.
📖 Luke 9:49–50 – “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. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.”
🔎 John’s concern reflects a natural tendency toward exclusivity—assuming that those outside our group can’t truly represent Christ. But Jesus teaches otherwise. The kingdom is bigger than any single circle of disciples. Unity matters more than uniformity. If someone is casting out demons in Jesus’ name, they are advancing God’s kingdom—even if they don’t walk in step with us. This moment challenges our pride and calls us to discern fruit, not just fellowship.
📖 Luke 9:58 – “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
🔎 Following Jesus means embracing discomfort. He promises no earthly security—only eternal reward.
📖 Luke 9:62 – “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
🔎 The path forward requires full focus. The kingdom demands undivided hearts.
Luke Chapter 9 - Deeper Study
Overview: From Power to the Path of the Cross
🔹 Timeframe: The turning point toward Jerusalem and the cross.
🔹 Setting: Galilean towns, wilderness places, the mountain, and Samaritan regions.
🔹 Theme: Power, identity, and costly discipleship.
🔹 Connection to Future Events: Prepares the disciples—and readers—for Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.
Key Takeaways
🔑 Jesus calls us not only to believe—but to follow.
🔑 Provision flows through surrender.
🔑 The path of glory runs through the valley of suffering.
🔑 True greatness is found in humility.
🔑 Commitment to Christ must be full, not divided.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 Jesus mirrors Moses’ radiant face (Exodus 34:29).
🔮 The voice from heaven echoes Psalm 2:7.
🔮 The cross foretold in Isaiah 53.
🔮 The call to discipleship fulfills Deuteronomy 6:5—wholehearted love for God.
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Jewish teachers often traveled—Jesus redefined the role with power and sacrifice.
📜 Feeding multitudes pointed to God’s past provision of manna in the wilderness.
📜 Transfiguration mirrored God’s previous revelations on mountaintops.
📜 Ploughing imagery reflected total commitment in agrarian life.
💡 Final Reflection: Will You Follow Him to the Cross?
Luke 9 reveals a Savior who feeds and heals—but also calls us to sacrifice. From mountaintop moments to valleys of need, He leads with love and truth.
📌 Do you know Him as the Christ—or just admire His power?
📌 Have you picked up your cross—or are you still clinging to comfort?
📌 Are you pressing forward—or looking back?
📖 Luke 9:23 – “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
🔥 The road to glory leads through surrender. Will you walk it with Him?
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
Luk 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Luk 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Luk 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
Luk 9:4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
Luk 9:5 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.
Luk 9:6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
Herod Is Perplexed by Jesus
Luk 9:7 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;
Luk 9:8 And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.
Luk 9:9 And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
Luk 9:10 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.
Luk 9:11 And 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.
Luk 9:12 And 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.
Luk 9:13 But 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.
Luk 9:14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
Luk 9:15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.
Luk 9:16 Then 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.
Luk 9:17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
Luk 9:18 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?
Luk 9:19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
Luk 9:20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
Jesus Foretells His Death
Luk 9:21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;
Luk 9:22 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.
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
Luk 9:23 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.
Luk 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Luk 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
Luk 9:26 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.
Luk 9:27 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.
The Transfiguration
Luk 9:28 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.
Luk 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
Luk 9:30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
Luk 9:31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
Luk 9:32 But 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.
Luk 9:33 And 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.
Luk 9:34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
Luk 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Luk 9:36 And 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.
Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit
Luk 9:37 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.
Luk 9:38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.
Luk 9:39 And, 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.
Luk 9:40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.
Luk 9:41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
Luk 9:42 And 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.
Jesus Again Foretells His Death
Luk 9:43 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,
Luk 9:44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
Luk 9:45 But 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.
Who Is the Greatest?
Luk 9:46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
Luk 9:47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
Luk 9:48 And 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.
Anyone Not Against Us Is For Us
Luk 9:49 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.
Luk 9:50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus
Luk 9:51 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,
Luk 9:52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
Luk 9:53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
Luk 9:54 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?
Luk 9:55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Luk 9:56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
The Cost of Following Jesus
Luk 9:57 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.
Luk 9:58 And 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.
Luk 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Luk 9:60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
Luk 9:61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
Luk 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Date Written
Around 60-62 AD
Written By
Luke the physician
Language
Greek
Verses
62