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Luke Chapter 1

The book of Luke was written by the beloved physician Luke. In Luke, we see the "face of a man".

Luke in his gospel honors women. We see the Lord Jesus dealing with main stream people, the working people, the poor, and especially the lost. About one half of the Scriptures in Luke are not in the other gospels.

Many of the hymns are based upon events in Luke. "Ave Maria" is a very good example. Luke was a close companion of Paul and we see similar thoughts in Luke to Paul's writings. Luke shows Jesus in His manhood.

Verses 1-4: These 4 verses make a single sentence, written in the polished style of a Greek literary classic. It was common for Greek historical works to begin with such a prologue. After this formal prologue, however, Luke shifted into a simpler style of narrative, probably patterned after the familiar style of the LXX.

Luke 1:1 "Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,"

Here, Luke is telling us that he is not the only one writing about Jesus. Many of the disciples and Paul wrote of Jesus. A "declaration" is something you know that you tell. We see here, that they all believe. There is no question about their belief, most surely.

"Many": Although Luke wrote direct divine revelation inspired by the Holy Spirit; he acknowledged the works of others who had set down in writing events from Christ's life. All those sources have been long lost, except for the inspired gospels.

Since Matthew and Mark were most likely written before Luke, it has been suggested that either one of both of those may have been among Luke's sources when he did his research. It is also known that he was personally acquainted with many firsthand witnesses to the events of Christ's life.

And it is possible that some of his sources were word-of-mouth reports. About 60% of the material in Mark is repeated in Luke, and Luke seems to follow Mark's order of events closely.

"Set forth in order": Luke proposed to narrate the ministry of Christ in an authoritative, logical and factual order (though not always strictly chronological, verse 3).

"Things which are most surely believed": I.e., the Old Testament messianic promises fulfilled in
Christ.

"Among us": I.e., in our generation. This phrase does not mean Luke was personally an eyewitness to the life of Christ.

Luke 1:2 "Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;"

"Eyewitnesses and ministers of the Word": Luke's primary sources were the apostles themselves, who delivered facts about Jesus' life and teaching, both orally and by means of recorded memoirs in written documents made available to Luke. In any case, Luke made no pretense of being an eyewitness himself, but explained that these were facts supported by careful research.

Luke 1:3 "It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,"

"Having had perfect understanding": Literally "having traced out carefully." Luke's gospel was the result of painstaking investigation. Luke, more than anyone else in the early church, had the abilities and the opportunity to consult with eyewitnesses of Jesus' ministry and consolidate their accounts.

He spent more than two years during Paul's imprisonment at Caesarea (Acts 24:26-27, during which time he would have been able to meet and interview many of the apostles and other eyewitnesses of Jesus' ministry. We know for example, that he met Philip (Acts 21:8), who was undoubtedly one of Luke's sources.

In his travels, he may also have encountered the Apostle John. Joanna, wife of Herod's steward, is mentioned only in Luke's gospel, so she must have been a personal acquaintance of his. Luke also related details about Herod's dealings with Christ not found in the other gospels (13:31-33; 23:7-12).

No doubt is was from Joanna (or someone in a similar position), that Luke learned those facts. However, his understanding was perfect because of the divine revelation he received from the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

"From the very first": This could mean from the beginning of Christ's earthly life. However the word can mean from above (John 3:31; 19:11; James 3:15). From the first (in verse 2), makes a different Greek word so it is best to understand that Luke was saying he used earthly sources for his material, but was given heavenly guidance as he did is research and writing. It is clear that he regarded his account as authoritative.

"Write unto thee in order": Luke's account is predominantly ordered chronologically, but he does not follow such an arrangement slavishly.

"Most excellent": This was a title used to address governors (Acts 23:26; 24:3; 26:25). This sort of language was reserved for the highest dignitaries, suggesting that "Theophilus" was such a person.

The Acts of the Apostles was written to this unknown "Theophilus", as well as Luke. Many believe that Luke and Acts were both written by Luke for this very reason. "Theophilus", many believe is just all Gentile believers.

We see also from this above, that Luke perhaps was there when Jesus explained the parables, because it says he had "perfect understanding". We see also that Luke was a very early convert because he says "from the very first".

The reason he decides to write is because he has firsthand knowledge. Many believe that Luke himself was a Gentile but there is no Bible Scripture which explicitly says that. Perhaps Luke was in the multitude which followed Jesus. We cannot guess at what time he was converted except from this Scripture which says "from the very first".

Luke 1:4 "That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed."

"The certainty of those things": Note the implicit claim of authority. Though Luke drew from other sources (verse 3), he regarded the reliability and authority of his gospel as superior to uninspired sources.

"Instructed": Theophilus had been schooled in the apostolic tradition, possibly even by the Apostle Paul himself. Yet the written Scripture by means of this gospel sealed the certainty of what he had heard.

It seems whoever "Theophilus" is, he is someone who has heard the gospel and is kind of on the fence. This letter to him is to convince him beyond a shadow of doubt that all that has been preached to him is true. Perhaps Theophilus had great respect for Luke and would believe when Luke tells him that he was an eye witness and knows this to be true.

Luke 1:5 "There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zachariah, of the course of Abia: and his wife [was] of the daughters of Aaron, and her name [was] Elisabeth."

"Herod": Herod the Great.

Zachariah meaning: "Jehovah has remembered."

Luke is the only one of the four gospels that tells of this event with Elisabeth and Zachariah. Perhaps he knew them; the Scripture is not definite how he knew this.

"The course of Abia" (or Abijah). The temple priesthood was organized into 24 divisions, with each division serving twice a year for one week (1 Chron. 24:4-19); Abijah's was the 8 ^th division (1 Chron. 24:10).

"Abia" was a priest in the time of David. He was in the ancestry of Zachariah. It seems as though Zachariah and Elisabeth were both of priestly ancestry. Luke places the time here as during the time of Herod. We see here a family who are in close contact with God.

"Daughters of Aaron": I.e., both husband and wife were from the priestly tribe.

Luke 1:6 "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."

"Both righteous before God": I.e., they were believers, justified in God's sight. There is a clear echo of Pauline theology in this expression.

We see here, two people who have been raised in the way of the Lord. Their parents being godly people have raised them to have great respect for God and His commandments. From their mouth, they had been followers of God and they had not strayed from their early teaching. They are esteemed very highly by the Lord because their desire is to please Him.

Luke 1:7 "And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were [now] well stricken in years."

"Barren ... stricken in years": This was seen by many as a sign of divine disfavor.

For a Hebrew woman to be barren was thought of as a curse from God. We see two people very devoted to God, people who the community is looking down on because they don't have children. They are past the time of bearing children.

Luke 1:8 "And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,"

"In the order of his course": I.e., his division was on duty for one of their two annual stints.

Luke 1:9 "According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord."

The priesthood remained in a certain family who were called of God to tend to the affairs of the temple. Zachariah was of a priestly family and his job was to burn incense twice a day in the temple.

"His lot ... burn incense": A high honor (Exodus 30:7-8; 2 Chron. 29:11). Because of the large number of priests, most would never be chosen for such a duty, and no one was permitted to serve in this capacity twice. Zachariah no doubt regarded this as the supreme moment in a lifetime of priestly service.

The incense was kept burning perpetually, just in front of the veil that divided the holy place from the most holy place. The lone priest would offer the incense every morning and every evening, while the rest of the priests and worshipers stood outside the holy place in prayer (verse 10).

We learned in the book of Exodus that the smoke of incense burned twice a day in the temple is symbolic of the prayers of the saints. This was a sweet smelling savor before the Lord. Special perfume was to be burned. And it must be burned in the morning and in the evening, this was Zachariah's job. This altar was before the Lord.

Luke 1:10 "And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense."

The people were not allowed to come into the holy place so they were in the outer court. This burning of the incense, as I said above, was associated with prayer. This shows us how important it is to pray at least twice a day.

Luke 1:11 "And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense."

We see in this angel (ministering spirit), a messenger from God to Zachariah. Zachariah and his wife have undoubtedly been praying to have a child. God has heard their prayer. God has purpose for this baby at this time.

Luke 1:12 "And when Zachariah saw [him], he was troubled, and fear fell upon him."

"Fear": The normal response - and an appropriate one (12:5), when someone is confronted by a divine visitation or a mighty work of God (Judges 6:22; 13:22; Mark 16:5). Luke seems especially to take note of this; he often reports fear in the presence of God and His works (30, 65; 2:9-10; 5:10, 26; 7:16; 8:25, 37, 50; 9:34, 45; 23:40).

Sometimes when the high priest went into the Holy of Holies with sin in his life, God would strike him dead. I am sure that is what flashed in Zachariah's head when he saw this angel. Probably terror would be closer to what he felt.

Luke 1:13 "But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zachariah: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John."

"Thy prayer": Probably a prayer for children to be in his home.

"John": Jehovah has shown grace.

The message of God to His own has always been "fear not". This angel immediately reassures Zachariah that good and not bad has come to him from God. God has heard his prayer. He will have the son that he has longed for. The angel tells him that he is not to name him in the tradition of his people by the father's name, but is to name him John.

Luke 1:14 "And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth."

"Joy and gladness": The hallmarks of the messianic kingdom (Isa. 25:9; Psalms 14:7; 48:11). The motif of joy runs through Luke's gospel (verses 44, 47, 58; 2:10; 6:23; 8:13; 10:17-21; 13:17; 15:5-10, 22-32; 19:6, 37; 24:52).

Luke 1:15 "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb."

We see here, a statement that might cause you to believe in predestination, but you must understand that is not what happens to everyone. This is a chosen vessel, born into the world for a purpose. God allowed John to come into this family because of their great devotion to God.

"Drink neither wine nor strong drink": This was a key element of the Nazirite vow (Num. 6:1-21), and would probably have been understood as such by Zachariah. Usually such a vow was temporary, but Samson (Judges 16:17), and Samuel (1 Sam. 1:11), were subject to it from birth.

The language here is reminiscent of the angel's instructions to Samson's parents (Judges 13:4-7). However, no mention is made here of any restriction on the cutting of John's hair. Luke may have simply omitted that detail to avoid weighing his Gentile audience down with the details of Jewish law.

"From his mother's womb": Reminiscent of Jeremiah (Jer. 1:5). This illustrates God's sovereignty in salvation.

John is to walk uprightly all of his life. God has a job for him to do. He is not to get involved with the world at all (not to drink strong drink). He is anointed of God even while he is yet in his mother's womb. We will see this baptism when Mary comes to see Elisabeth while they are both expecting. The Holy Ghost will cause the baby John to leap in the mother's womb.

Luke 1:16 "And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God."

When John goes through the country preaching, "repent and be baptized", many of the children of Israel do just that. John will be a voice crying in the wilderness that the Lord is coming. Many will believe and be baptized.

Luke 1:17 "And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

"In the spirit and power of Elijah": Elijah, like John the Baptist, was known for his bold, uncompromising stand for the Word of God, even in the face of a ruthless monarch (1 Kings 18:17-24; Mark 6:15). The final two verses of the Old Testament (Mal. 4:5-6), had promised the return of Elijah before the Day of the Lord.

"To turn the hearts" (Quoted from Mal. 4:6), showing that John the Baptist fulfilled that prophecy.

"Mark ready": Possibly an allusion to (Isaiah 40:3-5) A voice of one calling:

Isaiah 40:3-5 "In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it."

John would be a voice proclaiming the coming of the Lord. His message was simple, "repent and be baptized". John in this was showing their great need for a Savior. In (Malachi 4:5-6), in the Old Testament, there is a promise of Elijah.

Malachi 4:6 "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:" "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

You can easily see this is speaking of John. If you need more proof, Jesus says John is Elijah. In Matthew, this is in Jesus' own words.

Matthew 11:13-14 "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John." "And if ye will receive [it], this is Elijah, which was for to come."

You see there is no doubt at all that John was in the spirit of Elijah. He was called Elijah in the Old Testament and Elias in the new. This is the difference in Hebrew and Greek. Just as John was a voice crying, preparing for His coming now, we must be crying "The Lord is Coming".

Luke 1:18 "And Zachariah said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years."

"Whereby shall I know this": Abraham also asked for a sign under similar circumstances (Genesis 15:8). The sign given Zachariah was also a mild rebuke for doubting (verse 20).

How in the world could Zachariah doubt a message that was brought from God by an angel? Nothing is impossible to God. Zachariah should have remembered what happened to Abraham and Sarah. How they had a child in their old age.

Luke 1:19 "And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings."

"Gabriel": Literally "strong man of God." Gabriel also appears (in Daniel 8:16; 9:21). He is one of only two holy angels whose names are given in Scripture, the other being Michael (Dan. 10:13, 21; Jude 9; Rev. 12:7).

I have stated in the lessons before that I believe personally that Gabriel is the angel God the Father sends messages by to His people. Gabriel stands by the Father to be always available to carry out God the Father's missions. There is absolutely no question that this message is from God and it is very good news for this old man with no heir.

Luke 1:20 "And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season."

We see here, that God will not allow unbelief to spread. He strikes Zachariah dumb, unable to speak until the time of the birth. He will not be able to spread his doubt.

Luke Chapter 1 Questions

1. Who wrote the book of Luke?

2. What worldly work did Luke do?

3. Which of the three faces of the beast of Revelation do we see Jesus as in Luke?

4. About how many of Luke's Scriptures are not in the other gospels?

5. Name one hymn that was based on Luke.

6. Who was a close companion of Luke?

7. What is a "declaration"?

8. Why did Luke feel he had perfect understanding of the Word?

9. Who is this letter addressed to?

10. What other book of the New Testament is supposedly written by Luke?

11. Who do some people believe Theophilus symbolizes?

12. What indicates that Luke heard the interpretation of the parables by Jesus?

13. Why did Luke write this?

14. Who was king in Judaea when Zachariah was priest?

15. Who was Abia?

16. What priestly family was Elisabeth of?

17. What kind of life were Elisabeth and Zachariah living?

18. Why were they considered righteous before God?

19. How many children did they have?

20. For a Hebrew woman to be barren was thought to be what?

21. What job did Zachariah have in the temple?

22. What did we learn in the book of Exodus about the incense burning?

23. How often was the incense burned?

24. Where was the multitude praying?

25. When Zachariah went in to burn the incense, who was standing at the right of the incense altar?

26. When Zachariah saw him, what effect did it have on him and why?

27. What was the first thing he said to Zachariah?

28. What message did he bring that Zachariah did not believe?

29. What break with tradition does he tell Zachariah to do?

30. What two things shall this son not touch?

31. What unusual thing shall happen to him in his mother's womb?

32. What will John's message to the people be?

33. Who will John be in the spirit and power of?

34. In Malachi 4:5-6, who is promised to come?

35. Who did Jesus say this is in Matthew 11:13-14?

36. Why does Zachariah not believe the angel?

37. What is this angel's name?

38. Who does the author believe the angel is?

39. What will happen to Zachariah because he does not believe?

40. What will God not allow from His people?

Luke Chapter 1 Continued

Luke 1:21 "And the people waited for Zachariah, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple."

In the last lesson, we saw Zachariah going into the temple to burn incense. He saw the angel Gabriel and was told he would have a son in his old age. Because of his unbelief he was struck dumb, unable to speak. When someone tarried this long ordinarily it meant he had displeased God and been killed. The people were beginning to be concerned for Zachariah' life.

"Tarried so long in the temple": Zachariah was only supposed to offer incense, then come out to pronounce the familiar blessing of (Numbers 6:23-27), on the people who were waiting in the temple court. The conversation with the angel would have taken additional time.

Luke 1:22 "And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless."

When the people saw him (Zachariah), they knew immediately that something unusual had happened in the temple. They assumed that he had seen a vision because he could not talk.

Luke 1:23 "And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house."

We see here, that he went ahead and finished his allotted time of work in the temple (a week), before he went home. Each priest had a certain amount of time he attended work in the temple and then someone else took over. This was the case with Zachariah.

Luke 1:24 "And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,"

"Hid herself": Probably an act of devotion out of deep gratitude to the Lord.

Elisabeth immediately knew that this child was a gift from God. She felt now her friends would not think God had cursed her because she had no children. She knew they too, would realize this was a gift from God because of her great age.

Luke 1:25 "Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on [me], to take away my reproach among men."

"My reproach": Childlessness carried a reproach in a culture where blessings were tied to birthrights and family line. Barrenness could occasionally be a sign of divine disfavor (Lev. 20:21-22), but it was not always so (Gen. 30:23; 1 Sam. 1:5-10). Still, it carried a social stigma that could be humiliating.

Luke 1:26 "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,"

"Sixth month": I.e., Elizabeth's sixth month of pregnancy.

We see again here, God the Father sending Gabriel to Galilee with a message. The little town he went to was Nazareth. "Nazareth" means branch. What an interesting place for this to happen in that Jesus is the Branch.

Luke 1:27 "To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name [was] Mary."

"A virgin": The importance of the virgin birth cannot be overstated. A right view of the incarnation hinges on the truth that Jesus was virgin-born. Both Luke and Matthew expressly state that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived.

The Holy Spirit wrought the conception through supernatural means. The nature of Christ's conception testifies of both His deity and His sinlessness.

This "espoused" was much more binding than an engagement today. The deal had already been made by the fathers of the bride and groom. The actual marriage would take place after the groom had built the bride a home.

This explanation meant that she was a "virgin" and that she had never slept with Joseph and could not possibly be expecting his child. Mary was a cousin of Elisabeth and was from a very godly family herself. Joseph was a descendent of King David. The world would suppose Jesus to be Joseph's son so it would be of extreme importance for him to be descended from David.

Luke 1:28 "And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favored, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women."

"Highly favored": Literally "full of grace", a term used of all believers (in Eph. 1:6), where it is translated "bestowed." This portrays Mary as a recipient, not a dispenser, of divine grace.

Gabriel is bringing news to Mary that God sees how she lives and He is about to bless her above all the women of her day.

Luke 1:29 "And when she saw [him], she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be."

Mary felt uneasy because of the presence of Gabriel. She was not sure what he was saying. This "cast in her mind" just means she was questioning in her mind what he meant. She was surprised at his greeting to her. She did not think of herself as being highly favored.

Luke 1:30 "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God."

"Fear not": The same thing Gabriel had said to Zachariah (verse 13).

Here again, we see Gabriel telling Mary not to fear. She is pleasing unto God.

Luke 1:31 "And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."

The name "JESUS" is powerful. The name means Savior, The Salvation of Jehovah. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow.

Philippians 2:10 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;"

In this name is salvation. This would certainly be startling news to Mary who had never been with a man. Not only is she told she will have a child, but that He will be a son as well.

Luke 1:32 "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:"

"He shall be great": This same promise was made of John the Baptist. However, the subsequent title is what set Jesus apart.

Notice here that "Son" is capitalized showing that this is God's Son.

1 Kings 2:45 "And king Solomon [shall be] blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever."

"The Son of the Highest" (verse 76), where John the Baptist is called "the prophet of the Most High." The Greek term Luke uses for "Most High" is the one employed in the LXX to translate the Hebrew "The Most High God."

Since a son bears his father's qualities, calling a person someone else's "son" was a way of signifying equality. Here the angel was telling Mary that her Son would be equal to the Most High God.

"His father David": Jesus was David's physical descendant through Mary's line. David's "throne" was emblematic of the messianic kingdom (2 Sam. 7:13-16; Psalm 89:26-29).

God had promised some of David's descendants would be on the throne forever. We see here David's throne is Jesus' throne.

Luke 1:33 "And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."

"Over the house of Jacob for ever": This emphasizes both the Jewish character of the millennial kingdom and the eternal permanence of Christ's rule over all.

We would have understood this better if it had said Israel instead of "Jacob". Jesus reigns over physical Israel (the Jewish nation), and spiritual Israel (the believers in Christ). Jesus' reign is forever.

Luke 1:34 "Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"

"I know not a man": Mary understood that the angel was speaking of an immediate conception, and she and Joseph were still in the midst of the long betrothal, or engagement period before the actual marriage and consummation. Her question was borne out of wonder, not doubt, not disbelief, so the angel did not rebuke her as he had Zachariah (verse 20).

Mary was thinking of the physical and not the spiritual. She knows that she has not been with a man and knows she is not expecting a baby by a man.

Luke 1:35 "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."

The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee": This was a creative act of the Holy Spirit, not the sort of divine-human cohabitation, sometimes seen in pagan mythology.

God is to be the Father of Jesus. Mary is the mother and God is the Father. Mary furnishes the body and God provides the Spirit.

"Highest" here means the eternal Father. Mary is expecting the Christ Child. Jesus Christ is the Eternal Word. The Word takes on the form of flesh and dwells among us.

John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

Luke 1:36 "And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren."

"Thy cousin Elisabeth": It seems most reasonable to regard the genealogy of (3:23-38), as Mary's. This would make her a direct descendant of David. Yet, Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. Therefore, Mary must have been related to Elizabeth through her mother, who would have been of Aaronic descent. Thus, Mary was a descendant of David through her father.

Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing shall be impossible."

This is telling Mary that all things are possible with God. Nothing is impossible to Him. Elisabeth is expecting John and Mary is expecting Jesus. These two will play a great role in Christianity. John is the voice proclaiming the coming of Jesus Christ. His ministry will fade away as Jesus' ministry broadens.

Luke 1:38 "And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her."

"Be it unto me according to thy word": Mary was in an extremely embarrassing and difficult position. Betrothed to Joseph, she faced the stigma of an unwed motherhood. Joseph would obviously have known that the child was not his.

She knew she would be accused of adultery, an offense punishable by stoning (Deut. 22:13-21; John 8:3-5). Yet she willingly and graciously submitted to the will of God.

We see here, Mary totally submitted to God. She calls herself "handmaid of the Lord". Because she is totally His servant. His will is her desire.

Luke 1:39-40 "And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah;" "And entered into the house of Zachariah, and saluted Elisabeth."

Here we see Mary, the cousin of Elisabeth going to share the news of expecting the Christ child. Mary knows Elisabeth believes in God and will believe that Mary is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. She also wants to hear about the miracle of Elisabeth's pregnancy.

Luke 1:41 "And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:"

"Filled with the Holy Ghost": I.e., controlled by the Holy Spirit, who undoubtedly guided Elizabeth's remarkable expression of praise.

This is the Spirit of the Holy Ghost that came upon Elisabeth the minute Mary greeted her. The gift of prophecy came upon her and she began to prophesy of the coming events. Her first statement was a message from God to Mary approving of the birth of the Christ child which is to be soon.

Luke 1:42 "And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb."

Many times, a message of prophecy comes in a very loud voice from an ordinarily quiet person. Elisabeth in prophecy recognizes the blessedness of the Christ child which Mary is carrying in her womb.

Luke 1:43 "And whence [is] this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"

"The mother of my Lord": This expression is not in praise of Mary, but in praise of the Child whom she bore. It was a profound expression of Elizabeth's confidence that Mary's Child would be the long-hoped-for Messiah, the one whom even David called "Lord" (20:44).

Elizabeth's grasp of the situation was extraordinary, considering the aura of mystery that overshadowed all these events (2:19). She greeted Mary not with skepticism but with joy. She understood the response of the child in her own womb.

And she seemed to comprehend the immense importance of the Child whom Mary was carrying. All of this must be attributed to the illuminating work of the Spirit (verse 41).

Here we see in prophecy, Elisabeth recognizes Jesus as her Lord even before His birth.

Luke 1:44 "For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy."

"The babe leaped in my womb for joy": The infant, like his mother, was Spirit-filled (verses 15, 41). His response, like that of Elizabeth, was supernaturally prompted by the Spirit of God.

We see here that even before his birth. John the Baptist recognized Jesus.

Luke 1:45 "And blessed [is] she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."

This is the end of Elisabeth's prophecy. She is proclaiming how wonderful it is that Mary believed.

From verse 46 through 55 is a hymn of praise by Mary. This is a beautiful statement of the low estate of Mary and the high estate of God. This is an unselfish prayer of praise.

Verses 46-55: Mary's Magnificat (the first word in the Latin translation); is filled with Old Testament allusions and quotations. It reveals that Mary's heart and mind were saturated with the Word of God. It contains repeated echoes of Hannah's prayers, e.g., (1 Sam 1:11; 2:1-10).

These verses also contain numerous allusions to the law, the psalms and the prophets. The entire passage is a point-by-point reciting of the covenant promises of God.

Luke 1:46 "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,"

Here we see Mary glorifying the Son of God who is her Savior, as well as ours. Even though she is His earthly mother, He is her Savior.

Luke 1:47 "And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior."

"My Savior": Mary referred to God as "Savior," indicating both that she recognized her own need of a Savior, and that she knew the true God as her Savior. Nothing here or anywhere else in Scripture indicates Mary thought of herself as "immaculate" (free from the taint of original sin).

Quite the opposite is true; she employed language typical of someone whose only hope for salvation is divine grace. Nothing in this passage lends support to the notion that Mary herself ought to be an object of adoration.

Luke 1:48 "For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed."

"Low estate": The quality of Mary that shines most clearly through this passage is a deep sense of humility.

Mary can hardly believe that a young girl of so little worldly importance can be blessed of God so much that she will be remembered for generations to come. Here again, she calls herself God's servant ("handmaid").

Luke 1:49-50 "For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy [is] his name." "And his mercy [is] on them that fear him from generation to generation."

She jumps here from the blessings He has showered on her to the mercy He will show all them who fear Him. His power (might), is mentioned, then His holiness, and then His mercy. We see too, that all of these are never ending.

Luke 1:51 "He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts."

We see here, the mighty arm of God in His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is an extension of the Father. Jesus, in many instances, is spoken of as the Right Hand of God. This is a kind of prophecy of Mary here, speaking of what Jesus will do.

Luke 1:52-53 "He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree." "He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away."

This is very similar to the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus comes to help those who cannot help themselves. He would say He came for the ones who needed a physician. Those who trust in uncertain riches of this world will be turned away by Jesus. The key word is trust.

Luke 1:54-55 "He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of [his] mercy;" "As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever."

Now we must look and see who Abraham's seed of promise are.

Galatians 3:29 "And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

You see, Jesus Christ is the help of physical Israel and spiritual Israel (the believers in Christ). The believers are Abraham's seed.

Luke 1:56 "And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house."

"About three months": Mary arrived in the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy (verse 26), so she evidently stayed until John the Baptist was born.

"Her own house": At this point Mary was still betrothed to Joseph, not yet living in his house (Matt. 1:24).

We see here, that Mary and Elisabeth had a lot in common. Both were to have miracle births. Both were expecting promised sons. The difference was Elisabeth's baby had an earthly father and Mary's baby had a heavenly Father.

Luke Chapter 1 Continued Questions

1. Why did the people marvel that Zachariah was in the temple so long?

2. Why did the people think Zachariah had seen a vision?

3. When did he go home?

4. Who was Zachariah' wife?

5. How long did she hide herself?

6. What had God done for her?

7. Why would the people think this was a gift from God to her?

8. What angel was sent to Mary?

9. Where was she at the time?

10. Who was she espoused to?

11. Whose house was he of?

12. What does "espoused" mean?

13. What one word lets you know Mary lived right?

14. What does "Nazareth" mean here?

15. What relation was Mary to Elisabeth?

16. What did the angel first say to Mary?

17. What does "cast in her mind" Mean?

18. What was her Son to be named?

19. What does His name mean?

20. In Philippians 2:10, what do we find out about Jesus?

21. In verse 32, what shall Jesus be called?

22. What house shall Jesus reign over forever?

23. Explain who these people are.

24. Why did Mary ask Gabriel how all this could be?

25. Who shall come upon Mary to cause her to conceive the Son of God?

26. What does Mary furnish in this union?

27. What is Jesus called in John 1:14?

28. How far along was Elisabeth when Mary became with child?

29. What does Mary call herself showing she is God's servant?

30. Where would Mary find Elisabeth?

31. When Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, what happened to her baby in her womb?

32. What happened to Elisabeth?

33. What gift of the Spirit did Elisabeth receive?

34. Who did Elisabeth call Mary?

35. Who did she call Mary's baby?

36. What are verses 46 thorough 55?

37. Mary's soul magnifies whom?

38. What does Mary call Jesus?

39. What is hard for Mary to believe?

40. What three things are glorified by Mary of God in verses 49 and 50?

41. The mighty arm of God is ____________.

42. Who does He help?

43. Who are Abraham's seed?

44. How long did Mary stay with Elisabeth?

Luke Chapter 1 Second Continued

Luke 1:57-58 "Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son." "And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her."

We see here, a woman far beyond her child bearing years who has brought forth a son. Perhaps none believed when she had told them. Now they rejoiced with her.

These very same people that were so close to her knew how Zachariah had a vision in the temple and was left unable to speak. All sorts of things were probably going through their minds.

Luke 1:59 "And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zachariah, after the name of his father."

"On the eighth day": In accord with God's commandment (Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:1-3; Phil. 3:5), it had become customary to name a child at circumcision. The ritual brought together family and friends, who in this case, pressured the parents to name the baby "after his father", probably intending this as a gesture of respect to Zachariah.

On the eighth day the circumcision was done to seal the Abrahamic covenant with God. As is many times done at baptism, the name of the child is given as well. Even today many parents name their first son after its father. This was about to occur here until Elisabeth and Zachariah stopped them.

Luke 1:60 "And his mother answered and said, Not [so]; but he shall be called John."

"Not so": Elizabeth had learned from Zachariah in writing (verse 63), everything Gabriel had said to him.

The father had gotten word to Elisabeth what his name was to be even though he had lost his voice. Elisabeth speaks up and says his name is John. Now there is a stir. Why is this baby to be named John?

Luke 1:61 "And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name."

"John" means the grace of Jehovah. Here is a name none of their relatives have used.

Luke 1:62 "And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called."

"Made signs to his father": The priests conducting the circumcision ceremony appear to have assumed that since he could not speak he was also deaf.

Luke 1:63 "And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all."

What is going on here? They are really questioning now. The father agrees his name is John. He can't speak so he writes this name, His doubt is gone.

Luke 1:64 "And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue [loosed], and he spake, and praised God."

The instant he put his doubt behind him, Zachariah's tongue was loosed and he spoke. What wonderful things he had to tell them about what happened in the temple and about this miracle birth.

Luke 1:65 "And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea."

"Fear": The normal response, and an appropriate one (12:5), when someone is confronted by a divine visitation or a mighty work of God (Judges 6:22; 13:22; Mark 16:5). Luke seems specially to take note of this; he often reports fear in the presence of God and His works (30, 65; 2:9-10; 5:10, 26; 7:16; 8:25, 37, 50; 9:34, 45; 23:40).

"Throughout all the hill country of Judea": I.e., Jerusalem and the surrounding area. John the Baptist's reputation began to spread from the time of his birth (verse 66).

Now these neighbors and cousins know that there has been something super-natural about this birth. Word spread fast that something miraculous has happened here.

Luke 1:66 "And all they that heard [them] laid [them] up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him."

We see that the Lord is with John. The people even from the first know that John is anointed of God from birth to do some great job.

Luke 1:67 "And his father Zachariah was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,"

"Filled with the Holy Ghost": In every case where someone was Spirit-filled in Luke's nativity account, the result was Spirit-directed worship (Eph. 5:18-20).

We see the minute Zachariah recognizes publicly the miracle of God, that God fills him with the Holy Ghost. The easiest way to receive the Holy Ghost is to totally submit your will to God. When he did this he began to prophesy. (Verses 68 through 79), is what he prophesies.

Verses 68-79: This passage is known as the Benedicts (the first word of verse 68 in the Latin translation). Like Mary's Magnificat, it is liberally sprinkled with Old Testament quotations and allusions. When Zachariah was stuck mute in the temple (verse 20), he was supposed to deliver a benediction. So it is fitting that when his speech was restored, the first words out of his mouth were this inspired benediction.

Luke 1:68 "Blessed [be] the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,"

We see here, that his very first statement blesses God and prophesies redemption of his people. Every word of this prophecy will come about because these words coming from Zachariah's mouth are not his words, but the word of the Lord through him."

Luke 1:69 "And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;"

We remember here that "horn" signifies strength. We realize that our strength is in our salvation. In the direct lineage of David, the Lord Jesus will be born.

Luke 1:70 "As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:"

In (Genesis chapter 3:15), we see the first prophecy of this Savior.

Genesis 3:15 "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

Luke 1:71 "That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;"

One of the sweetest promises in the Bible for the believer is that God will cause even our enemies to live at peace with us. God remembers His covenant that He has made with man and Jesus Christ the God of all mercy will save us even from our own selves.

Luke 1:72 "To perform the mercy [promised] to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;"

"His holy covenant": I.e., the Abrahamic Covenant (verse 73), with its promise of salvation by grace.

Luke 1:73 "The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,"

We know from an earlier teaching here, that all who believe in Jesus Christ are children of Abraham and heirs to the same promises God made to him.

Luke 1:74-75 "That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear," "In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life."

This prophecy is stating that we will be free from the bondage of this earth. We will be free from the guilt of sin and can go on in newness of life with Him. We can be holy and righteous, because we have taken on His righteousness and holiness.

We will no longer be servant to sin, but have the righteousness of Christ to walk in all the days of our life.

Luke 1:76-77 "And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;" "To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,"

Here Zachariah is saying prophetically that John will proclaim the coming of Christ. John will go ahead and prepare the way. His message will be their need for repentance of their sins.

"The remission of their sins": Forgiveness of sins is the heart of salvation. God saves sinners from separation from Him and from eternal hell only by atoning for and forgiving their sins.

Luke 1:78 "Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,"

"Dayspring": A messianic reference (Isa. 9:2; 60:1-3; Mal 4:2; 2 Peter 1:19; Rev. 22:16).

We see here, and awakening that comes from God on mankind that will receive it. God had mercy on mankind and sent His Son to bring us out of darkness into His marvelous Light.

Luke 1:79 "To give light to them that sit in darkness and [in] the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. Those who sit in darkness here are probably speaking of the Gentiles and even most of physical Israel as well. No hope of eternal life could they see as they did not know of God.

They were in spiritual darkness until the Light of Jesus Christ shines in their heart and brings His glorious Light to them. Jesus is King of Peace. His is the only true peace.

Luke 1:80 "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel."

"Was in the deserts": Several groups of ascetics inhabited the wilderness regions East of Jerusalem. One was the famous Qumran community, source of the Dead Sea Scrolls. John's parents, already old when he was born, might have given him over to the care of someone with ties to such a community.

In a similar way, Hannah consecrated Samuel to the Lord by entrusting him to Eli (1 Samuel 1:22-28). However, there is nothing concrete in Scripture to suggest that John was part of any such group. On the contrary, he is painted as a solitary figure, in the spirit of Elijah.

We see that John the Baptist (child), grew physically and spiritually. You can tell from the statement about him being in the desert that he was not of this world.

He was in the world for a purpose, but not of this world. His thoughts were not of this world. He was a separated man (separated by God to carry out a mission). Nothing else mattered to John. Everything was focused on his mission.

Luke Chapter 1 Second Continued Questions

1. Who rejoiced with Elisabeth at the birth of her son?

2. Who did they believe shewed mercy on her?

3. What about Zachariah was probably going through their mind?

4. How old was the baby when they came to circumcise him?

5. When was the baby's name given?

6. Who stopped them from naming the baby Zachariah?

7. What did the mother name him?

8. What reason did the onlookers give Elisabeth why she should not name the baby by this name?

9. How did Zachariah get word to them that he agreed with the baby being named John?

10. What does John mean?

11. When did Zachariah receive his voice back?

12. What did he do immediately when he could speak?

13. What effect did this have on the onlookers?

14. What part of the country did this quickly spread to?

15. What did they quickly realize?

16. What happened to Zachariah that caused him to prophesy?

17. What is the easiest way to receive the Holy Ghost?

18. What is the "horn" symbolic of?

19. Our strength is in our ____________.

20. Whose lineage will Jesus be in?

21. Who does God speak through to minister?

22. Where is the first promise of a Savior in the Bible?

23. What is one of the sweetest promises in the Bible?

24. Who are the children of Abraham?

25. What are two ways we must serve Him?

26. How can we be holy and righteous?

27. Who shall John be called?

28. What is meant by the "dayspring" visiting us?

29. Where shall the Light guide us to?

30. Who is the Light of the world?

31. Who is the child in verse 80?

32. What lets us know he is not a worldly man?

33. What was important to John?

Luke Chapter 2

Luke 2:1 "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed."

This is beginning to tell of the birth of Jesus. The time is when this tax was begun (in the time of Caesar Augustus).

"Caesar Augustus": Caius Octavius. Grandnephew, adopted son, and primary heir to Julius Caesar. Before and after Julius' death in 44 B.C., the Roman government was constantly torn by power struggles. Octavius ascended to undisputed supremacy (in 31 B.C.), by defeating his last remaining rival, Antony, in a military battle at Actium.

(In 29 B.C.), the Roman senate declared Octavius Rome's first emperor. Two years later they honored him with the title "Augustus" (Exalted one", a term signifying religious veneration). Rome's republican government was effectively abolished, and Augustus was given supreme military power. He reigned until his death at age 76 (A.D. 14).

Under his rule, the Roman Empire dominated the Mediterranean region, ushering in a period of great prosperity and relative peace (the Pax Romana). He ordered "all the inhabited earth" (i.e., the world of the Roman Empire), to be counted. This was not merely a one-time census; the decree established a cycle of enrollments that were to occur every 14 years.

Palestine had previously been excluded from the Roman census because Jews were exempt from serving in the Roman army, and the census was designed primarily to register young men for military service (as well as account for all Roman citizens). This new, universal census was ostensibly to number each nation by family and tribe (hence Joseph, a Judean, had to return to his ancestral home to register.

Property and income values were not recorded in this registration. But soon the names and population statistics gathered in this census were used for the levying of poll taxes, and the Jews came to regard the census itself as a distasteful symbol of Roman oppression.

Luke 2:2 "([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)"

"Cyrenius was governor of Syria": Fixing a precise date for this census is problematic. Publius Sulpicius Quirinius is known to have governed Syria during A.D. 6-9. A well known census was taken in Palestine in A.D. 6. Josephus records that it sparked a violent Jewish revolt (mentioned by Luke, quoting Gamaliel in Acts 5:37).

Quirinius was responsible for administering that census, and he also played a major role in quelling the subsequent rebellion. However, that cannot be the census Luke has in mind here, because it occurred about a decade after the death of Herod, much too late to fit Luke's chronology (1:5).

In light of Luke's meticulous care as a historian it would be unreasonable to charge him with such an obvious anachronism. Indeed, archeology has vindicated Luke. A fragment of stone discovered at Tivoli (near Rome), in A.D. 1794 contains an inscription in honor of a Roman official who, it states, was twice governor of Syria and Phoenicia during the reign of Augustus.

The name of the official is not on the fragment, but among his accomplishments are listed details that, as far as is known, can fit no one other than Quirinius. Thus, he must have served as governor in Syria twice. He was probably military governor at the same time that history records Varus was civil governor there.

With regard to the dating of the census, some ancient records found in Egypt mention a world-wide census ordered in 8 B.C. That date is not without problems, either. It is generally thought by scholars that 6 B.C. is the earliest possible date for Christ's birth.

Evidently, the census was ordered by Caesar Augustus in 8 B.C. but was not actually carried out in Palestine until 2-4 years later, perhaps because of political difficulties between Rome and Herod. Therefore, the precise year of Christ's birth cannot be known with certainty, but it was probably no earlier than 6 B.C. and certainly no later than 4 B.C.

Luke's readers, familiar with the political history of that era, would no doubt have been able to discern a very precise date from the information he gave.

Luke 2:3 "And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city."

"His own city": I.e., the place of tribal origin.

Luke 2:4 "And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)"

"Nazareth ... Bethlehem": Both Joseph and Mary were descendants of David and therefore went to their tribal home in Judea to be registered.

This was a difficult trek of more than 70 miles through mountainous terrain, a particularly grueling journey for Mary, on the verge of delivery. Perhaps she and Joseph were conscious that a birth in Bethlehem would fulfill the prophecy (in Micah 5:2).

It appears that each family returned to their place of birth where they were registered and were taxed from where they were born and not from where they lived now. We Christians know that the main reason they had to go to Bethlehem was to fulfill prophecy. It had been prophesied that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem.

Micah 5:2 "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting."

God's prophecy must be fulfilled in every detail.

"Bethlehem" means house of bread. Jesus is the Bread of Life.

Luke 2:5 "To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child."

"Espoused": Matthew 1:24 indicates that when the angel told Joseph about Mary's pregnancy, he "took her as his wife", i.e., he took her into his home. But they did not consummate their marriage until after the birth of Jesus (Matt. 1:25). Therefore, technically they were still betrothed.

Mary was living with Joseph, but had never slept with him. She is pregnant by the Holy Ghost of God. It is time for her to be delivered.

Luke 2:6 "And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered."

It is generally understood that this was in the winter. Not everyone believes December 25th to be the exact day, but I believe it was the exact day because the Jewish Feast of Lights falls on this day; and Jesus is the Light of the world. This is the Feast of Dedication or Feast of Lights. This feast begins on December 25th and goes eight days.

Luke 2:7 "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

"Swaddling clothes": Strips of cloth were used to bind a baby tightly. It kept the baby from injuring sensitive facial skin and eyes with its own (often sharp) fingernails, and was believed to strengthen the limbs. This is still the custom in some Easter cultures. The absence of such cloths was a sign of poverty or lack of parental care (Ezek. 16:4).

"Manager": A feeding trough for animals. This is the source of the notion that Christ was born in a stable something nowhere stated in Scripture. Ancient tradition held that He was born in a cave (possible one used as a shelter for animals). But no actual description of the location is given.

"No room for them in the inn": Possible because many were returning to this ancient town to register in the census.

Mary possibly had more children besides Jesus later, because the marriage of Mary and Joseph was complete. We do know that Mary and Jesus' brothers came to see Him and are spoken of as Jesus' brothers.

Matthew 12:47 "Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee."

These would have been Jesus' half-brothers. They would have been Mary's children by Joseph. We do know that Mary lived with Joseph twelve years as husband and wife. We see in verse 49 of this chapter that Mary was still married.

As to the inn being full, there were so many people in town to pay their taxes that all of the rooms were full.

Luke 2:8 "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night."

"Shepherds": Bethlehem was nearby Jerusalem, and many of the sheep used in the temple sacrifices came from there. The surrounding hills were prime grazing land, and shepherds worked in the area day and night, all year round. Therefore, it is not possible to draw any conclusion about the time of year by the fact that shepherds were living out in the fields.

The "same country" just means in the area around Bethlehem. This is an area that would be perfect for grazing sheep. These shepherds had to watch for wild animals attacking the sheep at night. Jesus is the Great Shepherd and Christians are spoken of as sheep. So what would be more appropriate to tell first than the humble shepherd?

Luke 2:9 "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid."

Many, many times the presence of the Lord is shown by a very bright Light. The Shekinah glory of God is a presence of very bright Light. Moses was in the presence of this Light on Mt. Sinai. This same bright Light led the children of Israel, and this was the same bright Light seen on the Mount of Transfiguration.

We see that they feared the Lord. Man fears his shortcomings being known of God.

Luke 2:10 "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

God's message to mankind, then and now, is "fear not". This good news is for everyone ("all people"). The gospel of Jesus Christ is good news of great joy. The message is: there is hope.

Luke 2:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

"City of David": I.e., Bethlehem, the town where David was born, not the City of David, which was on the southern slope of Mt. Zion.

"A Savior": This is one of only two places in the gospels where Christ is referred to as "Savior", the other being (John 4:42), where the men of Sychar confessed Him as "Savior of the world"

"Christ": "Christ" is the Greek equivalent of "Messiah"

"Lord": The Greek word can mean "master", but it is also the word used to translate the covenant name of God. Here (and in most of its New Testament occurrences), it is used in the latter sense, as a title of deity.

This Christ child is the Savior of the whole world. This is Messiah, the Anointed One, who has come to save whosoever will. Jesus Christ was born of a woman for the people.

Luke 2:12 "And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

This tells the shepherds that Jesus will be in the cave where the stock is held because of the manger. The manger was used to feed fodder in.

Luke 2:13 "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,"

"Host": A term used to describe an army encampment. Christ also used military imagery to describe the angels (in Matt. 26:53).

(Revelation 5:11), suggests that the number of the angelic host may be too large for the human mind to fathom. Note that here the heavenly army brought a message of peace.

This "heavenly host" is a band of angels. One of the jobs of the angels is to continually praise God. Jesus is the King of peace. Peace has come to the earth in the form of a babe in a manger. This "good will" is from God to man. God has made a way for lowly man to be saved.

Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

"The highest": I.e., heaven.

"Peace": This is not to be taken as a universal declaration of peace toward all humanity. Rather, peace with God is a corollary of justification.

"Good will toward men": God's peace is a gracious gift to those who are the objects of His pleasure.

Luke 2:15 "And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

The shepherds immediately want to go into Bethlehem to see this wonderful thing that the angel has told them. The angels have now done what they were sent to do and have gone back to heaven. Angels are ministering spirits. They realize this message that they have received is from the Lord.

Luke 2:16 "And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."

They had no difficulty finding them because of the manger mentioned. They lost no time getting to the cave. The fact that Joseph is there makes earthly men associate Joseph as Jesus' Father, but Jesus' Father was God.

Luke 2:17 "And when they had seen [it], they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child."

They gave an eyewitness account of the birth of the Christ child. There was no way that they could keep from telling about the angels and the Light and the message. When anyone receives a message directly from God, it is difficult not to tell. What made it even more important to tell, would be the fact that they saw with their own eyes the fulfillment of what they were told.

Luke 2:18 "And all they that heard [it] wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds."

"All they that heard it wondered": Wonderment at the mysteries of Christ's words and works is one of the threads that runs through Luke's gospel (verses 19:33, 47-48; 1:21, 63; 4:22, 36; 5:9; 8:25; 9:43-45; 11:14; 20:26; 24:12, 41).

These shepherds, giving their testimony, were an amazement to those they told this to. Most people would not have believed they had this experience with these angels. Most believed that only priests and high priests had this type of experience with God. These were common people. They didn't believe because of who they were.

Luke 2:19 "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered [them] in her heart."

Mary knew that Jesus was special. She knew that He was the Son of God. She knew this too was special, and she remembered all these events.

Luke 2:20 "And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

"Praising God": Luke often reports this response (verses 28; 1:64; 5:25-26; 7:16; 13:13; 17:15-18; 18:43; 19:37-40; 23:47; 24:52-53).

There would be literally years pass before this great happening would be diminished in their memory. Their praising God was because the promise of a Savior had been fulfilled in their very own eyes. This overwhelming presence of God and the message the angel brought would remain with them all of their lives.

Luke Chapter 2 Questions

1. What decree did Caesar Augustus give?

2. In whose time was the law given?

3. Where did each person have to go to pay the tax?

4. Where had Joseph and Mary been living?

5. Where did they go to be taxed?

6. Why did they go to this city?

7. What was the main reason they went there?

8. What book in the Old Testament tells of Jesus being born in Bethlehem?

9. What was Mary to Joseph?

10. Who is Mary pregnant by?

11. What time of year was this?

12. Why does the author believe it was December 25th?

13. In verse 7, Jesus is called Mary's ___________.

14. What does the word "manger" tell us?

15. We know that Matthew 12:47 tells us that Jesus had ____________.

16. What were they really to Jesus?

17. In Luke 2:49, we know that Mary was married how many Years?

18. Who was told first of Jesus' birth?

19. Who told them about the birth of Jesus?

20. Many times the presence of the Lord is shown in what?

21. What glory is this presence called, many times?

22. Name one other time the glory of God was seen in a bright Light.

23. What did the angels tell the shepherds first?

24. In Verse 11, what is He called besides Christ the Lord?

25. What suddenly appeared with the angel?

26. Who is this host?

27. How had peace come to the earth?

28. What did the shepherds do when the angels went back to heaven?

29. Why did earthly people want to believe Joseph was Jesus' Father?

30. After the shepherds had seen Jesus, what did they do?

31. How did the people accept it?

32. Why did the shepherds praise God?

Luke Chapter 2 Continued

Luke 2:21 "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb."

Abraham had promised God that all the male children would be circumcised on the 8th day after birth. The children were named during this special ceremony. The angel had told Mary what the babe's name should be, and she has followed his instructions.

Luke 2:22 "And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present [him] to the Lord;"

A woman who bore a son was ceremonially unclean for 40 days (twice that if she bore a daughter, Lev. 12:2-5). After that she was to offer a yearling lamb and a dove or pigeon (Lev. 12:6). If poor, she could offer two doves or pigeons (Lev. 12:8). Mary's offering indicates that she and Joseph were poor (verse 24).

"To Jerusalem": A journey of about 6 miles from Bethlehem.

"To present him to the Lord": The dedication of the firstborn son was also required by Moses' law (verse 23; Exod. 13:2, 12-15).

Mary was a woman who pleased God. She lived as close as possible to the Law of Moses. Moses, in the law God had given him, gave a law of purification after childbirth; and Mary followed this law. This can be found (in Leviticus 12:2-3).

The temple was in Jerusalem, so this is where they brought Jesus for dedication to the Lord. Mary's purification would have been complete 40 days after Jesus' birth. This temple dedication was on the 40th day.

Luke 2:23 "(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)"

Exodus 34:19 "All that openeth the matrix [is] mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, [whether] ox or sheep, [that is male]."

Luke 2:24 "And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."

In (Leviticus 12:6-8), we see the Levitical law that covers the gift Mary brought for her atonement, She could not bring a lamb so she brought the lesser expensive sacrifice.

Luke 2:25 "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name [was] Simeon; and the same man [was] just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him."

"Simeon": He is mentioned nowhere else in Scripture.

"The consolation of Israel": A messianic title, evidently derived from verse like (Isaiah. 25:9; 14:1-2; 66:1-11).

The consolation of Israel was Messiah. This man believed that during his lifetime Messiah would come. Today in Israel the devout Jews are again expecting Messiah. He was just and devout and that brings the Holy Ghost.

Luke 2:26 "And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ."

"That it was revealed unto him": It is significant that with messianic expectation running so high (3:15), and with the many Old Testament prophecies that spoke of His coming, still only a handful of people realized the significance of Christ's birth.

Most of them, including Simeon, received some angelic message or other special revelation to make the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies clear.

This devout believer, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit of God, had been informed by revelation that he would not die before he saw the Lord (anointed one), Christ. He believed and expected this to be true.

Luke 2:27-29 "And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law," "Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said," "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:"

Simeon was very old, possibly over 100 years. At any rate, so old that he came by the power of the Spirit of God. This was to dedicate Jesus. Simeon immediately recognized through the Holy Spirit that this child is the Savior of the world; the Messiah. He says, now that I have seen Him, I am ready to go home to heaven.

Verses 29-32: Simeon's psalm is known as the Nunc Dimittis, from the first two words of the Latin translation. It is the fourth of 5 psalms of praise Luke included in his birth narrative. It is a touching expression of Simeon's extraordinary faith.

Luke 2:30 "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,"

"Thy salvation": I.e., the One who would redeem His people from their sin.

Luke 2:31 "Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;"

"All people": I.e., all nations, tongues and tribes (Rev. 7:9), both Israel and the Gentiles (verse 32).

Luke 2:32 "A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."

This type of Light here, is the Light of the knowledge of God. The Gentiles have never had an opportunity up until then to know God and to be children of Light. Jesus is the hope of the Gentile. Israel knew God. Messiah will come as an Israelite.

Luke 2:33 "And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him."

Notice that Joseph is not Jesus' father. The Scripture does show Mary as Jesus' mother. Mary realizes that Jesus is special, but even now does not know just exactly what He came to do.

Luke 2:34 "And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this [child] is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;"

"Rising again of many in Israel": To those who reject Him, He is a stone of stumbling (1 Peter 2:8); those who receive Him are raised up (Eph. 2:6; 8:14-15; Hos. 14:9; 1 Cor. 1:23-24).

"Sign which shall be spoken against": This was synecdoche. Simeon mentioned only the verbal insults hurled at Christ, but the expression actually embraced more than that, Israel's rejection, and hatred, and crucifixion of the Messiah.

Luke 2:35 "(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

"A sword": This was undoubtedly a reference to the personal grief Mary would endure when she watched her own Son die in agony (John 19:25).

"That the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed": The rejection of the Messiah would reveal the appalling truth about the apostate state of the Jews.

Simeon speaking a blessing is blessing Mary and her husband Joseph. Notice that this prophecy given by Simeon is given to Mary who is the mother of Jesus. Simeon doesn't speak to Joseph, because this is not his child.

So many (the supposedly religious people in Israel), will not accept the Savior. They will fall. Those who receive Jesus will rise. The disciples are a good example of those who are built up. This sword which will pierce Mary is the grief she will feel when they crucify Jesus. Simeon is speaking through the power of the Holy Ghost.

We are told throughout the Bible that by two witnesses a thing shall be established (2 Cor. 13:1), is an example of that.

"In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."

We have seen one witness in Simeon and now we need another witness. Many denominations stop with Simeon and do not mention the other witness. The other witness is a woman, and it would blow their theory that women are not to minister in the church. Nevertheless, let us look at the Bible account of the second witness here.

Luke 2:36 "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;"

"A prophetess": This refers to a woman who spoke God's Word. She was a teacher of the Old Testament, not a source of revelation. The Old Testament mentions only 3 women who prophesied: Miriam (exodus 15:20); Deborah (Judges 4:4); Huldah (2 Kings 2:14; 2 Chron. 34:22).

One other, the "prophetess" Noadiah, was evidently a false prophet, grouped by Nehemiah with his enemies. (Isaiah 8:3), refers to the prophet's wife as a "prophetess", but there is no evidence Isaiah's wife prophesied. Perhaps she is so-called because the child she bore was given a name that was prophetic (Isa. 8:3-4).

This use of the title for Isaiah's wife also shows that the title does not necessarily indicate an ongoing revelatory prophetic ministry. Rabbinical tradition also regarded Sarah, Hannah, Abigail, and Esther as prophetesses (apparently to make an even 7 with Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah). In the New Testament, the daughters of Philip prophesied.

There were not as many gifted women called to the ministry as men, because most women were not educated in the Holy Scriptures.

Anna, as we will see in the next few verses, never left the temple; she prayed and fasted. She also told everyone who wanted salvation about Jesus, which is preaching. She preached in the church, because the Scripture says she never left the temple. Anna had been a married woman and was now a widow. Anna was a descendent of Asher.

Luke 2:37 "And she [was] a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served [God] with fastings and prayers night and day."

"Departed not from the temple": Anna evidently had her living quarters on the temple grounds. There would have been several such dwelling places for priests in the outer court, and Anna must have been allowed to live there permanently because of her unusual status as a prophetess.

She was eighty-four years old. It seems she was very devoted to God and His work. Fasting and prayer is possibly the most important ministry in the church and is greatly neglected today in our churches.

Luke 2:38 "And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."

This "Anna" quickly realized who Jesus was. She not only recognized Him and accepted Him for herself, but preached to everyone in Jerusalem who looked for redemption. She was one of the first to preach the good news of Jesus Christ as our Redeemer.

Luke 2:39 "And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth."

"They returned into Galilee": Luke omitted the visit of the Magi and the flight into Egypt (Matt. 2:1-18). The theme of early rejection, so prominent in Matthew, was not where Luke focused his attention.

This does not say exactly when they went back to Nazareth except to say that after they had fulfilled the law given by Moses. We can assume that the wise men spoken of in Matthew came to see Jesus before Mary and Joseph's return to Nazareth, and even the stay in Egypt to avoid Herod Killing Jesus occurred before their return to Nazareth.

Luke Chapter 2 Continued Questions

1. On what day was Jesus circumcised?

2. What other thing did the family do on this day?

3. Whose covenant with God did this fulfill?

4. On what day did Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple for dedication?

5. Where can the law of purification be found?

6. Every male child is __________to God.

7. What sacrifice did they take?

8. Who was the elderly man in the temple?

9. What was this man waiting for?

10. How had it been revealed to him that he would not die before seeing the Savior?

11. How was he able to come into the temple?

12. When Simeon took the baby in his arms. What did he do?

13. What would Jesus be to the Gentiles?

14. What does verse 33 tell us about Joseph?

15. What did Simeon say that this child was set for?

16. What did he tell Mary would happen to her?

17. By how many shall a thing be established?

18. Why do many denominations not tell about Anna in the temple?

19. What was Anna called in verse 36?

20. What tribe was she from?

21. Had she ever been married?

22. What two things did she do continually?

23. How do we know that she preached in the church?

24. How old was Anna?

25. What is greatly neglected in our churches today?

26. What was the message she preached?

27. In verse 39, where did they go back to live?

28. What 2 things (not mentioned in Luke), happened before Mary and Joseph went home?

Luke Chapter 2 Second Continued

Luke 2:40 "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."

Mary and Joseph brought Jesus back to Nazareth to live until He grew to manhood. He was to be called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23). In (Isaiah 11:2), we read about the abundance of His Spirit.

Isaiah 11:2 "And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;"

You see, Jesus has all of these to the utmost; the grace of God.

Colossians 2:9 "For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."

Jesus Christ is the fullness of God on the earth.

Luke 2:41 "Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover."

"Feast of the Passover": Passover was a one-day feast, followed immediately by the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread.

It was a requirement to go to Jerusalem on the feast of the Passover each year. Mary and Joseph tried to keep the Mosaic Law, and they went each year 3 times to worship at the temple (feast of Passover, feast of Pentecost, and feast of Tabernacles).

Verse 41 doesn't mean that Joseph was Jesus' father, but rather that is what everyone thought. The men were the only ones required to go, but in this case, the whole family went.

Luke 2:42 "And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast."

I personally believe that Jesus came to the temple at 12 to show that this is about the time when we are old enough to make the decision to follow the Lord. This particular time is very important in the life of Jewish young men. They begin to worship with the men at this age.

Luke 2:43 "And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not [of it]."

"Jesus tarried behind": In stark contrast to the apocryphal gospels' spurious takes of youthful miracles and supernatural exploits, this lone biblical insight into the youth of Jesus portrays Him as a typical boy in a typical family. His lingering was neither mischievous nor disobedient; it was owing to a simple mistaken presumption of His parents' part (verse 44), that He was left behind.

The feast of Passover and Unleavened Bread are really covered together. The Passover meal was on the 14th of Nisan and Unleavened Bread extended for 7 days after. After this time was fulfilled, Mary and Joseph started back to Nazareth. They were not aware that Jesus had not come with them, but stayed behind.

Luke 2:44 "But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among [their] kinsfolk and acquaintance."

"In the company": Obviously, Joseph and Mary were traveling with a large caravan of friends and relatives from Nazareth. No doubt hundreds of people from their community went together to the feast. Men and woman in such a group might have been separated by some distance, and it appears each parent thought He was with the other.

Hebrews were required to go to Jerusalem, so this was indeed a large group. Mary and Joseph began to look for Jesus when they noticed He wasn't with them.

Luke 2:45 "And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him."

Perhaps, He had lived such a normal childhood that His mother had forgotten who Jesus really was.

Luke 2:46 "And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions."

"Three days": This probably does not mean they searched Jerusalem for 3 days. They apparently realized He was missing at the end of a full day's travel. That required another full day's journey back to Jerusalem, and the better part of another day was spent seeking Him.

"Hearing them, and asking them questions": The boy Jesus was utterly respectful, taking the role of the student. But even at that young age, His questions showed a wisdom that put the teachers to shame.

Had they remembered that Jesus was the very Son of God, they would have gone to the temple immediately. As it was, it took them 3 days to find Him. These doctors were doctors of theology. We know that Jesus' style was to ask them questions. Even when He was questioned later, He answered with questions that they could not answer.

Luke 2:47 "And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."

Here was a 12 year old boy, who had not been trained in the temple, who knew the Word more than those who had studied all of their lives. How could this be? This young man they were talking to was the Word of God. In John the 1st chapter, He is called just that.

Luke 2:48 "And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing."

"Why hast thou thus dealt with us?": Mary's words convey a tone of exasperation and rebuke, normal for any mother under such circumstance, but misplaced in this case. Jesus was not hiding from them or defying their authority.

In fact, He had done precisely what any child should do under such circumstance (being left by His parents), He went to a safe, public place, in the presence of trusted adults, where His parents could be expected to come looking for Him (verse 49).

"Thy father": I.e., Joseph, who was legally His father.

As we said earlier, His childhood was probably fairly normal. His mother had perhaps forgotten why Jesus had come to the earth, and she felt that He, as other children were, was obligated to tell her before He disappeared. Of course, after three days of looking without finding Him, they feared the worst.

Luke 2:49 "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"

"My father's business": Contrasting with Mary's "your father" (in verse 48), His reply was in no sense insolent, but reveals a genuine amazement that they did not know where to look for Him. This also reveals that even at so young an age, He had a clear consciousness of His identity and mission.

Here we see again, that Jesus answers questions with another question.

Possibly, Jesus did not like Mary referring to Joseph as his Father. Jesus' Father was God. This moment (at 12 years of age), possibly launched Jesus into the Father's business.

At least we know that He left a lasting impression on these scholarly men in the temple. There has been very little written about the time between Jesus' visiting the temple at Jerusalem and when He starts His public ministry when He is 30 years old. We do know that Mary knows of His miracle ability because she tells them at the wedding to do whatever He asks.

This is an indication to me that Jesus had been performing miracles before her from the time He was 12 until then. I believe His formal ministry begins at 30, and that he had been ministering all along privately. What was the Father's business? It was ministering to those less fortunate.

Luke 2:50 "And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them."

It is pretty obvious that Jesus had not been performing miracles before He was 12, because the Scripture here says they (Mary and Joseph), understood not.

We know that Mary understood when Jesus was 30, so this fuels the idea that He ministered privately in their home between 12 and 30 years of age.

Luke 2:51 "And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart."

"Subject unto them": Jesus' relationship with His Heavenly Father did not override or nullify His duty to His earthly parents. His obedience to the fifth commandment was an essential part of the perfect legal obedience He rendered on our behalf (Heb. 4:4; 5:8-9). He had to fulfill all righteousness.

After this Jerusalem experience, Jesus returned with them to the little town of Nazareth where He would grow to manhood known as a carpenter's son. Mary remembers all of these happenings as any mother would.

Jesus was not rebellious but obeyed Mary and Joseph (was subject unto them).

Luke 2:52 "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature": Jesus did not cease being God or divest Himself of divine attributes in order to become man. Rather, He took on a human nature (or addition, not a subtraction), and submitted the use of His divine attributes to the will of the Father (John 5:19, 30; 8:28; Phil 2:5-8).

Therefore, there were times when His omniscience was on display (Matt. 9:4; John 2:24-25; 4:17-18; 11:11-14; 16:30), and other times when it was veiled by His humanity in accordance with the Father's will (Mark 13:32).

We know that Jesus had all knowledge and wisdom. I believe the statement above means that those looking on perceived more of His wisdom as He grew older. They became more and more aware of just how wise He was.

He was totally obedient to Father God and stayed in good favor with Him, but man realized His unselfishness and attitude. They could not help but love Him and respect Him more and more as they knew Him better.

Luke Chapter 2 Second Continued Questions

1. The child grew and waxed strong in _____________.

2. What was upon Him?

3. In Matthew 2:23, we find out why He lived in Nazareth. Why was it?

4. What does Isaiah 11:2 tell us about Jesus?

5. In Colossians 2:9, "for in him dwelleth all the fullness ____ _____ __________ ________".

6. What 3 celebrations were all males to go to the temple?

7. What specific celebration was this one?

8. How old was Jesus at this time?

9. What city was the temple in?

10. Why does the author believe this specific age of Jesus is important?

11. What is meant by fulfilling the days?

12. Why do you suppose Mary and Joseph did not know that Jesus was not with them earlier?

13. What 2 feasts or festivals overlapped here?

14. What time of year were these festivals?

15. Where did Mary and Joseph look for Him first?

16. Why didn't Mary look at the temple first?

17. How long were they looking before they found Him?

18. Where was He found?

19. Who had He been with?

20. What had He been doing?

21. How did Jesus answer questions?

22. How did His answers affect them?

23. Where can we read about Jesus being the Word?

24. What did His mother say when they found Him?

25. How did Jesus answer her?

26. How old is Jesus when He launches His public ministry?

27. What do you believe He did between 12 and then?

28. What is the Father's business?

29. What tells us that Jesus did not perform miracles before He was 12?

30. What makes the author believe that He did miracles privately before He was 30?

31. Who would those around them believe that Jesus was?

32. How do we know that Jesus was a good son, not rebellious?

33. Jesus increased in favor with ______ and ____________.

34. What does verse 52 really mean about Jesus growing in wisdom?

Luke Chapter 3

Luke 3:1 "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,"

"Fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar": Because of the way Tiberius came to power, this date is hard to fix precisely. When the Roman Senate declared Augustus emperor, they did so on condition that his power would end with his death, rather than passing to his heirs. The idea was that the senate, rather than the emperor himself, was to choose the heir to the throne.

However, the emperor himself was to choose the heir to the throne. Augustus circumvented that difficulty by appointing a co-regent, on who he planned gradually to confer the imperial powers. When he outlived his first choice for successor, Augustus next selected his son-in-law, Tiberius, whom he adopted and made his heir in A.D. 4 (Augustus disliked Tiberius but hoped to pass power to his grandsons through him).

Tiberius was made co-regent in A.D. 11, and then automatically became sole ruler at the death of Augustus on Aug. 19, A.D. 14. If Luke's chronology is dated from Tiberius; appointment to the co-regency, the 15 ^th year would be A.D. 25 or 26. If Luke was reckoning from the death of
Augustus, this date would fall between Aug. 19, A.D. 28 and Aug. 18, A.D. 29.

One other fact complicates the setting of a precise date: the Jews reckoned a ruler's term from the Jewish New Year following accession. So if Luke was using the Jewish system, the actual dates could be slightly later. The earlier date of A.D. 25-26 seems to fit the chronology of Christ's life best.

"Pontius Pilate ... Herod ... Philip": Pontius Pilate was the fifth governor of Judea. Herod Antipas is the main Herod in the gospel accounts He was the one who had John the Baptist put to death (14:1-12), and examined Christ on the eve of the crucifixion (Luke 23:1-12).

It seems this son of Herod was a murderer and probably, as bad as or worse than his father. Joseph had obeyed God and came back into the land of Israel, but was afraid to go to Jerusalem. God gave Joseph a dream and told him to go to an area away from Jerusalem, "into the parts of Galilee".

Luke 3:2 "Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zachariah in the wilderness."

"Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests": According to Josephus, Annas served as High-Priest A.D. 6-15, when he was deposed by Roman officials. He nonetheless retained defacto power, as seen in the fact that his successors included 5 of his sons and Caiaphas, a son-in-law.

Caiaphas was the actual High-Priest during the time Luke describes, but Annas still controlled the office. This is seen clearly in the fact that Christ was taken to Annas first after His arrest, then to Caiaphas.

These above two scriptures are just setting the time that the things that happen in chapter 3 occur. Tiberius Caesar was the second Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was the governor of Judaea and was subordinate to Caesar. Herod was subordinate to Pontius Pilate and was over the small area of Galilee where John the Baptist and Jesus lived.

Annas and Caiaphas were the head of the temple worship. We can see the chain of world power in this area here. This "John", mentioned here, was John the Baptist. This Word of God that John received was from God, not man. The message John got was a message of the spirit.

Of course, it will affect these rulers indirectly: but the message is not for them as rulers. The message John gets speaks to the soul of man.

Luke 3:3 "And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;"

"Baptism of repentance": The symbolism of John's baptism likely had its roots in Old Testament rituals (Lev. 15:13). Baptism had also long been administered to Gentile proselytes coming into Judaism. The baptism of John thus powerfully and dramatically symbolized repentance.

Jews accepting John's baptism were admitting they had been as Gentiles and needed to become the people of God genuinely, inwardly (an amazing admission, given their hatred of Gentiles). The people were repenting in anticipation of the Messiah's arrival. The meaning of John's baptism differs somewhat from Christian baptism (Acts 18:25).

Actually, Christian baptism altered the significance of the ritual, symbolizing the believer's identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3; Col 2:12).

John had one message, "repent". That should be the message of our day also. To repent is the first step on the way to being saved. Then when we repent, we must change our mind and become a new creature in Christ. Our thoughts must be different. We must walk a different walk than before. Our desires must change.

What John the Baptist was saying is turn from your wicked ways and live a holy life pleasing unto God.

John had been chosen even before his birth for this job. He had lived a near perfect life and was well respected by those around him. This message that John had received from God was very similar to the great commission which says, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15).

Luke 3:4 "As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."

You can find the Scripture in Isaiah (in chapter 40:3). It appears that John the Baptist was not speaking in the temple. He was out in a desert area where few lived. John was preparing the people to be ready for the Savior. He was proclaiming the coming of the Lord.

Luke 3:5 "Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways [shall be] made smooth;"

This is speaking of obstacles of every kind which shall be done away with so that everyone will be able to hear.

Luke 3:6 "And all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

"All flesh": I.e., Gentiles as well as Jews. All 4 gospels quote (Isaiah 40:3; i.e. Matt. 3:3; Mark 1:3; John 1:23). Only Luke adds (verses 5-6), thus using a familiar text from Isaiah to stress his theme of the universal scope of the gospel.

Salvation is not just for one particular group; salvation is for everyone who will accept it. Salvation is an offer of God to all mankind, a way out.

Luke 3:7 "Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?"

"The wrath to come": Possibly a reference to the coming destruction of Jerusalem. But this certainly also looks beyond any earthly calamity to the eschatological outpouring of divine wrath in the Day of the Lord, and especially the final judgment, where divine wrath will be the just fruit of all the unrepentant (Rom. 1:18; 1 Thess. 1:10; Heb. 10:27).

This was an evil generation. This was a generation who had turned its back on God. The sad thing here is that John was speaking to people who professed to know God. Our generation is like this as well. Our country claims to be under God, and sin is everywhere.

Movies are X, R, or PG rated. Television is so bad you can't allow the children to watch even the shows especially made for them. If there was ever a generation of people displeasing God, it is ours. Even people who go to church and claim to be Christians are doing things abominable to God. We take God so lightly that we have difficulty having any time for Him at all.

John the Baptist called them "vipers" because they belonged to the old devil. No one wants to face the wrath of God, then or now. We fear the wrath, but will not live a life pleasing to God. The only way to avoid God's wrath (hot anger), is to live pleasing before Him.

Luke 3:8 "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."

"Stones": The imagery may echo Old Testament verses such as (Ezek. 11:19; 36:26); God can sovereignly turn a heart of stone into a believing heart. He can raise up children to Abraham from inanimate objects if He chooses, or even from stony-hearted Gentiles (Gal. 3:29).

"Children unto Abraham": Abraham's true children are not merely physical descendants, but those who follow his faith, believing God's Word the way he did (Rom. 4:11-16; 9:8; Gal. 3:7). To trust one's physical ancestry is to shift the focus of faith away from God Himself, and that is spiritually fatal (John 8:39-44).

The Lord does not have grandchildren, only children, who your parents are makes no difference. The promise to Abraham and his descendants was conditional. God would bless them, if they kept His commandments. There was a curse if they did not keep His commandments.

Abraham's true seed do the works of Abraham as we read (in John 8:39). Abraham's true seed are the ones mentioned (in Galatians 3:29).

These fruits worthy of repentance are a changed life.

Luke 3:9 "And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

In this, John was telling this people, you have had your chance. Preparation had been made. If you are not productive to the kingdom, you will be cut down. Just as we will see in a later lesson where Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered and died. Irreversible judgment was imminent.

This (verse 9), is speaking of what happens to those at the judgment who have wasted their lives on themselves. Those people who have lived in sin to please their own flesh; and have had no regard for the souls of those around them. The end of these people is hell and the lake of fire.

Luke 3:10 "And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?"

This is the same question the young rich man asked Jesus ("what must I do to be saved"?).

Luke 3:11 "He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise."

"Two coats": Shirt-like garments. Only one could be worn at a time. John was still stressing the imminence of the coming judgment. This was not a time to hoard one's surplus goods.

John is saying in this, you say you have repented and want to live for Jesus, now show me by giving up your selfish ways. Begin to do for others and stop thinking so much of yourselves.

Jesus will teach later on that in as much as you have done this for the least of these, you have done it for Him. Giving to someone who cannot possibly pay you back is giving to God.

Luke 3:12-13 "Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?" These publicans were people who collected taxes for the Romans. This is a very good question they have asked." "And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you."

"Publicans": Tax collectors who were disloyal Israelites hired by the Romans to tax other Jews for personal profit. They became symbols for the worst kind of people. (9:10-11; 11:19; 18:17; 21:31; Mark 2:14-16; Luke 5:30; 7:25, 29, 34; 18:11-13), Matthew had been one of them.

Some of the tax collectors took bribes and pocketed some of the money for themselves. This type of employment was looked down upon by the Jews, but it appears here that John is saying, "If you must do this job, be honest and don't put any more burden on the people than is required".

Luke 3:14 "And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse [any] falsely; and be content with your wages."

"Soldiers": These were most likely members of the forces of Herod Antipas, stationed at Perea, perhaps, along with Judean police.

"Violent ... Accuse any falsely": Here and (in verse 13), John demanded integrity and high character in the practical matters of everyday life, not a monastic lifestyle or a mystical asceticism. (James 1:27).

We see here, that many of the soldiers desired to be among those who repented and were ready for the coming of the Lord. John again tells them to do their job well without cruelty. He tells them to be careful and not to accuse anyone of a crime they did not do.

Again he reminds them to be satisfied with the wages they make and not to covet others' money or wealth. These soldiers being armed could cause others around them problems, if they desired. John is warning them not to do this.

Luke 3:15 "And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not;"

It appears that many believed that John the Baptist was the "looked for" Messiah. They had expected Messiah for so long, and John seemed right for what they were looking for. Certainly, he was like no other man that they had ever come into contact with.

They also know of his miracle birth to aged parents. The other gospels do not mention that many thought John to be Messiah. He was so different, it is not surprising that many thought this man to be Messiah.

Luke 3:16 "John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:"

"Baptize": He shall baptize with the Holy Ghost referring to the spiritual rebirth of the regenerate who shall receive the baptism of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). This experience began at Pentecost (Acts 1), and was repeated upon every new group of converts (Samaritans, Gentiles, John's disciples), until it became normative for all Christian believers.

John here is trying to cool down their belief that he might be Messiah. He tells them quickly that he is not Messiah. John is attempting to prepare them for the Messiah. John the Baptist's message is "repent". "Repent", as we said before, means to have a change of heart, to turn from the old ways and walk in a better life.

The baptism of John was certainly different from Jesus' baptism. John's was the baptism of repentance, the washing away of sins and rising to a new and better life. The baptism of Jesus sets you on fire to work for Him. This baptism of John was not the baptism of power from on high. This baptism of fire was the baptism evident at Pentecost.

John knew that he was not Messiah and was quick to tell others that he was not. He was a voice proclaiming the coming of the Savior. This baptism of fire the Messiah would bring would burn away the sin and set all who receive it on fire to work for Messiah. Just as Isaiah's lips were purged with fire (in Isaiah 6:6).

Luke Chapter 3 Questions

1. In verse 1, who did the Word of God come to?

2. Where was he when the Word came?

3. Who was reigning at the time?

4. Who were the 2 high priests at this time?

5. Who was this "John" the son of?

6. This message that John gets is to what?

7. What was John preaching?

8. In what area did he preach?

9. What does repent actually mean?

10. What is the great commission given to believers?

11. What had Isaiah prophesied about John?

12. What was John preparing the people for?

13. What does verse 5 really mean about the valleys being made low?

14. Who shall see the salvation of God?

15. What kind of generation did John call the multitude that came to be baptized?

16. Who were these people, really?

17. How can we relate them to people of our day?

18. How is the only way to avoid God's wrath?

19. What did John warn them about Abraham?

20. What lowly thing did John say that God could raise seed of Abraham from?

21. What did John tell the soldiers to do?

22. Who are Abraham's true seed?

23. These fruits worthy of repentance are what?

24. If a tree does not bring forth good fruit, what is done to it?

25. What kind of fate awaits those who refuse Jesus?

26. What question did they ask John?

27. In verse 11, what was John really saying to them?

28. Who were the publicans?

29. How could they be saved?

30. What changes did John tell them to make in their lives?

31. What did John tell the soldiers to do?

32. Who did the people believe John was?

33. Why did they believe this?

34. What was the difference in John's baptism and the baptism of Jesus?

35. What does Jesus' baptism cause you to do?

Luke Chapter 3 Continued

We have just learned in the previous lesson that many thought John the Baptist to be Messiah. John quickly tells them that he is not. He had explained by saying his baptism was of water and Jesus' baptism was of fire. Now we will pick up in verse seventeen.

Luke 3:17 "Whose fan [is] in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable."

"Fan" is a winnowing fork, a tool for tossing grain into the wind so that the chaff is blown away.

This Scripture was saying He (Jesus), will stir up the people. He will separate the good (wheat), from the evil. This floor, probably, spiritually meant the whole world. He shall gather all believers together unto Him, and they shall become united in Him (the Bride of Christ).

"He will burn up the chaff" just meant the wicked shall burn eternally.

This is a prophetic statement by John speaking of the separation Jesus will make of His own from the evil on Judgment day. Christians are the wheat. The Lord will gather us unto Him, but the chaff (unbeliever), has nothing but the Lake of Fire to look forward to. This fan in His hand just means that He can get this all stirred up and going all by Himself.

When you fan a fire, it burns hotter. His floor will be clean, regardless of what must be done to cleanse it. Jesus taught the separation of good from evil here on the earth and also taught in the parable of the wheat and the chaff the different fates of the two. Notice (in verse 17), that it is Jesus who is the Judge.

Luke 3:18 "And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people."

Verse 40 of Acts chapter 2 is possibly speaking of the same thing.

Acts 2:40 "And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation."

You see that what both of these are saying is the same. John's message was repent and be baptized. The thing that was different was that he spoke to each individual something that they could relate to. He preached what they needed to hear. He spoke loudly to some and to others in a gentle voice. He said whatever would touch their heart and cause them to repent.

Luke 3:19 "But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,"

Herod was a very evil ruler. John the Baptist is beheaded by him later on as John's ministry grows. John had told Herod that he was living in sin, because he had taken his own brother's wife to live with. Strangely enough, Herod was afraid of John.

Luke 3:20 "Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison."

"Shut up John in prison": This event actually occurred much later during Jesus' ministry (Matt. 14:1-12; John 3:22-24). But Luke organized his material on John the Baptist topically rather than chronologically.

Herod knew that John was telling him the truth. Herod had great respect for John even though he put John in prison. As we said, Herod was afraid of John. Herod knew the people would follow John, if he asked them.

I really believe Herod's greatest fear was not in John leading an army against him but was fear of John's God. He didn't like John going around telling that he should not be living with his brother Philip's wife either.

Luke 3:21 "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,"

"Baptized": Christ was here identifying Himself with sinners. He will ultimately bear their sins; His perfect righteousness will be imputed to them (2 Cor. 5:21). This act of baptism was a necessary part of the righteousness He secured for sinners.

This does not mean that the whole countryside was baptized. It just means "all" of the people who "wanted" to be baptized. In other words Jesus didn't come in and stop others so that He might be baptized first. The other gospels do not mention prayer at the baptism. It appears that Jesus was praying, and the heaven opened.

"And praying": Luke alone notes that Jesus was praying. Prayer is one of Luke's themes.

Luke 3:22 "And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased."

"Holy Ghost": All 3 persons of the Trinity are distinguishable in this verse, a strong proof against the heresy of modalism, which suggests that God is one Person who manifests Himself in 3 distinct modes, one at a time.

"In a bodily shape": I.e., physical and visible to all (Matt. 3:16; John 1:32).

"Like a dove": A picture of gentleness (Matt. 10:16).

"My beloved Son": "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).

We see here God the Father speaking from heaven, God the Son being baptized, and God the Holy Ghost appearing as a dove. We have discussed in these lessons, over and over, that God is a Spirit and can appear in any form He wants to.

The Dove however, throughout Scripture symbolizes the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost. We see at Jesus' baptism the Godhead. The Father approved everything Jesus did. Those who heard this voice should never have a doubt who Jesus was.

We should never forget that Jesus was then, and always will be God: God the Word before He came to earth and God the Son for His stay on earth. The Spirit of God dwelled in Him. Jesus was baptized not for His own benefit (he didn't need to be baptized), but for ours. He wanted to show us that being baptized was important.

Verses 3:23-38: Luke's genealogy moves backward from Jesus to Adam; and Matthew's moves forward from Abraham to Joseph. Luke's entire section from Joseph to David differs starkly from that given by Matthew. The two genealogies are easily reconciled if Luke's is seen as Mary's genealogy, and Matthew's version represents Joseph's.

As Mary's genealogy, and Matthew's version represents Joseph's. Thus the royal line is passed through Jesus' legal father, and His physical descent from David is established by Mary's lineage. Luke, unlike Matthew, includes no women in his genealogy, even Mary herself.

Joseph was "the son of Eli" by marriage (Eli having no sons of his own), and thus is named here (in verse 23), as the representative of Mary's generation. Moses himself established precedent for this sort of substitution (in Num. 27:1-11; 36:1-12). The men listed from Eli (verse 23), to Rhesa (verse 27), are found nowhere else in Scripture. Zerubbabel and Shealtiel (verse 27), are the only two names here that correspond to names in Matthew's genealogy between David and Jesus.

Luke 3:23 "And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was [the son] of Heli,"

"About thirty years of age": Luke was probably not fixing an exact age. Rather, this was an approximation, 30 being a customary age for entering into the office of prophet (Ezek. 1:1); priest (Num. 4:3, 35, 39, 43, 47), or king (Gen. 41:46; 2 Sam. 5:4).

"As was supposed": Luke had already established the fact of the virgin birth (1:34-35); here he made clear once again that Joseph was not Jesus' true father.

Genealogies are given for man. This is why it was necessary to show the genealogy of Joseph, who was not even Jesus' Father. The world thought that Jesus was Joseph's son so the line had to show back from Joseph to David. This genealogy differs in a few ways from Matthew. This genealogy goes back to Adam and God, whereas the one in Matthew begins with Abraham.

Very good records were kept in the Hebrews' line of King David. As I said, genealogies are kept for the world, not for God. We will not belabor the point here. Note that Jesus was 30 years old when His official ministry began. The fact of Him being 30, shows us that God is dealing with mankind (world government).

Also, Hebrew men in the service of God began their ministry at 30.

Luke 3:24-26 "Which was [the son] of Matthat, which was [the son] of Levi, which was [the son] of Melchi, which was [the son] of Janna, which was [the son] of Joseph," "Which was [the son] of Mattathias, which was [the son] of Amos, which was [the son] of Nahum, which was [the son] of Esli, which was [the son] of Naggai," "Which was [the son] of Maath, which was [the son] of Mattathias, which was [the son] of Semei, which was [the son] of Joseph, which was [the son] of Judah,"

You may notice that the names are not always identical in Matthew and Luke. Possibly, the place that each of them got the records from spelled them a little different. I do not believe that to be important. The names that are significant are the same in both lines.

Luke 3:27-29 "Which was [the son] of Joanna, which was [the son] of Rhesa, which was [the son] of Zerubbabel, which was [the son] of Salathiel, which was [the son] of Neri," "Which was [the son] of Melchi, which was [the son] of Addi, which was [the son] of Cosam, which was [the son] of Elmodam, which was [the son] of Er," "Which was [the son] of Jose, which was [the son] of Eliezer, which was [the son] of Jorim, which was [the son] of Matthat, which was [the son] of Levi,"

These descendants mentioned in Luke many believe to be the line to Jesus through Mary, even though it is not stated at the outset.

Luke 3:30-31 "Which was [the son] of Simeon, which was [the son] of Judah, which was [the son] of Joseph, which was [the son] of Jonan, which was [the son] of Eliakim," "Which was [the son] of Melea, which was [the son] of Menan, which was [the son] of Mattatha, which was [the son] of Nathan, which was [the son] of David,"

It is very important to the Hebrews for David to be in the direct lineage of Jesus. They expected Messiah to be a strong man of war like David. They thought Messiah would free them from the Roman rule.

Luke 3:32 "Which was [the son] of Jesse, which was [the son] of Obed, which was [the son] of Boaz, which was [the son] of Salmon, which was [the son] of Nahshon,"

We see in this "Boaz", the husband of Ruth, that there were Hebrew and Gentile roots. You see, Ruth was a Moabite woman (Gentile). Ruth, a Gentile, and Boaz, a Hebrew, were in the direct lineage of Jesus.

Luke 3:33 "Which was [the son] of Amminadab, which was [the son] of Ram, which was [the son] of Hezron, which was [the son] of Pharez, which was [the son] of Judah,"

We know that Jesus was the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Here we see Judah in the lineage.

Luke 3:34 "Which was [the son] of Jacob, which was [the son] of Isaac, which was [the son] of Abraham, which was [the son] of Terah, which was [the son] of Nahor,"

Of course, this is one of the most important genealogy connections, because the promise was to come through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This shows covenant connection.

Luke 3:35-36 "Which was [the son] of Serug, which was [the son] of Ragau, which was [the son] of Peleg, which was [the son] of Eber, which was [the son] of Selah," "Which was [the son] of Cainan, which was [the son] of Arphaxad, which was [the son] of Shem, which was [the son] of Noah, which was [the son] of Lamech,"

We see here, the Hebrew nation came from Shem. In our Genesis study, we go into Noah's three sons starting the three types of people. The Negroid, Asiatics, and the Caucasians. We see the Hebrews as descendants of Shem. We also see Noah, who was saved from world destruction.

Luke 3:37-38 "Which was [the son] of Methuselah, which was [the son] of Enoch, which was [the son] of Jared, which was [the son] of Mahalaleel, which was [the son] of Cainan," "Which was [the son] of Enos, which was [the son] of Seth, which was [the son] of Adam, which was [the son] of God."

Seth, you remember, was the son given to Adam and Eve to replace Abel who Cain killed. His line was the godly line.

Luke Chapter 3 Continued Questions

1. Many thought John the Baptist to be whom?

2. How did John explain that he was not who they thought?

3. What happens to the chaff?

4. Who separates the evil and the good on judgment day?

5. What was John's message?

6. What had John told Herod that disturbed him?

7. What did Herod do to John?

8. Why was Herod afraid of John?

9. Who baptized Jesus?

10. What is said in Luke that is not in the other gospels?

11. How did the Holy Ghost appear at the baptism?

12. What did God the Father do at Jesus' baptism?

13. What symbolizes the Holy Spirit of God?

14. How old was Jesus when He was baptized?

15. Who are genealogies given for?

16. This genealogy in Luke is believed by many to be whose?

17. Messiah was to come in whose line?

18. Hebrew men in the service of God began at what age?

19. Jesus was the Lion of the tribe of ___________.

20. What did the Hebrews expect Messiah to be like?

21. What is significant about Booz?

22. Why are Abraham. Isaac, and Jacob important in the lineage of Jesus?

23. Of Noah's three sons, which one did the Hebrews descend from?

24. What do the 3 sons of Noah represent?

25. Who did Seth replace?

26. Of Adam and Eve's sons, which did the godly line descend from?

Luke Chapter 4

Luke 4:1 "And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,"

Following His public baptism, Jesus was "led up of the Spirit into the wilderness," referring to the elevation of the Judean wilderness. The historical settling of the temptation, which was directed against Jesus' human nature, indicates that this was a literal experience, which He really conquered, not merely a mental victory over His own thoughts. That Jesus was "Tempted of the devil" is clearly presented as a fact.

Jesus had just been baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. The Holy Ghost had descended on Him at His baptism. We see here, that He was full of the Holy Ghost. Jesus was led by the Spirit of God into the wilderness. Spirit (Ghost), is capitalized which means this is God's Spirit.

The Spirit leading Jesus into the wilderness was so that He could face all the temptations of life. We see (in Hebrews 2:17-18), that this temptation would be so that He could better understand our temptations and be more sympathetic.

Luke 4:2 "Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered."

"Forty days ... tempted": Evidently the temptation of Christ encompassed the full 40 days of His fast. Both Matthew and Luke give a condensed recounting of only 3 specific temptations. Luke reverses the order of the last two temptations in Matthew's account. Luke occasionally ordered material logically, rather than chronologically. Luke may have had some purpose for doing so here, perhaps to end his account of Jesus' temptation at the temple in Jerusalem (verse 9), a very important location in Luke's narrative.

"Forty", throughout the Bible, is symbolic of time of testing. Forty days and nights it rained on Noah. Forty days and nights Moses was on the mount to receive the Ten Commandments. Forty days and nights Goliath challenged Israel before David accepted the challenge.

Forty days and nights the children of Israel searched out the Promised Land and wandered 40 years in the wilderness to compensate for their 40 days of unbelief. Mothers were purified after giving birth to a son on the 40th day. Jesus ministered 40 days and nights after the resurrection to the time He was carried away into heaven.

There are so many other 40's such as David. Saul and Solomon each reigned for 40 years. I think the point is made.

We also see that Jesus fasted completely. A fast consists of total separation from worldly things. Food and drink are just a part of a fast. Jesus didn't drink juice or anything to sustain Him. This fast was total. At the end of this fast, He was hungry.

Luke 4:3 "And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread."

Just as the devil asked Eve, "Did God say?" he says to Jesus here; "if thou be the Son of God". He tries to plant a doubt. He spoke to Jesus' weakness at the moment, because we just read that Jesus was hungry. Jesus could command the stone, and it be made bread; but He didn't.

Whether or not the devil was standing there in visible form in front of Jesus I cannot tell. In fact, it really doesn't matter, this temptation is real. I really think the devil already knows Jesus is the Son of God, but just wants Jesus to doubt. He will do that to us also, if we will listen.

Luke 4:4 "And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."

Jesus quoted (Deut. 8:3).

Deut. 8:3 "And he humbled you, and allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna, which you knew not, neither did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD does man live."

Jesus is very smart. He answers the devil with the Word of God. He says, "It is written". Jesus is the Bread, He is the Word, and He is the Life. He is really saying that you have to have Jesus to have life.

Eating from the Holy Bible, the Word of God, every day is much more important than physical food. If you do without physical food, the worst thing that can happen to you is your body will die. But if you do not consume the Word of God, your spirit will die. God fills our inner man when we read His Word.

Luke 4:5 "And the devil, taking him up into a high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time."

This possibly is just trying to tempt Jesus to receive the world as His possession without going by the way of the cross. A temptation usually is an area where we have a desire. Jesus does have a desire to have all the people of the world to follow Him.

The Lord Jesus knew that He would rule the world. When He returns, He will be Lord of lords and King of kings.

Luke 4:6 "And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it."

Adam turned his power over to Satan when he and Eve sinned in the garden, Satan does have power on the earth, but it is limited. Jesus defeated him on the cross. The Christians have power over Satan in the name of Jesus. The people who are not believers cannot use Jesus' name to fight the devil.

Luke 4:7 "If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine."

Of course, this is the biggest lie ever told. The devil has no reason to ever tell the truth.

Luke 4:8 "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."

Jesus quoted (Deut. 6:13). "You shall fear the LORD your God, and serve him, and shall swear by his name."

The very first of the Ten Commandments tell us that the Lord God is the only being to be worshipped. Jesus answers the devil each time with a Scripture. God's plan was for Jesus to rule over all the world, everything above the earth, and everything under the earth.

Self-denial and sacrifice by Jesus would win Him rule. He rules over Satan, as well. At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.

Philippians 2:10-11 "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth;" "And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Luke 4:9-11 "And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:" "For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:" "And in [their] hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone."

This Scripture that the devil was quoting from is found in (Psalms 91:10-12). It is given not only to Jesus, but to His followers as well.

Psalms 91:10-12 "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." "They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."

You see, the devil knows the Word of God. Usually when he quotes it, it is like this Scripture; he misquotes it. He changes a word here and there. Satan brought Jesus to the temple of God for this temptation. He tells Jesus, if you are who you say you are, show me.

Jesus doesn't need to prove anything to the devil. The devil's pride was what got him into trouble, and he thought Jesus would surely be weak in this area.

Luke 4:12 "And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

Jesus quoted (Deut. 6:16) "You shall not test the LORD your God, as you tested him in Massah."

Even though we know for sure God is taking care of us, we should not do something foolish to prove it. Jesus in these temptations, was tempted as we are tempted and yet was without sin. He overcame the devil here. He always overcomes the devil. The devil is no match at all for Him.

Luke 4:13 "And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season."

"For a season": Satan's temptations did not end here for Christ, but persisted throughout His ministry (Heb. 4:15), and culminated in Gethsemane (22:39-46).

This temptation was actually every type of temptation. The devil went away defeated. Even in Jesus' weakest moment, He is stronger than the devil. The devil can't win, so he leaves.

Luke 4:14 "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about."

"Returned ... into Galilee": The synoptic gospels are largely silent about Jesus' ministry between His baptism and His return to Galilee, but John recorded a fairly extensive ministry in Jerusalem and Judea (John 2:12 - 4:1).

In Matthew 4:11, we find that as soon as Jesus was through being tempted that angels came and ministered to Him. Luke skipped that and went headlong into the power of Jesus' walk. We see that Jesus' Spirit was powerful on the return into Galilee. The power of His ministry and miracles spread fast.

Luke 4:15 "And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all."

It was not possible to hide His power of the Word from the people. His preaching was powerful. His teaching was not in His synagogue but theirs. When they heard Him, they were overwhelmed and glorified Him.

Luke Chapter 4 Questions

1. When Jesus left Jordan, where did He go?

2. What caused Him to go there?

3. Why did He go there?

4. Why is Spirit capitalized in verse one?

5. In Hebrews 2, we learn why He went through that. What reason is given?

6. How many days was He tempted of the devil?

7. What did He eat during this time?

8. What is "40" symbolic of?

9. Name 4 other times 40 is used in the Bible.

10. What is a fast?

11. In verse 3. what did the devil question about Jesus?

12. What did Satan tell Jesus to turn the stone into?

13. What was similar to Jesus' temptation in verse three and Eve's temptation?

14. How did Jesus answer Satan?

15. What should be more important to us than our daily bread?

16. What is the worst thing that could happen to you if you don't eat?

17. What can be even worse than that?

18. How does God fill our inner man?

19. When the devil took Jesus to the high mountain, what did he show Him?

20. When Jesus returns to the earth soon, who will He be?

21. In verse 6, what did the devil offer Jesus?

22. How do the Christians have power over Satan?

23. Who did Jesus say was the only one to worship?

24. What did Satan quote Jesus from when he took Him to the temple top?

25. Where is this Scripture found?

26. Who, besides Jesus, is this Scripture for?

27. What really got the devil in trouble?

28. When Satan quotes Scripture, what does he do?

29. Even though we know God is taking care of us, we should not do __________ ________ ___ _______ ___

30. When the devil stopped tempting Jesus, what did the devil do?

31. Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, went where?

32. Where did Jesus teach?

Luke Chapter 4 Continued

Luke 4:16 "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read."

"He came to Nazareth": Luke acknowledged (in verse 23), that Christ had already ministered in Capernaum. Yet Luke purposely situated this episode at the beginning of his account of Christ's public ministry. Here is an example of Luke's ordering things logically rather than chronologically.

"As his custom was": Nazareth was His hometown, so He would have been well known to all who regularly attended this synagogue.

Hebrew children were allowed to go to synagogue at 5 years old. Hebrew boys, after completing Bar Mitzvah at 12, were expected to attend as an adult would. In the synagogue, it was the custom to stand and read from the Holy books.

Jesus had already been attending, and his fame as a preacher had spread; so it was natural for Him to be the one to read. Nazareth was the town Jesus had lived in as a boy and was well known in this area.

Luke 4:17 "And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,"

This is the book of Isaiah. The head of the synagogue would bring the book out to be read. It appears that it was not turned to the Scripture Jesus intended to give, so He (Jesus), found the place He wanted to read from. The Scripture He was about to read was in Isaiah.

Isaiah 61:1-2 "The spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound;" "To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;"

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,"

"He hath anointed me": I.e., the Spirit Himself was the anointing (verses 1, 14).

Luke 4:19 "To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."

"The acceptable year of the Lord": Or, "the year of the Lord's favor." The passage Christ read was Isaiah 61:1-2. He stopped in the middle of verse 2. The rest of the verse prophesies judgment in the day of God's vengeance. Since that part of the verse pertains to the Second Advent, He did not read it.

Jesus, in this reading of the Scripture from Isaiah, is showing that this Scripture is fulfilled. Jesus, in just a few words, tells what His ministry on this earth will be. Jesus is filled to overflowing with the Spirit. He has the fullness of God.

We know that Jesus was not a respecter of persons, but truly brings the gospel message to the poor; to those rejected by the world. He laid His hands on the sick and they recovered, He opened blind eyes, He raised the dead, He even went into hell itself and preached and brought those held captive out with Him.

His miracles were so numerous and so great, all the books in the world could not contain them. He truly fulfilled this Scripture in Isaiah to the fullest.

Luke 4:20 "And he closed the book, and he gave [it] again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him."

"And sat down": It was customary for a teacher to stand respectfully during the reading of the Scriptures (verse 16), and sit humbly to teach.

When Jesus spoke, people marveled. He spoke with such authority. It was as if there was a supernatural drawing when the Lord Jesus spoke.

Luke 4:21 "And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears."

"This day is this scripture fulfilled": This was an unambiguous claim that He was the Messiah who fulfilled the prophecy. They correctly understood His meaning but could not accept such lofty claims from One who they knew so well as the carpenter's son (verse 22 and Matt. 13:55).

Jesus very boldly tells them that He is the fulfillment of this Scripture.

Luke 4:22 "And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?"

We see here, that Jesus' Words were so overwhelming that these people could not believe their own ears. Suddenly they ask each other, Isn't this the carpenter's son that lives down the road here? We saw Him grow up like our own children. How could He be the fulfillment of this Scripture?

They still believe that Joseph is Jesus' Father. They are looking at the flesh, and not the Spirit. Even today, nearly 2000 years later, the world still says this cannot be God, He was just a man. Jesus was in fact, God the Son.

Luke 4:23 "And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country."

"Capernaum": Obviously Christ had already gained a reputation for His miraculous works in Capernaum. Scripture gives few details about that first year of public ministry. Most of what we know about those months is found in John's gospel and it suggests Christ ministered mostly in Judea. However (John 2:12), mentions a brief visit to Capernaum, with no other details.

John 4:46-54 describes how Christ as at Cana, He healed a royal official's son who lay sick in Capernaum. We also know that Christ had already gathered some of His disciples, who were men from the North shore of the Sea of Galilee (John 1:35-42).

He might have visited there more than once during that first year of ministry. In any case, He had been there long enough to do miracles, and His fame had spread throughout Galilee (verse 14).

We see people here who truly believe they know this carpenter's son and believe that this (by the wildest stretch of imagination), could not possibly be Messiah. They believe Him to be mad. Jesus will later say that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country and in His own house.

Those around Him, who knew Him, instead of asking Him for their healing will say heal yourself. Capernaum also, was too close to home. Many did not believe there either, even though He did many miracles.

Luke 4:24 "And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country."

"No prophet is accepted in his own country", that is, in his own neighborhood. It generally holds, that a teacher sent from God is not acceptable to his neighbors as he is to strangers. The meanness of his family, or lowness of his circumstances, brings his office into contempt. Nor can they suffer that he, who was before equal with, or below themselves, should now bear a superior character.

Mark 6:4 Jesus said to them: "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."

Verses 25-27: Both the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-24), and Naaman the Syrian (2 Kings 5), were Gentiles. Both lived during times of widespread unbelief in Israel. Jesus' point was that God bypassed all the widows and lepers in Israel yet showed grace to two Gentiles. God's concern for Gentiles and outcasts is one of the thematic threads that run through Luke's gospel.

Luke 4:25-26 "But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;" "But unto none of them was Elijah sent, save unto Sarepta, [a city] of Sidon, unto a woman [that was] a widow."

Jesus is telling them, here, that just as all those widows in Elijah's time did not get help because they did not have faith, it would be that way here. To receive a miracle, you must have faith.

Notice here, that this drought and famine in Elijah's time lasted 3 1/2 years. This woman of Sarepta received Elijah into her home, and God miraculously fed them the whole time. Great miracles and great faith go hand in hand. There was no faith there, and there will be no great miracles because of it.

Luke 4:27 "And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian."

Naaman came to Elisha to be healed of leprosy, and Elisha told him to wash in the Jordan River seven times. He did, and his leprosy was gone. It is a beautiful story (in 2 Kings 5:3). Read all the way to the end of the chapter. There are many beautiful lessons. One of the most important of these lessons is that healing is not for sale.

Luke 4:28 "And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,"

"Filled with rage": This is Luke's first mention of hostile opposition to Christ's ministry. What seems to have sparked the Nazarenes' fury was Christ's suggestion that divine grace might be withheld from them yet extended to Gentiles.

They were filed with wrath, because Jesus was saying unto them, "Oh, ye of little faith". Jesus was telling them that they could not receive anything of God because of their cold hearts. They could not see Jesus as anything else but Joseph's son.

Luke Chapter 4 Continued Questions

1. Where was Jesus brought up?

2. What was Jesus' custom on the Sabbath day?

3. What did He do in the synagogue?

4. At what early age were Hebrew children allowed to go to synagogue?

5. At what age were Hebrew boys expected to attend?

6. We see here 18 years Jesus had been going to the synagogue. What had the preacher learned about Jesus in this time?

7. What book was brought to Jesus to read?

8. What chapter and verse did Jesus turn to?

9. In the Scripture, what had Jesus been anointed to do?

10. What special thing did Jesus say was now upon Him?

11. What was Jesus to preach?

12. Name 3 types of miracles Jesus did.

13. When He finished reading. Who was looking at Him?

14. Why were they staring at Jesus?

15. In verse 21, what does Jesus call Himself?

16. Who did these people believe Jesus to be?

17. After 2000 years, what do people believe about Jesus?

18. What proverb did Jesus say they would say unto Him?

19. What other city, besides Nazareth, would not believe?

20. They thought by the wildest stretch of imagination He could not be _____________.

21. Where is a prophet without honor?

22. How many years was there famine in the land in Elijah's time?

23. Where did Elijah stay during that time?

24. Why was the woman of Sarepta chosen?

25. Why did the other widows round about not get help?

26. What goes hand in hand with great miracles?

27. Who was brought to Elisha to be healed of leprosy?

28. What did Elisha tell him to do?

29. What is one of the most important lessons to be learned in this account in 2nd Kings?

30. How did the people accept this message?

31. What was Jesus actually saying to them?

Luke Chapter 4 Second Continued

In the last lesson, we saw Jesus telling these people that He was the fulfillment of the Scripture in Isaiah. They did not believe Jesus. They still believe He is Joseph's son.

Luke 4:29 "And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong."

Throughout the Bible, people who were thought to be false prophets were taken to a high hill outside the city and thrown off to kill them.

We discussed how Jesus was so well known that they could not believe He was Messiah, because He grew up around them and was known as Joseph's son.

Luke 4:30 "But he passing through the midst of them went his way,"

"Passing through the midst": The implication is that this was a miraculous escape, the first of several similar incidents in which He escaped a premature death at the hands of a mob (John 7:30; 8:59; 10:39).

You see, no one could hold Jesus if He didn't want them to. He disappeared right in the middle of them. Probably, He just blinded their eyes and walked right past them.

Luke 4:31 "And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days."

Capernaum is where Peter lived. It was on the banks of the Sea of Galilee. Much of Jesus' ministry took place right here on the edge of the Sea of Galilee. The people at Capernaum were not very receptive of Jesus. They were very well acquainted with Jesus. They never did accept Him as Messiah. Of course, a handful of people recognized Him, but the majority did not.

Luke 4:32 "And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power."

The scribes quoted others to establish the authority of their teachings; Jesus was His own authority (Matt. 28:18). This matter of authority was a major issue between Jesus and the Jews, who felt their authority challenged.

The outstanding feature of His teaching was His "authority," meaning the divine approval and authoritative constraint with which He delivered His message.

The astonishment, as we said, was because they thought of Him as the carpenter's son. His word was powerful. You see, Jesus is the Word (John 1:1).

Luke 4:33 "And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,"

All the cases of demonization dealt with by Christ involved the actual indwelling of demons who utterly controlled the bodies of their victims, even to the point of speaking through them (Mark 5:5-9). Causing derangement (John 10-20), violence (Luke 8:29), or rendering them mute (Mark 9:17-22).

Demonic spirits cannot stand to be in a holy place, this is why this spirit cried out. These evil spirits can dwell in a man.

Luke 4:34 "Saying, Let [us] alone; what have we to do with thee, [thou] Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God."

"Holy One of God": Demons always recognized Christ immediately (verses 41; 8:28; Matt. 8:29; Mark 1:24; 3:11; 5:7).

You see, these demons recognize Jesus because they lived in heaven with Him before they followed Lucifer. They had been angels in heaven, and when they chose to follow Lucifer, they became demons.

Jesus was the Word of God in heaven. They know that they will be thrown into the lake of fire because of their decision to follow Lucifer. They also know that Jesus is the Judge of the world, and He is the one who will send them there. They know He will destroy them. They do not know when. That is why they say. "art thou come to destroy us?"

Revelation 12:9 "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceive the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

Luke 4:35 "And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not."

Jesus spoke directly to this unclean spirit. This demon had to come out of the man, because it had to obey Jesus' command. This demon, in one last effort to destroy the man, cast him to the ground; but Jesus does not allow him to hurt him.

Luke 4:36 "And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word [is] this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out."

Their amazement is because their leaders are not able to cast out demons. They cannot believe that a mere man can cast out a demon. A "mere" man CANNOT cast out a demon. They thought of Him as Joseph's son, not as Messiah. Jesus' power is greater than they have ever experienced, and they cannot justify in their mind how this can happen.

Their problem is that they have no idea who Jesus is.

Luke 4:37 "And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about."

This is so fantastic that this miracle goes all over the land. It is the talk of the country.

Luke 4:38-39 "And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her." "And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them."

"Simon's wife's mother": Peter was married (1 Cor. 9:5), though no details about his wife are given anywhere in Scripture.

"A great fever": (Matthew 8:14-15 and Mark 1:30-31), also report this miracle. But only Luke, the physician, remarks that the fever was "high," and make not of the means Jesus used to heal her (verse 39).

Simon is Peter. Peter's home is right by the side of the Sea of Galilee. The synagogue was less than a mile from where Simon's house was. This Scripture lets us know that Peter had a wife. Paul was never married, but Peter had a family. Peter's mother-in-law had a high fever, and they were trying to find Jesus to lay His hands on her to heal her.

Luke 4:40 "Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them."

"Now when the sun was setting": Signifying the end of the Sabbath. As soon as they were free to travel, the multitudes came.

These divers' diseases just mean that all manner of illness was healed by just one touch of the hand of Jesus. It doesn't say that some were healed, it says every one.

Luke 4:41 "And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking [them] suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ."

This is an involuntary act upon the demon's part. This is telling everyone that Jesus is Messiah, the Anointed One. We discussed that they knew who He was, because they had been in heaven with Him before they fell.

Light always does away with darkness. These demons (darkness), had to go when they came in contact with the Light. Jesus is the Light of the world, so His presence did away with the presence of these evil ones (darkness).

If it is dark in a room and you turn the light on, the darkness is gone. You cannot turn on the dark and do away with light. That is what happened here; Light did away with darkness. Jesus rebuked them for telling, because the people were not ready to hear that Jesus was Messiah.

Luke 4:42 "And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them."

Jesus left, but to no avail. The people followed Him and stopped Him from leaving. They did not want Him to leave. They wanted to benefit from His miracles.

Luke 4:43 "And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent."

"Kingdom of God": This term, so prominent throughout the remainder of Luke's gospel, is introduced here for the first time.

Jesus says this almost apologetically. He does not want to leave this group, who wants Him to stay, but He knows His ministry is for everyone; and He must carry his message to all the known world. His call is not for one people, but to everyone.

Luke 4:44 "And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee."

We see here, that preaching was what He was really all about. Wherever there was a synagogue. He preached. Salvation for the human race is His desire.

Luke Chapter 4 Second Continued Questions

1. How did the people react to His message that He fulfills this Scripture in Isaiah?

2. Who do the people still believe Jesus is?

3. What did they do to Jesus?

4. Where did they take Him to try to kill Him?

5. What was the thing they could not believe about Jesus?

6. How did Jesus get away from the people?

7. What is the probable explanation of this?

8. Where did Jesus go when He left these who were trying to kill Him?

9. What would He do there?

10. What city was Peter's home?

11. Why were they astonished at Jesus' ministry?

12. In the synagogue, Jesus encountered a ________with an unclean spirit.

13. Why did the unclean spirit cry out?

14. Who did the evil spirit say Jesus was?

15. Why did they know Jesus?

16. Why will they be thrown into the lake of fire?

17. Who did Jesus rebuke, the man or the spirit?

18. What did the devil do to the man?

19. What amazed the people?

20. Why did it amaze them?

21. What becomes the talk of the country?

22. When Jesus left the synagogue. Where did He go?

23. What was wrong at Peter's house?

24. What is another name for Peter?

25. Why had they been hunting for Jesus?

26. After Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law, what did He do?

27. When the devils came out of many, what did they say?

28. Why did Jesus tell them to be quiet?

29. What always does away with darkness?

30. Who is the Light?

31. When Jesus went to a desert place, what did the people do?

32. Why did Jesus say He was sent?

33. In verse 44, where did He preach?

Luke Chapter 5

Luke 5:1 "And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,"

"Lake of Gennesaret": I.e., the Sea of Galilee, sometimes also called the Sea of Tiberias (John: 1; 21:1). It is actually a large freshwater lake, over 690 feet below sea level, and serves as the main source of water and commerce for the Galilee region.

Gennesaret, the Sea of Galilee, and Chinnereth are all one and the same. "Gennesaret" means garden of riches. There were small towns on several sides of the lake. Capernaum was one of the towns. Jesus' fame as a preacher and healer has grown and now there is a great press of people.

Luke 5:2 "And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing [their] nets."

"Washing their nets": Having fished all night with nothing to show for their labor (verse 5), they were drying and mending their nets for another night's work.

These were actually fishing boats. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were all fishermen. Peter and Andrew were brothers, and James and John were brothers. Perhaps this is who these 2 boats belong to. Fishing time was over, because they were washing their nets.

Luke 5:3 "And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship."

This was the normal posture for rabbis while teaching, sitting.

Jesus having to get away from the heavy press of the people was one reason for going on the boat. Another reason was His voice would carry better to a larger number of people on the water. Water acts like a microphone.

The third reason Jesus borrowed this boat was to show these fishermen that He was the God of miracles, to build their faith to follow Him. Jesus can teach anywhere. He taught from the ship to the people on shore.

Luke 5:4 "Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."

"Let down your nets": Normally, the fish that were netted in shallow water at night would migrate during the daylight hours to waters too deep to reach easily with nets, which is why Peter fished at night. Peter no doubt thought Jesus' directive made no sense, but he obeyed anyway, and was rewarded for his obedience (verse 6).

Jesus is about to teach Simon Peter a very important lesson. Our toil, even if it is in the ministry, will fail unless we do it exactly the way the Lord directs us. Simon must believe in the drought or he will not put the nets out. Sometimes the Lord sends us to an area to minister; and we, in the natural, believe it is hopeless.

We must have faith to throw out the net, even if we believe there are no fish, Simon was to learn a very good lesson here. Our feelings are deceiving. If the Lord tells you to do it, do it. Put action to your faith, and it will happen.

Luke 5:5 "And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."

In the physical, Simon cannot see the fish, but is obedient to the Lord's command.

Luke 5:6 "And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake."

Obedience of the Lord brings great rewards. These fish had to obey the Lord. They had to be exactly where He wanted them. They had so much weight in fish that the net broke.

Luke 5:7 "And they beckoned unto [their] partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink."

This would be James and John. Perhaps, this whole thing happened to show James, John, Peter, and Andrew who Jesus really is. This is enough fish to finance them for a good while.

Luke 5:8 "When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord."

"Depart from me": The remarkable catch of fish was clearly a miracle, astonishing to all the fishermen in Capernaum (verse 9). Peter immediately realized he was in the presence of the Holy One exercising His divine power, and he was stricken with shame over his own sin (Exodus 20:19; 33:20; Judges 13:22; Job 42:5-6).

This miracle to a fisherman sets Jesus aside as God manifest in the flesh. Peter knew that no mere man could do this. Peter suddenly compares himself. He looks inside and sees his errors. He bows his knees, knowing Jesus is Messiah. Peter suddenly repents of his past life. He calls Jesus, Lord.

Luke 5:9-10 "For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:" "And so [was] also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men."

This miracle, shown to these future disciples of Jesus, gave these men the courage to leave their nets and go with Jesus to fish for men. We see in this call of these fishermen, that Jesus deals with us at the level of our understanding. They understood catching fish, so He speaks to them of catching men.

Luke 5:11 "And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him."

"Forsook all, and followed him": Luke gave a more detailed account of the second call of these disciples.

This above just means that they left their boats and followed Jesus.

A fish even now symbolizes Christianity.

Luke 5:12 "And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on [his] face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."

"Full of leprosy": Luke's emphasis suggests this was an extremely serious case of leprosy.

Leprosy is symbolic of sin. This is the first account of Jesus dealing with someone who is totally rejected by society. They were to cry "unclean" when anyone came near them. This man had a humble spirit (he knelt before Jesus).

This man had great faith. He says to Jesus. "I know that you can heal me, if you will". His faith will be rewarded.

Luke 5:13 "And he put forth [his] hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him."

"Immediately": One of the characteristics of Jesus' healings was immediate and total wholeness (17:14; Matt. 8:13; Mark 5:29; John 5:9).

It is the will of the Lord to heal us. Just as He told this man "I will". He will save us too. We believe, and He will. This leprosy had to leave when Jesus touched the man. Disease is subject to the Lord the same as everything else.

Luke 5:14 "And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them."

"Tell no man": Publicity over such miracles might hinder Christ's mission and divert public attention from His message. Mark records that this is precisely what happened. In this man's exuberance over the miracle, he disobeyed; as a result, Christ had to move His ministry away from the city and into the desert regions (Mark 1:45).

When a person had leprosy, and was healed, he must be examined by the priest and declared clean before he could go back around people. In the (13th chapter of Leviticus), you can read about leprosy. In the (17th verse), it tells you that the priest must declare him clean.

In (Leviticus 4:4), you can see the offering he is to make. Notice that going to the priest and the offering is for a testimony unto the people. The man is already clean.

Luke 5:15 "But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities."

There is no way to keep something like this quiet. It spread from one person to the other, until the whole country heard of it. This multitude that came wanted healing and came curiosity seeking.

Luke 5:16 "And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed."

Jesus went aside to rest and to talk with His Father. He sought out a private place (in the wilderness). Prayers, when you pray to God alone, are very effective. When you pray in private to God, you are not trying to impress anyone.

Many times, public prayers are for those people listening, and God is not impressed when we pray for that reason. God wants to fellowship with us. When we pray privately, that is what we are doing; fellowshipping with Him.

Luke Chapter 5 Questions

1. What lake was Jesus standing by in verse one?

2. What other two names is it known by?

3. What does "Gennesaret" mean?

4. What was one of the towns near by the lake?

5. How many ships were nearby in the sea?

6. Who did they belong to?

7. What were the men who owned the boats doing?

8. Whose ship did Jesus enter into?

9. What were three reasons why Jesus used this ship to preach from?

10. When Jesus finished preaching, what did He tell Simon to do?

11. What is Simon's other name?

12. What lesson is to be learned here?

13. What did Peter tell Jesus about putting the net out again?

14. Why did Simon do what Jesus said?

15. What happened when he let the net down?

16. What happened to the net?

17. Who did Peter call himself?

18. When Peter saw this miracle, what did he do?

19. What did Peter call himself?

20. What did Peter call Jesus?

21. What two words did Jesus speak to Simon?

22. How does Jesus deal with each of us?

23. What did they do when they brought their ships to land?

24. What does a fish symbolize?

25. What did the man with leprosy do when he saw Jesus?

26. What is leprosy symbolic of?

27. What showed the man's great faith?

28. How did Jesus answer him?

29. What happened when Jesus touched him?

30. Who did Jesus tell him to go show himself to?

31. Why?

32. Where can you find the offering he was to take?

33. What two reasons did great multitudes come to follow Jesus for?

34. After all of this, where did Jesus go?

Luke Chapter 5 Continued

Luke 5:17 "And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was [present] to heal them."

"Pharisees": The Pharisees and Sadducees were hung up in tradition. The Pharisees were what we would call the people of the middle class today. The Sadducees were from the upper class, and some from high-priest families. The law was everything to them. They really thought themselves better than just the average person. They were righteous in their own sight.

There were about 6,000, legalistic sect of the Jews who were known for their rigid adherence to the ceremonial fine points of the law. Their name means "separated one." Jesus' interaction with the Pharisees was usually adversarial. He rebuked them for using human tradition to nullify Scripture.

We see here, that the Pharisees and doctors of law had heard of Jesus' fame, and they came to see if they could trap Him. They were all here to see if they could find anything wrong with what He said to see if they could accuse Him. This power of the Lord is Jesus' healing power.

Luke 5:18 "And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought [means] to bring him in, and to lay [him] before him."

These are very good friends who will bring this helpless man to Jesus to be healed. Palsy is a disease of the nervous system. Shaking of hands and legs is a symptom.

Luke 5:19 "And when they could not find by what [way] they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with [his] couch into the midst before Jesus."

"Through the tiling": This appears to have been a home with roof tiles which, when removed, gave access to lower the man between the roof beams. The extreme measures they took to lay this man before Jesus indicate that the crowds following Him were very large.

With the press of people around Jesus, it would have been impossible for men carrying a paralytic to get close enough to Him, even if they waited until He left the house.

This is determination. They could not get in for the crowd. So they let him down through the roof right in front of Jesus.

Luke 5:20 "And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee."

"Thy sins are forgiven": Christ ignored the paralysis and addressed the man's greater need first. In doing so He asserted a prerogative that was God's alone (verse 27, 7:49). His subsequent healing of the man's paralysis was proof that He had the authority to forgive sins as well.

In Matthew, Mark, and Luke this happening is told, this is a very important message then. Some illness is brought on by sin. Faith is a very important factor in getting healed and in getting forgiveness of sin, as well. NO man has the power to forgive sin. Jesus lets His Godhood show when He forgives this man's sins.

Luke 5:21 "And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"

"Blasphemies": Their assessment would have been correct if He were not God incarnate.

They make a true statement here, in that only God can forgive sin. Their error is in the fact that they do not recognize Jesus as God the Son (Messiah). They accuse Jesus unjustly of blasphemies. These scribes, Pharisees and lawyers are the educated people of their day. They know the letter of the law, but do not understand the things of the spirit.

Luke 5:22 "But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?"

"Perceived their thoughts": I.e., by means of His omniscience (Matt. 9:4; John 5:24-25).

You see, Jesus didn't have to be told what they were saying, He understood their hearts. He knew the evil they were thinking, even before they said it. He looks into the intents of the heart. In other words, their hearts were planning evil.

Luke 5:23 "Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?"

"Whether is easier": It is certainly easier to claim the power to pronounce absolution from sin than to demonstrate the power to heal. Christ actually proved His power to forgive by instantly healing the man of his paralysis.

If He could do the apparently harder, He could also do what seemed easier. The actual forgiving of the sins was in reality the more difficult task, however, because it ultimately requires Him to sacrifice His life.

Now Jesus is about to show these skeptics that not only will He forgive this man's sins, but He will cause him to walk, as well. They will be even more alarmed as the man is healed before their very eyes.

Luke 5:24 "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house."

"That you may know": His ability to heal anyone and everyone at will, totally and immediately (verse 25), was incontrovertible proof of His deity. As God, He had all authority to forgive sins. This was a decisive moment and should have ended once and for all the Pharisees' opposition. Instead, they began to try to discredit Him by charging Him with violating their Sabbath rules.

Jesus is speaking to these scribes, lawyers, and Pharisees and says I will show you that what I said is not blasphemy. I will show you I am the Son of God by healing this man. Then He says to the sick of the palsy, take up thy couch and go into thine house.

Not only does He say the man is healed, but total strength is suddenly restored in that he cannot only walk, but carry a couch, as well.

Luke 5:25 "And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God."

We see here an instant healing and restoration.

Luke 5:26 "And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day."

"Strange things": The response is curiously non-committal, not void of wonder and amazement, but utterly void of true faith.

This "all" surely includes the scribes and Pharisees. It seems this miracle left them speechless. The scribes and Pharisees could have said no more for fear of being mobbed by the people. Give God the glory for it all. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. There was no way to explain away what had happened.

Luke 5:27 "And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me."

"Levi": Matthew's name prior to his conversion.

A publican was a collector of the Roman taxes. Publicans were a hated group, especially by the Hebrews. Levi is the same as Matthew. Jesus called him from the seat of customs to follow Him.

Luke 5:28 "And he left all, rose up, and followed him."

"Left all": This implies an irreversible action (verse 11; 9:59-62).

This "Levi", or Matthew, was to be one of the twelve disciples. He never hesitated. He came immediately.

Luke 5:29 "And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them."

"A great company of publicans" Levi's immediate response was to introduce his former comrades to Christ.

As I said, these publicans were hated by the Hebrews. It was felt that their job was not one to be proud of. Matthew gave a big dinner in honor of the Lord. It was thought to be a sin for the Hebrews to eat with publicans and sinners.

Luke 5:30 "But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?"

"Eat and drink": Consorting with outcasts on any level, even merely speaking to them, was bad enough. Eating and drinking with them implied a level of friendship that was abhorrent to the Pharisees (7:34; 15:2; 19:7).

These scribes and Pharisees begin to Jump on the disciples. They figure they might win an argument with the disciples.

Luke 5:31 "And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick."

"I.e., those who think they are whole don't seek healing.

"Whole ... sick": The Pharisees thought they were well, religiously pure and whole. The outcasts knew they were not. Salvation can't come to the self-righteous.

Luke 5:32 "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Jesus works on their self-righteousness here. He says you are so righteous already; I could not possibly be of any help to you. I must help those hopeless sinners. If you are already righteous, you do not need to repent and be saved. We can see that they quickly jump off of this subject in the next verse.

Luke 5:33 "And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise [the disciples] of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?"

"Fast often": Jesus did fast on at least one occasion (Matt. 4:2), but privately, In accordance with His own teaching (Matt. 6:16-18). The law also prescribed a fast on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29-31; 23:27), but all other fasts were supposed to be voluntary, for specific reasons such as penitence and earnest prayer.

The fact that these Pharisees raised this question shows that they thought of fasting as a public exercise to display one's own spirituality. Yet, the Old Testament also rebuked hypocritical fasting (Isaiah 58:3-6).

Here they are trying to stir up strife between the disciples of John and Jesus' disciples. The strange thing is that they respected John the Baptist, even though he plainly told them who Jesus was: but they did not believe Jesus.

Luke 5:34-35 "And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bride-chamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?" "But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days."

Jesus is speaking of the joy and power that is here, as long as His presence is here; but there will be a day of sorrow with His followers. Most of His followers will be so frightened and disillusioned that they will run and hide.

Fasting is an extension of prayer to the utmost. As long as Jesus is physically with them, there is no need to fast.

Luke 5:36 "And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was [taken] out of the new agreeth not with the old."

"New cloth unto an old garment": That new cloth does not work on old material is analogous to trying to patch New Covenant truth onto old Mosaic ceremonial forms.

This putting the material together, new and old, could be speaking of how hard it is for the Jews and Gentiles to worship together. If a group of new Christians try witnessing to Jewish people, they will listen, if you call Jesus the Messiah. We Christians, are looking for our Savior; the Jews are looking for their King. The same king only two different views of Him.

Luke 5:37-38 "And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish." "But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved."

"New wine into old bottles": Animal skins were used for fermentation of wine because of their elasticity. As the wine fermented, pressure built up, stretching the wineskin. A previously stretched skin lacked elasticity and would rupture, ruining both wine and wineskin.

Jesus used this as an illustration to teach that the forms of old rituals, such as the ceremonial fastings practiced by the Pharisees and John's disciples, were not fit for the new wine of the New Covenant era (Col. 2:17). In both analogies (verses 16-17), the Lord was saying that what the Pharisees did in fasting or any other ritual had no part with the gospel.

Luke 5:39 "No man also having drunk old [wine] straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better."

To me, this is speaking of how incompatible the law for the Jews and grace for the Christians are. It is so difficult for the Jews, who do not believe Jesus is Messiah; and Christians, who believe Jesus is Savior, to worship together, New and old together are not compatible. The Jews are satisfied with the law. Christians want salvation by grace through Jesus.

Luke Chapter 5 Continued Questions

1. Where did the Pharisees and doctors of law come from to see Jesus?

2. What was present to heal them?

3. Why were the Pharisees there?

4. What was wrong with the man whose friends brought him to Jesus?

5. When they couldn't get through the crowd, how did they get him to Jesus?

6. What is palsy?

7. When He saw their faith, what did Jesus say to the man?

8. What does that tell us about disease?

9. Who has the power to forgive sins?

10. What did the scribes and Pharisees accuse Jesus of?

11. Where are these scribes and Pharisees in error?

12. Who are these scribes, Pharisees, and doctors of law?

13, How did Jesus know?

14. They know the letter of the law, but do not know what?

15. Jesus healed the man to prove what to the Pharisees?

16. What did Jesus tell the man to do when He healed him?

17. What did the sick of the palsy do?

18. The people were amazed and _________ ________.

19. What is the beginning of wisdom?

20. Who was sitting at the seat of custom?

21. What other name is he known by?

22. What did Levi do to honor Jesus?

23. Who hated the publicans?

24. What is a publican?

25. Who needs a physician?

26. Who did Jesus come to call to repentance?

27. What did John's disciples do that Jesus' disciples did not?

28. What did Jesus call Himself in verse 34?

29. What shows the incompatibility of the law and grace?

30. Christians do not accept just the law, but want what?

Luke Chapter 6

Luke 6:1 "And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing [them] in [their] hands."

Eating corn from a neighbor's field was not stealing. The law (in Deuteronomy 23:25), says: "When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbor, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbor's standing corn."

Luke 6:2 "And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?"

"Not lawful": Actually, no law prohibited the plucking of grain in order to eat on the Sabbath. Gleaning handfuls of grain from a neighbor's field to satisfy one's immediate hunger was explicitly permitted (Deut. 23:25). What was prohibited was labor for the sake of profit. Thus, a farmer could not harvest for profit on the Sabbath, but an individual could glean enough grain to eat.

These Pharisees were caught up in the law. They did not realize that the Word of God had taken the form of flesh, and this was He that was walking through the corn field. These Pharisees were so caught up in the "thou shalt nots" in the Bible, they had no time to do anything for God.

There was a law against reaping and against threshing. Pulling these ears of corn would be classified as work. In the law, there was no work at all to be done on the Sabbath (Exodus 20 and Numbers 15).

Even in the tenth chapter of Nehemiah, the gates were closed to stop trade on Sabbath. There are a number of other books which deal with this. I really believe, in all of this, that Jesus allowed this situation to arise to teach the disciples, the scribes, and the Pharisees the lesson that God made Sabbath for man's benefit.

God knew that the human body needed to rest in one out of 7 days. Jesus is telling them not to be so technical. Understand the meaning behind Sabbath.

Luke 6:3 "And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungered, and they which were with him;"

"Have ye not read": A rebuke, suggesting that they were culpable for their ignorance of so basic a truth (Matt. 12:5; 19:4; 21:16, 42; 22:31).

"What David did" (1 Samuel 21:1-6).

Luke 6:4 "How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?"

"The showbread": The consecrated bread of the Presence, 12 loaves baked fresh each Sabbath, which was usually eaten by the priests only (Lev. 24:5-9). God was not offended by David's act, done to satisfy a legitimate need when his men were weak with hunger (1 Sam. 21:4-6).

Jesus is saying here, you men of the law do you not know your own Scriptures? Then He quotes to them about David going into the temple and eating the forbidden bread. You can read about this bread that was reserved for the priests (in Exodus 29:32).

The thing that Jesus is trying to make them realize is that the law was given to help man, not to box him in where he was just keeping ordinances with no reasoning behind them. Jesus is trying to teach them the purpose behind the ordinance.

Luke 6:5 "And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."

"The Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath": Christ has the prerogative to rule over not only their man-made Sabbatarian rules, but also over the Sabbath itself, which was designed for worshiping God. Again, this was an inescapable claim of deity, and as such it prompted the Pharisees' violent outrage (verse 14). Jesus is Lord of everything.

Mark 2:27 "And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath:"

You see, the rules that the Lord set up for us to live by are for our benefit. Jesus (in verse 5), is letting these scribes and Pharisees know that He is Messiah (the Anointed One), the Christ.

Luke 6:6 "And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered."

We see here a continuation of the teaching on the law of Sabbath, even though this was at least a week later than the teaching of going through the corn field. One of the main differences, in this and the eating of the corn, is that the first one is outside the church, and this one is in the synagogue.

Luke 6:7 "And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him."

"Watched him, whether he would heal on the Sabbath": The scribes and Pharisees spotted the man with the withered hand (verse 6), and with Christ present, they immediately knew that this would be an occasion for the man's healing. In stark contrast to all other so-called healers, Christ was not selective. He healed all who came to Him (verse 19; 4:40 Matt. 8:16).

Notice that it appears these scribes and Pharisees are sent by the authorities to try to trip Jesus up. It seems to be their job. They are there at every hand. In (verse 7), it makes it sound like it is bad to heal someone, at least in the sight of these scribes and Pharisees. It was illegal to heal on the Sabbath.

Luke 6:8 "But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth."

"Knew their thoughts": (Matt. 12:25; John 2:24). Though the Lord Jesus humbled Himself (Phil. 2:4-8), and set aside the independent use of His divine prerogatives in incarnation (John 5:30), He was still fully God and therefore, omniscient (see Mark 13:32; Luke 2:52).

Jesus will not disappoint them. He, without hiding or sneaking around, tells the man to boldly stand to receive his healing so that all might see. The man had sought Jesus out for just this purpose, and he was not about to lose this chance. He arises and stands in the midst of the people for all to see.

Luke 6:9 "Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy [it]?"

"To do good": The Sabbath laws forbade labor for profit, frivolous diversions, and things extraneous to worship. Activity per se was not unlawful. Good works were especially appropriate on the Sabbath, particularly deeds of charity, mercy, and worship. Words necessary for the preservation of life were also permitted. To corrupt the Sabbath to forbid such works was a perversion of God's design.

"To do evil": Refusal to do good is tantamount to doing evil (James 4:17).

Here again, we see Jesus asking a question that they cannot answer. They would be trapped themselves if they answer either way.

Luke 6:10 "And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other."

"Looking around about upon them": I.e., giving them a chance to respond to the question of (verse 9). Evidently no one did.

This was a strange request to a man who could not stretch forth his hand. The power of the Word of the Lord caused the diseased hand to obey and stretch forth. As the man extended his hand, he was made totally whole.

Luke 6:11 "And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus."

"Filled with madness": A curious response in the face of so glorious a miracle. Such irrational hatred was their response to having been publicly humiliated, something they hated worse than anything (Matt. 23:6-7). They were unable to answer His reasoning (verses 9-10).

And furthermore, by healing the man only with a command, He had performed no actual "work" that they could charge Him with. Desperately seeking a reason to accuse Him (verse 7), they could find none. Their response was blind fury.

This anger they felt should have been joy for the poor man's hand being healed. I personally believe their anger was fueled by jealousy, because they could not heal. Jesus was making them look bad. They wanted to get rid of Him before everyone followed Him.

Luke doesn't even find it necessary to mention that these scribes and Pharisees were not able to do anything to Jesus.

Luke 6:12 "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."

"Continued all night in prayer": Luke frequently shows Jesus praying, and particularity before major events in His ministry. (3:21; 5:16; 9:18, 28-29; 11:1; 22:32, 40-46).

If we would take an example from Jesus and take more time to pray, we would find greater things happening in our own lives. An important decision was to be made. Jesus' and the Father's wishes must be one.

Luke 6:13 "And when it was day, he called [unto him] his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;"

"He called unto him his disciples": Christ had many disciples. At one point, He sent 70 out in pairs to proclaim the gospel (10:1). But on this occasion, He chose 12 and specifically commissioned them as apostles, i.e., "sent ones," with a special authority to deliver His message on His behalf (Acts 1:21-22).

It appears there were many disciples who followed Jesus. After praying all night, Jesus calls them all to Him and choses 12 apostles. These would be the leaders of the larger group. This would be the close knit group that He would teach so that they might be the leaders in His church. The word "apostle" means one who is sent or ambassador.

Luke 6:14 "Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,"

It is believed that Bartholomew, here, and Nathanael in John are the same person. Simon, whom Jesus called Peter, was surnamed "Cephas", which literally means a mass of rock. James and John were sons of Zebedee, sons of thunder.

This "sons of thunder" came from the name Mark gave them of Boanerges. Peter, James, and John were the three Jesus had with Him the most. They seemed to be the closest to Jesus.

Luke 6:15 "Matthew and Thomas, James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,"

Matthew was the tax collector. Thomas was the doubter. This "Zelotes" is a group Simon belonged to.

Luke 6:16 "And Judas [the brother] of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor."

These two named Judas completed the 12. Of course, there were many more disciples, these were just the representative (12), group Jesus entrusted His church to.

Luke 6:17 "And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;"

"Stood in the plain": Elsewhere it says "on the mountain" (Matt. 5:1). These harmonize easily if Luke is referring to either a plateau or a level place on the mountainside. Indeed, there is such a place at the site near Capernaum where tradition says this sermon was delivered.

"Tyre ... Sidon": Phoenician cities on the shore of the Mediterranean.

We see now, that after Jesus went to the mountain and prayed, and after He chose the 12 out of all the disciples to walk the closest to Him, He comes down the mountain with His disciples and meets a large company of people. Many want to be healed. Many came to hear His teachings because His message was full of hope.

Luke Chapter 6 Questions

1. What forbidden thing did His disciples do on this second Sabbath?

2. What 2 things did the picking and rubbing represent?

3. What Scripture tells us that it was alright for them to pick the neighbor's corn?

4. What did the Pharisees say to the disciples?

5. What lesson was Jesus teaching them in all of this?

6. What had David done when his men were hungry?

7. More so than the law, we should learn the _______ ______ _______ _________.

8. Who is Lord of the Sabbath?

9. What Scripture tells us the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath?

10. Who is Jesus trying to tell the Pharisees that He is?

11. What was wrong with the man's hand who came to the temple to be healed?

12. What did Jesus tell him to do?

13. What effect did this have on the Pharisees?

14. What questions did Jesus ask the Pharisees about healing the man that they could not answer?

15. What should they have been feeling?

16. What was the real reason they wanted to stop Jesus' ministry?

17. Where did Jesus go when He prayed all night?

18. What did Jesus do when morning came?

19. How many disciples did Jesus choose to be His closest associates?

20. What does "apostle" mean?

21. What was Peter's other name?

22. Who was Peter's brother?

23. What do most people believe is another name for Bartholomew?

24. What does the name "Cephas" mean?

25. What, besides James and John, were they called?

26. Who were the 3 disciples closest to Jesus?

27. Which disciple had been a tax collector?

28. Which disciple was known as the doubter?

29. When He came down from the mountain, where had many people gathered from?

30. Why were they there?

Luke Chapter 6 Continued

From verses 17-49: The Sermon on the Plateau. The similarity to the Sermon on the Mount is remarkable. It is possible, of course, that Jesus simply preached the same sermon on more than one occasion. It is evident that He often used the same material more than once, e.g., (12:58-59; Matt. 5:25-26). It appears more likely however, that these are variant accounts of the same event.

Luke's version is abbreviated somewhat, because he omitted sections from the sermon that are uniquely Jewish (particularly Christ's exposition of the law). Aside from that, the two sermons follow the same flow of thought, beginning with the Beatitudes and ending with the parable about building on the rock.

Differences in wording between the two accounts are undoubtedly owing to the fact that the sermon was originally delivered in Aramaic. Luke and Matthew translate into Greek with slight variances. Of course, both translations are equally inspired and authoritative.

We will begin this lesson just after Jesus had chosen 12 disciples and came down the mountain to find a large group of people from all over the area waiting for Him. These people had come to hear Him preach and to receive healing from Him. We will pick up this lesson now (in Luke 6:18).

Luke 6:18 "And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed."

"Unclean spirits": Another name for demons, used 10 times in the gospels.

This is a continuation of (verse 17), in the last lesson which said they came to be healed of their diseases. Jesus healed everyone whether the healing was physical or mental. He also delivered those possessed of devils.

Luke 6:19 "And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed [them] all."

"There went virtue out of Him": Christ's power, His inherent ability to minister and work supernaturally, proceeded from Him under the conscious control of His sovereign will. In (Mark 5:30), Jesus asked "who touched My garments" when the woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years touched Him?

Jesus' power was unlimited. Virtue in this particular sentence means miraculous power. The woman who touched the hem of His garment was healed by this virtue. This power was overwhelming.

Verses 20-25: Luke's account of the Beatitudes is abbreviated (Matt. 5:3-12). He lists only 4, and balances them with 4 parallel woes.

Luke 6:20 "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [be ye] poor: for yours is the kingdom of God."

"Ye poor": Christ's concern for the poor and outcasts is one of Luke's favorite themes. Luke used a personal pronoun "you", where (Matthew 5:3), employed a definite article ("the). Luke was underscoring the tender, personal sense of Christ's words.

A comparison of the two passages reveals that Christ was dealing with something more significant than mere material poverty and wealth however. The poverty spoken of here refers primarily to a sense of one's own spiritual impoverishment.

We see in this first statement of the Sermon on the Mount that most of those who followed Jesus would have been classed as the poor, because they were the working class of people. He was also speaking to his disciples who had been fishermen and other working men.

This really is saying to them; don't worry about not being wealthy now, because you will inherit the kingdom of God. Then and now it is more difficult for the wealthy and highly educated to humble themselves and admit they need the Savior. Extreme wealth and great educations do not bring about humbleness, ordinarily.

Luke 6:21 "Blessed [are ye] that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed [are ye] that weep now: for ye shall laugh."

"Ye that hunger": No mere craving for food, but a hunger and thirst for righteousness.

These future possessors of the earth are it's presently installed rightful heirs, and even now they "hunger and thirst after righteousness." This is the opposite of the self-righteousness of the Pharisees. It speaks of those who seek God's righteousness rather than attempting to establish a righteousness of their own (Rom 10:3; Phil. 3:9).

What they seek will fill them. I.e., it will satisfy their hunger and thirst for a right relationship with God. They experience a deep desire for personal righteousness, which in itself is a proof of their spiritual rebirth.

In Matthew, it says hunger after righteousness. If we seek for the things of God diligently, He will give them to us. So much is said about weeping, but I believe this is a weeping for the lost souls. We shall laugh with joy when they come to the Lord and His fullness.

Luke 6:22 "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake."

"For the Son of man's sake": Persecution per se is not something to be sought. But when evil is spoken against a Christian falsely and for Christ's sake (Matt. 5:11), such persecution carries with it the blessing of God.

If you take a stand for the Lord, and do not waver, even to the point of death, then you will be called blessed in heaven. The interesting thing is that many of these disciples He was speaking to here, did stand up for Jesus, and they were killed because they would not renounce Him.

Even now, to take a stand to live for Jesus may cost you your so-called friends and many times your family as well. They do not want to be around you, because you talk about Jesus. They label you as a fanatic, and they speak evil of you.

Luke 6:23 "Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets."

Persecutions were very prominent in the days just after Jesus' resurrection, and many like Peter were martyred rejoicing that they could suffer for Jesus' name. Many, burned at the stake, died praising God. Even in the Old Testament, prophets suffered.

History tells us that Isaiah was sawed in half for the Lord. There are many, even today, who are suffering ridicule and persecution for the name of the Lord. Those who suffer with Jesus or for Jesus will reign with Him.

2 Timothy 2:12 "If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us:"

You see, the Lord knows when you suffer upholding His name, and He will reward you greatly. We, like these early martyrs, should be thrilled when we suffer for His name, knowing that Jesus will have a great reward for us in heaven.

Luke 6:24 "But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation."

This has to do with those who have put their faith in their riches. Such as the rich young man who came to Jesus to be saved and went away sorrowful, because he chose his riches over eternal life. There is nothing wrong with being rich if you are not putting those riches ahead of your love for the Lord and His people; the misuse of wealth is spoken of as sin.

Wealth can be used to further the kingdom of God and to help the poor and suffering of the world. The Lord would have a rich man to be quick to distribute to those less fortunate, as we read (in 1 Timothy 6:17-19; especially verse 18).

1 Timothy 6:18 "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;"

Riches in this life used selfishly on earthly goods bring no rewards in heaven.

Luke 6:25 "Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep."

This is speaking of people who are only interested in their own welfare; who fill their bellies to overflowing knowing that their neighbor is hungry and not doing anything about it.

"Laughing" here, is an indication that this person is caught up in the things this world calls fun with no thought for tomorrow. The mourning and weeping would be because they had missed heaven.

Luke 6:26 "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets."

If you are a friend to the world, you are not Jesus' friend.

We read (in John 15:19). "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."

Read (John 15:17-21).

Luke 6:27 "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,"

If we are followers of Jesus, we must pattern our lives after His. His enemies, who nailed Him to the cross, He prayed for and said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do".

Jesus loved us while we were yet in sin enough to give His life on the cross for us. If we are to be Christ-like, we must love those, even if they are unlovable.

Luke 6:28 "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you."

We read (in Romans 12:20-21): "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head." "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

Luke 6:29 "And unto him that smiteth thee on the [one] cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not [to take thy] coat also."

This deals only with matters of personal retaliation, not criminal offenses or acts of military aggression. Jesus applied this principle of non-retaliation to affronts against one's dignity (Matthew 5:39), lawsuits to gain one's personal assets (Matthew 5:40), infringements on one's liberty (Matthew 5:41), and violations of property rights (Matthew 5:42). He was calling for a full surrender of all personal rights.

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:l9).

This lesson is not to be taken literally, but is teaching a very important lesson on unselfishness and on charity toward others.

Luke 6:30 "Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask [them] not again."

We all know that Jesus taught as long as it was in our power to help the needy, we should. This Scripture does not say give them everything you have, and it does not say keep on giving over and over. We should help people to help themselves.

Luke 6:31 "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."

We should always do as much and more for others as we want them to do for us. We are to set an example for our neighbors. We are to help them in every way possible.

Luke 6:32 "For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them."

Even the evil people love those that love them. If you love to be loved in return, you are no better than the rest of the world. We Christians are taught to love the unlovable; to love those who hate us. This unselfish love is what sets us aside from those of the world.

Luke 6:33 "And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same."

There really are 3 ways mankind can live. Worldly people dealing with each other do good to those who do good to them, those really caught up in terrible evil return evil when someone does good for them.

A Christian tries to do good all the time, even when the other person is doing evil to them. We choose to be a Christian and do good, or to belong to the devil and do bad. Or to ride the fence and be worldly and just do for those who do something for you.

Luke Chapter 6 Continued Questions

1. When Jesus came down the mountain after choosing the 12 disciples, who was waiting for Him?

2. What 2 things had they come for?

3. What happened to those vexed with unclean spirits?

4. Why did they want to touch Jesus?

5. In this particular Scripture, what does virtue mean?

6. In verse 20, who did Jesus call blessed?

7. Why?

8. Why would those who followed Jesus be classed as poor?

9. What was Jesus really saying to them about being poor?

10. What did He promise those who hunger?

11. What should we hunger after?

12. We are blessed when men hate us for what cause?

13. If you make a strong stand for Jesus today, what is apt to happen?

14. Who suffered persecution for the faith even before the disciples?

15. When Peter was crucified, how did He take it?

16. How does history tell us Isaiah died?

17. We find in 2 Timothy 2:12 that if we suffer with Him, we shall ________ With Him.

18. The woe, spoken on the rich, is for what reason in verse 24?

19. Who is a good example in the New Testament of putting wealth before God?

20. In 1 Timothy 6:17-18, we are told that the rich should be quick to do what?

21. In verse 25, what is the mourning and weeping probably indicating?

22. When everyone speaks well of you, who does this indicate you are a friend of?

23. In the 15th chapter of John, we learn that the world will love you if you are what?

24. Jesus tells the Christians to love whom?

25. What are we to do to those who curse us?

26. What are we to do to those who despitefully use us?

27. In Romans, what does it tell us to do for our enemy if he hungers?

28. How are we to overcome evil?

29. Who are we to give to, if we choose to be like Jesus?

30. How must we love, if we are to be separate from the world?

31. What are the three ways we can live?

Luke Chapter 6 Second Continued

Luke 6:34 "And if ye lend [to them] of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again."

This is just explaining that if we conduct our lives no better than the worldly, then we will be classified as worldly. Our unselfish attitude of helping those who we have no hope of ever getting it back from separates the Christian as not of the world.

Luke 6:35 "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil."

"Children of the Highest": I.e., God's children should bear the indelible stamp of His moral character. Since He is loving, gracious, and generous, even to those who are His enemies, we should be like Him (Eph. 5:1-2).

Jesus here, is speaking of those who desire to walk in His footsteps. God loved every one of us and still does. He is not willing that even one will be lost. God the Father loved us so much, regardless of our sins, that He gave His Son that we might be saved. If we are His children, then we must love as He loves.

Luke 6:36 "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."

Forgive and you shall be forgiven. This mercy of the Father is what rewrote our life to include life everlasting. God's grace and mercy is what opened the gate for us to walk through and be saved.

Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"

"Judge not": This forbids hypocrisy and a condemning spirit rising from self-righteousness. It does not condemn true discernment.

"Ye shall be forgiven": This is not to suggest that God will withdraw justification from those who have already received the free pardon He extends to all believers. Forgiveness in that sense, a permanent and complete acquittal from the guilt and ultimate penalty of sin, belongs to all who are in Christ (John 5:24; Rom. 8:1; Eph. 1:7).

God forbids us to judge other people. Jesus is the Judge of the world. It is always very easy to see the faults of others. We cannot see our own faults.

The religious people of Jesus' day were condemning Him with no idea of who He really was. The best policy is not to condemn others at all, and then you won't make a mistake. If we expect God to forgive us, then we too must forgive.

Luke 6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

"It shall be given unto you": A long robe was used to carry the overflow of grain. (Psalm 79:12; Isa. 65:6; Jer. 32:18).

Luke 6:39 "And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?"

Verse 39 is perhaps a warning to the people of that day not to follow the scribes and Pharisees who were seeing all the miracles that He was doing and were totally blind as to who He was. He is saying if they are too blind to see this that is before their very eyes, why do you follow them.

He is also saying, if you follow them, you are just as blind as they are; and you will fall too. We could look at this for us also.

Signs are everywhere that the second coming of the Lord is near. Many church people are so blinded by their doctrine (like these Pharisees), that they cannot see the signs. The Lord warned about getting in a rut and following without looking around you. This is disaster for them then, and for those now who will not open their eyes and see.

Luke 6:40 "The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master."

That leaves us all out, because we are not perfect. The worker's goal should be to be as near like the master as is possible. The Lord set the pattern. It should be our goal to fit that pattern as near as we can. We are the apprentice; He is the Master. We are learning from Him.

Luke 6:41 "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"

"Mote ... beam": The humor of the imagery was no doubt intentional. Christ often employed hyperbole to paint comical images (18:25; Matt. 23:24).

Luke 6:42 "Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye."

This shows me that those of us who are ministering to others must live wholesome, upright lives. We must allow the Lord to purge us and do away with sin in our life before we can begin to minister to others. How can we tell the people we are ministering to not to sin, if there is sin in our lives? We might tell them, but it would be meaningless as long as there was sin in us.

Not, do as I say do, but do as I do is pleasing unto God. Ministers should set a pattern of righteousness. Rightly so, Jesus calls those hypocrites who do otherwise. You cannot live a double life. The rules are for everyone. Ministers are not exempt from God's laws.

It is easy to see the sin in someone else and very difficult to see it in ourselves.

Luke 6:43 "For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."

We know that a sticker bush does not produce luscious peaches, don't we? To get a peach, you must have a peach tree. Peach trees do not produce cockleburs, either. Whatever the tree is, the fruit will be like it.

We Christians are branches, and Jesus is the tree we are to be attached to. If the tree is Christ, the branches will be Christ-like.

Luke 6:44 "For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes."

This is what has been said above. Whatever the tree or bush is, is what the fruit of that tree will be. Figs come from fig trees and grapes come from grape vines (Romans 11:16) tells it all.

Romans 11:16 "For if the first fruit [be] holy, the lump [is] also [holy]: and if the root [be] holy, so [are] the branches."

Luke 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."

Romans 10:10 "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Out of the issue of the heart the mouth speaketh, as is said above. If your heart is pure, then the words you speak will be pure, A Person with an evil heart cannot speak sweet words. The heart is either desperately wicked, or it is full of love for God.

Luke 6:46 "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

"Why call ye me, Lord, Lord": It is not sufficient to give lip service to Christ's lordship. Genuine faith produces obedience. A tree is known by its fruits (verse 44).

If you call someone Lord, you are obligated to do exactly what He tells you to do. Not only are you obligated, but by calling Him Lord you are saying that He has every right to rule every part of your life. These people are not living in truth, if they call Him Lord and then do not do what He says.

Luke 6:47 "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:"

This is like the parable of the seed that fell on good ground and brought forth much fruit, some even 100 fold. This is a wise person who receives the Lord and then lives trying to please Him in all that you do.

Luke 6:48 "He is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock."

The wise person builds his life upon the Rock who is Jesus Christ our Lord. The storms of life may come and try to wash us off of the Rock, but this is the solid Rock that cannot be moved. If we are grounded in the teachings of Jesus, problems will still come; but we will not be overwhelmed by them. We will be able to stand and not be moved.

The Lord is our very present help in all our troubles. When we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, God will answer our prayers and help us.

In John 14:13 we read, "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

Luke 6:49 "But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great."

Men who build houses will tell you that they dig down over 8 inches until they find a really solid spot to put the footing for the house to be built upon. If they did not do this and put the house on sand or loose dirt at the top, the whole house would shift if a hard rain came.

A foolish man would build his house or his life in this manner. He would not have a solid foundation for his house or his life. He would just float around until he fell. Great would be the fall of this man.

Luke Chapter 6 Second Continued Questions

1. Why should we not lend to receive in return?

2. Who will we be called the children of if we love our enemies?

3. If we belong to God, how should we conduct our lives?

4. Why should we be merciful?

5. What 2 things allowed us to walk through the gate to salvation?

6. How can you be guaranteed you will not be judged?

7. Who is the Judge of all the world?

8. Who was condemning Jesus, because they had no idea who He was?

9. Describe the way you will be given good things, if you give first?

10. How will God measure things to us?

11. We know we cannot out give God. Who else can we not out give?

12. If the blind lead the blind, what will happen to both of them?

13. Who was the blind Jesus was speaking of here?

14. Who shall be as their master?

15. What should be the goal of every Christian?

16. Before a person starts telling someone else about their faults, what should that person do?

17. How should the person ministering to others live?

18. What type of pattern should a minister set?

19. A good tree bringeth forth _______ fruit?

20. We Christians are branches, and Jesus is the __________.

21. What is a tree known by?

22. What message do we get in Romans 11:16?

23. Of the abundance of the __________ the mouth speaketh.

24. Romans 10:10 says, "For with the ________ man believeth unto righteousness".

25. What did Jesus tell them not to call Him, unless they did what He said?

26. A person who comes to Jesus and listens and does what Jesus says is like whom?

27. The foolish man's house was built on what?

28. What is the secret to getting our prayers answered?

Luke Chapter 7

Luke 7:1 "Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum."

The mount where Jesus had just preached was very near the Sea of Galilee; and Capernaum where Peter's home was, was by the side of the sea, as well. These 2 places are very near, in fact, just a few miles apart.

Luke 7:2 "And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die."

"Centurion's servant": The centurion's tender concern for a lowly slave was contrary to the reputation Roman army offices had acquired in Israel. Yet, this is one of 3 centurions featured in the New Testament who gave evidence of genuine faith.

A centurion was like a captain over about 100 men. He was probably in the Roman legion. This centurion here, and probably the same person in Matthew, is the first mention of a person with this rank.

The servant was loved by this centurion. Possibly, he was his aide or something. Many times, a servant living in your home becomes like a member of the family. That is probably what is intended here.

Luke 7:3 "And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant."

"Elders of the Jews": (Matthew 8:5-13), does not mention that the centurion appealed to Jesus through these intermediaries. It is a measure of the respect this man had in the community that Jewish elders would be willing to bring his cause to Jesus. He loved the Jewish nation and was somehow personally responsible for the building of the local synagogue (verse 5).

He obviously was being drawn to Christ by God Himself (John 6:44-45). Like all men under conviction, he deeply sensed his own unworthiness and that is why he used intermediaries rather than speaking to Jesus personally (verses 6-7).

This centurion had heard of all the wonderful miracles that Jesus had performed, and he believed that Jesus was no mere man. He felt that Jesus had powers beyond a normal man. He sent the elders to speak to Jesus, because he thought they would have more influence in getting Jesus to come to help his servant than he would.

This centurion believes that Jesus heals. He knows in his heart that Jesus will help his servant.

Luke 7:4-5 "And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:" "For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue."

These elders were from the synagogue. They would do just about anything for this centurion, because he loved these Hebrews and had even built them a synagogue. The person they were saying was worthy was not the servant, but the centurion.

It is even unusual for the elders to ask Jesus to heal as they really were not sure who He was. They brought this message, because the centurion asked them.

Luke 7:6 "Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:"

The centurion, undoubtedly familiar with this law, felt unworthy of having Jesus suffer such an inconvenience for his sake. He also had faith enough to know that Christ could heal by merely speaking a word.

This centurion was a humble man. He feels unworthy for Jesus to come into his house. This centurion realizes that Jesus is truly God the Son with all the power and authority of the Father. He was so humble that he sent friends that he thought to be more worthy than himself.

Luke 7:7-8 "Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed." "For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth [it]."

This centurion is not only humble, but very wise. He, more than the scribes that he sent or in fact more than most of the religious people of his day, realizes that Jesus has authority over everything in this universe. He believes that Jesus has authority over disease as well.

He knows that his authority over his men is minor compared to the authority of Jesus, but he does understand authority and how it works.

Luke 7:9 "When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

Jesus recognizes the magnitude of this centurion's faith. Faith like this is the kind that moves mountains. In a sense, Jesus is saying to this people: "You should have this kind of faith". He was especially speaking to these scribes who have no faith at all.

Luke 7:10 "And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick."

We know from this servant being in the house well that he had been a family servant who lived in the house. Jesus' healing was an instant healing. Even before they got back to the house, he was healed; even though he had been sick to death.

Luke 7:11 "And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people."

"Nain" means pleasantness or beauty. This city of Nain was a small town Southeast of Nazareth, close to Capernaum. Jesus, at this time, had a large following wherever He went. Many followed to see the miracles, and others went to receive one for themselves.

His teachings were like none they had ever heard before, and this caused them to follow, as well. He brought a message of hope. This does not specifically mention which disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, and John had all come from this area originally.

Luke 7:12 "Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her."

We see here, a funeral procession. Jesus has come near 20 miles from Capernaum to be here just at this precise moment to help this widow in her great grief. This is her only son. You can imagine how truly grieved she is. The Scripture says he was dead.

Luke 7:13 "And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not."

Jesus has great love for this woman in her grief. He tells her not to weep. He intends to help her. Jesus here, is called the Lord.

Luke 7:14 "And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare [him] stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise."

"Touched the bier": (coffin) A ceremonially defiling act normally. Jesus graphically illustrated how impervious He was to such defilements. When He touched the coffin, its defilement did not taint Him; rather, His power immediately dispelled the presence of all death and defilement.

This was the first of 3 times Jesus raised people for the dead. (8:49-56; John 11:20-44).

(Verse 22), implies that "Christ also raised others who are not specifically mentioned.

A "bier" is like an open coffin with no lid. This shows that Jesus Christ has dominion over death. Just one touch from His hand does it all. Hebrew corpses were not embalmed. Jesus just speaks to the young man and says, "rise"; just as He spoke to Lazarus, and he came forth.

Luke 7:15 "And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother."

It does not say that he was asleep. It says he was dead. Jesus had dominion over death and life. Jesus delivered the young man to his mother. Can you imagine her joy!

Luke 7:16 "And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people."

This fear here, could be classified as reverence as well as fear. They suddenly realize that Jesus is more than man. They start to say that He is a great prophet, but they realize that He is even more than that and say that God has visited them. They know the priest in the temple cannot do this as this is no mere man.

Luke 7:17 "And this rumor of him went forth throughout all Judea, and throughout all the region round about."

News like this is impossible to conceal. Word of mouth carries this news throughout the land.

Luke Chapter 7 Questions

1. Where did Jesus go immediately after the Sermon on the Mount?

2. Whose home was in Capernaum?

3. Who was sick and near to death?

4. What rank is a centurion similar to?

5. How many men would be under him?

6. Who is a centurion whose name is specifically given?

7. What is that centurion one of the first to do?

8. Why was this servant very dear to him?

9. Who did the centurion send to Jesus to speak for him?

10. Why did the centurion send to Jesus to help his servant?

11. Why did the centurion send the elders instead of going himself?

12. Why did the elders say this centurion was worthy?

13. Why had the elders come to Jesus when they really were not sure He could heal anyone?

14. What further act of humility did this centurion do just before Jesus got to his house?

15. This centurion knew that Jesus had all the power and authority of whom?

16. What kind of man could you call this centurion in one word?

17. This centurion had so much faith that he told Jesus all He had to do was what and the servant would be healed?

18. This centurion understood ___________ and how it works.

19. What does this centurion believe Jesus has power over?

20. When Jesus heard all the centurion said, what did He turn and say to the people?

21. When they returned to the house, how did they find the centurion's servant?

22. When Jesus left the centurion, what city did He go into?

23. What does "Nain" mean?

24. Why did the people follow Him?

25. Which of the disciples lived in this area?

26. Who was the dead man Jesus came to see?

27. What was Jesus called in verse 13?

28. What does this show?

29. What did Jesus say to the mother?

30. What is a "bier"?

31. What is the difference in a Hebrew corpse and an Egyptian corpse?

32. What did Jesus say to the young, dead man?

33. What did the young man do?

34. Jesus has dominion over ______ and _______.

35. How did this happening affect the onlookers?

36. Who did they say Jesus was?

37. Who did they say had visited them?

38. Do you believe Jesus went to this much trouble just to help this one woman?

Luke Chapter 7 Continued

Luke 7:18 "And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things."

"The disciples of John": John the Baptist evidently kept apprised of Christ's ministry, even after his imprisonment, through disciples who acted as messengers for him (Acts 19-1-7).

In the last lesson, we had seen Jesus raise the widow's son from death. This news has swept across the land and now has reached the ears of John the Baptist's disciples. These disciples rush to tell John of the news.

Luke 7:19 "And John calling [unto him] two of his disciples sent [them] to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?"

"Art thou he that should come ...?: John was not the sort of man who vacillated (verse 24). We are not to think that his faith was failing or that he had lost confidence in Christ. But with so many unexpected turns of events, John in prison, Christ encountering unbelief and hostility, John wanted reassurance from Christ himself. That is precisely what Jesus gave him (verses 22-23).

John already knows that Jesus is the one, because he saw the dove light on Jesus and remain. God had previously told John that when this happened, the person would be the Messiah. This message that will be brought back will be for the benefit of John's disciples.

Notice the two disciples. A thing must be established by 2.

Luke 7:20 "When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?"

John wants his disciples to be fully persuaded by what Jesus says and does: that He is the Christ, the Messiah. John is in prison at this time and his disciples may be beginning to doubt. I am sure this is not for John's benefit; because long before this, John called Jesus the Lamb of God.

Luke 7:21 "And in that same hour he cured many of [their] infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many [that were] blind he gave sight."

This just means that in front of John's disciples, Jesus did all sorts of miracles. The "their" above does not mean John's disciples, but the infirmities of the multitude that followed Jesus.

Luke 7:22 "Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached."

"Go your way, and tell John": (Verses 22-23), are quoted from (Isaiah 35:5-6; 61:1). These were messianic promises (Isaiah 61:1), is from the same passage Jesus read in the Nazareth synagogue.

John's disciple were to report that Jesus was doing precisely what Scripture foretold of the Messiah (verse 21), even though the scheme of prophetic fulfillment was not unfolding quite the way John the Baptist had envisioned it.

Luke 7:23 "And blessed is [he], whosoever shall not be offended in me."

"He whosoever shall not be offended in me": This was not meant as a rebuke for John the Baptist, but as encouragement for him (verse 28).

No prophet or priest who ever lived had done so many and so great miracles as these. There is no doubt at all who this is. In (verse 23) here, Jesus is warning John and his disciples not to begin to doubt, because they were faced with adverse circumstances.

Luke 7:24 "And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?"

In verse 24 Jesus speaks highly of John the Baptist. He is telling these people that God has great love and honor for John the Baptist. Jesus didn't speak this way in front of John's disciples. He was not trying to win favor with John by saying nice things in front of John's followers. Jesus really had great respect for John the Baptist.

He is telling the people, if you expect John to be weak and blown by every wind of doctrine, you will be disappointed. John is a powerful man of God. Man looks on the outward appearance. God looks inside to find the worth of a man.

Luke 7:25 "But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts."

Worldly people believe for you to be very important, you must be dressed in fancy clothes and live very extravagant lives. This sort of person would be a king or a president, not a man of God.

God chooses the lowly and humble to be His most important workers. God does not choose by worldly standards, but by the heart.

Luke 7:26 "But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet."

What did you expect a prophet to look like? Were you looking for a prophet? If you found John the Baptist, you found much more than a prophet. God has chosen him for a very special job.

Luke 7:27 "This is [he], of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee."

This verse is quoted from (Mal. 3:1).

Jesus is explaining to them that John the Baptist was a voice crying in the wilderness proclaiming the coming of Messiah. He is not Messiah; he is proclaiming His coming. The people are to be told Messiah is coming.

It was John's job to bring this message. Jesus is coming again as Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and all believing ministers should be proclaiming His second coming now.

Luke 7:28 "For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

John was greater than the Old Testament prophets because he actually saw with his eyes and personally participated in the fulfillment of what they only prophesied (Matthew verses 10, 13; 1 Peter 1:10-11). But all believers after the cross are greater still, because they participate in the full understanding and experience of something John merely foresaw in shadowy form, the actual atoning work of Christ.

In this, I believe Jesus is saying that John is counted as one of the greatest prophets who ever lived. But in the same breath, He is saying to these people who believe Jesus to be a prophet that He is in fact God the Son.

Even though they esteem John to be greater than He is, John is just a man. John is a great prophet, but John is not God. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us.

Luke 7:29 "And all the people that heard [him], and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John."

"People that heard him ... justified God": The common people and the outcast tax collectors who heard John the Baptist' preaching acknowledged that what he required by way of repentance was from God and was righteous.

We see here, that many of these people that Jesus was talking to had listened to John the Baptist. They had repented and been baptized of John. John had been a very convincing preacher, and numerous people in this crowd had accepted him as a true prophet. They had heeded his warning and had been baptized of him.

Luke 7:30 "But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him."

"Reject the counsel of God": John's call to repentance was an expression of the will of God. By refusing repentance, they rejected not just John the Baptist, but also God Himself.

These Pharisees and lawyers had elevated themselves to a position of not needing to repent and be baptized, and they had rejected this message of John. Conceit can certainly keep a person from God. God loves the humble.

They had in fact rejected God when they rejected the message God had given John the Baptist. Sometimes even today, we can be so caught up in doctrines that we miss God if we are not careful.

Luke 7:31 "And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?"

The plain way to say this would be, what in the world am I to think of this generation who will not accept John the Baptist's message or even the Son of God's message.

Luke 7:32 "They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept."

"Like unto children": Christ used strong derision to rebuke the Pharisees. He suggested they were behaving childishly, determined not to be pleased, whether invited to "dance" (a reference to Christ's joyous style of ministry). "Eating and drinking" with sinners (verse 34), or urged to "weep" (a reference to John the Baptist's call to repentance), and John's more austere manner of ministry (verse 33).

Jesus is calling them children in the knowledge of the things of God. Jesus says whatever message that has been brought to you, you have refused.

Luke 7:33 "For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil."

John had been a separated servant even from his mother's womb. His entire life had been lived in anticipation of this job God had called him to do. He never drank wine. He lived in the desert and ate honey and locusts. He was a very wholesome man.

These worldly people accused him of having a devil, because he lived in the desert and refused to be involved in worldly things.

Luke 7:34 "The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!"

"Eating and drinking": I.e., living an ordinary life. This passage explains why John's style of ministry differed so dramatically from Jesus' approach, although their message was the same.

The different methods took away all the Pharisees' excuses. The very thing they had professed to want to see in Jesus, rigid abstinence and a Spartan lifestyle, was what characterized the ministry of John the Baptist, yet they had already rejected him too. The real problem lay in the corruption of their own hearts, but they would not acknowledge that.

Jesus was criticized for eating corn on the Sabbath. His first public miracle was turning the water into wine. Jesus walked among the common people. Jesus was ridiculed for eating with people the Hebrews felt were unclean.

Jesus said He came to those who needed a physician. It seems it was impossible to please these people.

Luke 7:35 "But wisdom is justified of all her children."

"Wisdom is justified of all her children": I.e., true wisdom is vindicated by its consequences, what it produces (James 2:14-17).

We see that only those who have the wisdom of God are the ones who accept the prophets of God and even the Son of God. Those are the people who become children of God.

Luke Chapter 7 Continued Questions

1. What did John the Baptist's disciples come and tell him?

2. What news has swept across the land?

3. Who did John send to check this out?

4. What questions were they to ask Jesus?

5. How do we know that John already knew who Jesus was?

6. For whose benefit had John sent these disciples to question Jesus?

7. Where is John when this takes place?

8. What miracles did Jesus do before John's disciples?

9. What were John's disciples to tell him?

10. What is Jesus doing in verse 23?

11. What questions did Jesus ask the people about John?

12. What is the difference between the way man judges' man and the way God judges?

13. Those who wear gorgeous clothes live where?

14. What kind of people does God choose to work for Him?

15. What had they expected a prophet to look like?

16. What was John's job?

17. What was his message?

18. What should be the message of ministers today?

19. Was there a greater prophet born of woman than John?

20. Who is the one intended in verse 28 who was greater?

21. Who had baptized a great number of Jesus' followers?

22. They had accepted John as a ________ ________.

23. What 2 peoples had refused John's baptism?

24. Who had they really rejected in so doing?

25. What are many caught up in today that might cause them to miss God?

26. Who did Jesus liken this generation to?

27. How had John come to them?

28. What terrible thing had they said of John?

29. What 2 terrible things had they said of Jesus?

30. What does verse 35 mean?

Luke Chapter 7 Second Continued

Luke 7:36 "And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat."

"One of the Pharisees": His name was Simon, verse 40. He does not appear to have been sympathetic to Jesus, verses 44-46. Undoubtedly his motive was either to entrap Jesus, or to find some reason to accuse Him, verse 6:7.

Some people called the Pharisees the "separatists". These Pharisees were the truly strict scribes. It is unusual for this Pharisee to ask Jesus who ate with publicans and sinners to eat with him.

Jesus was known to be a Hebrew by birth so there would be no problem with eating with Him from that standpoint. Perhaps, this Pharisee had been there along with the 2 disciples John the Baptist had sent, and perhaps he had seen the miracles that Jesus did along with them.

Luke 7:37 "And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that [Jesus] sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,"

"An alabaster box": This is similar in many ways to the events described in Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:2-8, but it is clearly a different incident. That took place in Bethany, near Jerusalem, during the Passion Week. In the anointing at Bethany it was Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, who anointed Jesus.

This incident takes place in Galilee and involves "a woman ... who was a sinner" - i.e. a prostitute. There is no reason to identify this woman with Mary Magdalene, as some have done.

Jesus was a friend to sinners. He had stopped the crowd from stoning the woman caught in the act of adultery. Jesus was in the home of a very strict Pharisee. This woman entering this house would have been unwelcome had not Jesus been there.

Her sins seem to be well known in the city. This alabaster box of ointment was of great monetary value. Ointment of this type kept in alabaster boxes was very expensive. We are not told where the woman got it, only that she had it and brought it to Jesus.

Luke 7:38 "And stood at his feet behind [him] weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe [them] with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed [them] with the ointment."

"Stood at his feet behind him": He was reclining at a low table, as was the custom. It would have been shocking to all for a woman of such low reputation to come to a Pharisee's house. Such dinners involving dignitaries were often open to spectators - but no one would have expected a prostitute to attend.

Her coming took great courage and reveals the desperation with which she sought forgiveness. Her "weeping" was an expression of deep repentance.

We see, here, a very repentant woman. She loves Jesus for His forgiveness. He called the sinners unto Him, forgave them, and sent them on their way with instructions (go and sin no more). She humbles herself. Her tears of repentance and love are so great that she washes His feet with them.

The ultimate sign of her repentance and love is wiping His feet with her hair. This expensive ointment was a type of perfume. The Lord had compassion on her.

Luke 7:39 "Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: for she is a sinner."

"What manner of woman": The Pharisees showed nothing but contempt for sinners. Simon was convinced that if Jesus knew her character, He would have sent her away, for her touching Him was presumed to convey ceremonial uncleanness.

We see here, in this Pharisee, a self-righteous man. Perhaps he had been touched by the miracles and the miraculous preaching Jesus had done. Something prompted him to invite Jesus to be his guest. It might have been to learn more of Jesus' teaching since it was so different from what he had been taught.

He saw this woman with eyes which see fact and not faith. He was aware of her sins and not of her repentant heart. Notice above that this Pharisee does not openly accuse Jesus, but has these thoughts in himself. Jesus in the next verse will answer these thoughts just as if they had been spoken out.

Luke 7:40 "And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on."

"Jesus answering": Jesus knew Simon's thought (5:22) - demonstrating to Simon that He was indeed a Prophet.

In verse 39, Simon had doubted in his mind that Jesus could have even been a prophet. Now he calls Jesus, Master. Simon is a hypocrite.

He believes one thing and says another. Simon does not realize that Jesus is answering his thoughts, and he says go ahead.

Luke 7:41 "There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty."

"Pence": Each pence was worth a day's labor, so this was a large sum - about two years' full wages.

Jesus is speaking a parable to Simon. He will deal with Simon in this parable and will not directly come out and reprimand him. In the parable, Jesus has set the stage of 2 different debtors: one owes 500 pence and the other 50 pence.

Luke 7:42 "And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?"

There is only one possible solution to this parable. When Simon answers it, he will have scolded himself for not realizing this woman's sins (which were many) were forgiven; and she loved Jesus much, because Jesus had forgiven her of much. Simon had not committed sins like hers. He didn't have much to be forgiven for, so he loved little.

Luke 7:43 "Simon answered and said, I suppose that [he], to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged."

You see, Jesus put the responsibility for judging this woman to Simon. He gave Simon a parable which proved Jesus' lesson here for Simon. Simon trapped himself; and in a word, understood what Jesus was saying here.

Luke 7:44 "And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped [them] with the hairs of her head."

"Gavest me no water for my feet": A glaring oversight. Washing a guest's feet was an essential formality. Not to offer a guest water for the washing of feet was tantamount to an insult - like it would be in modern Western culture if one did not offer to take a guest's coat.

The desert was hot. They wore sandals. It was a custom when a guest came in to have a pan of water that he might cool his feet off and wipe them and then go in. Jesus is saying to Simon: You didn't even show me common courtesy, but this woman has washed my feet with her tears and used her hair for a towel to dry them.

Luke 7:45 "Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet."

It was a custom in the land to greet the brethren with a holy kiss. Simon must not have thought as highly of Jesus as he did his other Pharisee brethren. The ultimate in humility is to kiss another's feet. This woman had done this repeatedly.

Luke 7:46 "My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment."

Here, again, a much honored guest might have been anointed on the head. The desert sun was hot and could really dry the skin. This Simon, in fact, had not even acted as if Jesus were a special guest. This woman greatly honored Jesus. She did not feel worthy to anoint His head but anointed His feet.

Luke 7:47 "Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little."

"For she loved much": This is not to suggest that she was forgiven because she loved much The parable (verses 41-43) pictured a forgiveness that was unconditional, and love was the result.

Therefore to make the woman's love the reason for her forgiveness would be to distort the lesson Jesus is teaching here. "For" here has the sense of "wherefore." And her faith (verse 50), not the act of anointing Jesus' feet, was the instrument by which she laid hold of His forgiveness.

You see, Jesus knew all along that this was a sinful woman. He also knew that she had a repentant heart. She loved Jesus more than she feared what might happen to her for pushing her way into the Pharisee's house. Whatever it took, she was coming to Jesus.

Jesus freely forgave her, because she was truly sorry, and because she truly loved Him and wanted to follow Him. This Pharisee figured he didn't have much to be forgiven for. Take a look at what Jesus told him: that he loved very little.

Luke 7:48 "And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven."

The greatest gift anyone can receive is to have their sins forgiven. Jesus wants to forgive every single person upon the earth. To be forgiven, we must humble ourselves before Him and ask Him to forgive us, and He will.

Luke 7:49 "And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?"

They were talking to themselves. They did not recognize Jesus for who He was, just as many of the church people today do not recognize who He was and is. No mere man can forgive sins, only God can forgive sins.

They were in the presence of God the Son (Emmanuel), God with us, and did not realize who He was. They thought He was the teacher. How wrong they were. Look at this last verse and see Him forgive this sinful woman.

Luke 7:50 "And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."

"Thy faith hath saved thee": Not all whom Jesus healed were saved, but those who exhibited true faith were (17:19; 18:42; Matt. 9:22).

Jesus knows their thoughts, but said it any way. This woman believed Jesus would forgive her, and He did. Her faith (like Abraham's faith) saved her. When you know you are saved, there is a peace that comes over you that you cannot explain. The sting of death has been taken away, because you know eternal life awaits you.

Luke Chapter 7 Second Continued Questions

1. What did the Pharisee desire Jesus to do?

2. Did Jesus do what he wanted?

3. What was another name the Pharisees were known by?

4. Why do you suppose this Pharisee asked Jesus to eat with him?5. What kind of a woman came to Jesus in the Pharisee's house?

6. What did she bring with her?7. Who was Jesus a friend to?

8. What did she use to wash Jesus' feet?

9. What did she dry them with?

10. Why was it the custom to furnish water for a guest to wash his feet?

11. What modern practice in some churches began with this?

12. What did this Pharisee say within himself?

13. Did Jesus know what kind of woman she was?

14. How would you describe this Pharisee?

15. This man could see the woman's sins but could not see what?

16. What does Jesus answer when He speaks to the Pharisee?

17. What did the Pharisee call Jesus that made the Pharisee a Hypocrite?

18. What is the parable Jesus tells the Pharisee?

19. Who loved the most in this parable?

20. Who judged the parable and in so doing judged the woman?

21. What 3 things that Simon neglected to do showed that Simon did not have great respect for Jesus?

22. What is the ultimate act of humility that this woman did?

23. Why did Jesus say her sins were forgiven in verse 47?

24. What is the greatest gift anyone can receive?

25. What were those that sat with Him at meat questioning Jesus' right to do?

26. Why did they not understand

27. In verse 50, Jesus told the woman her _____ hath saved her and to go in ________.

Luke Chapter 8

Luke 8:1 "And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve [were] with him,"

We see here, that Jesus has left the Pharisee with whom He had dinner and even left Capernaum and began to travel from city to city carrying the gospel of the kingdom. He took his twelve disciples with Him.

Luke 8:2 "And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,"

"Certain women": Her name probably derives from the Galilean town of Magdala. Some believe she is the woman described (in 7:35-50), but it seems highly unlikely that Luke would introduce her here by name for the first time if she were the main figure in the account he just completed.

Also, while it is clear that she had suffered at the hands of "demons," there is no reason whatsoever to think that she had ever been a prostitute.

Luke 8:3 "And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance."

You see, from (verses 2 and 3) here, that there was a group of women who accompanied Jesus on this missionary journey, as well as the disciples. It appears they gave to Jesus' ministry. Jesus seems to have great compassion for women. He cast seven devils out of Mary Magdalene and healed several women specifically mentioned, such as Peter's Mother-in-law.

"Joanna;" This woman is also mentioned (in 24:10), but nowhere else in Scripture. It is possible that she was a source for some of the details Luke recounts about Herod (23:8, 12).

"Susanna": Aside from this reference, she is nowhere mentioned in Scripture. She is probably someone Luke knew personally.

"Of their substance": It was a Jewish custom for disciples to support rabbis in this way (10:7; 1 Cor. 9:4-11; Gal 6:6; 1 Tim. 5:17-18).

Jesus loved and still does love people. He does not first check to see if they are men or women. With God there is no male and female, as we read (in Galatians 3:28). With mankind, there is male and female. God is not interested in flesh. He is interested in spirit.

Luke 8:4 "And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:"

"Spake by a parable": This marked a significant turning point in Jesus' ministry.

Everywhere Jesus went. He was thronged with people, and this was no exception. It seems His fame had spread so that a very large group of people had come from all the cities to hear Him and see the miracles.

Luke 8:5 "A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it."

"To sow his seed": Seed was sown by hand over plowed soil. In throwing seed toward the edges of a field, the sower would naturally throw some that landed or was blown onto the hard beaten path on the edges of the field, where it could not penetrate the soil and grow. This could refer to the hard, obstinate Jewish leaders.

This is the famous parable about the seed (Word of God), which was sown. This is one of the parables that Jesus gives the exact meaning to. Jesus spoke in parables throughout the Bible, and it is necessary to ask the Holy Spirit of God to reveal the meaning of these parables to us many times.

Jesus spoke in parables so that the world could not use head belief to come to Him. A person must give his heart to God, not his head.

Luke 8:6 "And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture."

This parable is dealt with more fully in the 13th chapter of Matthew and the 4th chapter of Mark. We will touch it briefly again here. Notice especially, that Jesus does not explain this parable to the great masses of people. He waits until He gets with just the party that is traveling with Him.

"Upon a rock": Very shallow soil with a layer of rock lying just below the surface. This could refer to the fickle mob that followed Jesus only for His miracles.

Luke 8:7 "And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it."

"Thorns": This could refer to the materialists to whom earthly wealth was more important than spiritual riches.

Luke 8:8 "And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit a hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

"A hundredfold": Luke simplified the parable. (Matthew 13:8 and Mark 4:8), described 3 levels of fruitfulness. "A hundred times" simply speaks of inconceivable abundance (Gen. 26:12).

"He that hath ears": All 3 of the synoptics include this admonition with the parable of the sower (Matt. 13:9; 4:9). Jesus often said this to stress particularly important statements cast in mysterious language (14:35; Matt. 11:15; 13:43; Mark 4:23).

Luke 8:9 "And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?"

It seems so obvious to us, that we cannot believe the disciples could not understand. They were not baptized in the Holy Spirit at this time, and their understanding had not been opened. Before this, Jesus had not spoken in parables. This was a new type of teaching.

I really believe that these parables contained messages not for the worldly people, but for those who chose to follow Jesus. These parables would be revealed to the Christians by the Holy Spirit of God. These were not flesh messages. These were messages to be revealed to the spirit.

Luke 8:10 "And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand."

"Mysteries": "It is been given to know": Here Jesus clearly affirms that the ability to comprehend spiritual truth is a gracious gift of God, sovereignly bestowed on the elect (Matthew 13:11). The reprobate ones on the other hand, are passed over. They reap the natural consequence of their own unbelief and rebellion, spiritual blindness (Matt. 13:13).

"The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven": "Mysteries" are those truths which have been hidden from all ages in the past and revealed in the New Testament. Many specific doctrines of the New Testament are identified as "mysteries" (Rom. 11:25; 1 Cor. 15:51; Eph. 5:32; 6:19; Col. 1:26-27; 2 Thess. 2:7; 1 Tim. 3:9, 16).

We find in this type of teaching a separating of the people. The Bible and its meaning is revealed to those who diligently search the Scriptures and truly desire to know the will of God in their lives. To the worldly, it is a book that is too difficult to understand. They throw it down saying they can't understand it anyway.

The Bible is understood by the heart and not the mind. The Bible is to be understood by the spirit of mankind. Parables (a special type of teaching introduced by Jesus), are God's way of concealing from those worldly people His message of salvation.

They can see the literal word and cannot understand its meaning. They can look at Jesus Christ the righteous (Messiah), and see nothing more than a man. The sad thing is that many church goers who proclaim Jesus as their Savior still see a man.

In the next few verses here, Jesus will reveal the meaning of this very important parable.

Luke 8:11 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God."

Jesus, in revealing this particular parable here, is also teaching the disciples, and in fact, all of His followers, to look for deeper meaning in all of His Scriptures; not just the obvious parables. When we see the seed anywhere in the Bible, we know that it symbolizes the Word of God.

Luke 8:12 "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved."

This person could even be a casual church goer. Somehow, through preaching or some way, they are exposed to the Word of God. The world and the lust of the flesh seem to have a greater call on their life. They do not accept the Word of God into themselves.

A common way to say this would be: it went in one ear and out the other one. The devil in this instance I believe, is just saying the sins of the world caused this person not to retain the Word of God.

Luke 8:13 "They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away."

"For a while believe": I.e., with a nominal, non-saving faith.

"On the rock": "Stony places": Some people make an emotional, superficial commitment to salvation in Christ, but it is not real. They remain interested only until there is a sacrificial price to pay, and then abandon Christ.

We have all seen this type of person in the church. An exciting evangelist comes through town and they get all excited and are going all out to live for Jesus. Troubles or trials or sometimes even good times come along and they fade away. There is danger in teaching that if you receive the Lord only good times, health, and wealth await you.

If hard times, sickness, or poverty comes to those people, it would destroy their faith. Problems come to everyone. It rains on the just and the unjust. Suffering comes with the territory.

Jesus told Paul that He would show him what great things he would suffer. At any rate, this person in verse 13 cannot stand up during trials. Their faith in God and His Word will not bear up under testing, and they lose the faith, because they have no root.

Luke 8:14 "And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection."

Strangely enough, not only hard times run you away from God. Great wealth is a real problem. Just like the rich young man who went away sorrowful without receiving God when he had to choose between God and his money. Our generation seeks pleasure more than they seek God.

Worldly pleasures are more available to the wealthy. Jesus said it is difficult for a rich man to make heaven. It is not impossible, but it is difficult. These people work a short while for Jesus and then give up. They have no fruit, because they give up.

Luke 8:15 "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience."

"Heard ... keep it ... bring forth fruit": This constitutes evidence of true salvation. "Heard" is a reference to understanding and believing (John 8:31, 47). "Hold" refers to ongoing obedience (11:28). "Fruit" is good works (Matt. 7: 16-20; James 2:14-26).

This describes the Christian who not only receives Jesus as his Savior, but as his Lord. This person learns everything he or she can and uses that to bring others into the kingdom.

Luke Chapter 8 Questions

1. When Jesus went from city to city, what was His mission?

2. Who went with Him?

3. What had Jesus done for Mary Magdalene?

4. What did these women have to do with the ministry?

5. Does Jesus love men or women the most?

6. God is not interested in ________. He is interested in ________.

7. What kind of new teaching did Jesus start here?

8. Give 2 reasons why these great throngs of people followed Him.

9. What is this parable all about?

10. What happened to the first seed?

11. What is the seed symbolic of?

12. Why did Jesus speak in parables?

13. Where did the second seed fall?

14. Where did the last seed fall?

15. What did Jesus tell them about hearing?

16. Why did the disciples not understand these parables?

17. Jesus told these disciples that unto them He would reveal the _________ of _________.

18. What does this type of teaching show us?

19. The Bible and its meaning is revealed to whom?

20. When worldly people look at Jesus (Messiah), they see just a ________.

21. Who were those by the wayside symbolic of?

22. Who were they on the rock symbolic of?

23. Not only hard times cause you to lose your faith with God but ________ _________, as well.

24. The seed that fell on good ground are symbolic of whom?

25. What lesson can we learn for our day

Luke Chapter 8 Continued

Luke 8:16 "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth [it] under a bed; but setteth [it] on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light."

"Under a bed": The fact that Christ taught mysteries in parables was not to suggest that His message was meant for elite disciples or that it should be kept secret. A lamp is not lit to be hidden, but must be put on a lampstand, where its light will reach furthest. Still, only those with eyes to see will see it.

The purpose in lighting a candle is to brighten a darkened room. If you light a candle and cover it up with a vessel or hide it under a bed, you would defeat the whole purpose of lighting it.

Jesus is the Light of the world. His Light does away with darkness. To hide the gospel of Jesus Christ would be denying His Light to do away with the darkness of Satan.

Luke 8:17 "For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither [any thing] hid, that shall not be known and come abroad."

"Nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest": All truth will be manifest in the judgment (12:2-3; 1 Col. 4-5; 1 Tim. 5:24-25). God's ultimate purpose is not to hide the truth but to make it known.

Satan deals in darkness. When the Light of Jesus is applied, it does away with Satan's work of darkness. Nothing can hide from the Light of Jesus.

2 Peter 1:19 speaks of this Light that shines in a dark place.

2 Peter 1:19 "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:"

Luke 8:18 "Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have."

"Take heed therefore how ye hear": One's response to the light in this life is crucial, because at the throne of judgment there will be no opportunity to embrace truth that was formerly spurned (Rev. 20:11-15). Those who scorn the light of the gospel now will have all light removed from them in eternity (19:26; Matt. 25:29).

Jesus is talking primarily to His disciples and close friends who are traveling with Him. He tells them that those who diligently seek the Scriptures for truth shall increase in knowledge, but those who do not take their Christianity seriously will eventually even forget the truth that He has already taught them.

A Christian is constantly on the move. If he or she is not going forward, growing constantly in the Lord, then they are going backwards and losing what they already learned.

Luke 8:19 "Then came to him [his] mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press."

"Brethren": These are actual siblings (half-brothers) of Jesus. Matthew explicitly connects them with Mary, indicating that they were not cousins or Joseph's sons from a previous marriage, as some of the church fathers imagined. They are mentioned in all the gospel (Mark 3:31; Luke 8:19-21; John 7:3-5). Matthew and Mark give the names of 4 of Jesus's brothers, and mention that He had sisters as well (13:55; Mark 6:3).

Most expositors believe that this visit by Mary and Jesus' half-brothers was to talk Him into slowing down His ministry. Mary certainly must have believed Him, but His half-brothers probably didn't believe; because they had been raised in the house with Him.

By this time, probably thousands of people were following Him and these brothers and Mother couldn't get to Jesus for them.

Luke 8:20 "And it was told him [by certain] which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee."

"Thy mother and thy brethren": Jesus' earthly family.

We don't read who brought the message. Whoever brought it was thinking of brothers in the flesh. Jesus really is not a flesh man. He is a God man.

Luke 8:21 "And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it."

Jesus speaks here, about the spiritual family of God. All believers in Christ are members of the family of God. This is what Jesus is speaking of here. Jesus always speaks of His Spirit relation to man, not His physical.

Luke 8:22 "Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth."

To go by ship out into the lake was one way that Jesus had of getting free from the great multitude of people who thronged Him. His body would get tired, and He needed to rest. This was the Sea of Galilee, and Peter's boat and James' and John's boat was always near. They could have used either for this trip.

Luke 8:23 "But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled [with water], and were in jeopardy."

The Sea of Galilee is well known for the sudden storms that come up, and many ships have been caught and gone down in the storm. As I said, Jesus was tired and was taking a nap. This storm had gotten really severe, and the disciples feared for their lives.

Luke 8:24 "And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm."

"There arose a great tempest in the sea": The Sea of Galilee is more than 690 feet below sea level. To the north, Mt Hermon rises 9,200 feet, and from May to Oct. strong winds often sweep through the narrow surrounding gorges into this valley, causing extremely sudden and violent storms.

"He was asleep": Just before the disciples saw one of the most awesome displays of His deity, they were given a touching picture of His humanity. He was so weary that not even the violent tossing of the boat awakened Him, even though the disciples feared they would .

These disciples you remember, had been professional fishermen and had weathered many a storm. This had to be a worse than ordinary storm. The disciples knew where to go for help.

Jesus has control of everything including the elements of the wind and waves. When Jesus speaks, they must obey. The wind ceased and the waves stopped building up and became calm.

Luke 8:25 "And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him."

You see first a reprimand of the disciples for lacking enough faith to pray and believe for a miracle. The problem with the disciples is that they are still looking at Jesus as a man. This is God the Son in the body of a man.

Jesus created the wind and the waves, and He had control of them, because they were His creation. They must obey their creator. Read (in John 1), the first few verses and you will see that Jesus was Creator God.

Luke 8:26 "And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee."

Wherever this country of the Gadarenes is, it was near the Sea of Galilee. Location is really not the important message here. It is the miracle Jesus does.

Luke 8:27 "And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in [any] house, but in the tombs."

"A certain man": Matthew reveals there were actually two men. Only one did the talking.

Demon spirits would be more prevalent around graveyards, because they departed the dead and looked for another body to dwell in. This man near the tombs has received inside himself many of these disembodied spirits. His torment from these evil spirits has been so great that probably somewhere along the way he tore his clothes from his body.

A person this tormented could not stay in a house. In these days when Jesus met this man, no one tried to cure people who were thought to be insane. They just drove them off, and they lived wherever they could.

Luke 8:28 "When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, [thou] Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not."

As we said in a previous lesson, these demons recognized Jesus because they had lived in heaven with Him before their fall when they followed Lucifer. They know they have a terrible fate awaiting them at the end. This is really not the man speaking to Jesus, but these terrible spirits in the man. You see these spirits call Jesus, Son of God.

Luke 8:29 "(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)"

This man had been so tormented that the town's people had chained him. He had broken the chains and run to the tombs in the wilderness. Now Jesus commands this evil spirit to come out of him. A fetter is a shackle for the feet.

Luke 8:30 "And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him."

A legion is 2,000 or a whole regiment. Jesus was speaking to the head demon in this man, not the man.

Luke 8:31 "And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep."

"The devils besought him": (Luke 8:31), relates they pleaded not to be sent into the abyss, meaning the pit, the underworld, the prison of bound demons who disobeyed. They knew Jesus had the power and authority to send them there if He desired.

The one place these demon spirits do not want to go is into the deep (meaning the abyss). Jesus can command them to go wherever He wants to, and they must obey.

Luke 8:32 "And there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them."

A demon's first choice of a body to dwell in is a man's. If they cannot inhabit a man, their next choice is an animal. They do not want to be sent to the bottom of the sea.

Luke 8:33 "Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked."

These swine (hogs) became mad too, when these demon spirits went into them, and they ran into the sea and drowned themselves.

Luke 8:34 "When they that fed [them] saw what was done, they fled, and went and told [it] in the city and in the country."

If these hog herdsmen were Hebrews, they were raising unclean animals to sell for meat. At this time, hog meat was forbidden for Hebrews to eat. They were so shocked that they told everyone they saw of this strange miracle.

Luke 8:35-36 "Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid." "They also which saw [it] told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed."

This was literally the talk of the town. This man had been a terror to all of them, and now he is completely sane, fully dressed, sitting at the Master's feet. Don't you know his love and gratitude were beyond measure toward Jesus who had delivered him?

The people were afraid, because none of their holy men were capable of doing this type of miracle. They have realized that Jesus is no mere man.

Luke 8:37 "Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again."

This fear that gripped this whole area was fear of their sins being found out. There were many of them owners of herds of swine. They also were afraid Jesus might convert them to Christianity.

He had more power than they were prepared to face. If a person then or now does not want salvation, Jesus will not force Himself upon them. He left again by ship.

Luke 8:38-39 "Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying," "Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him."

The natural thing for this man to want to do was to be near the Great One who has set him free. Jesus tells him to go to the ones who had seen him in his terrible state of insanity and show them the wonderful miracle God has done for him.

He must be a living witness of the greatness of God. Perhaps, he will lead his family and friends by his wonderful testimony to Jesus so they too, may be set free to live for Jesus.

Luke Chapter 8 Continued Questions

1. When a man lights a candle, where does he put it?

2. What is the purpose of lighting a candle?

3. Who is the Light of the world?

4. Whose work is darkness?

5. Jesus tells them to take heed what they__________.

6. Who is Jesus primarily speaking to when He tells them that whosoever hath, to him shall be given?

7. What is this speaking of?

8. What members of Jesus' physical family came to seek Him?

9. Why could they not get to Him?

10. Why did Jesus' half-brothers not believe in Him?

11. What question did Jesus ask when He was told of His relatives being there to see Him?

12. Who did Jesus say were His mother and brethren?

13. Which family is Jesus speaking of?

14. Where did Jesus go to get away from the mob?

15. What did Jesus do while they were going to the other side of the sea?

16. What happened that frightened the disciples?

17. When the disciples woke Jesus, what did He do?

18. What reprimand did Jesus have for them?

19. What did the disciples wonder?

20. When Jesus arrived in the country of the Gadarenes, who came to meet Him?

21. How was he dressed?

22. Where did he live?

23. When he saw Jesus, what did he do and say?

24. Who was really doing the talking?

25. What is a fetter?

26. Where had the devil driven this man?

27. What question did Jesus ask him?

28. What did he answer?

29. How many demons did he have?

30. What did the demons go into?

31. What happened then?

32. What happened to those who had been feeding the swine?

33. When the people of the town came out, where and in what condition did they find the man who had been delivered?

34. Why did the people ask Jesus to leave?

35. The man wanted to stay with Jesus, but where did Jesus send him?

Luke Chapter 8 Second Continued

Luke 8:40 "And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people [gladly] received him: for they were all waiting for him."

This is probably the same crowd that He had left when He went across the sea. I am sure the news had already beaten them back also, about the demoniac man being freed.

Luke 8:41 "And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:"

"A ruler of the synagogue": An eminent layman, whose responsibilities included conducting meetings, caring for the building and supervising the teaching in the synagogue (Matt. 9:18, Mark 5:38).

Jesus had once cast out a demon out of a man in Jairus' synagogue (4:33-37).

Luke 8:42 "For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him."

Luke puts in some very touching details about this young girl. She is an only daughter. Her father obviously loves her very much. Jairus is probably an orthodox Jew and probably a very well to do man. Being a ruler of the synagogue would carry distinction with it.

He (Jairus), has heard of the miracles Jesus had done, and he believes. Jairus humbles himself by falling at Jesus' feet. This daughter was at the point of changing from a little girl to a teenager. She was near death. But the people crowded Jesus so as to make it difficult to go.

Luke 8:43-44 "And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any," "Came behind [him], and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched."

"Came behind him and touched": Because of her affliction, she would normally render anyone she touched unclean. The effect here was precisely the opposite.

We see here, a desperate woman, sick for 12 years. She had spent all of her money going to doctors who could not heal her. This type of illness would have kept her from going to the temple. It was really by Mosaic Law illegal for her to touch any holy thing.

This woman's faith in reaching out and touching Jesus' garment was greater than her fear of being punished. Her faith, when she touched the hem of Jesus' garment, stopped the blood instantly. Her faith in Jesus Christ healed her.

Luke 8:45 "And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press [thee], and sayest thou, Who touched me?"

Peter does not realize the touch of faith had flowed healing virtues from Jesus to her. They had thronged Jesus. She had touched Jesus. This was a deliberate touch of faith.

Luke 8:46 "And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me."

This touch was not just an ordinary touch. This woman believed in her heart if she could touch even the hem of His garment, she would be healed. Her great faith caused the goodness (virtue), of God to flow out to her and heal her.

Jesus knew, because He felt the flow of goodness from Him to her.

Luke 8:47 "And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately."

What she had done was really against the law, and she could be severely punished for touching this Holy man while she had this issue of blood. You can read about this (in Leviticus 12).

She was afraid. But nothing could be worse than the state she had been in for 12 years. She humbled herself before Jesus (fell down before Him). After begging His mercy, she tells what happened.

Luke 8:48 "And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace."

The name "daughter" shows immediately that He claims her for His own. Then He brings good news to her, Jesus is the King of peace. He always brings peace to those who have faith in Him.

Luke 8:49 "While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's [house], saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master."

This "Him" is the ruler. They bring bad news that his daughter is dead. They believe there is no reason to tell Jesus since she is already dead.

Luke 8:50 "But when Jesus heard [it], he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole."

"Believe only": Though not all Jesus' healings required faith (22:51), at times He required it.

Jesus quickly reassures this parent that his daughter will live. One of the greatest messages Jesus brought him and us is: "Fear not, have faith".

Luke 8:51 "And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden."

For this type of miracle to take place, you do not need doubters present. Peter, James, and John were always the 3 disciples Jesus had closest to Him. Peter would later relate this scene to Luke.

Luke 8:52 "And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth."

In those days, there were paid mourners. They were already there crying for her. Jesus says, "Stop this mourning; she is not dead, but asleep".

Luke 8:53 "And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead."

She had been pronounced dead by the attending physicians. Who is this man (they think), to argue with the physician?

Luke 8:54 "And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise."

Jesus spoke in the little girl's language and said, "Maid, arise". Just one touch of the Savior's hand brings new life to this little girl. We have life because of the breath of life He breathed into us from the beginning. This is a brand new life she has received from her Savior.

Luke 8:55 "And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat."

We see again here, that the life is in the spirit. While the spirit was out of this little girl, she had no life. When her spirit re-entered her body, she was alive again. The life is in the spirit. This food that Jesus ordered them to give her was meat of an animal. Something that would give her strength.

We can learn a lesson in this sentence about the meat. Just as God told Peter, kill and eat, we must eat what God has provided for food for us. We must get off of this worship of animals.

The Lord provided them to feed mankind. We are supposed to eat meat. Read (1 Timothy 4:1-5). The meat is called creature. It is not just food, it is animal flesh.

Luke 8:56 "And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done."

At this point, there were so many people following Jesus that they thronged Him wherever He went. If it got out that He raised this girl from the dead, it would get even worse. You can imagine the joy, surprise, and admiration these parents have for Jesus. It would be difficult not to tell.

Luke Chapter 8 Second Continued Questions

1. When Jesus got back from across the sea, who was waiting?

2. What was the name of the ruler of the synagogue who came to Jesus to heal his daughter?

3. What did he do when he saw Jesus?

4. How old was his daughter?

5. Why did Jesus not go to her immediately?

6. What belief is Jairus of, probably?

7. How long had the woman had the issue of blood?

8. Who had she gone to for help and gotten none?

9. What did she do as an act of faith?

10. What healed her?

11. What did Jesus say that His disciples were surprised at?

12. What had Jesus felt go out of Him to her?

13. When the woman realized she was not hid, what did she do?

14. How do we know she humbled herself before Jesus?

15. When Jesus called her daughter, what does that show us?

16. What message was brought Jairus about his daughter?

17. When Jesus heard them, what did He say to this father?

18. Which 3 disciples went in with Jesus and the parents?

19. In verse 52, what did Jesus say to the mourners?

20. They laughed Him to ___________.

21. After putting all the doubters out, what did Jesus do and say to the little girl?

22. What returned to her which gave her life?

23. What did Jesus tell her parents to do?

24. What do we learn about meat in I Timothy 4:1-5?

25. What did Jesus tell the parents not to do?

Luke Chapter 9

Luke 9:1 "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."

Up until this time, Jesus was doing this just Himself. Now Jesus has empowered the disciples. We see in this sending forth of His disciples, a sending forth throughout all ages of those who will work for Him.

Notice in this sending forth, the first step of a minister is to come to Him ourselves, then He must empower the minister or else they go in vain.

Luke 9:2 "And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."

Here again, we see the job God intends for His ministers to do. First, work on their spirit and get them saved by the foolishness of preaching (see 1 Cor. 1:21). Then minister to their physical needs after they are saved.

In the 14th chapter of John beginning with the 12th verse, we see that these disciples and the Lord's ministers today must heal in the name of Jesus. It is not the minister's power that heals or saves, but the name of Jesus Christ.

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."

"Take nothing": Slight differences between Matthew, Mark and Luke have troubled some. (Matthew 10:9-10), and this text say the disciple were not to take staffs; but (Mark 6:8), prohibited everything "except a ... staff." (Mark 6:9), also instructed them to "wear sandals;" but in (Matthew 10:10), sandals were included in the things they were not to carry.

Actually, however, what (Matthew 10:10), and this verse prohibited was the packing of extra staffs and sandals. The disciples were not to be carrying baggage for the journey, but merely to go with the clothes on their backs.

We see in this that these ministers are not to be self-sufficient. They are to depend on all of these necessities being furnished to them by the people they minister to. Of course, God is their real provider, as He moves upon the hearts of the people.

Luke 9:4-5 "And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart." "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."

This ministry would actually be headquartered in each city in someone's home. This is the way it was in early Christianity. They met in homes. This shaking of the feet just meant that they had cut all ties with that family. Even as late as in Paul's day, the ministry was held in homes such as Lydia's.

Luke 9:6 "And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where."

This was a missionary journey that Jesus sent these disciples on: a training time while He was on this earth that after He was gone away they would know exactly how to go about this. The gospel of course, is the good news of Jesus Christ.

Luke 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;"

"Herod the tetrarch": News of Christ reached to the highest levels of government.

"John was risen from the dead": Of course, this was not true, but Herod himself nonetheless seemed gripped by guilty fear. (Mark 6:16).

A guilty conscience is acting here. Herod had beheaded John, and now he was tormented by it. The people could not explain the supernatural power of Jesus, and they imagined all sorts of things.

Luke 9:8 "And of some, that Elijah had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again."

Again, I say they could not explain the powers of Jesus, so they used all sorts of excuses how this could be. No mere man could do these things that Jesus did. They believed that Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Elijah would appear right before Messiah came, and they thought Jesus might be one of them.

Luke 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."

"He desired to see him": Only Luke gives this detail.

The fame of Jesus had gone throughout the land. Herod wanted to see this man that had these miraculous powers that everyone was talking about. I believe he wanted to see Him; but at the same time, feared seeing him in case it was John who was raised from the grave.

Luke 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."

"Aside privately": They were trying to get some rest and a break from the crowds. (Mark 6:31-32).

"Bethsaida" means house of fish. It was located on one side of the Sea of Galilee, where the Jordan river enters the lake.

We read earlier how Jesus would go out in a friend's boat into the middle of the sea to avoid the tremendous crowd which now followed Him wherever He went.

He lands unexpectedly, unannounced, here in Bethsaida so that He can meet privately with His disciples to hear of their journey.

Luke 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."

Jesus has a short time with the disciples on the sea and at Bethsaida before the masses of People caught up with Him. Jesus never turned them away. He ministered the word to them first, and then took care of their physical needs. The order was always the same, spirit first and then flesh second.

Verses 12-17: Aside from the resurrection, the feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle of Jesus recorded in all 4 gospels (Matt. 145-21; Mark 6:35-44; John 6:4-13).

Luke 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."

The disciples are still thinking about the physical needs of the people. They were thinking all these hungry women and children would probably start to fuss as it became dark.

Luke 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."

This feeding of the multitude is mentioned in all 4 gospels. We know there are many lessons to be learned in it or it would not be mentioned 4 times. We should never limit God and His possibilities are perhaps one of the most important messages found in this.

"Five" is an important number. It means grace, and "two" means agreement. We know that we are taught that if any two agree, it shall be done of our Father. We know that the grace of God is what feeds this vast number of people (possibly 15,000 or more).

Luke 9:14-15 "For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company." "And they did so, and made them all sit down."

"About five thousand men": Counting women and children, the actual size of the crowd may have been closer to 20,000.

When Jesus says give them to eat, it is a literal statement of a spiritual statement. He will later on say to Peter: "feed my sheep". The Lord shows us and them here, that little is much when God is in it. Jesus now has His table spread and has asked his guests to sit.

Luke 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."

When Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep, He was speaking of the Word of God. If we looked at this "feeding" here from the spiritual standpoint, we would see the prayer of thanksgiving. Then we would see Jesus rightly dividing (breaking the bread), the next step would be giving the message to His ministers, and the ministers feed the multitude. Each, feeding the group he has been entrusted with.

We know also, that there is a literal meal provided here. Again, the first and most important part in the meal that fed this multitude is the prayer. Then as Jesus broke the bread and fishes, it multiplied. Another message that I receive loud and clear here is that the ministers (shepherds), must see to the needs of the flock, not the other way around.

Luke 9:17 "And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets."

It is surely plain to see that as these disciples took care of the people, God provided for their needs as well. There was a basketful left over for each disciple: 12 disciples, 12 baskets full. Of course, God does not expect them to eat scraps, this is just symbolic. It appears also, in this meal, that it was the same as Jesus breaking the bread: symbolic of His body at the last supper.

Luke Chapter 9 Questions

1. When Jesus called His disciples together, what powers did He give them?

2. Before going out to minister, what should be the first step taken?

3. What 2 things did Jesus send the disciples to do?

4. What order does that show us?

5. What were the disciples to take with them?

6. Any house that did not receive the disciples was to have what happen to it?

7. Where did the early church meet?

8. Where did the disciples go and what did they do?

9. Who did Herod believe Jesus was?

10. Why were the people imagining who He was?

11. Name 3 different old prophets various people thought He was.

12. What had Herod done to John?

13. Where did Jesus go privately with the disciples?

14. When Jesus returned and found the multitude, what did He do?

15. When the disciples realized it was getting late and the multitude was hungry, what did they suggest Jesus do?

16. What did Jesus tell the disciples to do that seemed impossible?

17. How much food did they have?

18. How many of the gospels mention this story?

19. Approximately how many people were in the multitude?

20. How did He have the disciples to seat them?

21. This statement "give them to eat" is like the statement Jesus tells Peter later that is a spiritual statement. What is it?

22. What did Jesus do before He broke the bread?

23. What is the spiritual indication of the breaking of bread?

24. What message to the shepherds do we receive loud and clear in this?

25. How does this point us to the last supper?

Luke Chapter 9 Continued

Luke 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?"

This means that Jesus had removed from the multitude, when He finished praying. He asked them this important question. There is a small book called "Who is This Man Called Jesus and why should we worship Him" you may enjoy.

This is the most important question in all of Christendom. What are you going to do with Jesus? Who is He? Your answer can seal your doom in hell or save you.

Luke 9:19 "They answering said, John the Baptist; but some [say], Elias; and others [say], that one of the old prophets is risen again."

"John the Baptist ... Elias ... One of the old prophets": Such rumors were apparently quite common. This does not suggest that John was Elijah returned. In fact, John himself denied that he was Elijah (John 1:21), yet he came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17). If they had believed, John would have been the fulfillment of the Elijah prophecies. (rev. 11:5-6).

As important as John the Baptist, Elijah and the prophets were; none of them could save you. The people were confused. Looking at Jesus, they saw a man.

Luke 9:20 "He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God."

"The Christ of God": I.e., the Messiah promised in the Old Testament (Dan. 9:25-26).

Matthew 16:16 gives a more explicit answer from Peter; "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus replies to Peter that flesh and blood had not revealed this to Peter, but the Father. In saying this, Peter has said: You are God's Son who has taken on flesh to live among us.

Luke 9:21 "And he straitly charged them, and commanded [them] to tell no man that thing;"

Jesus charged them that they should not make him known. Here Christ seems concerned about the potential zealotry of those who would try to press Him into the conquering-hero mold that the rabbinical experts had made out of messianic prophecy.

The only person then or now who truly knows in his heart who Jesus is, he is the one who the Father has revealed it to.

Luke 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."

"The Son of man must suffer": This pronouncement signified a great turning point in Jesus' ministry.

Jesus has just revealed (above) to them that He is truly the Messiah that they looked for: but in the very same breath. He tells them that He will suffer and die at the hands of His Jewish church.

The elders, chief priests, and scribes made up the ruling body of the temple of that day. His own people will reject Him and even crucify Him. His promise to these disciples is that He will rise again on the third day.

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."

"Cross": Self-denial was a common thread in Christ's teaching to his disciples (14:26-27; Matt. 10:38; 16:24; Mark 8:34; John 12:24-26). The kind of self-denial He sought was not a reclusive asceticism, but a willingness to obey His commandments, serve one another, and suffer - perhaps even die - for His sake.

This is a message that no one wanted to hear. It is still an unpopular message today. If we do not take up our cross every day, then we will not receive our crown and sit with Him in heavenly places. In our day, the message has wandered so far from this.

Many preachers are bringing a message that if you receive Jesus, there will be nothing but good times. Our leader suffered. If we are true followers of His, we can expect no better. The walk with Jesus is a walk of denial to worldly things and, also, brings suffering in this world.

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."

"But whosoever will lose his life for my sake": Aside from the command "follow Me," this saying is repeated more times in the gospels than any other saying of Christ. (17:33; Matt. 10:39; 16:25; Mark 8:35; John 12:25).

We must be willing to give our very life, if necessary. The important life is the eternal life with Him. This few years we live here on the earth are but a blink in all of history. We must live and die staying true to God, so that our eternal life will be spent with Him.

Luke 9:25 "For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?"

Desires for things of this world in abundance usually cause us to sin in acquiring them. We may become very rich in worldly goods and yet lose our soul. It is a terrible trade off to trade perhaps 70 or 80 years of pleasures now for the thousands of years of all of eternity.

Luke 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."

"Whosoever shall be ashamed of me": I.e., unbelievers (Matt. 10:33; Rom. 9:33; 10:11; 2 Tim. 2:12).

Jesus is the Judge of all the world. If we do not accept Him as our Savior and Lord here now, He will not recognize us as belonging to Him then. Our stand for Him must be taken here. If we truly believe in our heart and confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and hold up His Word, then He will welcome us into His kingdom.

If we do not uphold His Word and declare Him to be the Christ (Messiah), He will say get away from me, I never knew you. Jesus will declare the true believers (Christians) in front of His Father and the angels. We will be accepted and crowned by our Savior, Jesus.

Luke 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."

"Some ... standing": In all three of the synoptic gospels, this promise is made immediately prior to the Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-8; Luke 9:27-36). Furthermore the world for "kingdom" can be translated "royal splendor." Therefore, it seems most natural to interpret this promise as a reference to the Transfiguration, which "some" of the disciples - Peter, James and John would witness only 6 days later.

We do know that Peter, James, and John get a glimpse of the kingdom of God at the transfiguration. We, also, know that Stephen looked into heaven and saw the throne of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father just before he was stoned to death.

Luke 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."

"About an eight days" A common expression signifying about a week (John 20:26).

"After these sayings": This expression ties the promise of seeing the kingdom, verse 27, to the events that follow.

"Peter and John and James": These 3 alone were permitted to witness the raising of Jairus' daughter (8:51), the Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1), and Christ's agony in the garden (Mark 14:33).

"A mountain": The traditional site, Mt. Tabor, is unlikely. Jesus and the disciples had been in "the district of Caesarea Philippi" (Matt. 6:13), and Tabor is nowhere near there.

Besides, Tabor had evidently been the site of pagan worship (Hos. 5:1), and in Jesus' day, an army garrison had their fortress at the top. The actual location of the Transfiguration is nowhere identified, but Mt. Hermon (7,000 feet higher that Tabor, and closer to Caesarea Philippi) is believed by many to be the place.

Always, when Jesus went aside, He took these three with Him. They seemed to be the closest to Him. Jesus went to the mountain to pray so that He could pray; in private. We might take a lesson from Jesus in this. The best prayers are the ones we pray in secret to God.

Luke 9:29 "And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment [was] white [and] glistering."

"As he prayed": As at His baptism, while He was praying, the Father's voice came from heaven.

"Glistering": Literally "emitting light." This word is used only here in the New Testament. It suggests a brilliant flashing light, similar to lightning.

This Light was showing who Jesus really is; the Light of the world. This could be likened unto the Shekinah. This Light that came from within Jesus was so bright that His clothes glistened.

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

"Moses and Elias": Representing the law and the prophets respectively, both of which had foretold Christ's death, and that is what Luke says the three of them were discussing (Luke 9:31).

It was really interesting that Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus at this transfiguration. Certainly, that was who they were. Moses received the law from God for the people, and Elijah was a very prominent prophet.

These two Old Testament men represented the law and the prophets.

Luke 9:31 "Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem."

"His decease": Peter uses the same term to speak of his own death (2 Peter 1:15), only Luke mentions the subject matter of their conversation and the fact the Peter, James and John had fallen asleep (v.32; 22:45).

These two came to discuss with Jesus the things which were about to happen in Jerusalem. Jesus' flesh did not look forward to the rejection and cruel force of the death on the cross.

I really believe that this, also, was to help Peter, James, and John when remembering back that God still has everything under control. These 3 should draw an extra strength from this transfiguration on the mountain top.

Luke 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."

They had been tired and went to sleep. On awakening, they saw this magnificent sight on the mountain: Jesus in all His glory and the two Old Testament representatives; Moses for the law and Elijah for the prophets.

Luke 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."

"Three tabernacles": This is undoubtedly a reference to the booths that were used to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, when the Israelites dwelt in booths for 7 days (Lev. 23:34-42). Peter was expressing a wish to stay in that place.

Peter truly did not know what he said. Moses and Elijah were men, Jesus was God the Son. You do not build tabernacles to men.

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

"A cloud": Matthew 17:5 says "a bright cloud," i.e., enveloping the glory of God - similar to the pillar of cloud that led the Israelites in the Old Testament (Exod. 14:19-20).

The brightness of this cloud and the sleepiness of the disciples (v.32) suggest that this event may have occurred at night.

Luke 9:35 "And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him."

This is while Peter was speaking that this cloud of the Almighty overshadowed them. When this cloud came so close and they knew this was the presence of God, it frightened the disciples. Even more frightening is the voice that comes from this cloud and says, "This is my beloved Son; hear him".

All of this should have strengthened them when their test came. Peter, the one we would expect to be the greatest believer, will, in fact, deny that he even knew Jesus. This should be proof enough to these three forever of who Jesus is.

Luke 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."

They had seen the glory of God the Father overshadow Jesus and God, Himself, tell them that Jesus is His beloved Son and to listen to whatever He says.

Perhaps because they assumed no one would believe and because Jesus told them not to tell it, at any rate, they did not mention this until after Jesus' resurrection. Jesus had chosen these three disciples to see things the others had not seen.

Luke Chapter 9 Continued Questions

1. When Jesus was alone with the disciples and praying, what did He ask them?

2. What is the most important question in all Christendom?

3. If you cannot answer this question correctly, where will you wind up?

4. When they answered Jesus' question, who did they say the people said He was?

5. The people were confused. Looking at Jesus they saw a _________.

6. What did Peter answer when Jesus asked whom say ye that I am?

7. Jesus told Peter that ________ and _______ had not revealed this to him, but the __________.

8. In verse 22, Jesus told them some terrible things would happen to Him. What were they?

9. He also told them He would rise from the grave on what day?

10. Who made up the ruling body of the temple in Jerusalem?

11. If any man will come after Jesus, they must do what daily?

12. In what way has the modern church wandered from this message?

13. The walk with Jesus is a walk of _______ and brings _______.

14. We must live and die being true to whom?

15. If we are ashamed of Jesus and His Words here, what will happen in heaven?

16. What would cause Jesus to welcome us into His kingdom?

17. Who were some who did not taste death before they saw the kingdom?

18. Which three disciples went to the mountain with Jesus to pray?

19. What are the best prayers?

20. As Jesus prayed, what 2 miraculous things happened?

21. What could this Light be likened unto?

22. Who were the 2 men who talked to Jesus?

23. What do they symbolize?

24. What were they speaking of?

25. Who wanted to make three tabernacles?

26. Why was this wrong?

27. Whose voice spoke from the cloud?

28. What did He say?

Luke Chapter 9 Second Continued

Luke 9:37 "And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him."

In the last lesson, you remember Peter, James, and John had been on the mount with Jesus and had seen Moses and Elijah with Jesus. Now this is the next day and Jesus and the three disciples come down and join the others. Many people have gathered at the foot of the mountain to see Jesus.

Luke 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."

"Mine only child": (7:12; 8:42) The son of the widow of Nain was her only child; and Jairus' daughter was his only child. Luke alone mentions these details.

We see here, the great love of a father for his only son. He has brought his son to Jesus for help. He cries out loud to get Jesus' attention.

Luke 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."

"A spirit taketh him": This was no mere case of epilepsy; it was plainly demon possession. There's no reason to think Luke, a physician, was merely accommodating the understanding of his readers. Besides, Jesus healed the boy by rebuking the demon (verse 42; Mark 9:25).

Luke 9:40 "And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not."

"And they could not" (Read Matthew 17:19-21).

We remember, in a previous lesson, where Jesus empowered the disciples to preach and heal and cast out devils. This is a very severe case here, and the disciples for some reason have not been able to cast him out of the boy. This father will not give up easily. And he has brought his son to Jesus.

Luke 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."

Jesus is speaking not only to this man, but to the disciples and to others standing around as well. Jesus cannot believe how little faith they really have. Even though He is so disappointed in the amount of faith they have, He still has compassion on the boy and the father and says bring him to me.

Luke 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."

Immediately, Jesus rebukes the devil in the boy. It comes out and he is totally healed. In (Mark 9:29), we see that this type comes out only by much prayer and fasting.

Luke 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,"

We see here, at the very moment when they can hardly believe the fantastic miracles He does.

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

"Jesus said unto them, the son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men". Some copies read, "sinful men"; and so, the angels report the words (in Luke 24:7). By whom may be meant the Gentiles, who by the Jews, were reckoned very wicked men, and called sinners of the Gentiles.

He abruptly changes the subject and tells them of the terrible things that are about to happen to Him. On one hand, they feel as if they are in the presence of Messiah, but would Messiah be destroyed?

Luke 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."

"They understood not": I.e., in accord with God's sovereign design (24:45).

Not only did they not understand, they did not want to hear of these terrible things. If this is Messiah, He must not suffer. He must overthrow Rome and reign. They never believed that He would conquer through death.

Luke 9:46 "Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest."

Probably playing off the words of Jesus (in Matthew 19:28), James and John had enlisted their mother to convey their proud, self-seeking request to Jesus. This was a recurring matter among the disciples (Matt. 18:1, 4; 23:11; Mark 9:34; Luke 22:24, 26), right up to the table at the Last Supper.

We see here, that the disciples were not perfect men. Jealousy has arisen among the twelve. They have not really understood what the Master had tried to tell them, that the life of those who are truly followers of Jesus is a life of self-sacrifice.

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

"Whosoever shall receive this child": This speaks not of literal children, but children in the sense described (in verses Matthew 18:3-4), those who have humbled themselves like children, i.e., true believers.

We see by this that Jesus is trying to explain to them that jealousy has no place among His ministers. A little child is humble and receives God with a humble heart, never questioning. He is saying to the disciples; get your eyes off yourselves.

Those who are good to those who cannot help themselves are great in the Master's eyes. The one who is willing to work in whatever lowly job there is to do, will be the greatest in God's sight. God does not view a situation as the world does (from the outside), but looks on the heart.

Luke 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."

"Because he followeth not with us": It is ironic that John, who came to be known as "the apostle of love," would be the one to raise this objection. John came to see that only legitimate tests of another person's ministry are the test of doctrine (1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 7:11), and the test of fruit (1 John 2:4-6, 29; 3:4-12; 4:5, 20; Matt. 7:16).

This man would have passed both tests, but John was inclined to reject him because of this group affiliation. That is the error of sectarianism.

John is asking the Master a question that has really raged until now. Can this other denomination be of God? They are not of our inner circle of members. Look at exactly what he said. The man was casting out devils which is one of the things the Master had told the disciples to do. So really, there is no error in that.

He was doing good instead of evil, which also cannot be looked down upon. Last but certainly not least, he was doing this in the name of Jesus. Truly, there was no error at all in what he was doing.

John, like so many closed denominations today, thought if he were not of the 12, something had to be wrong with him. And he and others of the disciples rebuked him for doing good because he was not a disciple.

These disciples had missed the message of Jesus. This man probably, had been one of the multitudes who had followed Jesus and heard His messages. He had taken to heart Jesus' teachings and was going around doing good. Let us see in the next verse what Jesus has to say of this.

Luke 9:50 "And Jesus said unto him, Forbid [him] not: for he that is not against us is for us."

"He who is not against us is for us": Contrast this with (11:23). There is no middle ground and no neutrality. Here Christ gave a test of outward conduct to use for measuring others. In (11:23), He gave a test of the inward life that is to be applied to oneself.

We see here, that this man is not against Jesus. In fact, he is elevating the name of Jesus every time he ministers. I think we see again in this a little jealousy on the part of the disciples. They believe that they are the only ones that Jesus has endued with this power.

Jesus tells them here, that there are only two sides to be on, those that are for Jesus and those that are against Jesus. One thing in favor of the disciples here, they are still in the learning process.

They have not been filled with the Holy Ghost yet. This will come 50 days after Jesus' resurrection on the day of Pentecost, and will guide them to all truth. Their selfish ideas will fade away after Jesus is crucified and they begin to understand what He had been teaching them.

Luke Chapter 9 Second Continued Questions

1. When Jesus came down from the Mount of Transfiguration, who was there?

2. Who had met with Jesus on the mount?

3. Who cried out to Jesus?

4. What was wrong with the son?

5. Name some of the things this devil spirit did to him.

6. Who had tried to cast this demon out and couldn't?

7. What kind of generation did Jesus call them?

8. Who was He speaking to?

9. When did Jesus heal the boy?

10. In the 9th chapter of Mark, we find that this type comes out by what?

11. What were the people amazed at?

12. Just at the moment they are realizing His deity. What does Jesus tell them?

13. Why did they not understand in verse 45?

14. What question arose among the disciples?

15. The life of those who truly love Jesus is a life of what?

16. Who did Jesus use to show them who would be greatest?

17. Who in verse 48 receiveth Jesus?

18. How does a little child receive Jesus?

19. Who are great in God's sight?

20. God does not view as the world does. He looks in the __________.

21. Which disciple came to Jesus and told of someone ministering in Jesus' name that was not of them?

22. What was he doing?

23. What had the disciples done to this man?

24. What did Jesus reply to this?

25. Name 3 things the man did correctly?

26. What question in our day does this remind us of?

27. What do we see in these disciples by this?

28. At what time will the disciples better understand?

Luke Chapter 9 Third Continued

Luke 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,"

"He stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem": This begins a major section of Luke's gospel.
From here (to 19:27), Christ's face was set toward Jerusalem and Luke's narrative is a travelogue of that long journey to the cross. This was a dramatic turning point in Christ's ministry. After this, Galilee was no longer His base of operation.

Although (17:11-37), describes a return visit to Galilee, Luke included everything between this point and the short Galilean sojourn as part of the journey to Jerusalem. We know from a comparison of the gospels that during this period of Christ's ministry, He made short visits to Jerusalem to celebrate feasts.

Nonetheless, those brief visits were only interludes in this period of ministry that would culminate in a final journey to Jerusalem for the purpose of dying there. Thus, Luke underscored this turning point in Christ's ministry more dramatically than any of the other gospels, by showing Christ's determination to complete His mission of going to the cross (see 12:50).

Jesus was not trying to avoid Jerusalem or the cross. He had a job to do, and He was determined to do it, even unto the cost of His life. "Steadfastly" means that He was determined.

Luke 9:52 "And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him."

"Samaritans": These people were descendants of Jewish mixed marriage from the days of captivity. They were rivals of the Jewish nation and had devised their own worship, a hybrid of Judaism and paganism, with a temple of their own on Mt. Gerizim.

They were considered unclean by the Jews and were so hated that most Jewish travelers from Galilee to Judah took the longer route East of the Jordan to avoid traveling through Samaria.

The orthodox Jews of this day really thought of the Samaritans as a very bad race of people who were lost. The Lord did not feel this way and ministered unto them as well. These messengers are probably James, John, and perhaps Peter, the Scripture does not say. We do know that special jobs such as this, He ordinarily sent His three trusted disciples.

Luke 9:53 "And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem."

"Because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem": Traveling to Jerusalem for worship implied rejection of the rituals on Mt. Gerizim and a contempt for Samaritan worship. This was a strong point of contention between Jews and Samaritans (John 4:20-22).

This feud between the Samaritans and orthodox Jews continued and was heated on both sides. We see here, that these Samaritans turned Jesus down for coming to minister, because He was headed for the temple in Jerusalem where they had been forbidden to worship.

Luke 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 Elijah did?"

"James and John": Jesus nicknamed these brothers "Boanerges", Sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17), a fitting title apparently. This was John's second sin against charity in such a short time. It is interesting to note that several years later, the Apostle John journeyed through Samaria once again with Peter, this time preaching the gospel in Samaritan villages (Acts 8:25).

We see here that James and John (sons of thunder), are insulted for Jesus when these Samaritans refuse Him and His message. They are highly angered that anyone would refuse to listen to Jesus. James and John saw Jesus transfigured and know that He is more than man. Their anger is not for themselves, but for Him.

They are relating these people to the prophets of Baal. These Samaritans were believers in the first 5 books of the Bible. They believed in Jehovah, so they could not be classed with those who worship Baal. Fire of God or wrath comes on those who worship false gods. Elijah came against Baal, not against those who worshipped Jehovah.

Luke 9:55 "But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of."

"Rebuked them": Christ's response to the Samaritans exemplifies the attitude the church ought to have with regard to all forms of religious persecution. The Samaritans' worship was pagan at heart, plainly wrong. Compounding that was their intolerance. Yet, the Lord would not retaliate with force against them. Nor did He even revile them verbally.

He had come to save, not to destroy, and so His response was grace rather that destructive fury. Nonetheless, Christ's words of disapproval here must not be taken as condemnation of Elijah's actions (in 1 Kings 18:38-40 or 2 Kings 1:10-12).

Elijah was commissioned to a special ministry as prophet in a theocracy, and it was His God-ordained task to confront an evil monarch (Ahab), who was attempting to usurp God's authority. Elijah was specifically authorized to measure out the reprisal of God's wrath. Elijah acted with an authority comparable to that of modern civil authorities (Romans 13:4), not in a capacity that parallels that of ministers of the gospel.

Luke 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."

Jesus is the Savior of the world, not the Destroyer. Jesus healed and delivered, He did not destroy. Jesus had the spirit of love, not hate. Jesus never was pushy. When they refused Him in Samaria, He just went to a Hebrew village close by.

Luke 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."

The zeal of a new convert is beautiful, but sometimes they do not take time to weigh the cost before they jump. This man has received Jesus in his heart and is set on fire to follow Jesus. Let's see in the next verse how Jesus handles this zeal without offending the man.

Luke 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."

Here Jesus tells the man of His uncertain future. He says I do not have a headquarters where we rest at night. We are wanderers and might stop anywhere for the night. There are very few creature comforts following Jesus.

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

Jesus will not allow us to look back longingly at our old life once we have put our hand to the plow. This man, unlike the man before, has caught the Lord's attention; this man is called of God to be a worker for the kingdom message.

Luke 9:60 "Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God."

This is a very strange statement to the world, but what Jesus is saying is there is no hope for salvation for someone who is already dead. This man has been called to preach and bring people to a knowledge of God out of darkness and into the Light of life. His call is to make alive, not to bury dead people.

The Lord is telling this man that his duties at home are nothing compared to the call upon his life. The Lord looks upon the heart, and He sees great potential in this man. Time is running out and this man must be about the Father's business. The difference in this man and the previous man is that Jesus can see inside of each of them.

The first man had a superficial type of belief that would not stand up under hardship. The second man was a set aside, called a man of God with deep roots who Jesus knew would bring many into the kingdom of God.

Luke 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."

When you follow Jesus, you must turn your back on this old worldly life. Many times, we must give up old friends. Families are often times separated by one person who gets saved. The family does not want to stop drinking, lying, cheating, having parties, and the such.

When you are saved, your way of life changes. Your family and friends, if they are not saved, are still living in sin. The two cannot mix, sinners and the saved have nothing in common. When God calls us, we should not confer with others whether it is right or not. The call is on you, not them. This would trouble Jesus that this man can't really make up his own mind.

Luke 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."

"Looking back": A plowman looking back cuts a crooked furrow.

This reminds us of Lot's wife who was warned not to look back when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. God sent an angel to get them out of the city safely. In other words, he delivered them. Lot's wife looked back longingly at the old life. God cannot use people who will not look ahead with Him.

Abraham never looked back to Ur when God sent him on his journey. In fact, Abraham never built a permanent house again. He dwelt in tents, He moved when God told him. Abraham was looking for a city not made with human hands. He was looking for that everlasting city of God.

Jesus tells this man here, that he is not fit for the kingdom of God, if he has begun to work for God and then turns again to his evil life he had before.

Luke Chapter 9 Third Continued Questions

1. Jesus set his face steadfastly to where?

2. What does "steadfastly" mean here?

3. Where did Jesus send messengers to make ready for Him?

4. Who were these messengers, probably?

5. Who was a religious enemy of these people?

6. What answer did they send Jesus?

7. Which disciples were angered by this?

8. What did they suggest that Jesus do to them?

9. Who was the Old Testament prophet they mentioned as an example for Jesus?

10. What special thing did James and John see that is still fresh in their memory?

11. What part of the Bible do the Samaritans believe in?

12. What was the difference in these people and the ones Elijah called down fire on?

13. What did Jesus do to them for their suggestion?

14. He said ye know not what ________ye are of.

15. What is Jesus to the world, instead of a destroyer?

16. What two things did Jesus do instead of destroy?

17. When they refused Him in Samaria, what did He do?

18. The man that said, "I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest" was showing what?

19. How did Jesus discourage him from following without hurting his feelings?

20. Jesus turns to another and says what?

21. What did the man reply to Jesus?

22. Jesus tells him to let the ______ bury the _______.

23. What job did Jesus send him to do?

24. In verse 61, what did the man want to do first before he follows Jesus?

25. Who are some of the people we sometimes lose when we follow Jesus?

26. Why can't you go back and fellowship with them?

27. What do sinners and the saved have in common?

28. Jesus said no man was fit for the kingdom if he did what?

29. Whose wife looked back and turned to a pillar of salt?

30. Who left his homeland looking for a city which was not made with human hands?

31. What did he dwell in?

Luke Chapter 10

Luke 10:1 "After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come."

"Seventy also": The commissioning of the 70 is recorded only in Luke. Moses also appointed 70 elders as his representatives. (Num. 11:16, 24-26). The 12 disciples had been sent into Galilee (9:1-6; the 70 were sent into every city and place where He was about to go, i.e., into Judea, and possibly Perea.

"Two and two": As the 12 had been sent (Mark 6:7; Eccl. 4:9, 11; Acts 13:2; 15:27, 39, 40; 19:22; Rev. 11:3).

These seventy who Jesus choose from among His followers were like missionaries. They were sent two at a time, because by two a thing shall be established, and if any two of you shall agree as touching anything on this earth; it will be done of the Father.

They were to go into all the villages and get them ready to receive Jesus. In the case like what happened in Samaria, Jesus would not bother to go there. Jesus' time is now very precious, because this is the last part of the last year of His ministry. Every moment must count. By doing this, 35 cities could be prepared at once.

Luke 10:2 "Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly [is] great, but the laborer's [are] few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborer's into his harvest."

This means that the people are open to receiving the Lord Jesus. There are thousands of souls out there who would come to Jesus if they could just hear the gospel message. Jesus is saying in this, get busy and get the people into God's kingdom. This message was earlier repeated to the twelve when they went forth. It is for the seventy and is also true today.

Luke 10:3 "Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves."

"Lambs among wolves": I.e., they would face hostility (Ezek. 2:3-6; John 15:20), and spiritual danger (Matt. 7:15; John 10:12).

The world is an angry cruel place. Those who will not receive the gospel will try to tear you to shreds. If they are not physically attacking you, they will try to tear you apart with that most vicious weapon, the tongue. The truth is that a Christian is not supposed to repay a wound for wound. We are told to love our enemies, to pray for those who despitefully use us.

If they want what we have, we are to give it to them, no questions asked. We are to be wise as a serpent, but harmless as a dove. You see, we are vulnerable to their attack. We truly are as a helpless lamb, and they are like the wolf.

Luke 10:4 "Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way."

"Neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes": I.e., travel without luggage. This does not mean they would be barefoot.

"Salute no man": A greeting in that culture was an elaborate ceremony, involving many formalities, perhaps even a meal, and long delays. A person on an extremely urgent mission could be excused from such formalities without being thought rude. Everything in Jesus' instructions speaks of the shortness of time and the great urgency of the task.

In this, we see that these disciples were not to weigh themselves down with extras. They are in a rush to get the message out. Their only concern is to preach the gospel. This: "salute no man" just means to me that they were not to stop and visit along the way. Their purpose was to preach and that alone. They were to prepare the people to receive Jesus.

Luke 10:5 "And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house."

In almost all of these little towns, they were setting up churches in the homes. These two disciples are to go into an area and find who seems to be worthy and go to that one house and stay, not moving around. As they entered the house, they were to speak a blessing of peace on the house.

Luke 10:6 "And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again."

This is speaking of whether this is a Christian home or not. If not, the blessing shall return to the disciple.

Luke 10:7 "And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house."

"Go not from house to house": I.e., for lodging. They were to establish headquarters in a village and not waste time moving around or seeking more comfortable housing.

This is to establish home churches, as we said before. A laborer for the Lord should be able to live off the ministry. That is what is intended here and bears true even today. This house would be the center of the work in this town. It would profit nothing to jump from house to house.

Luke 10:8-9 "And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:" "And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."

There is a double message in eating whatever is set before you. One of the meanings I believe, is don't check to see if it has been offered to idols. Prayer makes all foodstuff clean to eat. The other meaning would be to be content with whatever the family has that is feeding you. Don't ask for special dishes.

When they were dealing with someone who had not been favored with knowing the Lord before, it would be easy to win them over by healing their sick. After they believe you are from God, preach the gospel and get them into the kingdom.

Luke 10:10-11 "But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say," "Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."

It was common for Jews to shake the dust off their feet, as an expression of disdain, when returning from Gentile regions. Paul and Barnabas also did this when expelled from Antioch (Acts 13:51). This was a visible protest, signifying that they regarded the place as no better than a pagan land.

The priority was to preach that the King had come and His kingdom was near. The message was the main thing.

These people were not refusing these disciples, but were in all reality refusing the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ the righteous. This "shaking of the dust off their feet" shows that they will not have anything more to do with this city. It will be left for God to punish.

Luke 10:12 "But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city."

Just as Sodom deserved the punishment inflicted upon it, the city or even person that rejects the Lord Jesus Christ deserves the punishment it will receive from God. He tells them here: You have been offered the kingdom of God and you refused. It is your own fault.

Luke 10:13 "Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes."

"Woe unto thee, Chorazin ... Bethsaida": Both were cities very close to Capernaum, near the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. They had every opportunity to turn from their wicked ways to Jesus and they did not, even though He did numerous miracles there.

"Tyre ... Sidon": Phoenician cities on the shore of the Mediterranean. The prophecy about the destruction of Type and Sidon (in Ezek. 26-28), was fulfilled in precise detail.

There were no miracles in Sodom and Gomorrah. Chorazin and Bethsaida had their opportunity and failed to receive it so their punishment would be great. These woes are great to those who will not repent.

Luke 10:14-15 "But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you." "And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell."

"Capernaum ... exalted ... thrust down": Capernaum, chosen by Jesus to be His headquarters, faced an even greater condemnation. Curiously, there is no record that the people of that city ever mocked or ridiculed Jesus, ran Him out of town, or threatened His life. Yet the sin of that city, indifference to Christ, was worse than Sodom's gross wickedness (Matt. 10:15).

Capernaum was the city where Matthew was called. It was the home of Peter, James, and John. This was a thriving city in the time of Jesus and had its own synagogue where Jesus taught. It was on the side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus called Capernaum home during His ministry. Even though He was raised in Nazareth, He headquartered in Capernaum.

This city had many miracles done here by Jesus. The people still did not accept Jesus as Messiah. Jesus said a prophet is not without honor but in His own country. This was true of Capernaum. Just as these woes have been spoken on these cities, they have been destroyed. The whole city of Capernaum is in ruins.

Luke 10:16 "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me."

"These words elevate the office of a faithful minister of Christ, and magnify the guilt and the condemnation of those who reject the message.

This is just saying the rejection is not of the disciple but of Jesus and the Father.

Luke 10:17 "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."

"Returned again with joy": How long the mission lasted is not recorded. It may have been several weeks. The 70 probably did not return all at once, but this dialogue appears to have occurred after they had all reassembled.

This seventy, on their return were delighted to report to Jesus, that the power over devils that He had given them to use in His name worked. They had never been privileged to use this power before and are amazed at the effectiveness. It is not their power but Jesus' power transferred through them.

Luke 10:18 "And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."

"I beheld Satan as lightning fall": In this context, it appears Jesus' meaning was, "Don't be so surprised that the demons are subject to you; I saw their commander cast out of heaven, so it is no wonder if his minions are cast out on earth.

After all I am the source of the authority that makes them subject to you" (verse 19). He may also have intended a subtle reminder and warning against pride - the reason for Satan's fall (1 Tim. 3:6).

Jesus is Alpha and Omega (the Beginning and the End). Jesus was there when Satan fell.

Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

"Serpents and scorpions": (Psalms 91:13; Ezek. 2:6). These appear to be figurative terms for demonic powers (Rom. 16:20).

This power that these disciples (and that we have, as well), is Jesus' power. We do these things in the name of Jesus Christ. In John, we find that we can ask anything in His name, and He will do it. If we belong to Jesus, He protects us.

Luke 10:20 "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."

"In this rejoice not": Rather than being so enthralled with extraordinary manifestations such as power over demons and the ability to work miracles, they should have realized that the greatest wonder of all is the reality of salvation - the whole point of the gospel message and the central issue to which all the miracles pointed.

"Because your names are written in heaven": (Phil. 4:3; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 21:27). By contrast, unbelievers are "written down, because they have forsaken ... the Lords" (Jer. 17:13).

The most important thing to any of us is whether we are saved or not. We should rejoice because we have accepted the Lord Jesus as our Savior and had our names written in the Lamb's book of life. We must not get too caught up in the gifts God has given us and forget the giver. Being able to cast out demons in the name of Jesus is a gift from God.

Luke Chapter 10 Questions

1. How many did Jesus appoint to go to the cities and prepare the way for Him?

2. How many were to go together?

3. What were the 70 like?

4. At what point in Jesus' ministry, did He do this?

5. The harvest is great but the ________ are few.

6. Thousands would come to the Lord if what happened?

7. Jesus told this 70 they would be like _________ among wolves.

8. Those who would not receive the gospel would do what to this 70?

9. What things classify Christians as lambs?

10. Christians are to be wise as a serpent and harmless as a ______.

11. There were 3 things Jesus told them not to carry, what were they?

12. Their only concern is to do what?

13. What were they to say when they entered a house?

14. What were they setting up in the homes?

15. If the Son of peace is not there, what will happen?

16. The laborer is worthy of his_________.

17. What should the minister make his living by?

18. What 2 things does "eat what is set before you" mean?

19. What was the minister to do for the people (2 things)?

20. What were they to do on leaving a city that would not accept them?

21. If the people do not receive these ministers, who are they really rejecting?

22. What 2 cities did Jesus speak woes on in verse 13?

23. What did Jesus say Sodom would have done if the miracles had been done there that were done in these 2 cities?

24. Which city had been exalted to heaven and yet shall be thrust to hell?

25. Who were some of the disciples who lived in Capernaum?

26. Jesus taught where in Capernaum?

27. Where is a prophet not accepted?

28. What has happened to Capernaum?

29. The rejection is not of the disciple, but of _________ and the ______.

30. What were the 70 rejoicing over when they returned to Jesus?

31. Jesus said He beheld Satan as ___________ fall from heaven.

32. Jesus gave them and all believers the power to ______ ______ _____ in His name.

33. He said rejoice not over having power over the evil spirits, but to rejoice over what?

Luke Chapter 10 Continued

Luke 10:21 "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight."

"Wise and prudent ... babes": There is sarcasm in these words as the Jewish leaders are ironically identified as wise and intelligent and the followers of Christ as the infants (18:3, 10) - yet God has revealed to those followers the truth of the Messiah and His gospel (13:10-17).

Jesus usually is pretty sad at the state of affairs of the people. Here, He is rejoicing over the victory that His first missionaries had. He is also joyful that God did not reveal His secrets through head knowledge.

Doctors and lawyers were not the ones the secrets of God were revealed to, but those who came to Jesus Christ as little children. God reveals to His spiritual children His truths, not to the worldly scholars.

Luke 10:22 "All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and [he] to whom the Son will reveal [him]."

This is a powerful affirmation of the sovereignty of God over all the affairs of men, Christ claimed that the task of executing the divine will had been committed to Him - a claim that would be utterly blasphemous if Jesus were anything less than sovereign God Himself.

Jesus has all power of things in earth, above the earth, and beneath the earth. The Father has given this power to Jesus. Philippians 2:22 and in Ephesians 1:21-22, you can read about this great power. The Lord Jesus reveals Himself and the Father to the believers in Christ.

Luke 10:23 "And he turned him unto [his] disciples, and said privately, Blessed [are] the eyes which see the things that ye see:"

He turned to His own and said these things; this was not for the multitude to hear. Jesus has opened their spiritual eyes that they can see; especially Peter, James, and John who saw Him at the transfiguration as no other human eyes had seen Him. They were blessed, indeed, to see this.

Luke 10:24 "For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard [them]."

They, also, had heard the voice from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son: hear ye him". Prophets and kings had not seen things these disciples saw and heard. Jesus makes them aware of how blessed they were.

Luke 10:25 "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

"Lawyer": I.e., a scribe who was supposedly an expert in the law of God. Aside from one usage of this word in Matt. 22:35, Luke is the only one of the gospel writers who used it (11:45-46).

"What shall I do to inherit eternal life": The same question is raised by several inquirers (18:18-23; Matt. 19:16-22; John 3:1-15).

This man (lawyer) was a teacher of the Mosaic Law, so he is very familiar with what it says. "Stood up" indicates that he was where Jesus was teaching, and he stood up to get Jesus' attention.

"Tempted" shows that he was checking Jesus out as to what He knew, and he was really trying to trick Him into saying something they could use as evidence against Him. Calling Jesus "Master" is just being disrespectful. He did not consider Jesus his Master. His question is valid because he certainly is not saved or he would not be doing this.

Luke 10:26 "He said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou?"

Jesus always answers questions when the person is trying to trap Him by asking a question in return. In this case, He has this lawyer to answer his own question.

Luke 10:27 "And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself."

"He answering": The lawyer summed up the requirements of the law (Lev. 19:18; Deut. 6:5) exactly as Christ did on another occasion.

This lawyer knows the letter of the law. He does not truly understand what it means. He is like so many who profess Christianity.

He looks at the Scriptures with physical eyes and not with his spirit. If he really loved God as this Scripture says, he would know who Jesus is.

Luke 10:28 "And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live."

"This do, and thou shalt live": Lev. 18:5; Ezek. 20:11. "Do and live" is the promise of the law. But since no sinner can obey perfectly, the impossible demands of the law are meant to drive us to ask divine mercy (Gal. 3:10-13; 22-25). This man should have responded with a confession of his own guilt, rather than self-justification (v.29).

You see, Jesus was aware that this lawyer was trying to trick Him. When Jesus agrees with him there is no way he can charge Jesus with being a false prophet.

Luke 10:29 "But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?"

"Willing to justify himself": This revelas the man's self righteous character.

"Who is my neighbor": The prevailing opinion among scribes and Pharisees was that one's neighbors were the righteous alone. According to them, the wicked - including rank sinners (such as tax collectors and prostitutes), Gentiles, and especially Samaritans - were to be hated because they were the enemies of God.

They cited Psalm 139:21-22 to justify their position. As that passage suggests, hatred of evil is the natural corollary of loving righteousness. But the truly righteous person's "hatred" for sinners is not a malevolent enmity. It is a righteous abhorrence of all that is base and corrupt - not a spiteful, personal loathing of individuals.

Godly hatred is marked by a broken-hearted grieving over the condition of the sinner. And as Jesus taught here and elsewhere (6:27-36; Matt. 45:44-48), it is also tempered by a genuine love.

The Pharisees had elevated hostility toward the wicked to the status of a virtue, in effect nullifying the second Great Commandment. Jesus' answer to this lawyer demolished the pharisaical excuse for hating one's enemies.

This man really is not interested in who his neighbor is. He is just still trying to trap Jesus into saying something that he can accuse Him of.

Luke 10:30 "And Jesus answering said, A certain [man] went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded [him], and departed, leaving [him] half dead."

"Down from Jerusalem to Jericho": This was a rocky, winding, treacherous descent of about 3,300 feet in 17 miles. That stretch of road was notorious for being beset with thieve and danger.

Luke 10:31 "And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side." "And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked [on him], and passed by on the other side."

""Levite": These were from the tribe of Levi, but not descendants of Aaron. They assisted the priests in the work of the temple.

Luke 10:33 "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion [on him],"

"Samaritan": For a Samaritan to travel this road was unusual. The Samaritan himself was risking not only the thieves, but also the hostility of other travelers.

Luke 10:34 "And went to [him], and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him."

""Oil and wine": Probably carried by most travelers in small amounts as a kind of first-aid kit. The wine was antiseptic; the oil soothing and healing.

Luke 10:35 "And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave [them] to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee."

"Two pence": I.e., two days' wages, which was probably more than enough to permit the man to stay until he recovered.

Jesus has used a beautiful story to trap this lawyer. Jesus is showing in this story, how being dogmatic about following the letter of the law (as the priest and the Levite do) does not fulfill the Scripture in loving thy neighbor. On the other hand, the hated Samaritan in the story is a friend and more to this injured man.

Jesus has not publicly denounced the priest and Levite till this time, because as shallow a lot as they were, they were still keepers of the temple of God. He doesn't directly condemn them here. He lets the lawyer condemn them. Since this story was told by Jesus, anyone who does a good deed is called a good Samaritan.

Luke 10:36 "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?"

"Was neighbor unto him": Jesus reversed the lawyer's original question (v.29). The lawyer assumed it was up to others to prove themselves neighbor to him. Jesus' reply makes it clear that each has a responsibility to be a neighbor - especially to those who are in need.

You see, again here, that Jesus allows this lawyer to judge. He again asks a question to get the lawyer to answer his own question.

Luke 10:37 "And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."

You see, this lawyer's trap backfired on him. Now to be saved he must help every poor soul in need. He judged so himself.

Luke 10:38 "Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house."

"Certain village": Bethany, two miles east of the temple in Jerusalem on the east slope of the Mt. of Olives. This was the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:1).

Martha and Mary were the sisters of Lazarus. Jesus was very good friends with them, and whenever He was near, He stayed in their home. Martha's home was at Bethany, and this is probably the location here.

Luke 10:39 "And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word."

When Jesus was teaching in the homes, He usually sat and the people He was teaching sat at His feet. It seems Mary was anxious to hear every word that Jesus had to say.

Luke 10:40 "But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me."

"Cumbered": Literally "dragging all around." This expression implies that Martha was in a tumult.

"About much serving": Martha was evidently fussing about with details that were unnecessarily elaborate.

Martha was feeling sorry for herself. In fact, she was jealous because Mary sat at Jesus' feet to hear His Words. Jesus had already said that it was blessed to serve.

Luke 10:41 "And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:"

Jesus is telling Martha that she is too interested in things of this world and not interested enough in the spiritual. He says this in love, because he is a close friend of hers.

Luke 10:42 "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

"One thing ... good part": Jesus was not speaking of the number of dishes to be served. The one thing necessary was exemplified by Mary, i.e. and attitude of worship and mediation, listening with an open mind and heart to Jesus' words.

The Lord was just explaining that food and clean houses are not nearly as important as the spiritual food that Mary, her sister, was interested in. The Lord had said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" Matthew 4:4

Luke Chapter 10 Continued Questions

1. Jesus praises the Father in verse 21 for what?

2. Who were the secrets of God revealed to?

3. Who is the only one who knows who the Son is?

4. Who knows who the Father is?

5. What is Philippians 2:22 about?

6. What did Jesus say they were blessed by in verse 23?

7. Which 3 disciples had witnessed the transfiguration?

8. What 2 important peoples had desired to see what the disciples saw and could not?

9. Who stood up and tempted Jesus?

10. What question did he ask Jesus?

11. What did this lawyer do regularly that should have made him knowledgeable of the Bible?

12. What was he really trying to do to Jesus?

13. Why is his question valid?

14. How did Jesus reply to his question?

15. What correct answer did he give Jesus?

16. What did Jesus tell him to do and he would live?

17. Trying to justify himself, what did the lawyer ask Jesus?

18. What is the story about in verses 30-35?

19. Who was the one the Jews hated?

20. What was wrong with the priest and the Levite?

21. Why had Jesus not exposed the priest and Levite before now?

22. Anyone who does a good deed is called what because of this story?

23. What question does Jesus ask the lawyer at the end of the story?

24. What is the lawyer's reply?

25. Now to be saved, what must the lawyer do?

26. What was the woman's name where Jesus entered?

27. Where was her home located?

28. What were her sister's and brother's names?

29. Which sister sat at Jesus" feet to listen to the Word?

30. What was Martha's complaint?

31. How did Jesus reply to her?

32. Where is the Scripture found that says man should not live by bread alone?

Luke Chapter 11

Luke 11:1 "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

"Lord, teach us to pray": Rabbis often composed prayers for their disciples to recite. Having seen Jesus pray many times, they knew of His love for prayer and they knew prayer was not just the reciting of words.

The request in Matthew 6), seems to have happened much earlier in Jesus' ministry than this request here. This is possibly one of the disciples who was not present when Jesus taught the 12. There is no formal record of the prayer John the Baptist taught his disciples.

In Matthew, Jesus says after this manner pray ye (Matthew 6:9). He did not mean for them to pray the exact prayer, but rather that it was the type of prayer they should pray.

Luke 11:2 "And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth."

"Father": Virtually the same prayer was given as a model on two separate occasions by Christ, first in the Sermon on the Mount, and then here, in response to a direct question. That accounts for minor variations between the two versions.

Luke 11:3-4 "Give us day by day our daily bread." "And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil."

"Sins": Forgive us our debts" refers to sins, which are our moral and spiritual debts to God's righteousness. The request for forgiveness of sin is made here by the believer. In order to be saved one need not necessarily name all of his sins, but he must confess that he is a sinner.

The parallel passage (in Luke 11:4), uses a word that means "sins," so that in context, spiritual debts are intended. Sinners are debtors to God for their violation of His laws. This request is the heart of the prayer; it is what Jesus stressed in the words that immediately follow the prayer (Matt. 14:15; Mark 11:25).

You see, Jesus here is showing them a pattern of prayer. The first thing is to pray to the Father. Second, praise Him before going on. Third, desire His kingdom to come. Fourth, line our will up with his will. Fifth, we are taught to live one day at a time. Sixth, take no thought for tomorrow. Seventh, we are told if we are to be forgiven, we must forgive.

Then keep us from the desire to sin, Keep us away from evil. Then, we must ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. In John chapter 14, Jesus tells us to ask in His name.

John 14:13-14 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it]."

You see, Jesus was not saying to say this prayer. He was saying pray in this manner. The three most important things in prayer is pray to the Father, in the name of Jesus, then have faith that it will happen.

Luke 11:5 "And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;"

Jesus proceeds to show that, in order to obtain the blessing, it was necessary to "persevere" in asking for it. For this purpose he introduces the case of a friend's asking bread of another for one who had come to him unexpectedly. His design is solely to show the necessity of being "importunate" or persevering in prayer to God.

Luke 11:6 "For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?"

Christ encourages fervency and constancy in prayer. We must come for what we need, as a man does to his neighbor or friend, who is kind to him. We must come for bread; for that which is needful.

If God does not answer our prayers speedily, continue to pray as He may in due time if it is in His will. All these blessings our heavenly Father is more ready to bestow on every one that asks for them, than an indulgent parent is to give food to a hungry child. And this is the advantage of the prayer of faith, that it quiets and establishes the heart in God.

Luke 11:7 "And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee."

"My children are with me in bed": The one-room houses that were common in Israel had a common sleeping area shared by the whole family. If one person arouse and lit a lamp to get bread all would be awakened.

Say we have a important need, so we pray to God and tell Him all about it. Maybe someone you love is sick and you ask God to heal them. Maybe a friend's family is having a hard time because their dad lost his job, so you pray that God will help him find a new job soon. You pray really hard.

What do you do when it seems like there is no answer to your prayer? When this happens, you might be tempted to give up and stop praying. But what did we learn from the Parable of the Persistent Friend? Never give up. Don't stop praying.

Luke 11:8 "I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth."

That's right. Jesus says, even if it seems to be taking a while, don't give up. Keep asking God for what you need. God ALWAYS answers our prayers at the perfect time. Sometimes we are not quite ready for the answer; sometimes God is waiting for all the circumstances to be just right to answer our prayer. But while we wait, Jesus wants us to keep our focus on God.

Luke 11:9 "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

There is no question at all in this. You have not, because you ask not. Jesus, in this one verse, tells these disciples and us how to get our prayers answered. The first step is to ask. If we seek God, He is not in hiding. God will answer our prayer when we ask. Jesus Himself, has opened the door to heaven for us.

Luke 11:10 "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

You see, there is no question about it. God answers prayers. He will open the door to you, if you just keep on knocking.

Luke 11:11-12 "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if [he ask] a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?" "Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?"

All these blessings our heavenly Father is more ready to bestow on every one that asks for them, than an indulgent parent is to give food to a hungry child. And this is the advantage of the prayer of faith, that it quiets and establishes the heart in God.

A father is concerned with his children and wants only the best for them, just as the Father God wants the best for all believers. When we pray to Him, He gives us good things.

James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

Luke 11:13 "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

"Being evil": Jesus presupposes the doctrine of human depravity.

"How much more": If earthly fathers give what their sons need, will not God give to His sons what they ask?

Parents love their children and will give them freely all the things that they have to give. Human love is not even closely compared to the great love that God has for mankind. Man's love is conditional. God's love is unconditional, expecting nothing in return.

In Matthew, it promises good things. Here, the Holy Spirit is promised to those who ask and seek. The best gift, aside from salvation, that a Christian can receive is the Holy Spirit. It gives us power to live this life victoriously.

Evil people do give good gifts to their children. They are not always careful to make sure these gifts are for the best interest of the receiver. Here, God gives the things that will help in our Christian walk, the greatest gift being Himself. The next verse is a total change of scene.

Luke 11:14 "And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered."

"It was dumb": I.e., the demon.

In this crowd of those who wondered were those from the synagogue who were trying to trap Him. They knew that evil spirits existed. They undoubtedly knew that this dumb person had not been delivered by any of their Holy men. This "man" had such power over evil spirits, that they could not explain it. Not only did the people wonder, but these men from the synagogue, as well.

Luke 11:15 "But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils."

"Beelzebub": Originally this referred to Baal-zebul ("Baal, the prince"), chief god of the Philistine city of Ekron; the Israelites disdainfully referred to him as Baal-zebub ("Lord of Flies").

Since they could not explain this, they assume that this is demonic. They could not deliver this dumb person, so they automatically assume that this is not of God.

Luke 11:16 "And others, tempting [him], sought of him a sign from heaven."

"A sign from heaven": I.e., a miraculous work of cosmological proportions, like the rearranging of the constellations, or something far greater than the casting out of a demon, which they had just witnessed.

Here again, they have already had a sign from heaven in the dumb speaking, but they are too blind to see. No more sign will be given.

Luke 11:17 "But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house [divided] against a house falleth."

"He, knowing their thoughts": Jesus was God with full omniscience if He used it (Mark 13:32; John 2:23-25).

"Kingdom divided against itself": This may have been a subtle jab at the Jewish nation, a kingdom divided in the time of Jeroboam, and still marked by various kinds of bitter internal strife and factionalism, right up to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

Jesus is saying Satan would not come against Satan. He would not be against himself. Satan would not want the man delivered. Satan is a destroyer, not a deliverer.

Luke 11:18-19 "If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub." "And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast [them] out? therefore shall they be your judges."

"By whom do your sons cast them out": There were Jewish exorcists who claimed power to cast out demons (Acts 19:13-15). Jesus' point was that if such exorcisms could be done via satanic power, the Pharisaical exorcists must be suspect as well. And in fact, the evidence (in Acts 19), suggests that the sons of Sceva were charlatans who employed fraud and trickery to fabricate phony exorcisms.

Let your own sons be judged with the same measure you are judging Me, Jesus says. Jesus tells them here, "Your own religious people practice deliverance. Are they also working with Satan as you accuse me?" You see, Jesus proves to them where there is no chance of argument that He is not working with Satan, but against him.

Luke 11:20 "But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you."

"With the finger of God": (In Exodus 8:19), the phony magicians of Egypt were forced to confess that Moses' miracles were genuine works of God, not mere trickery such as they had performed. Here Jesus made a similar comparison between His exorcisms and the work of the Jewish exorcists.

"The Kingdom of God is come": That was precisely true. The King was in their midst, displaying His sovereign power. He showed it by demonstrating His ability to bind Satan and his demons.

The very finger of God has cast out this demon of dumbness from this person. There is one among you, mightier that your holy men. In other words, He is telling them He is Messiah.

Luke 11:21 "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:"

"A strong man": This first strong man here is Satan.

Luke 11:22 "But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils."

"When a stronger that he": I.e. Christ.

But when one greater than Satan comes (Christ), He destroys Satan and tears his armor down and casts him out. Then Jesus takes over this man for His own. The stronger man (Jesus), is now ruler.

"Divideth his spoils": Probably a reference to Isaiah.

Isaiah 53:12 "Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he has poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

When a demon is defeated by the power of Christ, the soul vacated by the power of darkness is taken over by Christ (verses 24-26).

Luke 11:23 "He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth."

This is an affront to these supposedly religious men who have opposed Jesus. He says not only is Satan's crowd against Me, but you who proclaim to know God but are opposed to me every way I turn. There are only two sides, Satan's side and God's side. Those who are not with Jesus (whoever they are), are on Satan's side.

Luke Chapter 11 Questions

1. What did Jesus' disciples ask Jesus to teach them?

2. Who should the prayer be addressed to?

3. What is Jesus showing them in this prayer He gave them?

4. What is the second step in praying?

5. What are we to line up our will with?

6. Where does Jesus tell us to pray in His name?

7. What are the 3 most important things to remember about prayer?

8. Who is the greatest friend we can ever have?

9. What does the midnight hour mean?

10. Who is symbolically the loaf of bread?

11. What is meant by the door is shut?

12. What is meant by the children being in bed with Him?

13. Ask and it shall _____ ______ _________.

14. Seek and ye shall _________.

15. Knock and it shall _______ ________ ____ _______.

16. If a son should ask bread, his father will not give him a _______.

17. What are the bread, fish, and egg symbolic of?

18. Who are the serpent and scorpion symbolic of?

19. All good gifts come from where?

20. In verse 13, what is the good thing God will give His children if they ask Him?

21. What was the devil spirit Jesus was casting out in verse 14?

22. These Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out devils in whose power?

23. A house divided against itself ________ __________ ______.

24. By whom do your ________ cast them out?

25. If Jesus cast them out with the finger of God, what has come upon them?

26. In verse 2l, who is the strong man and who is the stronger man?

27. He that is not with me ___ ______________ _____.

Luke Chapter 11 Continued

Luke 11:24 "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out."

"Unclean spirit is gone": Christ was characterizing the work of the phony exorcists. What appears to be a true exorcism is merely a temporary respite, after which the demon returns with 7 others (verse 26).

This unclean spirit Jesus is speaking of is one who has been cast out of a person. This disembodied spirit is looking for a human body that will accept him into them. Then he comes back to the man he was cast out of.

The only way a person can keep an evil spirit that once dwelt inside their body from coming back is to fill the vacancy so full of the Word of God that when the evil spirit tries to re-enter there will be a no vacancy sign out.

The person who has been delivered must immediately fill that vacancy with God and His goodness that there will be no place for the evil to come back to.

Luke 11:25-26 "And when he cometh, he findeth [it] swept and garnished." "Then goeth he, and taketh [to him] seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first."

Jesus gives a striking parable of the precarious spiritual condition of the nation. The parable is that of a house well "swept" but unoccupied. The demon having been driven out, but finding no place to rest, returns with seven other spirits, resulting in an even greater degeneration. Only by inviting Christ to be the honored guest and head of the home could Israel know the full blessing of God.

A man with an unclean spirit, a demon, is chosen to represent them. Then goeth he (transient repentance), returns with seven other evil spirits worse than himself (a relapse into sin), and the last state is worse than the first, more wicked and more wretched. So generally, with those who dally with sin.

This parable represents the case of the Jewish church and nation. It is also applicable to all those who hear the word of God, and are in part reformed, but not truly converted. The unclean spirit leaves for a time, but when he returns, he finds Christ is not there to shut him out.

The danger is in not filling the vacancy. If you do not get immediately filled with God and His Word, then truly the worse state is seven times worse than it was before they were delivered. The demon spirit will come right back if you let him and bring more evil spirits with him.

Luke 11:27 "And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed [is] the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked."

We see in this a woman who is overpowered by the miracles and the teachings that Jesus has brought. She knows no other way, but to bless the mother who birthed Him and breast fed Him.

Luke 11:28 "But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it."

"Yea, rather": This has the sense of "Yes, but rather". While not denying the blessedness of Mary, Christ did not countenance any tendency to elevate Mary as an object of veneration. Mary's relationship to Him as His physical mother did not confer on her any greater honor than the blessedness of those who hear and obey the word of God.

Jesus quickly turns His blessing from Mary who gave Him birth to those who receive salvation and are filled with the Word of God. Truly Mary was blessed among women for she was obedient to God.

Jesus, however, does not look back but looks forward to those who receive the Word and have their names written in the Lamb's book of life. Those who Jesus is speaking of as being blessed here are those who will receive eternal life.

Luke 11:29 "And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet."

"They seek a sign": Jesus always declined to give signs on demand. Evidences were not the means by which He appealed to unbelievers.

Luke 11:30 "For as Jonah was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation."

"Jonah was a sign": I.e., a sign of judgment to come. Jonah's emergence from the fish's belly pictured Christ's resurrection. Jesus clearly regarded Jonah's account as historically accurate.

We see from this that Jonah was in the whale 3 days, and then he went through Nineveh telling them to repent. They repented and God spared their city.

It appears that they were seeing signs every single day. It would seem that all the miracles He was doing would be enough of a sign for all of them, but it didn't seem to be. The specific sign that He was telling them of is His resurrection from the grave after 3 days.

Luke 11:31 "The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon [is] here."

The queen of Sheba was smart enough to realize that Solomon's wisdom was beyond what humans are ordinarily endued with, and she was not ashamed to come and admire someone of superior intelligence.

These Israelites had one in their midst (the Supreme Intelligence), who created Solomon, and yet, they were not as smart as the queen of Sheba because they did not show Him great respect.

In the first chapter of John, you will see that Jesus (the Word), was Creator God. On judgment day, the queen of Sheba will tell these Israelites how foolish they were not to recognize Messiah.

Luke 11:32 "The men of Nineveh shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater than Jonah [is] here."

"Men of Nineveh ... repented": The revival in Nineveh under Jonah's' preaching was one of the most extraordinary spiritual revivals the world has ever seen. Some have suggested that the repentance of the Ninevites stopped short of saving faith, because the city reverted within one generation to its old pagan ways (Nahum 3:7-8).

Here again, we see that when Jonah went through the land telling Nineveh of their sins, the King and all the land fasted and were in sackcloth and ashes and repented; and God spared Nineveh.

Jesus is a greater preacher than Jonah, and yet, these Israelites have not repented or heeded His message. On judgment day, they can stand and tell these Israelites their terrible mistake.

Luke 11:33 "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth [it] in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light."

The Light of the world who is Jesus Christ our Lord must not be hidden, but must be raised to the highest. Those in great darkness can see the Light and come to that Light and receive life everlasting. A light is to illuminate dark areas.

The Light on the candlestick above, is lifted so the Light can be seen from a greater distance. That is what we Christians must do with the Light of Jesus, Lift Him up so He can be seen from a distance.

The candlestick in the church and in the tabernacle in the wilderness symbolizes the Light of Jesus.

Luke 11:34 "The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when [thine eye] is evil, thy body also [is] full of darkness."

"The light of the body": This is a different metaphor from the one (in verse 33). There the lamp speaks of the Word of God; here the eye is the "lamp" - i.e., the source of light, for the body.

"When thine eye is evil": The problem was their perception, not a lack of light. They did not need a sign; they needed hearts to believe the great display of divine power they had already seen.

Luke 11:35 "Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness."

The eye is the window to the soul. You can look into a person's eyes and see the goodness of their heart: or you can look into dead looking eyes, and see the evil that lurks within their heart. Their eyes give them away.

When a person looks at you with sparkling eyes that are full of life, whether they are old or young, you know the Light of Jesus has been kindled in his heart. If you see a person who cannot look straight into your eyes, he has an evil heart.

People on drugs and alcohol have dead looking eyes. Sometimes they have blood shot eyes also, but their eyes have no expression just a dead look. Out of the issue of the heart comes what we are, and we discern what we are by what our eyes reveal.

Luke 11:36 "If thy whole body therefore [be] full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light."

Have you ever noticed on a very dark night when there are no street lights, you can see a house with a small crack in the curtains even if a very small candle is the only light in the house? It can be seen from a very far distance. The smallest light can do away with darkness.

When we accept Jesus (the Light), into our lives, it does away with darkness. His Light shows in our eyes. This Light of Jesus in us runs all of the darkness away. There is no longer any darkness at all in us when the Light of Jesus comes in. Our whole body is full of His Light and some of it shows in the body's windows, our eyes.

Many people believe Christians can be possessed of devils. I do not. You cannot be totally possessed of Light (Jesus), and totally possessed of darkness at the same time. Light does away with darkness.

A Christian can be oppressed from without. Oppression is an attack from without. Possession is total control from within. If Jesus, who is Light, possesses us, then the devil who is darkness cannot possess us.

Luke Chapter 11 Continued Questions

1. The unclean spirit walks through dry places when he is cast out of man and looks for __________.

2. When the evil spirit cannot find a place to go, where does he come back to?

3. A disembodied evil spirit's favorite place to dwell is where?

4. How is the only way to keep an evil spirit from re-entering the person who was delivered?

5. If this evil spirit can come back in the person who was delivered, who does he bring with him?

6. What is the danger for the delivered?

7. In verse 27, the woman says blessed is the woman that did 2 things. What were they?

8. Jesus says yea rather blessed are they who do what?

9. Why was Mary blessed in reality?

10. What description was given in verse 29 of how many people were there?

11. What did Jesus tell them would be the only sign given to them of who He was?

12. Who was Jonah a sign to?

13. When Jonah preached, what did these people do?

14. What was the specific sign Jesus was giving of Himself?

15. Who is the queen of the South?

16. Why did she come to see Solomon?

17. What made Jesus superior to Solomon?

18. Who was a much greater preacher than Jonah and they did not listen to Him?

19. Where should a candle be put?

20. Who is the candlestick symbolic of?

21. Who is the Light of the world?

22. The light of the body is the _________.

23. The eye is the _________ to the _________.

24. When you look into sparkling clear eyes, what do you know about this person?

25. When you see dead, blood shot eyes, what do you know about this person?

26. What is a small light that Jesus mentions in verse 36?

27. Can a Christian be possessed of a devil?

Luke Chapter 11 Second Continued

Luke 11:37 "And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat."

This Pharisee was perhaps one who had been dispatched to watch Jesus to see if He might find something that he could accuse Him of. It appears however, that Jesus has impressed the Pharisee enough that he took Jesus home with him.

Luke 11:38 "And when the Pharisee saw [it], he marveled that he had not first washed before dinner."

"He had not first washed before dinner": The Pharisee was concerned with ceremony, not hygiene. The Greek word for "washed" refers to a ceremonial ablution. Nothing in the law commanded such washings, but the Pharisees practiced them, believing the ritual cleansed them of any accidental ceremonial defilement.

These Pharisees went through meaningless washings before they ate as a formality. The Pharisees and other people of the synagogue are caught up in ritualistic washings and other senseless formalities. They had no idea at all what any of it meant. They just did what was expected of them and went on. They never even tried to understand why.

Luke 11:39 "And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness."

"Full of ravening and wickedness": I.e., they were preoccupied with external ceremonies but overlooked the more important issue of internal morality.

Luke 11:40 "[Ye] fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?"

Jesus in these last two verses, is telling this Pharisee that he had taken all kinds of care to make himself, his home, his table, and the things on the table, look perfect from the outside, but he had not done anything to cleanse himself from within. He tells the Pharisee that God, who made him, cares more for the soul within a man than He does all this formality of washing the outside.

Jesus tells the Pharisee that he looks good outside, but is filled with wickedness. The sad thing is this Pharisee thinks he is alright with God because of all these rituals he does. He is lost because his heart is evil.

Luke 11:41 "But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you."

"Give alms of such things as ye have": This contrasts inner virtues with external ceremonies. Alms are to be given not for show, but as an expression of a faithful heart (Matt. 6:1-4), and the true almsgiving is not the external act, but one's attitude before God.

Luke 11:42 "But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

Mint, anise, and cummin are various spices. Some of them were used for fragrance from time to time. They were also ground up and used for medicine. This was not what God had in mind when He spoke of the tithe, but they had gotten so technical with their performance they had forgotten the purpose behind it.

A tithe or tenth of all produce was, by the Mosaic Law, to be given for the use of the priests and Levites (Lev. 27:30). Several species of "mint" grow in Palestine. "Anise" (Greek anethon), is better rendered "dill." It grew both wild and cultivated, its fruits being used for medicine. The seeds of "cumin," which resemble caraway, were used as spice in seasoning.

Garden herbs, not the kind of farm produce that the tithe was designed to cover (Lev. 27:30). But the Pharisees fastidiously weighed out a tenth of every herb, perhaps even counting individual dill seeds. Jesus' point however, was not to condemn their observance of the law's fine points.

These Pharisees had become so ridiculous about carrying out the tiniest thing about the law they were giving 1/10 of this almost worthless garden stuff. All the time, they were filled with hate and greed.

God wanted their love and obedience, and not just trying to stick to a bunch of rules. God wanted their heart just like He wants our heart. Helping our neighbors and trying to live right before God is the best sacrifice we can make for Him.

Luke 11:43 "Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets."

"Greetings": These were ostentatious ceremonies that were more or less elaborate depending on the rank of the person being greeted.

Jesus tells this Pharisee that they are too caught up in appearances. They want everyone to think they are big shots. God loves those who are humble, not the ones who pretend to be the high and mighty.

Luke 11:44 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over [them] are not aware [of them]."

"As graves which appear not": Hidden sources of defilement. They had carefully concealed their own inward corruption, but it still was a source of defilement.

These scribes and Pharisees want to be thought of as important people in the church. Jesus called them hypocrites because their religion is just an outward show. There is no love in their heart.

Jesus is saying they are dead and nobody cares. No one would really miss them, because they never helped anyone but themselves.

Luke 11:45 "Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also."

This lawyer (teacher of the law), is saying, don't you know you are talking about us. He falsely calls Jesus, Master. People obey their Master. This lawyer has no intention of obeying Jesus.

Luke 11:46 "And he said, Woe unto you also, [ye] lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers."

The ordinances these learned scholars put on their people were many and so great that they become a great burden upon the people. The lawyers themselves did not keep all the ordinances.

One of the things touched on here as well, is that these lawyers never did any physical labor and the common people did. Jesus speaks a woe on them, as a whole, not an individual lawyer who might become a follower of Jesus.

Luke 11:47 "Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchers of the prophets, and your fathers killed them."

"Ye build the sepulchers of the prophets": They thought they were honoring those prophets, but in reality, they had more in common with those who killed the prophets (verse 48).

Luke 11:48 "Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchers."

I believe Jesus is saying to them, that neither they nor their father recognized a prophet until after he was dead. Their fathers did not accept the message the prophets of old brought to them, and these lawyers do not accept the greatest prophet who ever lived, Jesus.

He says, you say you are different because you have built these fancy sepulchers for them; but if you are really different from your fathers, why don't you believe Me (Jesus).

Luke 11:49 "Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and [some] of them they shall slay and persecute:"

"Said the wisdom of God": There is no Old Testament source for this quotation. Christ is prophetically announcing the coming judgment of God, not quoting a previously written source, but giving them a direct warning from God.

We see from this that Jesus tells them they kill the prophets and apostles, and we know that is true. Many were killed.

Luke 11:50-51 "That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;" "From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zachariah, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation."

Jesus is speaking prophetically here of His crucifixion. He also, is looking to them stoning Stephen to death, to Peter's death, the persecution of those who followed Jesus, and then on to the fall of Jerusalem in less than 40 years.

This generation Jesus spoke of is truly the one who physically crucified Jesus, but really all generations from the foundation of the world until now are really guilty, because it was our sin that crucified Jesus.

Luke 11:52 "Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered."

The key of knowledge": They had locked up the truth of the Scriptures and thrown away the key by imposing their faulty interpretations and human traditions on God's Word.

Worse than not accepting Jesus yourself, is when you keep someone else from receiving Jesus as their Savior. This last woe that Jesus speaks on the lawyers here is because they taught people a lie and kept them from receiving Jesus.

Luke 11:53 "And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge [him] vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:"

This whole meeting was to trap Him into saying something that they could accuse Him of. They really tried to stir Him up so He would get careless and say something they could use to frame Him. They did not know that they were speaking to and trying to trap the Word of God, the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord.

Luke 11:54 "Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him."

"To catch": The same word is used in Greek literature for the hunting of animals.

Luke Chapter 11 Second Continued Questions

1. Who invited Jesus to have dinner with him?

2. What did the man marvel at?

3. Why did the Pharisees go through all these formalities?

4. The Lord said the Pharisees made the outside of the cup clean, but the inside was full of what?

5. What did Jesus call them in verse 10?

6. With God what is more important than washing the hands?

7. In verse 41, what would make the Pharisees clean unto God?

8. What does the Pharisee tithe in verse 42?

9. What two things had he overlooked?

10. What seats in the synagogues did these Pharisees like?

11. What is the Pharisee too caught up in?

12. Why did Jesus call them hypocrites?

13. Why would no one miss them if they died?

14. Why is it false for this lawyer to call Jesus, Master?

15. In verse 46, Jesus spoke a woe on the lawyers. Why?

16. Jesus said these lawyers built sepulchers to prophets that who had killed?

17. Why did Jesus say these lawyers were different than their fathers?

18. The wisdom of God said I will send them ________ and ______.

19. What will they do to them?

20. Of what generation was the blood of the prophets required?

21. Where did Zechariah perish?

22. Who really crucified Jesus?

23. Why did Jesus speak a woe on the lawyers in verse 52?

24. What is worse than not accepting Jesus for yourself?

25. What was this whole meeting held for?

26. They did not know they were speaking to _______.

Luke Chapter 12

Luke 12:1 "In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."

"Multitude (or many thousands)": The Greek word is the same from which we get the word "myriads."

Jesus has just left the Pharisee's where He ate with them. This multitude had gotten so large that they were walking on each other to get to Him.

Leaven symbolizes sin. Jesus is telling the people, especially the disciples, watch out for their sins.

Luke 12:2 "For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known."

Luke 12:3 "Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."

The purpose in keeping something hidden is so that one day it can be revealed. Jesus' teaching was never intended to be just for an inner circle of followers. It would be the responsibility of the disciples to communicate the gospel of the kingdom to the world at large (Matt. 28:19-20).

These Pharisees had a false new doctrine that they had been pushing on the people. They would be exposed. The disciples, on the other hand, had been preaching with very little acceptance. And I believe, this tells them also, that their message will be found to be true, and they will stand on the flat roofs of those houses and preach to the people below.

The housetop will be like a platform for them to preach from. The great multitude was more miracle seekers at this time, than there were message seekers.

Luke 12:4 "And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do."

"Fear him": God is the one who destroys in hell (Luke 12:5). Persecutors can only harm the body.

Our fear of man is unfounded simply because he can do just so much to you. Our fear should be of God, who could send you to a burning hell.

Luke 12:5 "But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him."

We know that immediately after Jesus rose from the grave that the Pharisees become less and less popular with the people and the people became anxious to hear the disciples. (Verses 4 and 5), seem a little strange to be in here with such popularity, but there would also be those who were killed (martyred), in the name of Jesus.

Jesus says here to His followers; don't worry about the shortness of life on the earth. The death you must worry about is the second death. If you die on this earth, you are just transported to heaven. There is one in heaven who, if He condemns you to death, includes hell and a fiery grave.

The first death all men die, don't fear that, just be prepared to live with the Lord in heaven; and whatever you do, live pleasing to Him so you will not taste the second death which you really do need to fear. Only Jesus can condemn you to the second death. Fear Him.

Luke 12:6 "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?"

"Two farthings": A Roman coin equal to a 16^th of a denarius. One assarius (Roman coin), would be less than an hour's wage.

Luke 12:7 "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."

A sparrow is worth less than many other birds. Jesus chose them because of their seemingly little value. He tells us though that the Father is concerned even with one little sparrow. It is almost unbelievable that each hair on our head would be numbered of God.

The human body is really the most complicated piece of equipment ever constructed. This one thing alone, if there was no other evidence, would proclaim how great our God is. God loves His people more than any other part of His creation.

Luke 12:8 "Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:"

Before the angels of God": I.e., in the Day of Judgment (Matt. 25:31-34; Jude 24).

Jesus is saying here that if these disciples stay true to Him and never deny Him, He will tell the Father and the angels in heaven that these belong to Him. This is not just for them, but for us also. Jesus is the Judge of the world; we stand or fall by Him.

Luke 12:9 "But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God."

"He that denieth me before men": This describes a soul-damning denial of Christ, not the sort of temporary wavering Peter was guilty of (22:56-62). But the sin of those who through fear, shame, neglect, delay, or love of the world reject all evidence and revelation and decline to confess Christ as Savior and King, until it is too late.

Can you imagine how Peter felt when He denied Jesus 3 times before the cock crew? You know his memory flashed back to this very statement that Jesus had made. Peter, under a different set of circumstances, even faced crucifixion proclaiming Jesus with every breath in his body. This is saying that under all circumstances we are not to deny Jesus.

Luke 12:10 "And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven."

"Blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost": This was not a sin of ignorance, but a deliberate, willful, settled hostility toward Christ, exemplified by the Pharisees (in Matthew 12), who attributed to Satan the work of Christ (11:15).

This has always been a controversial Scripture. We must look at the Holy Ghost and understand the person of the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of the risen Christ.

In my opinion, this sin is the sin of dying not believing in the risen Christ. This is total rejection of God and His teaching, choosing Satan over God. Just as Jesus was crucified from the foundation of the earth, the Holy Spirit is eternal as well.

Luke 12:11 "And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and [unto] magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:"

"Take ye no thought": I.e., do not be anxious. This does not suggest that ministers and teachers should forego preparation in their normal spiritual duties. To cite this passage and others like it (21:12-15; Matt. 10:19), to justify the neglect of study and meditation is to twist the meaning of Scripture.

This verse is meant as a comfort for those under life-threatening persecution, not an excuse for laziness in ministry. The exact same expression is used (in verse 22), speaking of concern for one's material necessities. In neither context was Jesus condemning legitimate toil and preparation. He was promising the Holy Spirit's aid for times of persecution when there can be no preparation.

Luke 12:12 "For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say."

Jesus is telling them here to let God speak through them. The words the Holy Ghost puts in your mouth will be what they should say when they are questioned or even when they are ministering. Turn your tongue over to God and let Him do the rest.

Luke 12:13 "And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me."

"Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance": "The right of the firstborn" was a double portion of the inheritance (Deut. 21:17). Perhaps this man wanted an equal share. In any case, Jesus seemed unconcerned about the implied injustice and refused the man's request to arbitrate the family dispute.

We see here, someone who has eyes on the things of the world. He might have been part of the group, but he certainly had not been attentive to the Lord's teachings. He has his eyes fixed on worldly wealth. He was perhaps, a younger son and had not received the first born portion. Jesus has more important things to do than to stop and settle a family argument.

Luke 12:14 "And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?"

"Who made me a judge": One of Christ's roles is that of Judge of all the earth (John 5:22), but He did not come to be an arbiter of petty earthly disputes. Settling an inheritance dispute was a matter for civil authorities.

Jesus does not judge in secular or worldly matters. He is the Judge of all the world in spiritual matters.

Luke 12:15 "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

Thou shalt not covet is one of the ten commandants. We are taught that whatever state we find ourselves in, therewith to be content.

Jesus explains to Him that the physical part of life is unimportant. The important thing is to be right in the spirit. Whether a person is rich or poor is not what gets them to heaven, but whether their names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Luke 12:16-17 "And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:" "And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?"

We see here, (by the world's standards), a very prosperous man. He must have been a good farmer. It appears that this crop was so plentiful that he had more than even his barns could hold. A good neighbor would have looked to the needs of the less fortunate and shared this bountiful crop with them.

It appears that he was not a godly man, because he was just thinking of stacking up more and more of the world's goods for himself. This is a self-centered, self-indulgent man thinking about the here and now rather than storing up in heaven.

Luke 12:18-19 "And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods." "And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry."

This self-centered man is only interested in his own welfare. This is really a good example of the flesh controlling the soul. This is in fact, the opposite of what Jesus had been teachings the Christians to do, if they were to inherit eternal life.

In 1 Timothy 6:17 we read:

1 Timothy 6:17 "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;" "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

Luke 12:20 "But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?"

It is certain we came into the world with nothing, and this is the way we will go out. The only treasure we will have is the treasure of good deeds for others we stored ahead of time.

Matthew 6:19 says it all:

Matthew 6:20-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:" "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"

Luke 12:21 "So [is] he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Luke Chapter 12 Questions

1. What did Jesus tell the disciples to beware of with the Pharisees?

2. What is a hypocrite?

3. What is leaven symbolic of?

4. That which ye have spoken in darkness ye shall ______.

5. What will the housetop be like to the disciples?

6. Fear not those who can ______ the _______.

7. Fear the one that can do what?

8. What did Jesus say that was sold for two farthings?

9. What did Jesus say that was numbered on us?

10. If we confess Jesus here, who will He confess us before in heaven?

11. Under what circumstances are we not to deny Jesus?

12. What shall not be forgiven men?

13. What does the author think of this?

14. What are you to do when you are taken before the magistrate?

15. What is Jesus saying here?

16. What did one in the company ask Jesus to speak to his brother about?

17. How did Jesus answer him?

18. A man's life consisteth not in the _______ of the things which he ______.

19. Which of the ten commandants covers this situation?

20. In the parable Jesus told, what had happened to the rich man?

21. Why would he not be classified as a godly man?

22. What did he say to his soul?

23. Whose welfare is he interested in?

24. In I Timothy 6:17 we read, charge them that are rich in this world that they _____________________.

25. They must not trust in uncertain riches, but in _______.

26. What would happen to the man that night?

Luke Chapter 12 Continued

Luke 12:22-23 "And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on." "The life is more than meat, and the body [is more] than raiment."

Jesus is reminding them here that they are not to be concerned about food and clothing. The children of Israel (nearly five million strong), were fed Manna from heaven on their forty year journey, and their shoes and cloths did not wear out. God miraculously provided for them in the wilderness, and He will provide for us as well.

Psalms 37:25 "I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."

Luke 12:24 "Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?"

Jesus illustrates His point by referring to objects in nature that were immediately at hand, the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. The key point of this passage is found in the phrases "how much more are ye better than the fowls?"

We see here, that all of nature is provided for by Almighty God. These animals last from year to year without any storehouses or barns. Man is made in the image of God and is of a higher order than the animals and birds. If God takes care of the ravens of a lesson order, He will surely care for man from a higher order.

Luke 12:25 "And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?"

You can take all the exercise you want to and even stretching machines; but no way can man add to his height and especially a cubit (18 inches). A man or woman can put on high heels and appear to be taller, but it is just appearance; they are no taller than before.

Luke 12:26 "If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?"

Worrying will get you exactly nowhere, but in the hospital. You can worry all you want to, and it will not change one thing. Worry is akin to fear and is the opposite of faith. Fear is displeasing to God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Luke 12:27 "Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

God's landscape is more beautiful than any painting you have ever seen. There is nothing more beautiful than a field of lilies in bloom. Solomon's finery was made by man. Man does not have the ability to make things as beautiful as God.

Take a look at the western sky in the evening and see the beautiful sunset. No two sunsets are alike, but they are overwhelming in their beauty. Flowers can be planted out in the old cow pasture and forgotten; and in the spring, the most beautiful flowers will bloom. They haven't done any work at all. The beauty of a flower is unsurpassed for beauty.

God clothes the flowers and feeds them as well. You can easily see how foolish it is to worry and fret.

Luke 12:28 "If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more [will he clothe] you, O ye of little faith?"

Jesus is just showing here the loving care of God toward the flowers which bloom and fade away. Some of this could have been like hay or rice or some edible grass, as well. They, at any rate, are for a short while and man is made for eternity.

Mankind is the only thing on this earth made in the image of God, as I said, made for eternity. Even in creation, God created all the rest for the purpose of man. He then climaxed His creation with man.

God is so concerned with mankind that He created the earth and everything on it for the use of man. Now you must see how He would feed and clothe His most valued creation.

Luke 12:29 "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind." "For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things."

The world and the people are constantly trying to acquire big homes, fine cars, beautiful clothing, and jewelry and are forgetting about the things of the Spirit. Jesus is saying in this, be separated from the worldly.

He is saying don't you remember how God brought the children of Israel (nearly 3 million strong) out of Egypt and across the wilderness? Their clothes didn't wear out, and God fed them with Manna. If you belong to God, it is not necessary to worry about these unimportant things.

He is also saying, don't you realize I fed the multitude (over 5,000 men) with just a few fishes and bread (one little boy's meal). We are to be concerned about our relationship to God and all our needs will be added unto us (as we see in verse 31).

Luke 12:31 "But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." Luke 12:32 "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Jesus calls them His flock. He is the great Shepherd, and we are His flock. The Shepherd takes care of the needs of His flock.

Psalms 23 tells it all:

Psalms 23:1-6 "The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want." "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters." "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

You see, the Great Shepherd (Jesus) takes care of all His sheep's needs like food, clothing, and a place to lay our head.

Luke 12:33 "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth."

"Sell that ye have, and give alms": Those who amassed earthly possessions, falsely thinking their security lay in material resources (verses 16-20), needed to lay up treasure in heaven instead. Believers in the early church did sell their goods to meet the basic needs of poorer brethren (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37).

But this commandment is not to be twisted into an absolute prohibition of all earthly possessions. In fact, Peter's words to Ananias (in Acts 5:4), make it clear that the selling of one's possessions was optional.

"Bags which wax not old": These belts that do not wear out (so as to lose the money), are defined as "treasure in the heavens that does not fail." The surest place to put one's money is in such a belt, in heaven, where it is safe from thieves and decay as well.

Luke 12:34 "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

"Will your heart be also": Where one puts his money reveals the priorities of his heart. (16:1-13; Matt. 6:21).

These people Jesus was speaking to were undoubtedly putting too much emphasis on riches of the world. Jesus is not promising them a bed of roses if they follow Him. They must forsake the world and the lusts of the flesh, if they are to be His followers.

Jesus wanted their heart just like He wants our heart. If He has our heart, He has our pocket book too. Treasures that we lay up in heaven cannot be stolen.

Luke 12:35 "Let your loins be girded about, and [your] lights burning;"

"Girded": Speaks of preparedness. Long, flowing robes would be tucked into the belt to allow freedom to work (Exodus 12:11; 1 Peter 1:13).

Luke 12:36 "And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately."

"When He will return": The servants were responsible to meet him with burning torches.

This statement "loins girded" indicates they are disciplined and ready to work. Their "lights burning" indicates that they don't go to sleep on the job, but are awaiting the return of the Lord. It appears to me here that Jesus explains that the disciples and we believers are to be good servants of the Lord, ever eager to serve Him, night or day.

We should not get weary in waiting and let our lamp go out. While Jesus is gone away, we must keep His Light shining bright, doing the work that He would do if He were here.

Luke 12:37 "Blessed [are] those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them."

"Shall find watching": The key here is readiness at all times for Christ's return.

"Gird himself": I.e., he will take the servant's role and wait on them. This remarkable statement pictures Christ, at His return, ministering as a servant to believers.

This jumps over to the time when Jesus will be coming to get the Christians to take them to heaven with Him. When the Lord comes back, we are to be waiting: expecting Him at any moment, even if it appears He has delayed His coming.

Luke 12:38 "And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find [them] so, blessed are those servants."

"Second watch": 9:00 p.m. to midnight. "Third": Midnight to 3:00 a.m.

Jesus is coming for those who are looking for Him. Blessed are the servants (Christians), who are found working and waiting for Jesus. We sing a song called "We'll Work Till Jesus Comes". That is just what we are to do.

Luke Chapter 12 Continued Questions

1. Take no thought for your ________, what ye shall ______, neither for the_________.

2. Life is more ________, and the body more than ________.

3. How did God miraculously feed the 3 million Israelites?

4. In Psalms 37:35, we see that who is never forsaken?

5. By taking thought you cannot add what to yourself?

6. Why should we not worry?

7. Without ___________ it is impossible to please God?

8. What is the difference between Solomon's beauty and the beauty of the flowers?

9. What example does Jesus give to show that He will clothe us?

10. God created everything on this earth for whom?

11. In verse 29, we are told not to take concern over what?

12. People of the world seek after what things?

13. What is the important thing to seek?

14. It is the Father's good pleasure to give you what?

15. In the 23rd Psalm, who is the Shepherd?

16. What does the Shepherd do for the sheep?

17. In verse 33, what does Jesus tell His followers to do?

18. Where does Jesus tell us to store our riches?

19. Where your treasure is, is where your ________ is.

20. What were these people Jesus was talking to putting too much emphasis on?

21. What are the followers of Jesus asked to do?

22. Where is the only place treasures are not stolen?

23. What part of us does Jesus want?

24. What does it mean to have the loins girt?

25. What does it mean to keep the light burning?

26. What should we be always eager to do?

27. Blessed are the servants whom Jesus finds doing what?

28. What time is spoken of in verse 37 and 38?

Luke Chapter 12 Second Continued

Luke 12:39 "And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through."

The last lesson, we were studying about how we should be watching and working continually, expecting the Lord to come back. Perhaps, if some people knew just exactly when the Lord's return will be, they would do worldly things until just a few days before and then turn to God at the last moment.

The exact day and hour of the Lord's return for the Christians is not known, even by the angels in heaven. The Christians will know the coming is near, but not the day and hour. People throughout the ages have picked out a particular day and predicted the coming of the Lord.

Luke 12:40 "Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."

"At an hour when ye think not": (21:34; Matt. 24:36, 42-44; 1 Thess. 5:2-4; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; 16:15).

Jesus is coming back for a people that are without spot or wrinkle, and He is coming like a thief in the night. The hour we least expect His return is when He will come. I believe all true believers in Christ feel that His coming is near.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 lets us know that the Lord's return is eminent. It speaks of the last days and then describes our day perfectly.

Luke 12:41 "Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?"

Several times Peter had a knowing that Jesus was truly Lord. In this verse, Peter is calling Jesus Lord; and he asked Jesus, are you just our Lord or are you everyone's Lord? Peter, you remember, had called Him Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Luke 12:42 "And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom [his] lord shall make ruler over his household, to give [them their] portion of meat in due season?"

Christ did not directly answer Peter's question (verse 41), but implied that these truths apply to unbelievers, most of all those to whom much has been committed (verse 48).

Luke 12:43 "Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing."

"Blessed is that servant": The faithful steward pictures the genuine believer, who manages well the spiritual riches God has put in his care for the benefit of others, and the careful management of the master's estate. Faithful expression of the duty of such spiritual stewardship will result in honor and reward (verse 44).

Luke 12:44 "Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath."

We see in this a teaching which many have taken to mean that you earn your way to heaven. That is not at all what this is saying. We are saved by grace and grace alone, less anyone should boast.

We see from this that those who are saved are rewarded, if they have lived a life pleasing to God. These rewards will vary as to the amount of sacrifice and service the saved have done. As we said above, watch and be ready for the return of the Lord. But be found going about the Father's business to the end, and great rewards will await you.

Luke 12:45 "But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;"

"To beat the menservants and maidens": This wicked steward's unfaithfulness and cruel behavior illustrates the evil of an unbelieving heart.

Luke 12:46 "The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers."

"Cut him in sunder": I.e., utterly destroy him. This speaks of the severity of final judgment of unbelievers.

No one knows the exact hour our lives will end. Some do not live beyond infancy, and others live into their 80's and 90's. Truly we do not know at what moment our life will be over. This is speaking of the return of the Lord in the sky. So many people in our day who seem to be living godly lives a few years ago have wandered away and are compromising with the world.

Many ministers would have us believe that if we are baptized, we can live any way we want to and we will be saved. This is not what we read above. Those whose faith weakens and they stop looking for the Lord's return and start living like the world should examine their selves and quite possibly were never saved in the first place.

Luke 12:47 "And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not [himself], neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes]."

The degree of punishment is commensurate with the extent to which the unfaithful behavior was willful. Note that ignorance is nonetheless no excuse (verse 48). That there will be varying degrees of punishment in hell is clearly taught (in Matt. 10:15; 11:22, 24; Mark 6:11; Hebrews 10:29).

To know to do good and not do it is a terrible sin. Many people believe that all there is to Christianity is receiving Jesus as Savior. Jesus must be Lord of our lives; and we, like Jesus, must say, Lord, not my will but thine be done. We must live by His will and not ours.

Christians will be judged even harder than the world, because they know the will of the Lord. Judgment begins at the house of God. Great punishment comes to those who knows better and still sin.

Luke 12:48 "But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."

Just as there are degrees of rewards in heaven, there seems to be degrees of punishment. If God has revealed great truths to you, you are responsible to live at whatever level of understanding He has given you.

From this sense, the apostles would have been held more responsible for their actions, because they were in the very presence of the Truth (Jesus Christ).

Luke 12:49 "I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?"

"Fire": I.e., judgment. For the connection between fire and judgment (see Isaiah 66:15; Joel 2:30; Amos 1:7-10-14; 2:25; Mal. 3:2, 5; 1 Cor. 3:13; 2 Thess. 1:7-8).

The fire that Jesus brought was the fire of the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus says in the last part of this, I wish this fire of the Spirit was already kindled in the people.

Luke 12:50 "But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!"

"A baptism": A baptism of suffering. Christ was referring to His death. Christian baptism symbolizes identification with Him in death, burial and resurrection.

"Straitened": "Sorrowful, even unto death": His anguish had nothing to do with fear of men or the physical torments of the cross. He was sorrowful because within hours the full cup of divine fury against sin would be His to drink.

"Till it be accomplished": Though distressed about His coming passion, it was nonetheless the work He came to do, and He set His face steadfastly to accomplish it.

Jesus is speaking prophetically of His baptism of suffering on the cross. Jesus was fully aware of His trip to the cross.

Luke 12:51 "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:"

"I tell you, Nay": Though the ultimate end of the gospel is peace with God (John 14:17; Rom. 8:6), the immediate result of the gospel is frequently conflict. Conversion to Christ can result in strained family relationships (Matthew 10:35-36), persecution, and even martyrdom.

Following Christ presupposes a willingness to endure such hardships (Matt. 10:32-33, 37-39). Though He is called "Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6), Christ will have no one deluded into thinking that He calls believers to a life devoid of all conflict.

Luke 12:52 "For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three."

Those who accept Jesus as their Savior sometimes are suddenly alienated from their families. This is what is meant by 3 against 2 in one family. There are only two sides to this war that Jesus is talking about here: the flesh and the Spirit.

Another way to draw the line between the two sides is God (spirit), and flesh (man). We read also, that many times your enemies are those of your own household.

Matthew 10:36 "And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household."

Luke 12:53 "The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law."

This is a further explanation (of verses 51 and 52). In fact, it is very difficult to minister to your own family. Jesus' half-brothers did not really accept Him until after He was resurrected.

Luke 12:54 "And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is."

As primitive as their method of predicting the weather was, their ability to discern spiritual matters was worse. They had the long promised and long-awaited Messiah in the midst and refused to acknowledge Him.

Jesus was saying to them, signs that you can see with your eyes, you understand; but the spiritual meaning of the Scriptures in your Bible, you do not understand. Throughout the Old Testament, God warned of the signs of the times.

Luke 12:55 "And when [ye see] the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass."

These people easily pick on the signs of good or bad weather. They have noticed that when clouds come from the west it usually rains. They have also noticed that with strong south winds comes a warming trend.

Luke 12:56 "[Ye] hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?"

The world is truly unaware of how close the time is to the return of the Lord.

We read in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-5 "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness."

You can easily see a separation here. The people of the world will have no idea when Jesus will return for His own. The Christians (children of the Light), are not in darkness. They will know that the Lord's return is soon.

Luke 12:57 "Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?"

Jesus is telling them, even you can judge right from wrong.

Luke 12:58 "When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, [as thou art] in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison."

"Give diligence ... thou mayest be delivered from him": Jesus calls for reconciliation to be sought eagerly, aggressively, quickly, even if it involves self-sacrifice. It is better to be wronged than to allow a dispute between brethren to be a cause for dishonoring Christ.

I really believe that Jesus told us that if there is any possible way to settle something out of court, do it. People have gotten into a rut, suing everyone for the slightest thing. Most things could be settled out of court, if people would just try. There is no reason for two Christians to fight something out in court. The two should get together, and pray, and each gives a little.

Luke 12:59 "I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite."

Christ would have the people to be as wise in the concerns of their souls as they are in outward affairs. Let them hasten to obtain peace with God before it is too late. If any man has found that God has set himself against him concerning his sins, let him apply to him as God in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. While we are alive, we are in the way, and now is our time.

(In verses 57-59), Settle the matter before court: Some see little connection between the first and last illustration (a house divided), but Jesus is just telling the same truth in a different way for his differing audience. Jesus tells them to get right with God before the final judgment. Jesus advises his hearers to try to settle the matter of your faith before you get to the judge.

Why? Because there is a penalty for refusing to settle before court convenes: debtor's prison. The terms magistrate, judge, and officer indicate a civil case involving an unpaid debt. The magistrate is the same person as the judge who hears the case. The officer is the constable in charge of the debtor's prison.

The last penny (lepton), was the smallest coin available, the same coin as the Widow's Mite (Luke 21:2). It was worth 1/128th of a denarius, a day's wage. (Luke 7:41) I.e., the lepton was worth less than five minutes of a ten hour work day.

Luke Chapter 12 Second Continued Questions

1. If the goodman of the house knew what hour the thief would come, he would have done what?

2. When is the Son of man coming?

3. What time is 2 Timothy 3 describing?

4. What had Peter recognized about Jesus?

5. Who will be made ruler over that he hath?

6. In what way do the heavenly rewards vary?

7. When the Lord returns, what are we to be doing?

8. If God's people start complaining about God's delay and start eating and drinking and compromising with the world, what can they expect?

9. What two ways could our life on this earth suddenly stop?

10. Who shall be beaten with many stripes?

11. Why is a Christian judged harder than the world?

12. To whom much is given much is _______________.

13. How can we assume the apostles would be held more responsible for their actions?

14. What is the fire the Lord brings?

15. What was Jesus saying He wished had already started?

16. What baptism was Jesus speaking of in verse 50?

17. Jesus said He came not for peace, but what?

18. Who does Jesus say many times will be against you, if you are a Christian?

19. Where is this Scripture found?

20. What specific divisions are in verse 53?

21. When did Jesus' half-brothers begin to believe?

22. When you see a cloud in the west, what kind of weather will you have?

23. In verse 56, what did Jesus call these people who could predict weather but had no idea when He would return?

24. The day of the Lord comes like a _______ in the ________.

25. In 1 Thessalonians 5:4, what are the Christians called?

26. What two meanings do verse 58 and 59 have?

Luke Chapter 13

Luke 13:1 "There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices."

"Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices": This incident is in keeping with what was known about the character of Pilate. Evidently, some worshipers from Galilee were condemned by Rome. Perhaps because they were seditious zealots, and were sought out and killed in the temple by Roman authorities while in the process of offering a sacrifice.

Such a killing would have been the grossest sort of blasphemy. Incidents like this inflamed the Jews' hatred of Rome and finally led to rebellion, and the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

This is telling of a terrible time when the Romans would swoop down on a large crowd and kill a large number of the people. Pilate represented the dreaded Roman government. These Galileans were not the strict Hebrews. Many would say they got what they deserved for their loose living.

Luke 13:2 "And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things?"

"Were sinners above" It was the belief of many that disaster and sudden death always signified divine displeasure over particular sins (Job 4:7). Those who suffered in uncommon ways were therefore assumed to be guilty of some more severe immorality (John 9:2).

Luke 13:3 "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

"Except ye repent": Jesus did not deny the connection between catastrophe and human evil, for all such afflictions ultimately stem from the curse of humanity's fallenness (Gen 3:17-19). Furthermore, specific calamities may indeed be the fruit of certain iniquities (Prov. 24:16).

But Christ challenged the people's notion that they were morally superior to those who suffered in such catastrophes. He called all to repent, for all were in danger of sudden destruction.

No one is guaranteed time to prepare for death, so now is the time for repentance for all (2 Cor. 6:2).

"Ye shall all likewise perish": These words prophetically warned of the approaching judgment of Israel, which culminated in the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Tens of thousands in Jerusalem were killed by the Romans.

Jesus has discerned what they are thinking. He knows these disciples, and these Hebrew followers have no respect for these Galileans. Jesus is quick to tell them that not only are the

Galileans guilty of sin, but they are too. They, as well as the Galileans, need to repent and be saved by grace. Just because a person has the outward appearance of being a Christian, does not free them from the obligation of repenting from their sins.

Luke 13:4 "Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?"

"Siloam": An area at the south end of the lower city of Jerusalem, where there was a well-known pool (John 9:7, 11). Evidently one of the towers guarding the aqueduct collapsed, perhaps while under construction, killing some people. Again, the question in the minds of people was regarding the connection between calamity and iniquity ("sinners above all men").

Jesus responded by saying that such a calamity was not God's way to single out an especially evil group for death, but as a means of warning to all sinners. Calamitous judgment was eventually coming to all if they did not repent.

Jesus is telling them to stop pointing fingers at others' sins and start looking at home at their own sins. When this tower fell, the Hebrews were quick to say these were people who had fallen away to Rome.

Luke 13:5 "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

We must be very careful to make sure all of the sin is out of our life, before we point fingers at someone else. In less than 40 years from the time Jesus made this statement, Jerusalem fell and literally hundreds of thousands perished.

Luke 13:6 "He spake also this parable; A certain [man] had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none."

"Fig tree": Often used as a symbol for Israel. In this case however, the parable's lesson about fruitlessness applies equally to the whole nation, and to each individual soul.

The man is symbolic of God, because the Israelites are His chosen people.

Luke 13:7 "Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?"

This fig tree produced no fruit. The terrible thing is for 3 years Jesus brought them the salvation message. For 3 years, He went away sorrowful because very little fruit was produced. In fact, God's beloved Israelites rejected Jesus.

At the very last of Jesus' ministry, He turned away from the Jews and offered the gospel to the Gentiles. He had given up on them producing fruit (cut it down).

In John 11:54 we read about this: "Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples".

Luke 13:8-9 "And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung [it]:" "And if it bear fruit, [well]: and if not, [then] after that thou shalt cut it down."

"Let it alone this year": This illustrates both the intercession of Christ and the extreme patience and graciousness of the Father.

We see in this that these privileged Hebrews had forgotten that duties go along with privileges. As we said before, this prophetic parable that Jesus gives here comes true, because Jerusalem is devastated shortly after this. Jesus gave them a chance; they just didn't take it.

Luke 13:10 "And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath."

"Synagogues": The place where Jewish people gathered for worship ("synagogue"), is a transliteration of a Greek word meaning ("to gather together"). Synagogues originated in the
Babylonian captivity after the 586 B.C. destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar. They served as places of worship and instruction. Jesus frequently taught in the synagogues, as did Paul.

Luke 13:11 "And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up [herself]."

"Had a spirit of infirmity" This suggests that her physical ailment, which left her unable to stand erect, was caused by an evil spirit. However, Christ did not have to confront and drive out a demon, but simply declared her loosed (verse 12), so her case appears somewhat different from other cases of demonic possession He often encountered (11:14).

Luke 13:12 "And when Jesus saw her, he called [her to him], and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity."

"He called her to him": The healing was unsolicited; He took the initiative (7:12-14). Furthermore, no special faith was required on her part or anyone else's. Jesus sometimes called for faith, but not always (8:48; Mark 5:34).

We see here, that Jesus was still allowed to preach in some of the synagogues. This was one probably in a rural area away from Jerusalem. Luke, more than any of the others, goes into detail about illness making us realize that he was truly a medical man.

Luke 13:13 "And he laid [his] hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God."

The disease mentioned here sounds like a very serious curvature of the spine. Sometimes this illness comes in a person's youth and gets worse and worse as they grow older. This woman seems to have a lot of faith to receive this healing. She knew exactly what to do and whom to glorify when she received her healing.

Take note that this was done on the Sabbath and these self-righteous, religious people were more concerned with dotting every "i" of the law than they were with helping this poor soul. She immediately stood straight. This was not a prolonged healing, but a miracle.

Luke 13:14 "And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day."

"Ruler of the synagogue": An eminent layman whose responsibilities included conducting meetings, caring for the building and supervising the teaching in the synagogue (8:41; Matt. 9:18; Mark 5:38).

My own opinion of this is that this ruler is jealous of the miraculous ability of Jesus and looks for any little technicality he can trap Jesus with. This is really a little too shallow for anyone to believe that the real reason was the law.

Luke 13:15 "The Lord then answered him, and said, [Thou] hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or [his] ass from the stall, and lead [him] away to watering?"

"Loose his ox": Nothing in Scripture forbade either the watering of an ox or the healing of the sick. Their Sabbath traditions placed a higher value on animals than on people in distress, and therefore corrupted the whole purpose of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27).

Jesus always has an answer for them. He says to them you loose your animal on the Sabbath, are you telling me that animals are more valuable to God than people are? Of course, they had no answer for Him.

In one instance, He told that they were so foolish that they would strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. They had no reasoning for what they did, at all. Like so many churches today, their doctrine is more important to them than the truth taught in the Bible.

Luke 13:16 "And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?"

"A daughter of Abraham": She was a Jewess.

"Whom Satan hath bound": Job's physical ailments and other disasters were also inflicted by Satan, with divine permission. This woman had apparently been permitted to suffer, not because of any evil she had done, but so that the glory of God might be manifest in her (John 9:3).

Luke 13:17 "And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him."

He left these rulers of the church without anything to say. They knew what He said was right. The people believed Him even more, and they could see right through the shallowness of these rulers.

The people rejoiced with this woman who had been stooped over for 18 years. They also rejoiced that they had found a way to worship that showed some hope for them. It is wonderful to know that the God you worship is powerful and can do mighty things to deliver His people.

The ritual they had been practicing in the synagogue had left them cold, but this gospel Jesus preached was good news.

Luke 13:18 "Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?"

Jesus here is saying, how can I tell you in a way that you can understand what the kingdom of God is like? I will show you something you do understand, and you can compare it with that.

Luke 13:19 "It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it."

"It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden": Palestinian mustard plants are large shrubs, sometimes up to 15 feet high, certainly large enough for birds to lodge in. This is undoubtedly a reference to several Old Testament passages, including (Ezek. 17:23; 31:6; Dan. 4:21), passages which prophesied the inclusion of Gentiles in the kingdom.

We see here, a tiny mustard seed growing into a tree big enough for birds to build a nest in. Jesus is the Tree of Life. His beginning in the earth was small.

Very few people ever dreamed that He and a handful of disciples could grow into a mighty movement which would affect the whole world. Small beginnings do not mean small endings. The tree which Jesus started here has overspread the entire world.

Luke 13:20-21 "And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?" "It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."

This second short parable here speaks of the secret move that takes place inside a person. When they received Jesus inside of them, even though they at first didn't show it outside, their faith began to grow until one day they were a very strong Christian. They became a complete Christian when Jesus became the central point of their life.

Luke Chapter 13 Questions

1. Who had Pilate killed and mingled their blood with the sacrifices?

2. Who did Pilate represent?

3. What had these people assumed about these Galileans?

4. What does Jesus know they are thinking?

5. Who did they think were greater sinners than anyone in Jerusalem?

6. What was Jesus telling them to stop doing?

7. This parable about the fig tree was about whom?

8. What did He come looking for this 3 years?

9. God's beloved Israelites did what that upset God?

10. In John 11:54 when Jesus stopped walking among the Jews, where did He go?

11. How many years did Jesus preach and they didn't hear Him?

12. How many years did He go to the fruit tree and there was no fruit?

13. What city is devastated soon after Jesus says this?

14. Where did Jesus preach on this Sabbath?

15. How long had this woman been stooped over?

16. What did Jesus say to her when He healed her?

17. What did she do immediately after she was healed?

18. What type of illness did she have?

19. What shows us that Luke was a physician?

20. What were these people more interested in doing than in healing this woman?

21. What did these rulers accuse Jesus of?

22. What did they say to the people?

23. Why is this ruler doing this, really?

24. What does Jesus tell them they are more interested in than people?

25. Who does Jesus call her?

26. How are they similar to churches today?

27. What did these rulers feel after Jesus straightened them out?

28. How did it affect the people?

29. The people rejoiced for another reason besides the woman's healing. What was it?

30. What did Jesus liken the kingdom of God to (2 things).

31. What difference do you see in the two?

Luke Chapter 13 Continued

Luke 13:22 "And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem."

"Through the cities and villages": Luke's geographical points of reference are often vague; the readers he had in mind were probably largely unfamiliar with Palestinian geography anyway. (Matthew 19:1; Mark 10:1 and John 10:40), all say that Christ moved His ministry to the region east of the Jordan known as Perea.

That move probably took place at about this point in Luke's narrative. Therefore, the cities and villages He traveled through may have included places in both Judea and Perea.

"Journeying ... toward Jerusalem": During His ministry in Judea to Perea, Christ went to Jerusalem on more than one occasion, at least once for the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:11 - 8:59), another time for the Feast of Dedication, (John 9:1 - 10:39), and another time when He raised Lazarus.

Luke's focus was on Christ's constant progression toward His final trek to Jerusalem for the express purpose of dying there, and he therefore described all Christ's traveling as one long trek toward Jerusalem.

These last few months of Jesus' ministry was all leading up to the climax of the Passover in Jerusalem where He would be the Passover Lamb. He taught right up till the time of the crucifixion.

Luke 13:23 "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,"

"Are there few that be saved": That question may have been prompted by a number of factors. The great multitudes that had once followed Christ were subsiding to a faithful few (John 6:66). Great crowds still came to hear (14:25), but committed followers were increasingly scarce.

Moreover, Christ's messages often seemed designed to discourage the half-hearted. And He Himself had stated that the way is so narrow that few find it (Matt. 7:14). This contradicted the Jewish belief that all Jews, except for tax collectors and other notorious sinners, would be saved.

Christ's reply once again underscored the difficulty of entering at the narrow gate. After the resurrection, only 120 disciples gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem (Acts 1:15), and only about 500 in Galilee (1 Cor. 15:6; Matt. 28:16).

This is a legitimate question for then and now. The answer both times is "yes", as we see Jesus expound upon it in the next few verses.

Luke 13:24 "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."

"Strive": This signifies a great struggle against conflict. Christ was not suggesting that anyone could merit heaven by striving for it. No matter how rigorously that labored, sinners could never save themselves. Salvation is solely by grace, not by works (Eph. 2:8-9).

But entering the "strait gate" (narrow gate), is nonetheless difficult because of it cost in terms of human pride, because of the sinner's natural love for sin and because of the world's and Satan's opposition to the truth.

"Will seek to enter in" I.e., at the judgment, when many will protest that they deserve entrance into heaven (Matt. 7:21-23).

Jesus answers the question of verse 23 by telling them how to be saved. Jesus explains that a person needs to have determination to live the life that Jesus has set before us. Those who seek and cannot get in have too broad a view.

They are full of compromise and will not walk the disciplined, self-sacrificing life that it takes to enter in. The door is Jesus. If we walk on the narrow path that leads to righteousness, we will find the door (Jesus), and enter in.

Luke 13:25 "When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:"

"I know you not" (Matt. 7:23; 25:12). Clearly, no relationship ever existed though they had deluded themselves into thinking they knew the owner of the house (verse 26). Despite their protests, He repeated His denial emphatically (in verse 27).

This is a sad scene which indicates that somehow they found the door; but by the time they had wandered everywhere but the narrow path, they had spent too much time of their life in the world. They have lost their chance to enter in.

The doors of this symbolic city were closed at nightfall or at the end of a person's life. What this means to me is there is no salvation after death; only judgement.

In Hebrews 12:17 we read of someone who waited too long to repent, "For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears."

Luke 13:26 "Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets." "But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity."

We see in this that these people feel that because they are Hebrews (God's chosen people), that He will make exceptions for them. Race, color, creed, or station in life will have nothing to do with any of us making it to heaven. There is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus.

Jesus told them, "I am the way" (John 14:6). He also said, "No man cometh to the Father but by me". You see, being Abraham's physical descendants won't get you there. I know some people whose parents were mighty men and women of God. I am here to tell them that will not get them to heaven. The Lord does not have grandchildren, just children.

Luke 13:28 "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out."

"Weeping and gnashing of teeth": This speaks of inconsolable grief and unremitting torment. Jesus commonly used the phrases in this verse to describe hell (Matt. 13:42, 50; Matt. 24:51).

Salvation is an individual thing. Each person has to activate their own will to follow Jesus. The offer is to whosoever will. These prophets (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), are all accepted because of their faith. The ones thrust out will be because they rejected Jesus and His teachings. The sorrow will be unexplainably horrible when they discover they have not made it.

Luke 13:29 "And they shall come from the east, and [from] the west, and from the north, and [from] the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God."

"They shall come": By including people from the 4 corners of the earth, Jesus makes it clear that even Gentiles would be invited to the heavenly banquet table. This was contrary to prevailing rabbinical thought, but perfectly consistent with the Old Testament Scriptures (Psalm 107:3; Isa. 66:18-19; Mal. 1:11).

No one will be rejected because of nationality. There will be individuals from all nations who will be saved. Those who follow Jesus' plan of salvation will be saved. Jesus lets them know by this that salvation is not reserved to just the Israelites, but is open to all who will receive it.

Luke 13:30 "And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last."

"Last ... first ... first ... last": In this context the saying seems to contrast Jews ("the first") and Gentiles ("the last").

Those who the world classifies as last sometimes receive the message of Jesus more freely and so might be the first to believe. His is a religion of the common people. Learned people of the law rejected Jesus. Israel had been first; but if they reject Jesus, they shall be last.

Luke 13:31 "The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee."

"Depart": Herod Antipas ruled Galilee and Perea. Christ was probably either approaching Perea or ministering there already. The Pharisees, no friends of Herod themselves, may have warned Christ because they hoped the threat of violence from Herod would either silence Him, or drive Him back to Judea, where the Sanhedrin would have jurisdiction over Him.

Herod and Herodias wanted to get rid of Jesus, because He was so popular with the common people. Herod was so superstitious about John the Baptist that he was afraid to do anything himself.

These Pharisees, whether working for Herod or for themselves, would like for Jesus to be gone as well. They warned Jesus of Herod, because Jesus knew Herod had John the Baptist beheaded.

Luke 13:32 "And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third [day] I shall be perfected."

"That fox": Some have suggested that Jesus' use of this expression is hard to reconcile with (Exodus 22:28; Eccl. 10:20; and Acts 23:5). However, those verses apply to everyday discourse. Prophets, speaking as mouthpieces of God, and with divine authority, were often commissioned to rebuke leaders publicly (Isa. 1:23; Ezek. 22:27; Hos. 7:3-7; Zeph. 3:3).

Since Jesus spoke with perfect divine authority, He had every right to speak of Herod in such terms. Rabbinical writings often use "the fox" to signify someone who was both crafty and worthless. The Pharisees, who trembled at Herod's power, must have been astonished at Christ's boldness.

"Today and tomorrow, and the third day": This expression signified only that Christ was on His own divine timetable; it was not meant to lay out a literal 3-day schedule. Expressions like this were common in Semitic usage and seldom were employed in a literal sense to specify precise intervals of time.

"I shall be perfected": I.e., by death, in the finishing of His work (John 17:4-5; 19:30; Heb. 2:10). Herod was threatening to kill Him, but no one could kill Christ before His time (John 10:17-18).

Jesus calls Herod a fox. He sends him word not to bother Him because He is going on with His work 3 more days here. He sees right through these Pharisees and will not be stopped.

Luke 13:33 "Nevertheless I must walk today, and tomorrow, and the [day] following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem."

"It cannot be": Not all prophets who were martyred died in Jerusalem of course. John the Baptist, for example, was beheaded by Herod, probably at Herod's palace in Machaerus. This saying was probably a familiar proverb, like the adage (in 4:24; Matt. 13:57).

The statement is full of irony, noting that most of the Old Testament prophets were martyred at the hands of the Jewish people, not by foreign enemies. Luke's inclusion of this saying underscores his theme in this section of his gospel, Jesus' relentless journey to Jerusalem for the purpose of dying.

Jesus tells the Pharisees, "You nor Herod is not driving me away; I must go to Jerusalem because that is where a prophet must die."

Luke 13:34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen [doth gather] her brood under [her] wings, and ye would not!"

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem": There is a great tenderness in these words, as seen in the imagery of a hen with chickens. This out-pouring of divine compassion foreshadows His weeping over the city as He approached it for the final time (19:41). Clearly, these are deep and sincere emotions.

"Would I have gathered": Literally "I willed, but you willed not." Christ's repeated expressions of grief over the plight of Jerusalem do not diminish the reality of His absolute sovereignty over all that happens. Nor should the truth of divine sovereignty be used to depreciate the sincerity of His compassion.

God's great love for Jerusalem had been long standing. God always wanted Jerusalem to come to Him and let His covering protect them. God had dwelt here in this city with His people. He had led His people out of Egypt, and He led them with His fire and smoke for forty years to the Promised Land.

Solomon built a temple in Jerusalem where God dwelt with His people, but His people activated their free will and rejected God's only Son. Jesus is mourning for the beloved city Jerusalem when He says, "O Jerusalem". They rejected the prophets God sent and then rejected God's Son. I say with Jesus, O Jerusalem why did you not understand how much God loved you?

Luke 13:35 "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until [the time] come when ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord."

"This account of Luke's clearly falls at an earlier point in Christ's ministry than the parallel account (in Matthew 23:37-39), which took place in the temple during Christ's final days in Jerusalem. The wording of the two laments is nonetheless virtually identical. Here Christ delivers prophetically the same message He would later pronounce as a final judgment.

Jesus now speaks to them that this is their house. They have taken it away from God with their evil will. They will not receive the Lord at this time. They are blinded with the very law that God had given them to set them free.

Jesus is speaking prophetically here that there will come a day in the far future when they will see Him coming in the clouds and then they will mourn for what they had done. Then everyone will bow to Him and confess that He was Messiah.

"Blessed": Quotation from Psalm 118.

Psalm 118:26: "Blessed be he that comes in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD."

Luke Chapter 13 Continued Questions

1. What did Jesus go through the cities and villages doing?

2. What were the last few months of Jesus' ministry leading up to?

3. In verse 23, one asked Jesus what question?

4. What is the answer to this question then and now?

5. How is the gate we enter in described?

6. What is wrong with those who want to enter in and cannot?

7. Who is the door?

8. When is it too late to try to get in?

9. What is taught in Hebrews 12:17?

10. Why do the people in verses 26 and 27 believe they should be saved?

11. No man cometh to the Father but by whom?

12. The Lord has no _________________, only children.

13. What happens when they see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God and are thrust out themselves?

14. What does verse 29 mean?

15. Is God a respecter of persons?

16. The learned people of the law rejected _______.

17. Who came to Jesus and told Him to get out?

18. What reason did they give Jesus why He should leave?

19. What did Jesus call Herod?

20. What did Jesus tell them to tell Herod?

21. What is the city where prophets perish?

22. What fowl did Jesus use to describe how God would have protected Jerusalem, if they would have accepted it?

23. How had God led His people 40 years in the wilderness?

24. What is Jesus doing when He says, O Jerusalem?

25. In verse 35, their house is left _____________.

26. What is Jesus speaking prophetically of in verse 35?

Luke Chapter 14

Luke 14:1 "And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him."

"Sabbath": Luke shows Christ healing on the Sabbath more frequently than any of the other gospels. Christ seems to have favored the Sabbath as a day for doing acts of mercy.

"They watched Him": Evidently the Pharisee had less than honorable motives for inviting Him to a meal.

These religious people were all eyes seeing if they could catch Him in any transgression of the law. This invitation to eat with the Pharisee was probably so he could watch Jesus and catch any little thing He might do so that he could accuse Him. Jesus didn't seem to bother with all this, He knew their intentions, but didn't care.

Luke 14:2 "And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy."

"Dropsy": A condition where fluid is retained in the tissues and cavities of the body, often caused by kidney or liver ailments, including cancer.

This was a plot to catch Jesus, and these Pharisees were using this very sick man for their purpose. This was an incurable disease by man's attempts. They possibly were testing to see if His healing powers were a hoax, as well as trying to work up a case against Him as a breaker of the Sabbath.

Luke 14:3 "And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?"

"Lawyers": I.e., scribes.

"Is it lawful": He had repeatedly defended Sabbath healings, and His arguments consistently silenced the nay-sayers (6:9-10; 13:14-17). Here and (in 6:9), He questioned the scribes about the legality of healing on the Sabbath beforehand, and still they could give no cogent reasons why they believed healing was a violation of Sabbath laws (verse 6).

This surely shocks these who are trying to trap Him. Now if they say no, they will incite the anger of the people. If they say yes, they have fallen into their own trap.

He is saying; you know the law so well, tell me whether we should leave this man in this terrible condition or should we heal him. You interpret your law for me. They are dumb-founded, they cannot speak.

Luke 14:4 "And they held their peace. And he took [him], and healed him, and let him go;"

Jesus has done what their physicians or holy men had not been able to do. He is healed and released. He is released not only from their presence, but from this dreadful disease as well.

Luke 14:5 "And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?"

"An ox": (13:15; Matt. 12:11-12). Common humanitarianism (not to mention economic necessity), taught them that it was right to show mercy to animals on the Sabbath. Should not the same principles be applied in showing mercy to suffering people?

Jesus shows them lowly animals that they have more concern for than they do for this pitiful man. Put it this way, how can they protest? They know He is telling the truth.

Luke 14:6 "And they could not answer him again to these things."

Their trick had backfired upon them. Any answer they gave would have humiliated them. They did not answer.

Luke 14:7 "And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,"

"The chief rooms": I.e., the best seats at the table (11:43; Matt. 23:6).

We see here, these men were trying to place themselves around this table in a place of importance. They wanted everyone to appreciate how important they were. Jesus was watching carefully how they were acting over this seating arrangement.

Luke 14:8-9 "When thou art bidden of any [man] to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him;" "And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room."

We see here, Jesus is speaking of someone who has exalted himself up to where He does not belong. These Pharisees, Jewish doctors of the law, had elevated themselves to a position far above the average man. They felt if there was a seat of importance, they should be in it.

Jesus puts a story before them to make them think. The one thing they did not want to do was to be embarrassed. Jesus tells them the embarrassment they would feel if they had to step down from their seat of importance to allow someone else this elevated position.

The way these lawyers felt about the uppermost seats in a room was exactly apposite to Jesus' teaching. Jesus taught that the great of this world are the humble.

Luke 14:10 "But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee."

Jesus is showing how the humble will be elevated in the end. There will be no embarrassment for Him. He has taken a lowly seat and is bidden to come up higher. This is God's way.

Luke 14:11 "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

"Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased": Jesus favored this sort of paradoxical play on words (9:24; 13:30; 17:33; 18:14; Matt. 23:11-12). This comment made the point of verses (8-10), clear. The point of this whole lesson closely parallels (Proverbs 25:6-7).

This is a direct reprimand by Jesus to these learned men of the law. It left no doubt at all who this parable was for.

Luke 14:12 "Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor [thy] rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee."

"Call not thy friends, nor thy brethren": Clearly this is not to be taken as an absolute prohibition against inviting friends or relatives to a meal. Christ employed similar hyperbole (in verse 26). Such language is common in Semitic discourse and is used for emphasis.

His point here is that inviting one's friends and relatives cannot be classified as a spiritual act of true charity It may also be a rebuke against those prone to reserve their hospitality for "rich neighbors", who they know will feel obligated to return the favor (Deut. 14:28-29).

Here is a lesson these self-righteous men did not want to hear. They also were very selfish. Like many people of our day, they invited people to a dinner party at their home, expecting to be invited to the next dinner party the other person had. He is saying don't give dinners to prove your importance to your rich neighbors, relatives, and friends.

Luke 14:13-14 "But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:" "And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."

"Recompensed at the resurrection": I.e., with treasure in heaven (18:22).

Jesus, in a sense here, is saying again layup treasures in heaven. Jesus explains, if you feed those who cannot feed you in return, you will be rewarded of God in heaven. You will not only be in the first resurrection, but will be rewarded of God. Remember, Jesus said "In as much as ye done it to the least of these, you have done it also unto me".

Luke 14:15 "And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed [is] he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God."

"Shall eat bread in the Kingdom": The man probably held the common view that only Jews would be invited to the heavenly feast. Perhaps this was an idle or pious saying, made without much serious reflection. Christ replied with a parable that pictures the inclusion of Gentiles.

One of the men sitting at the table got the message and received it into Himself. Perhaps this whole thing was set up for this one man to receive the Lord. He had been there when the man with dropsy was healed.

This undoubtedly got his attention because the physicians and all these learned men in the law had not been able to help the poor sick man and Jesus had healed him. He had heard Jesus use a parable to make these self-centered Pharisees realize that it wasn't the thing to do to try to get the uppermost seats at the banquet.

I believe he was touched by the boldness, the sincerity and the power of the great teacher. Perhaps his eyes were opening, and he was looking at Jesus for the very first time as the Messiah. In (verse 15), the man at the table is speaking to Jesus. He has realized that the best thing a person can receive is the kingdom of God.

This does not tell us who this man is, but that this day he met the Savior of the world and received Jesus into his heart. This statement he made ("Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God"), was a spontaneous statement from a heart filled to overflowing.

Luke Chapter 14 Questions

1. What was the Pharisees' purpose inviting Jesus to eat with them?

2. What illness did the man have that was before Jesus?

3. Who had probably put him there? Why?

4. Who did Jesus ask, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath"?

5. What did they answer?

6. What did Jesus do for the sick man?

7. What example did Jesus give them to show that is was right to heal on the Sabbath?

8. Why did their plan backfire on them?

9. What did Jesus notice about their seating arrangement?

10. In the example Jesus gave, how was the proud man embarrassed at the wedding?

11. The truly great in this world are the ________.

12. How will the lowly be elevated in the end?

13. Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be _________.

14. Who did Jesus tell them not to invite to dinner?

15. If you invite the poor to dinner, what reward do you get?

16. People of our day usually expect what from you if they invite you to have dinner with them?

17. What were 3 kinds of people that Jesus said to invite to dinner?

18. Who received this message of Jesus?

19. Who did he say was blessed?

20. What had he noticed when Jesus healed the man with dropsy?

21. What 3 specific things impressed him about Jesus?

22. What do you think happened to this man at the feast?

Luke Chapter 14 Continued

Luke 14:16 "Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:"

"A great supper": This parable, similar in many ways to the one (in Matt. 22:2-14), and making the same point, is nonetheless distinct. That parable was told on a different occasion, and some key details differ.

"And bade many": Apparently, no one declined the invitation. The man evidently had every reason to expect that all who were invited would attend.

We need to look for a moment back to the last lesson to see that this man Jesus is speaking directly to here is the one who realized that Jesus' sayings were true. This is Jesus speaking above.

Luke 14:17 "And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready."

"To them that were bidden": Guests for a wedding, which could last a full week, were pre-invited and given a general idea of the time. When all the many preparations were finally ready, the pre-invited guests were notified that the event would commerce. The pre-invited guests refer to the people of Israel, who by the Old Testament had been told to be ready for the arrival of the Messiah.

Jesus is spending extra time with this man, because He sees he has potential. This is really a parable about being called to God, but Jesus is using the occasion to prove a point about how shallow most of these people at this dinner really are.

Luke 14:18 "And they all with one [consent] began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused."

"Excused": All the excuses smack of insincerity. One does not purchase property without seeing it first. And since the purchase was already complete, there was no urgency. The land would still be there after the banquet.

This is a little bit like the ridiculous excuses people give for not going to church. Not one of these excuses given is something that should keep a person from church or from this make-believe dinner party of the parable here. What does buying a piece of ground have to do with not being able to go to a dinner party?

Luke 14:19 "And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused."

Likewise (verse 19), one does not purchase oxen without first testing them.

Luke 14:20 "And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come."

The man who had recently married (verse 20), was excused from business travel, or serving in the military (Deut. 24:5), but there was no legitimate reason for newlyweds to avoid such a social engagement.

This reminds me of our day so much. Everything comes ahead of God. Just any little old excuse they think will get them excused.

2 Timothy 3:4 explains this perfectly. The last part of verse 4 says "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God".

Luke 14:21 "So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind."

"The poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind": I.e., people the Pharisees tended to regard as unclean or unworthy. The religious leaders condemned Jesus for His associations with prostitutes and tax collectors. (5:29-30; 15:1; Matt. 9:10-11; 21:31-32; Mark 2:15-16).

Jesus is telling this man that the Hebrews were invited into the kingdom first. When they refused the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, then God threw the doors open to whosoever would.

Luke 14:22 "And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room."

"And yet there is room": God is more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved.

We see by this, that Jesus is correcting the opinion that heaven is a small place, just big enough for the Hebrews, or as some people believe today, just big enough for 144,000 people.

Heaven is a vast place big enough for every person who ever lived, but some who are invited refuse the invitation.

Luke 14:23 "And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [them] to come in, that my house may be filled."

"Into the highways and hedges": This evidently represents the Gentile regions.

"Compel them to come in": I.e., not by force or violence, but by earnest persuasion.

This going out to the highways and hedges in the physical means go beyond our family and friends and go to the stranger. In the spiritual, this is speaking of going to those who are not the physical house of Israel. He is saying, if Israel won't accept the invitation, then go to the heathen.

We see here, the word "compel", which falls just a little short of force. He is saying bring them back without excuse for my house must be full. The Lord offered Christianity first to the Hebrew; and when they rejected him, He offered it to the Gentile.

Luke 14:24 "For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper."

"None of those men which were bidden": I.e. those who refused. Having spurned the invitation, Israel was shut out of the banquet. The master's judgment against them was to seal their own decision. Most of them were killed by divine judgment at the hands of the Romans in A.D. 70.

We see here, the same statement as when Jesus cursed the fig tree. God will not force himself on Israel. Since they have rejected Him, He turns to the Gentiles to fill the Father's house.

Luke 14:25 "And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,"

"Great multitudes": Christ's aim was not to gather appreciative crowds, but to make true disciples. He never adapted His message to majority preferences, but always plainly declared the high cost of discipleship. Here He made several bold demands that would discourage the half-hearted.

Luke 14:26 "If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."

"Hate": A similar statement (in Matt. 10:37), is the key to understanding this difficult command. The "hatred" called for here is actually a lesser love. Jesus was calling His disciple to cultivate such a devotion to Him that their attachment to everything else-including their own lives, would seem like hatred by comparison. See, (16:13; Gen. 29:30-31), for similar usages of the word "hate."

What Jesus is saying, here, is that none of our family or even our own lives can be put ahead of Him. Our first love and obedience must be to God. We cannot make gods of our family or even of our own self.

Luke 14:27 "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."

"Bear his cross": I.e., willingly. This parallels the idea of hating one's own life (in verse 26).

We see from this that each of us have a cross to bear. Our cross will not fit anyone but us. Every Christian has a cross made just exactly for the amount of growth we have. Today, we hear very little about suffering for Christ. Christianity is a way of life. Many believers would have you think that there are only pleasures following Jesus.

They have totally ignored Scriptures like the one above. Pleasing the flesh is the opposite of what the Scriptures teach. Even Paul was told by Jesus that He would show him the great things he would suffer for Jesus. You will find this in the book of Acts.

Acts 9:16 "For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake."

In Matthew 16:24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

We don't hear much of this today. It is a time of "good times" religion. I seriously doubt God has much taste for this "new age" religion without sacrifice.

Luke 14:28-29 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]?" "Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish [it], all that behold [it] begin to mock him,"

"Counteth the cost": The multitudes were positive but uncommitted. Far from making it easy for them to respond positively, He set the cost of discipleship as high as possible (verses 26, 27, 33), and encouraged them to do a careful inventory before declaring their willingness to follow (9:57-62.

Before we make a commitment to God, we must first count the cost and make sure that we will be able to carry through. It is really best not to have come to God at all, than to start with the Lord and decide it is too rough and turn around and go the other way.

The world is looking. If we fail, it doesn't just ruin us, but may even cause someone else not to come to God.

Luke 14:30 "Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish."

You see, our weakness affects others, especially if you are the one who led them to the Lord. If we compromise, they compromise. If we decide following Jesus is too hard and we turn our back, then they will perhaps say: if we can't make it, I know I can't; and they fall too.

Luke 14:31 "Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?"

You see, the Christian walk is a continuous battle. The flesh is warring against the spirit. The way of the world is flesh. Sometimes the spirit has only us to battle all our family and friends.

The flesh call is great, as Eve found out in the Garden of Eden. The battle is to the death. Either the flesh succumbs to the spirit or the spirit succumbs to the flesh. Everlasting life is the prize of the victor if the spirit wins. Death and hell waits if the flesh wins.

Luke 14:32 "Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace."

This is compromise. God will not allow compromise. This is the very happening in our churches today. The world's music and dance are coming into the church. Compromise means defeat for the spirit and leads to death and hell.

Luke 14:33 "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."

"Forsaketh not all that he hath": Only those willing to carefully assess the cost, (verses 28-32), and invest all they had in His kingdom were worthy to enter. This speaks of something far more than mere abandonment of one's material possessions; it is an absolute, unconditional surrender.

His disciples were permitted to retain no privileges and make no demands. They were to safeguard no cherished sins; treasure no earthly possessions; and cling to no secret self-indulgences. Their commitment to Him must be without reservation.

You see again, here is Jesus' own words that those who follow Jesus must give up the things of the flesh and live in the spirit. They must forsake all for Jesus.

Luke 14:34 "Salt [is] good: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned?"

"Salt is good": Christ employed this same imagery on at least 3 different occasions in His ministry. The Beatitudes are followed by a summary statement of the basic character of the Christian's life as salt and light. "Ye are the salt of the earth:" Again the phrase "ye are" indicates that only the genuinely born-again person is salt and can help meet the needs of the world.

Salt adds flavoring, acts as a preservative, melts coldness, and heals wounds. Thus, it is a very appropriate description of the believer in his relationship to the world in which he lives.

Salt is a preservative. Christians are a preservative. This earth would already have been destroyed, if it were not for the few Christians here. If the Christians fall away, what will happen to the earth? That is just exactly what is happening today. Watered down Christianity is taking over. If the Christians do not rise up a standard, then all is lost.

Luke 14:35 "It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; [but] men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

We see in this that unless the salt does the job it was intended to do; it is of no use to anyone and is cast out. The spiritual side of this is: if we Christians do not do the job that we have been called to do, we are of no use to God; and we will be cast out. What is your job? To do the will of the Father.

Luke Chapter 14 Continued Questions

1. Who is speaking in verse 14?

2. Who is He speaking to?

3. In verse 17, who did He say "come all things are ready" to?

4. What excuses did they make for not coming?

5. What do these excuses reminds us of in our day?

6. In 2 Timothy 3:4, what were the people lovers of?

7. If the first ones called would not come, who were next invited?

8. Who were the first to be invited to believe in Jesus and enter into the Kingdom?

9. When they refused, who did God throw the door open to?

10. What does the fact there was still room left show us about heaven?

11. In verse 23, what word stops just short of force?

12. ________ of these men bidden will taste of my supper.

13. What did Jesus mean by hating mother, father, and self in verse 26?

14. What must we do to be His disciple described in verse 27?

15. Christianity is a way of _____________.

16. What is the opposite of what the Scripture teaches that many believe today?

17. In Acts 9:16, Paul was told what?

18. If any man will follow Jesus, what must he do that we read in Matthew 16:24?

19. What did Jesus compare to a Christian who jumps in with no thought of the cost?

20. What is worse than not even committing to God?

21. How does our relationship with God affect others?

22. What must a king consider before he goes to war when he is outnumbered?

23. What is the war Christians are involved in?

24. What is peace at any cost, really?

25. If we do not _______ ______________, we cannot be His disciples.

26. What happens to salt that loses its savor?

Luke Chapter 15

Luke 15:1 "Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him."

"All the publicans and sinners" Despite the difficulties of Christ's message (14:25-35), the outcasts of society were drawn to Him, while the religious leaders grew more and more determined to kill Him (1 Cor. 1:26-29).

Luke 15:2 "And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them."

"Murmured, saying": Literally "murmured greatly", i.e., through the crowds. Their grumbling prompted 3 parables designed to illustrate the joy of God over the repentance of sinners.

"This man receiveth sinners": This phrase is the key to the trilogy of parables that follow. Christ was not ashamed to be known as a "friend of tax collectors and sinners" (7:34).

There was no chance of a scribe or Pharisee ever winning anyone to God, because they totally separated themselves from what they called sinners. Jesus looked on the heart and not the outward appearance of man.

Many of these people that the scribes and Pharisees called sinners had a more tender heart toward the things of God than they did.

Luke 15:3-4 "And he spake this parable unto them, saying," "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?"

"Go after that which is lost, until he find it": The first two parables both picture God as taking the initiative in seeking sinners. The rabbis taught that God would receive sinners who sought His forgiveness earnestly enough, but here God is the One seeking the sinner.

The shepherd in the Middle East was responsible for every sheep. He was obligated to his master to see that none was lost, killed, or injured (Matt. 18:11-14).

Jesus completely ignores their accusation and answers with a parable. Jesus is proving by His parable here the worth of a man's soul. Another place He says He did not come to save the ones who do not need a Savior. Jesus comes for the lost.

These Pharisees know that this parable Jesus tells them is true. The ninety and nine don't need a Savior, they are not lost. The one sheep needs a Savior, he is lost. Even a worldly shepherd who lost a sheep would go and search for it and bring it back into the fold, much more the heavenly Shepherd would go and search for His sheep.

Luke 15:5 "And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing."

"Layeth it on his shoulders": The picture of a loving shepherd (John 10:11; Psalm 24:1).

"Rejoicing": Joy over the return of the lost is the most prominent feature in all 3 parables (verses 7, 10, 32).

This is the very thing we do when we come to Jesus. We lay our sins and burdens on His shoulders, and He carries us to safety in His arms.

Luke 15:6 "And when he cometh home, he calleth together [his] friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost."

The parable Jesus told about the prodigal son comes to mind when I look at the Scripture above. God does appreciate the 99 who stayed faithful and was never lost, but the joy of this one is that he was grasped out of the hands of Satan just before he destroyed him and now the 100 are back together again.

Luke 15:7 "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."

"Joy shall be in heaven": A reference to the joy of God Himself. There was complaining on earth, among the Pharisees (verse 2); but there was great joy with God and among the angels in heaven (verse 10).

One soul is important to God. He is not willing that even one will be lost. The angels as well as God, rejoice when one is brought back into the foal.

Luke 15:8 "Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find [it]?"

"Silver coins": The drachma was a Greek coin roughly equivalent in value to the Roman denarius.

"Light a candle": The typical one-room house had no windows.

"Sweep the house": This illustrates the thoroughness of the search.

Luke 15:9 "And when she hath found [it], she calleth [her] friends and [her] neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost."

We see again, almost the same story here as in the lost sheep. Silver is symbolic of redemption. This really has to do with this woman losing something of her standing with God. Perhaps she has backslidden in some area. This parable speaks of something this woman had and lost.

She is overjoyed when she finds this coin. I believe this indicates that she finds her first love of God again and is restored. Here again (in verse 10), we see the heavenly angels rejoicing with her over the lost being found. Another way of looking at this is the woman being viewed as the church and when a backslidden member comes back, she (the church), rejoices.

Luke 15:10 "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

We see again in this as before, that just one soul is very important to God.

Verses 11-12: The parable of the prodigal son is the most familiar and beloved of all Christ's parables. It is one of the longest and most detailed parable. And unlike most parables, it has more than one lesson. The prodigal is an example of sound repentance.

The elder brother illustrates the wickedness of the Pharisees' self-righteousness, prejudice and indifference toward repenting sinners. And the father pictures God, eager to forgive and longing for the return of the sinner.

The main feature however, as in the other two parables in this chapter, is the joy of God. And the celebrations that fill heaven when a sinner repents.

Luke 15:11-12 "And he said, A certain man had two sons:" "And the younger of them said to [his] father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth [to me]. And he divided unto them [his] living."

"Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me": A shocking request, tantamount to saying he wished his father were dead. He was not entitled to any inheritance while his father still lived.

Yet the father graciously fulfilled the request, giving him his full share, which would have been one-third of the entire estate, because the right of the firstborn (Deut. 21:17), gave the elder brother a double portion.

This act pictures all sinners (related to God the Father by creation), who waste their potential privileges and refuse any relationship with Him, choosing instead a life of sinful self-indulgence.

We can see in this the fact that God has made us a free agent. If it is our will to leave, He will not stop us. God wants our love and loyalty because we desire to give it, not because we are forced too. This son really wants to do his own thing. He rebels against authority at home and wants to be his own boss.

Luke 15:13 "And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living."

"Gathered all together": The prodigal son evidently took his share in liquid assets and left, abandoning his father and heading into a life of iniquity.

"Riotous living": Not merely wasteful extravagance, but also wanton immorality (verse 30). The Greek word for "loose" means "dissolute," or "wasteful," and conveys the idea of an utterly debauched lifestyle.

This journey here is like the journey we take through life. Some people, like the older brother here, never wander into a life of sin. They are saved at a very early age and remain a Christian all their lives.

This is not true with the young brother here. He wants the things of the world and follows that way of life, never thinking of loyalty to the father. We all have an inheritance; some of us lose it by choosing the world.

Luke 15:14-15 "And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want." "And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine."

"To feed swine": This was the worst sort of degradation imaginable for Jesus' Jewish audience; swine were the worst sort of unclean animals.

Luke 15:16 "And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him."

"Would fain have filled his belly with the husks": I.e. Carob pods, used to feed swine but virtually indigestible for humans. In other words, the only reason he did not eat the same food as the swine is that he could not.

"No man gave unto him": He could not even eke out a living by begging. His situation could hardly have been more desperate. Thus, he symbolizes the estranged sinner who is helplessly in despair.

Sin and worldliness lead to desperation. Suddenly, he finds himself in serious trouble with no father to help him. He looks to the world for answers to the problems and winds up in even worse shape. The world has only selfish motives for giving him a job.

For a Hebrew to feed unclean swine would be a very degrading job. He was hungry, dirty, and had no one to look to for help. This is the way most of us are before we turn to the Lord for help.

Luke 15:17 "And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!"

"Came to himself": When his incessant sinning had left him utterly bankrupt and hungry, he was able to think more clearly in that condition, he was a candidate for salvation.

Luke 15:18 "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,"

"Will say unto him": He carefully contemplated what he would say and counted the cost of his repentance (verse 19).

"Sinned against heaven": A euphemism; meaning he had sinned against God. He not only realized the futility of his situation, but he also understood the gravity of his transgressions against the father.

Luke 15:19 "And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants."

This son has found no answers to his problems in this world. He has fallen about as far as you can go, and there is only one way left and that is up. We see a man with a repentant heart. He wants to confess that he has made a mess of his life and that he is willing to do anything his father asks to get back into good graces with him.

You know everything in the world is God's creation. We all belong to Him. It seems that nearly everyone has to hit bottom as this son did, before they will repent and ask God into their lives. Here, this son is making the father his Lord, as well.

Luke 15:20 "And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."

"His father saw him": Clearly, the father had been waiting and looking for his son's return.

"Ran": The father's eagerness and joy at his son's return is unmistakable. This is the magnificent attribute of God that sets Him apart from all the false gods invented by men and demons. He is not indifferent or hostile, but a Savior by nature, longing to see sinners repent and rejoicing when they do.

From (Genesis 3:8 to Revelation 22:17), from the fall to the consummation, God has been and will be seeking to save sinners, and rejoicing each time one repents and is converted.

We see that the father had been waiting for this very moment for his son to come home. He loves him so much that he welcomes this sinner home with a kiss.

Luke 15:21 "And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son."

Note that the son did not get to finish his rehearsed words of repentance before the father interrupted to grant forgiveness. This pictures God's eagerness to forgive.

We see here, the son repents with everything in him. He confesses that he is not worthy to receive forgiveness.

Luke 15:22 "But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put [it] on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on [his] feet:"

"The father said": Without a single word of rebuke for the past, the father pours out his love for the son, and expresses his joy that what was lost had been found. Each of the father's gifts said something unique about his acceptance of the son:

"Robe": Reserved for the guest of honor.

"Ring": A symbol of authority.

"Sandals": These were not usually worn by slaves, and therefore signified his full restoration to sonship.

Luke 15:23 "And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry:"

"The fatted calf": Reserved only for the most special of occasions, a sacrifice or a feast of great celebration. All this (verses 22-23), symbolizes the lavishness of salvation's blessings (Eph. 1:3; 2:4-7).

Luke 15:24 "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."

The best robe the Christian can receive is the white linen robe of righteousness. It shows that we are in right standing with God. We receive it not because we deserve it, but because He loved us and forgave us.

This son was dead in trespasses and sins and is alive forevermore. This is something to be merry about. We see in this ring that he is now family. We see in the shoes that he must walk in this salvation he has acquired as a free gift.

Luke 15:25 "Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing."

"Elder son": He symbolizes the Pharisee, the hypocritical religious person, who stays close to the place of the Father (the temple). But has no sense of sin, no real love for the Father (so as to share in His joy), and no interest in repenting sinners.

Luke 15:26 "And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant."

"And asked what these things meant": For self-righteous persons, as these Scribes and Pharisees were, are ignorant of the truths of the Gospel. They do not understand them, nor conceive what is meant by them they cannot take in the doctrine of God's everlasting love.

They know nothing of the covenant of grace, nor have any other notion but of a covenant of works. And if of any other, yet a conditional one, made with them upon their conversion; or rather, one of their own making and which depends on their good behavior.

Luke 15:27 "And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound."

What must that temper be, which stirs up a man to despise and abhor those for whom the Savior shed his precious blood, who are objects of the Father's choice, and temples of the Holy Ghost! This springs from pride, self-preference, and ignorance of a man's own heart.

The mercy and grace of our God in Christ, shine almost as bright in his tender and gentle bearing with peevish saints, as his receiving prodigal sinners upon their repentance. It is the unspeakable happiness of all the children of God, who keep close to their Father's house; that they are, and shall be ever with him. Happy will it be for those who thankfully accept Christ's invitation.

Luke 15:28 "And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him."

In the latter part of this parable we have the character of the Pharisees, though not of them alone. It sets forth the kindness of the Lord, and the proud manner in which his gracious kindness is often received. The Jews in general, showed the same spirit towards the converted Gentiles; and numbers in every age object to the gospel and its preachers, on the same ground.

We see here, the jealousy of the older brother. The Physical house of Israel thought themselves above their heathen brothers and did not believe they were worth saving. Looking at this, from the old-time believers, they are sometimes jealous because they feel some new Christian is getting too much attention.

Luke 15:29 "And he answering said to [his] father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:"

"I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time": Unlikely, given the boy's obvious contempt for his father, shown by his refusal to participate in the father's great joy. This statement reveals the telltale problem with all religious hypocrites. They will not recognize their sin and repent. The elder son's comment reeks of the same spirit as the words of the Pharisee (in 18:11).

"Yet thou never gavest me a kid": All those years of service to the father appear to have been motivated too much by concern for what he could get for himself. This son's self-righteous behavior was more socially acceptable than the younger brother's debauchery, but it was equally dishonoring to the father, and called for repentance.

Luke 15:30 "But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf."

"Thy son was come": An expression of deep contempt ("this tax collector" in 18:11). He could not bring himself to refer to him as "my brother".

Here again, this could be physical Israel complaining that they have kept the law and lived a strict life. They do not understand God through forgiveness and grace alone restoring the son, and even it appears, favoring the younger son.

Luke 15:31 "And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine."

"All that I have is thine": The inheritance had already been distributed (verse 12). Everything the father had was literally in the elder son's possession. Yet the elder son was begrudging even the love the father showed to the prodigal son.

The Pharisees and scribes had easy access to all the riches of God's truth. They spent their lives dealing with Scripture and public worship, but they never really possessed any of the treasures enjoyed by the repentant sinner.

Luke 15:32 "It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found."

"We should make merry": This summarizes the point of all 3 parables.

Salvation was offered to physical Israel first. In fact, it has always been there for them. All they had to do was take it. The Lord here, reminds the older brother that he should be rejoicing for this, that his brother who was lost and now is found.

Luke Chapter 15 Questions

1. Who did the Pharisees think it was wrong to fellowship with?

2. Why was it impossible for a Pharisee to win anyone to God?

3. In the parable how many sheep did the man have?

4. How many of those were lost?

5. What did the man do when he realized a sheep was lost?

6. What is Jesus proving with this first parable?

7. What does the shepherd do on finding the sheep?

8. What is this lost sheep symbolic of?

9. What does the Christian do when he or she receives Jesus as Savior?

10. There is joy in heaven over ______ who was lost and is found.

11. Who is rejoicing in heaven?

12. Why were they not rejoicing over the 99 others?

13. Who is the second parable about?

14. What has she lost?

15. Since silver means redemption, what had she lost symbolically?

16. What is another idea who the "she" could be, symbolically?

17. In the parable about the prodigal son, how many sons did the man have?

18. Why does God not over rule us and do things His way?

19. What did this younger son do with his inheritance?

20. After his money was gone, what terrible thing happened in the land that caused him to take a job feeding swine?

21. What did he have to eat?

22. Sin and worldliness lead to what?

23. What did the young son decide to do at his most desperate point?

24. How did his father greet him?

25. What did the young son tell the father he was willing to be since he was not worthy to be his son?

26. What three things did his father give him?

27. Who was angry about this?

28. Who do you believe the oldest son to be symbolic of?

29. What did the father say to the eldest son about the younger?

30. Who was salvation offered to first?

Luke Chapter 16

Luke 16:1 "And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods."

"Steward": A steward was a trusted servant, usually someone born in the household, who was chief of the management and distribution of household provision. He provided food for all the other servants, thus managing his master's resources for the well-being of others. He acted as an agent for his master, with full authority to transact business in the master's name.

"Wasted his goods": His prodigality is a thread that ties this parable to the preceding one. Like the younger son in the earlier parable, this manager was guilty of wasting the resources available to him. Like the prodigal, however, he had enough sense to make sure that his wastefulness did not leave him friendless and unprovided for in the future.

We quickly see that Jesus is teaching the disciples here a lesson about being good stewards. Every person who has proclaimed Christianity as a way of life is a steward of the things Jesus has entrusted to them. What a terrible thing for God to leave you in charge of a job and find out later that you are a bad steward.

Some are stewards of money, some are stewards of God's churches, and some are stewards of God's people. To fail in any of these would not only cause a problem for you, but for those you are to minister to, as well.

Luke 16:2 "And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward."

"Thou mayest be no longer steward": By announcing his intention to fire the man, the owner acted unwisely, and it cost him even more. Evidently he thought the man guilty of incompetence, rather than fraud. This would explain his reaction in verse 8.

We see here, the master wants to take account of what he has done. This is like the Lord giving the ministers that He has entrusted a last warning. He is saying, if you didn't repent and do the first work, I will no longer entrust this ministry to you.

The 34th chapter of Ezekiel is speaking of this very same thing. The ministers are called shepherds in Ezekiel. God will not continue on with a bad shepherd or a bad steward.

Luke 16:3 "Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed."

"I cannot dig": I.e., he did not consider himself fit for physical labor.

This steward suddenly sees the error of his ways. His first thought is to do something quick to find favor with his lord. He is not used to physical labor. He wants to earn his way back in favor so that he will not have to beg.

Luke 16:4 "I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses."

"Resolved what to do": Cleverly, he arranged to give large discounts to his master's debtors, which they would eagerly agree to pay.

"Receive me into their houses": By reducing their debts to his master, he gained their indebtedness to him. They would thus be obligated to take him into their homes when he was put out of his master's home.

We see this steward has lost favor with his lord and is trying to make friends with the world. He feels he has already lost out with his lord so he must find somewhere to go. He feels if he makes friends with the world, they will take him in.

Luke 16:5-6 "So he called every one of his lord's debtors [unto him], and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?" "And he said, A hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty."

Here, he is short changing his lord. He makes a deal with the worldly to reduce their debt to buy favor with them. This is really not this steward's oil. It belongs to his lord.

Luke 16:7 "Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore."

We see a repeat of the mistake he made with oil. Bribes have never been pleasing unto God, and this is no exception. In fact, it is worse to bribe the worldly. Not only is it a bad example, but is just getting this steward in trouble with his lord.

Luke 16:8 "And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."

"The lord commended the unjust steward": Outwitted, he applauds the man's cunning. His admiration for the evil steward's criminal genius shows that he too, was a wicked man. It is the natural tendency of fallen hearts to admire a villain's craftiness (Psalm 49:18). Note that all the characters in this parable are unjust, unscrupulous, and corrupt.

"Wiser than": I.e., most believers "sons of light" (John 12:36; Eph. 5:18), are toward the things of God.

Luke 16:9 "And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations."

"Mammon of unrighteousness": I.e. money. The unrighteous manager used his master's money to buy earthly friends; believers are to use their Master's money in a way that will accrue friends for eternity, by investing in the kingdom gospel that brings sinners to salvation, so that when they arrive in heaven ("eternal dwellings"), those sinners will be there to welcome them.

Christ did not commend the man's dishonesty; He pointedly called him "unrighteous" (verse 8). He only used him as an illustration to show that even the most wicked sons of this world are shrewd enough to provide for themselves against coming evil.

Believers ought to be shrewder, because they are concerned with eternal matters, not just earthly ones (Matt. 6:19-21).

To me this means that this steward no longer has a place with his lord. He might as well make the best deal he can, because he has chosen unrighteousness. His place will not be heaven, but his everlasting habitation will be with the unrighteous in hell.

Luke 16:10 "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."

"He that is faithful": Probably a common proverb (19:17; Matt. 25:21).

This is saying a thief is a thief whether he is taking a dollar or $10,000. The amount is not the important thing. A person's heart is either faithful of unfaithful. It really doesn't matter how big or how small. It is the same.

Luke 16:11 "If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true [riches]?"

"True riches": Faithful use of one's earthly wealth is repeatedly tied to the accumulation of treasure in heaven (12:33; 18:22; Matt. 16:19-21).

What this is saying, to me, is if you are not honest here on the earth with your neighbors, then God surely cannot trust you with heavenly treasures. The true riches are like having eternal life. The true riches are heavenly treasures.

Luke 16:12 "And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?"

"That which is another man's": This refers to God, and the believer's stewardship of His money, which believers only manage as stewards.

This to me, could be jumping from material things to men's souls. Ministers are entrusted with the souls of the people they minister to. If the minister fails his converts and causes them to fall, the Lord will see to it that he has none that are his own.

Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

"Ye cannot serve God and mammon": Many of the Pharisees taught that devotion to money and devotion to God were perfectly compatible (verse 14). This went hand-in-hand with the commonly held notion that earthly riches signified divine blessing.

Rich people were therefore regarded as God's favorites. While not condemning wealth per se, Christ denounced both love of wealth and devotion to mammon.

You can only have one Lord. This is saying that you cannot straddle the fence. You must be on God's side or Satan's side. There are no other sides. If you choose money and things of this world over God, you are on Satan's side. The time has come to choose whose side you are on. A worldly person cannot inherit eternal life.

Luke 16:14 "And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him."

These Pharisees, who heard Jesus speaking here, were some of the very people who had put great importance on worldly wealth and prestige. "Deride" here means to sneer. They knew they were guilty of just what Jesus was talking about here, but instead of repenting, they made fun of what Jesus was saying.

Luke 16:15 "And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God."

"Justify yourselves": The Pharisees' belief was that their own goodness was what justified them (Rom. 10:3). This is the very definition of "self-righteousness." But, as Jesus suggested, their righteousness was flawed, being an external veneer only.

That might be enough to justify them before men, but not before God, because He knew their hearts. He repeatedly exposed their habit of seeking the approval of people (Matt. 6:2, 5, 16; 23:28).

These Pharisees are self-righteous. Their hearts are wicked. They have no compassion for others. They have been blinded by their own pride. They may put up a big front to the people and be highly respected by them. God judges the heart, not the outward appearance. God knows how evil they really are. In fact, they are an abomination to God.

Luke 16:16 "The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it."

"Until John": John the Baptist's ministry marked the turning point of redemptive history. Prior to that, the great truths of Christ and His kingdom were veiled in the types and shadows of the law, and promised in the writing of the prophets (1 Pet. 1:10-12).

But John the Baptist introduced the King Himself. The Pharisees, who thought of themselves as experts in the law and the prophets, missed the significance of the very One to who the law and the prophets pointed.

"Every man presseth into it" (Jer. 29:13). While the Pharisees were busy opposing Christ; sinners were entering His kingdom in droves. The language of this expression speaks of violent force, probably signifying the zeal with which sinners were seeking with all of their heart to enter the kingdom. (Isa. 55:6-7; Matt. 11:12).

Jesus told them exactly what they did not want to hear. He said the law had been in effect for a very long time, up until John the Baptist. Jesus tells them that everyone, Jew and Gentile, will be able to enter the kingdom of God in this age of grace. He is saying even you Pharisees must change and accept God's grace. By the foolishness of preaching men are saved.

Luke 16:17 "And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail."

"One tittle of the law to fail": Lest anyone think the statement in verse 16 meant He was declaring the law and the prophets annulled, He added this. The great moral principles of the law, the eternal truth contained in the law's types and symbols, and the promises recorded by the prophets all remain in force and are not abrogated by the kingdom message.

Jesus says even though this kingdom is for everyone, the law is still valid. He will tell them later that He came not to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. God or His law never changes.

Luke 16:18 "Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from [her] husband committeth adultery."

"Committeth adultery": I.e., if the divorce had no legitimate grounds. Luke gave an abbreviated record of Jesus' teaching on divorce, stressing only the main issue. Matthew's fuller account makes it clear that He permitted divorce in cases where one's spouse was guilty of adultery.

This countered the rabbis' doctrine, which permitted men to divorce their wives easily, and for almost any cause (Matt. 19:3).

Jesus quotes one of the laws about marriage to prove His point. He is just saying this has not changed. It is so now as it was with the law.

Luke Chapter 16 Questions

1. What in verse 1 was the steward accused of?

2. Who really are Jesus' stewards?

3. Name several ways we can be a steward.

4. What did his lord request of him in verse two?

5. In the 34th chapter of Ezekiel, what does God do to the bad shepherd?

6. The steward says I cannot _______, to ________ I am ashamed.

7. In verse 4, is this action for his lord or himself?

8. What did he do to find favor with the man who owed 100 measures of oil?

9. How much did he reduce the wheat?

10. In verse 8, Jesus says the children of the world are wiser than whom?

11. Where will this steward's final place be?

12. What does verse 10 mean?

13. Does the dollar amount change the fact that someone is a thief?

14. Verse 12 is speaking not of money, but what probably?

15. In verse 13, we read ye cannot serve ______ and ______.

16. What are the only two ways from which you can choose whom you will follow?

17. What does the word "derided" mean?

18. In verse 14, how are these Pharisees described?

19. They said they justified themselves before whom?

20. That which is highly esteemed of men is an _______ to God?

21. Up until when were the law and prophets in effect?

22. Since that time what had been preached?

23. What did the Pharisees not want to hear?

24. By the foolishness of what are men saved?

25. It is easier for what to fail than for one tittle of the law to fail?

26. Jesus came not to destroy the law but to ______ ______.

27. If you put away your wife to marry another, you commit what sin?

Luke Chapter 16 Continued

Luke 16:19 "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:"

This rich man was very rich. It appears from the scene above that he was sure to use his money for his own personal wants. He seemed to be pampering himself by buying himself fine clothes and eating all sorts of delicate foods.

In 1 Timothy 6:18-19 "That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;" "Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

You see a rich person must not hang on to his riches for themselves, but must be quick to help others in need. That does not seem to be the case with this rich man above. He seemed to be thinking just of himself.

Luke 16:20 "And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,"

"Lazarus": Clearly not the Lazarus (in John 11), who died at a later time. This beggar was the only character in any of Jesus' parables ever given a name. Some therefore have speculated that this was no imaginary tale, but an actual incident that really took place.

Either way, Christ employs it in the same fashion as all His parables, to teach a lesson, in this case for the benefit of the Pharisees. The rich man in the parable is sometimes called Dives, after the Latin word for "rich".

Here is a picture of a person exactly opposite of the rich man. Lazarus lay at his gate, because begging was the only way he had of getting enough to live on.

Luke 16:21 "And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores."

The mention off crumbs, sores, and dogs all made this poor man appear odious in the eyes of the Pharisees. They were inclined to see all such things as proof of divine disfavor. They would have to see all such things as proof of divine disfavor. They would have viewed such a person as not only unclean, but also despised by God.

We see here, the rich man had opportunity. It is strange that the rich man was not named and the beggar was. Two separate dictionaries give two different meanings to Lazarus name. Perhaps this can shed some light on why Lazarus' name was mentioned and not the rich man's. Lazarus means "God help, or God helped". The other meaning was "helpless".

This tells us a lot more about Lazarus. He is unable to help himself and God has heard his cry and helped him. It is not uncommon in the Old Testament for names to bring a hidden message to a Scripture, but we see more clearly from this name, the man Lazarus in this Scripture.

We see also, that Lazarus was not asking much, just the crumbs. He had no one to doctor his sores so the dogs licked them.

Luke 16:22 "And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;"

"Abraham's bosom": This same expression (found only here in Scripture), was used in the Talmud as a figure for heaven. The idea was that Lazarus was given a place of high honor, reclining next to Abraham at the heavenly banquet.

Luke 16:23 "And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom."

"In hell": The suggestion that a rich man would be excluded from heaven would have scandalized the Pharisees; especially galling was the idea that a beggar who ate scraps from his table was granted the place of honor next to Abraham. "Hades" was the Greek term for the abode of the dead.

In the LXX, it was used to translate the Hebrew Sheol, which referred to the realm of the dead in general, without necessarily distinguishing between righteous or unrighteous souls. However, In New Testament usage, "Hades" always refers to the placed of the wicked prior to final judgment in hell.

The imagery Jesus used paralleled the common rabbinical idea that Sheol had two parts, one for the souls of the righteous and the other for the souls of the wicked, separated by an impassable gulf.

But there is no reason to suppose, as some do, that "Abraham's bosom" spoke of a temporary prison for the souls of Old Testaments saints, who were brought to heaven only after He had actually atoned for their sins.

Scripture consistently teaches that the spirits of the righteous dead go immediately into the presence of God (23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:23). And the presence of Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration (9:30), belies the notion that they were confined in a compartment of Sheol until Christ finished His work.

Why is Abraham mentioned here? Possibly because he was the father of the faithful. I love the part that said the angels came and carried him to Abraham's bosom.

It is quite a different story with this selfish, self-centered rich man who had eyes for no one's problems and had spent all his time and money on himself. Hell is not a beautiful scene. There is no need to go into all the horrors. It is important to not go there under any circumstances.

It appears from this that those in hell can see those in heaven which makes their torment worse.

Luke 16:24 "And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame."

"For I am tormented": Christ pictured Hades as a place where the unspeakable torment of hell had already begun. Among the miseries featured here are unquenchable flame; an accusing conscience fed by undying memories of lost opportunity (verse 25), and permanent, irreversible separation from God and everything good (verse 26).

The fact that this rich man calls Abraham father tells us that he was of Hebrew decent. He was some of those who thought they would go to heaven just because they were Abraham's children and grandchildren in the flesh.

In (Luke 3:8), we read that we're not to depend on being an ancestor of Abraham to get them to heaven. Of course, those in heaven have no desire to go to hell, even for the purpose he mentioned here. There is a great gulf fixed. They could not go, even if they wanted to. We do see from the Scripture above that hell is a place of torment and fire.

Luke 16:25 "But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented."

We must notice here that Abraham does not deny that this rich man is a descendent of his. He calls him son. Abraham reminds him that he had opportunity to help Lazarus and he didn't. Had this rich man used his money and prestige to help this poor beggar, then both of them would have been in heaven together.

Luke 16:26 "And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence."

Really these people who are in hell have been put there by the Lord. They had no control over going back and forth. They made their choice on earth; and once doomed to hell, there is no escape. The same thing applies to those who make heaven.

The way we live here on earth determines our final resting place. We must choose Jesus and His ways, if we are to make heaven. If we do not choose Jesus, then we are automatically on the side of Satan and will go to hell.

The decision is here on the earth before you die. There is no changing your mind after you die. Good and evil are miles apart here on earth, but even further in eternity.

Luke 16:27-28 "Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:" "For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment."

"Send him to my father's house": The rich man retained a condescending attitude toward Lazarus even in hell, repeatedly asking Abraham to "send" Lazarus to wait on him (verse 24). The flames of hell do not atone for sin or purge hardened sinners for their depravity (Rev. 22:11).

I do not know anyone on the earth that I desire this type of torment to come to. Perhaps, that is why I am trying to write these Bible studies, to let people know before it is too late about heaven and hell.

One of the most dangerous false doctrines going around today would have you and I believe that there is no literal heaven and hell; that they are just of the mind. Don't you believe it!

Hell is real as this rich man found out too late. He finally realized there is no help for him. Now he wants someone to go and tell his brothers. He believes if maybe they could hear from someone who actually had died, they would believe.

Now the rich man's concern is for his five brothers. They are rich too, and he wants to make sure they don't do the same sin that got him in this terrible place.

Luke 16:29 "Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them."

"Moses and the prophets": I.e., the Old Testament Scriptures.

By this he is saying they have an equal opportunity to accept or reject the teaching of God. We said before, by the foolishness of preaching men are saved. That is the very reason God sent Moses and the prophets. That was their job to deliver the people; not only from physical bondage, but spiritual as well.

Luke 16:30 "And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent."

This speaks prophetically here, because Jesus will rise from the dead. He does appear to them 40 days and nights after His Resurrection. He does tell them, and all others who will listen even unto our day, in His Word. Will they repent?

Luke 16:31 "And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."

"Neither will they be persuaded": This speaks powerfully of the singular sufficiency of
Scripture to overcome unbelief.

The gospel itself is the power of God unto salvation. (Rom. 1:16). Since unbelief is at heart a moral, rather than an intellectual problem, no amount of evidences will ever turn unbelief to faith. But the revealed Word of God has inherent power to do so (John 6:63; Heb. 4:12; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23).

Those who have hardened their hearts will not believe Moses' words in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. They will not believe God's only begotten Son, Jesus, though He rose from the grave. There is your answer. The have chosen the world and its riches over God.

Luke Chapter 16 Continued Questions

1. How was the rich man dressed?

2. How did he fare in this world?

3. What did the rich man use his wealth for?

4. In 1 Timothy 6:18-19, what should a rich person do to please God?

5. What was the beggar's name?

6. What visible sickness did He have?

7. How did Lazarus make a living?

8. What did Lazarus desire to be fed with?

9. What does the name Lazarus mean?

10. Who carried the beggar to Abraham's bosom?

11. Where did the rich man go when he died?

12. What did the rich man see?

13. Why is Abraham possibly mentioned in this heavenly scene?

14. What does the rich man call Abraham?

15. What did he want Abraham to do?

16. What does the name the rich man called Abraham tell us about his nationality?

17. In Luke 3:8, God wanted them not to depend on what to get them to heaven?

18. What did Abraham remind the rich man of?

19. By what name did Abraham address him?

20. What is fixed between heaven and hell?

21. Who is the only one who has control over who goes where?

22. When do we still have control over where we go?

23. When he sees there is no hope for him, what does he ask Abraham to do?

24. How many brothers does he have?

25. What is one of the most dangerous false doctrines of our day?

26. Who did Abraham tell him they should listen to?

27. Who is intended by someone from the dead who went to them?

28. What books in the Old Testament did Moses write?

29. Name some of the prophets.

Luke Chapter 17

Luke 17:1 "Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe [unto him], through whom they come!"

"Offences": Literally snares. It is expected that those in the world will cause Christians to be offended, stumble and sin, and they will be judged for it. But it should not be that fellow believers lead others into sin, directly or indirectly. One would be better off dead (Rom. 13:14; 19:21; 15:2; 1 Cor. 8:13).

Luke 17:2 "It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones."

"A millstone": Literally "the millstone of a donkey."

"Little ones": Believers; God's children who are under His care. This speaks not of literal children, but children in the sense described (in Matthew 18:3-4), those who have humbled themselves like children, i.e., true believers (Matt. 18:6).

Possibly, some of what Jesus is saying here is preparing the disciples for the hardships that lie ahead. Jesus is speaking prophetically about Judas Iscariot being the one the offence will come from. He says woe to the one it comes by.

Little ones here could be new Christians; this is also a warning to the disciples that their way will not be easy either. There is tribulation in this life for all followers of Jesus.

Luke 17:3 "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him."

"Rebuke him": It is the Christian's duty to deal straightforwardly with a brother or sister in sin.

This is Jesus speaking to the disciples. He is saying make sure that you are living right before you start correcting someone else. We see here that people in ministering capacity are supposed to point out sins (in love). Make sure this same sin is not in your own life, before you point it out in someone else.

Jesus is also saying, be quick to forgive them and start them out again. Church is a hospital for sinners, not a hotel for saints.

Luke 17:4 "And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."

"Seven times in a day": I.e., no matter how many times he sins and repents. The number 7 was not to set a limit on the number of times to forgive (Psalm 119:164), but precisely the opposite. Christ meant that forgiveness should be granted unendingly (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).

Jesus is saying in this to continue to forgive him as many times as he asks. Seven, you remember, means spiritually complete. This is not to be thought of literally, but just to mean every time they ask. It is not for us to ask whether they really repented or not, just forgive them when they ask.

Luke 17:5 "And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith."

"Increase our faith": Literally, "Give us more faith." They felt inadequate in the face of the high standard He set for them.

Everyone has been given a measure of faith as we read (in Romans 12:3). The way to increase the faith is by using our faith. Practice using your faith and it will grow. There is a gift of faith also, which is perhaps what the twelve are asking Jesus for here. We know that without faith it is impossible to please God.

Luke 17:6 "And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you."

"Faith as a grain of mustard seed": True faith, by Christ's definition, always involves surrender to the will of God. What He was teaching here is nothing like positive-thinking psychology. He was saying that both the source and the object of all genuine faith, even the weak, mustard-seed variety, is God. And "nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1:37).

Jesus tells His own here, that even a little faith can bring about mighty miracles. It seems unreasonable that a tree would uproot itself and be planted in another place. Jesus says, if you had as much faith as the size of the very small mustard seed, the tree would do it. A tree mentioned in the New Testament. Probably (the black mulberry).

Not maybe, it would! The problem is, we doubt. We jump now to a whole new subject, the parable of the unprofitable servants.

Verses 7-10: The point of this parable was that a slave, or servant, should expect no special reward for doing what was his duty in the first place. The demanding standards Christ set, (verses 1-4), may have seemed too high to the disciples, but they represented only the minimal duties for a servant of Christ. Those who obey are not to think their obedience is meritorious.

Luke 17:7 "But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?"

Jesus is explaining here that the servant usually serves his lord, even if he has been in the field working. The servant generally has his own quarters and eats at his own table or else waits until the family is finished and then he eats.

Luke 17:8 "And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?"

Jesus is teaching here the difference in the lord and his servant. The duty of the servant is to serve his lord. We Christians are servants of the Lord. We must serve Him as long as He desires. We cannot quit a job because it gets hard, but we must work until the Lord says it is enough and releases us from that job.

Luke 17:9 "Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not."

This was his job. The boss doesn't thank you every time you get a job done. That is your obligation if you are working for him. We workers for the Lord do not have to be thanked either. It is our obligation to do the job the Lord has given us.

Luke 17:10 "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do."

"Unprofitable servants": I.e., not worthy of any special honor.

We don't need applause for every little job we do. Our reward will come when our Lord says, "Well done thy good and faithful servant". We do not need or deserve the praise of the world for doing our job.

Luke 17:11 "And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee."

"To Jerusalem ... passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee": Luke did not explain the reason for such a circuitous route, but a comparison of the gospels yields several clues. It appears that time elapsed between verse 10 and verse 11. The raising of Lazarus at Bethany, near Jerusalem (John 11), appears to fit into this timeframe.

John 11:54 states that after raising Lazarus, to avoid the authorities who were seeking to kill Him, Christ went to "a city called Ephraim", north of Jerusalem near the border of Samaria.

From there He apparently traveled north through Samaria and Galilee one more time, possibly to join friends and family from Galilee who would be making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover. From there He would have traveled south by the conventional route, which would have brought Him through Jericho (18:35), to Jerusalem.

This just reminds us again, that this is toward the end of Jesus' ministry. He is headed for Jerusalem.

Luke 17:12 "And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:"

"Lepers": These men were ceremonially defiled and forced to live outside the village (Lev. 13:4; Num. 5:2-3). They were legally required to stand at a distance, and thus their communication with Christ was by shouting.

These ten men stood afar off because they were to be separated from their people when the priest declared them with leprosy. They were to cry out "unclean" when anyone came near them. This was an incurable disease unless God healed you. "Ten" we know symbolizes world government. We also know that leprosy was symbolic of sin.

Luke 17:13 "And they lifted up [their] voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us."

"Have mercy on us" (16:24; 18:38-39; Matt. 9:27; 15:22; 17:15; 20:31; Mark 10:47-48). This was a common plea from those desiring healing.

This should be the cry of everyone in the whole world, not just these lepers. The mercy of the Lord is what saves every one of us even though we do not deserve saving. This lifting of their voice here was so that Jesus would hear them over the crowd. Notice they call Him Master. They believed He would heal them.

When a person was healed of leprosy, he had to show himself to the priest so the priest could proclaim him healed. When the priest said he was healed, he could move back home and begin his life again. Instead of Jesus saying you are healed. He just said go show yourself to the priest as you see in the next verse.

Luke 17:14 "And when he saw [them], he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed."

"Go shew yourselves unto the priests": I.e., to be declared clean (Lev. 13:2-3; 14:2-32).

We see by this, that Jesus sent them on their way before the leprosy left. They had to activate their faith to be made whole. As they went, they were healed. Many times, the Lord had the one He was healing to do something to show that they believed they would be healed.

Luke 17:15 "And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,"

"One of them ... turned back": His response was reminiscent of the conduct of Naaman (2 Kings 5:15), "The others, eager to be declared clean so that they could return to normal life in society, evidently continued on to the priest, forgetting to give thanks.

Luke 17:16 "And fell down on [his] face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan."

"He was a Samaritan": Jesus' sending the lepers to show themselves to the priest suggests that they were Jewish. This Samaritan had been permitted to associate with them when all were ceremonially unclean, but in their healing, they did not share his deep gratitude.

We see here a grateful man. He gives God the glory for his healing. All ten were healed, only one came back to praise God. He was a humble man falling down on his face at Jesus' feet. A Samaritan was hated of the Jews, perhaps he thought Jesus might not help him because of his nationality, and his gratitude was overwhelming.

Luke 17:17-18 "And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where [are] the nine?" "There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger."

"This stranger": Evidently Jesus did not view "Samaritans as anything more or less than other Gentiles.

Jesus, calling this Samaritan a stranger, makes it appear that the other nine were perhaps Hebrews. These nine quickly forgot where their healing came from and didn't bother to come back and praise God.

Luke 17:19 "And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."

"Made thee whole": Literally "saved you".

This same message was given to nearly everyone Jesus healed (your faith hath made you whole). Jesus could heal them, but they had to accept the healing.

Luke Chapter 17 Questions

1. Jesus warned the disciples that _________ would come.

2. What did He say about the one they come by?

3. What would be better than offending one of the little ones?

4. Why is Jesus prophetically speaking of bringing offences?

5. If a brother trespasses against you, what two things should you do?

6. What did Jesus warn them about correcting someone?

7. Church is a _______ for sinners, not a _________ for saints.

8. How many times in a day did Jesus tell them to forgive?

9. In verse 5, what did the apostles ask Jesus to do?

10. What do we read about faith in Romans 12:3?

11. Without faith it is ________________ ___ ___________ _______.

12. What small item did Jesus compare faith with in verse 5?

13. What could you say to a sycamine tree and have it obey you, if you had faith?

14. Why can't we do miracles in Jesus' name?

15. What is this parable about the servant explaining?

16. What is the duty of a servant?

17. When is it okay to stop a fight?

18. Where was Jesus headed for when He met the lepers?

19. How many lepers were there?

20. What did a leper cry when anyone came near?

21. What did the lepers call Jesus?

22. What is leprosy symbolic of?

23. Why did Jesus tell them to show themselves to the priest?

24. How many came back and praised God?

25. When did the actual healing take place?

26. What one word makes us know the Samaritan was with nine lepers who were Israelites?

27. What did Jesus tell the Samaritan made him whole?

Luke Chapter 17 Continued

Luke 17:20 "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:"

"When the kingdom of God should come": They may have asked the question mockingly, having already concluded that He was not the Messiah.

"Cometh not with observation": The Pharisees believed that the Messiah's triumph would be immediate.

They were looking for Him to come, overthrow Rome, and set up the millennial kingdom. Christ's program was altogether different. He was inaugurating an era in which the kingdom would be manifest in the rule of God in men's hearts through faith in the Savior (Verse 21; Rom. 14:17).

That kingdom was neither confined to a particular geographical location nor visible to human eyes. It would come quietly, invisibly, and without the normal pomp and splendor associated with the arrival of a king.

Jesus did not suggest that the Old Testament promises of an earthly kingdom where hereby nullified. Rather, that earthly, visible manifestation of the kingdom is yet to come (Rev. 20:1-6).

Luke 17:21 "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

"Is within you": I.e., within people's hearts. The pronoun could hardly refer to the Pharisees in general.

The word kingdom is in the book of Luke 44 times. The kingdom that Jesus is speaking of here is when we make Jesus, King and Lord of our lives. A Christian carries Jesus in his heart. In that sense, the kingdom of God is within every Christian.

Luke 17:22 "And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see [it]."

"The days will come": This introduces a brief discourse that has some similarities to the Oliver
Discourse (of Matt. Chapters 24 and 25).

"Ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man": I.e., desire to have Him physically present. This suggests a longing for His return to set things right (Rev. 6:9-11; 22:20).

Jesus is telling these disciples. I am with you now, but there will come a time when I will not be with you. You will long to see me, but I won't be there.

Luke 17:23 "And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after [them], nor follow [them]."

No one should consider the claims of self-styled messiahs because all of them are false. When Christ returns, no one will miss it (Matt. 24:27-28).

In (verse 22 above), we see that this message is to all followers of Jesus for all time, because it said those who have disciplined themselves to follow Jesus (the disciples). Throughout the ages every Christian has longed to see Jesus. Verse 23 above is looking to our time.

Everyone is looking for Jesus. We must be careful not to look in the wrong places. We are warned not to go looking for Jesus in any out of the way places. We will see in the next verse where we will find Him.

Luke 17:24 "For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one [part] under heaven, shineth unto the other [part] under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day."

In the book of Acts the first chapter:

Acts 1:9-11 "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." "And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;" "Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."

You see, when Jesus returns to earth, it won't be a secret. Every eye will see Him. We don't need to run around looking for His appearing. We will know it when He comes.

Luke 17:25 "But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation."

"Must suffer": I.e., because it was the sovereign plan of God for Him to die as a substitute for sinners. (9:22; 18:31-33; 24:25-26; Matt. 16:21; Mark 8:31).

We see here, that Jesus has jumped from His second coming to the earth in verse 24, back to the time they were in. This suffering and rejection would happen in Jerusalem just a few days from when Jesus was telling the disciples this. He would be rejected by His own people, the Hebrews. He would be whipped, spit upon, and then crucified.

With Jesus, as with the Father, a thousand years can be as one day. Jesus foreknew all the things that would happen at crucifixion and at His second coming. He tells of both here in reverse order so His followers would not try to figure out the exact time.

Luke 17:26 "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man."

"As it was in the days of Noah": Jesus' emphasis here is not so much on the extreme wickedness of Noah's day (Gen. 6:5), but on the people's preoccupation with mundane matters of everyday life. "Eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage" (Matt. 24:38), when judgment fell suddenly.

They had received warnings, in the form on Noah's preaching (2 Pet. 2:5), and the ark itself, which was a testimony to the judgment that was to come. But they were unconcerned about such matters and therefore were swept away unexpectedly in the midst of their daily activities.

Now again here, Jesus has jumped to telling them about how it will be at His second coming to the earth. In Noah's day, people had gotten so evil that God decided to destroy them. Our day is just as bad as it was then. I believe that is one of the signs that Jesus is coming soon.

Luke 17:27 "They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all."

There is a great deal of this teaching in our book on Genesis, so we will not go into detail here. It is enough to know that God was fed up with their evil and destroyed them because of it. Noah found favor in the sight of God, and he and his family were saved.

God will not always overlook sin. There is time when punishment falls. Read (2 Timothy 3), and you can see our people are in the last days right now. Then the wrath of God will fall, as it did on these people in Noah's day.

Luke 17:28 "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;"

"As it was in the days of Lot": I.e., judgment came suddenly, destroying people in the midst of their everyday activities (Gen. 19:24-25). None of the things Jesus cited with regard to Noah's day or Lot's day were inherently sinful. But people were so absorbed in the things of this life that they were utterly unprepared when the time of judgment came.

Luke 17:29 "But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed [them] all."

Sodom, where Lot lived, was a community where homosexuals and lesbians lived. Their minds were perverted. Even married people, such as Lot's daughters and their husbands, had no natural relations. The men were homosexuals. Homosexuality is rampant in our land today. Do we think we are better than Sodom?

God will destroy this land, if we do not have a national repentance from this terrible sin. The disease AIDS which has swept through a number of countries, I believe is a warning from God to straighten up or else.

Luke 17:30 "Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed."

How much clearer can it be? The time is NOW! Jesus could be back at any moment and be revealed as king of Kings and Lord of lords. REPENT AND BE SAVED!!!

Luke 17:31 "In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back."

"Housetop": The typical house had a flat roof with an external stairway. The danger would be so great that those on the roofs should flee, without going into the house to retrieve anything.

Just as Lot and his family were not to look back; we see we are not to look back. When Jesus calls, just go with no hesitation.

Luke 17:32 "Remember Lot's wife."

Lot's wife was destroyed on the very threshold of deliverance. Here attachment to Sodom was so powerful that she delayed and looked back; she was overwhelmed by oncoming judgment, just before reaching the place of safety (Gen. 19:26).

You remember, she looked back and turned to a pillar of salt.

Luke 17:33 "Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it."

"Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased": Jesus favored this sort of paradoxical play on words (9:24; 13:30; 17:33; 18:14; Matt. 23:11-12). This comment made the point of Matthew 14:8-10 clear. The point of this whole lesson closely parallels (Proverbs 25:6-7).

Our life is but a vapor on this earth, it soon passes. This earth is not our home. We need not try to hang on to something so temporary. Spend your life on earth working for God, not worrying about tomorrow.

Luke 17:34 "I tell you, in that night there shall be two [men] in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left."

The meaning of this verse is similar to (Matthew 24:40-41). Of two persons sitting near each other, one shall be taken and the other left. The calamity would be sudden, and would come upon them before they were aware.

I do not believe that this means two homosexuals, as many believe today. When two men sleep in one bed, it does not necessarily mean they are evil. This just means one of these men is a follower of Jesus and the other is not.

It is interesting to me that this Scripture says in that night, as if the catching away is at night. I am not saying that it will be. This could be symbolic of darkness or could actually be at night. I can't say for sure.

Luke 17:35 "Two [women] shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left."

See, this straightens out the Scripture before. These 2 women are working together. Again, it is just explaining that one is saved and the other is lost. The lost one rejected Jesus as the Savior.

Luke 17:36 "Two [men] shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."

We see here, an indication that it might be during daylight. People don't work in the field at night, ordinarily. Another thought is that daylight here is night on the other side of the world. Just because two people work together does not mean they are both saved.

Luke 17:37 "And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body [is], thither will the eagles be gathered together."

"Will the eagles be gathered": The location of a carcass is visible from great distances because of the circling carrion birds overhead (Job. 39:27-30). Similarly, Christ's return will be clearly evident to all near and far. The same point is made by the lightning in verse 27. The vulture-dead body imagery here also speaks of the judgment that will accompany His return (Rev. 19:21).

Luke Chapter 17 Continued Questions

1. Who demanded Jesus to tell them when the kingdom of God would come?

2. Where did Jesus say the kingdom of God is?

3. How many times is the word kingdom used in Luke?

4. What kingdom is Jesus speaking of here?

5. What did Jesus tell the disciples they would desire to see and could not?

6. What did Jesus say to do when someone tried to get you to go somewhere to find Him?

7. Who are the disciples?

8. In verse 24, we realize the second coming of Christ will be seen where?

9. In what book of the Bible do we read that Jesus will come back the same way He went to heaven?

10. In verse 25 Jesus says before all that He had explained happened, what had to happen?

11. In verse 26. whose days did Jesus compare the days of His second coming with?

12. What similarity is there?

13. What other man's days did He compare to His second coming?

14. What sin was predominate in Luke?

15. What is the suggestion of the author to those who are not ready to meet God?

16. When Jesus comes, what does verse 31 say we should do if we are on the housetop?

17. What happened to Lot's wife when she looked back?

18. Whosoever shall seek to save his life ______ _______ _______.

19. What in verse 34 happens to the two men in the bed?

20. Does night in verse 34 mean Jesus will come at night?

21. What were the women doing when the second coming came?

22. What question did the disciples ask Jesus about the catching away?

23. What does the body symbolize?

24. What do eagles symbolize?

Luke Chapter 18

Luke 18:1 "And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"

"Ought always to pray": A common theme in Paul's epistles (Romans 1:9; 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thess. 5:17; 2 Thess. 1:11).

Some would have us believe that praying just one time for a thing is enough, but this parable teaches just the opposite. We should be continually in an attitude of prayer. We should keep praying until we see the answer to prayer. The Bible says the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Luke 18:2 Saying, "There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:"

Which feared not God, neither regarded man": This man was thoroughly wicked. Christ described him as "unrighteous" (verse 6), like the manager (in 16:8). The judge is not given as a symbol of God, but rather in contrast to Him.

If such an unrighteous man would respond to persistent pleas, would not God, who is not only just, but also loving and merciful, do so more readily?

Jesus is showing in this parable, this judge who is not a believer in any sense of the word. This judge is not swayed because he has no regard for man or God. His judgment is based on pure fact and is calculated with no feeling.

Luke 18:3 "And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary."

This woman has had someone cause her problems. Possibly because she was a widow, this person thought she was helpless and took advantage of her. She comes to this worldly judge and wants him to take action against this evil person.

Luke 18:4-5 "And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;" "Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me."

"She weary me": Literally "hit under the eye." What the judge would not do out of compassion for the widow or reverence for God, he would do out of sheer frustration with her incessant pleading.

This woman just wouldn't give up. She came over and over again and kept bringing her petition before this judge, until she wore him down. Her perseverance caused him to finally act upon this to get rid of her. This is also the way we should pray. We should bring our request over and over unto God until He tells us to hush or until He answers our prayer.

Luke 18:6 "And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith."

"Hear what the unjust judge saith": I.e., listen to the point of the story, namely that God, who always does right and is filled with compassion for believers who suffer, will certainly respond to His beloved ones who cry for His help (verse 7).

Jesus is telling His disciples, of then and now, that persistence pays off. Even this man who seemingly had no heart did what she asked, because she kept on asking until he did.

Luke 18:7 "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?"

Jesus is saying here, that God with His tender heart hears our prayers and will avenge for us. The only difference here is that God is trying to give them ample time to repent, before His judgment falls upon them.

Luke 18:8 "I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"

"Speedily": He may delay long, but He does so for good reason (2 Pet. 3:8-9), and when He acts, His vengeance is swift.

"Shall he find faith": This suggests that when He returns, the true faith will be comparatively rare, as in the days of Noah (17:26), when only 8 souls were saved. The period before His return will be marked by persecution, apostasy, and unbelief (Matt. 24:9-13, 24).

This question here to me, is saying just because God has not already answered your prayer. Have you stopped believing that He will? God's time and our time are two different things. Fifty years is nothing to Him, but with us it is half a lifetime. We must keep the faith regardless of whether it appears He has answered our prayer or not.

Our faith pleases God. Faith can move a mountain or get you to heaven. God's judgement is not slack as we read (in 2 Peter).

2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Luke 18:9 "And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:"

This parable is rich with truth about the doctrine of justification by faith. It illustrates perfectly how a sinner who is utterly devoid of personal righteousness may be declared righteous before God instantaneously through an act of repentant faith. The parable is addressed to Pharisees who trusted their own righteousness (verses 10-11).

Such confidence in one's inherent righteousness is a damning hope (Rom. 10:3; Phil. 3:9), because human righteousness, even the righteousness of the most fastidious Pharisee, falls short of the divine standard (Matt. 5:48).

Scripture consistently teaches that sinners are justified when God's perfect righteousness is imputed to their account (Gen. 15:6; Rom.4:4-5; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:4-9). And it was only on that basis that this tax collector (or anyone else), could be saved.

Remember, that Jesus spoke in parables, so that people who were worldly would not understand with their mind and accept Him through knowledge and not the spirit. Jesus is speaking here to self-righteous people who are down on everyone else. By speaking in parables, they could not accuse Him. This is what He said.

Luke 18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican."

Remember, the publican was the hated tax collector and the Pharisee was one who was strict in the keeping of the law. Both of the men in this parable went to pray at the temple. The Pharisee probably went regularly to pray at the temple twice a day to conform to the law.

Luke 18:11 "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican."

It appears he prayed words pleasing to himself. His conceit shows. He didn't even humble himself before God, but stood while he prayed. To me, it appears that he is saying, God take a look at how great I am. I see no repentance or humbleness at all. I see a self-centered man who is trying to prove how great he is to God.

Luke 18:12 "I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess."

Here again, he is bragging to God about how wonderful he is.

Luke 18:13 "And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner."

The tax collector's humility is notable in everything about his posture and behavior. Here was a man who had been made to face the reality of his own sin, and his only response was abject humility and repentance. He contrasts with the Pharisee in virtually every detail.

"God be merciful": He had no hope but the mercy of God. This is the point to which the law aims to bring every sinner (Rom. 3:19-20; 7:13; Gal. 3:22-24).

We see, here, a humble man. He is in direct contrast to the Pharisee. Fear (reverence), keeps him from even looking up to heaven. He realizes he is a sinner and begs for mercy. In (1 John 1:8-10), we see that this publican is telling the truth and the Pharisee is in error.

1 John 1:8-10 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

We must be like the publican and beg mercy.

Luke 18:14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

"Justified": I.e., reckoned righteous before God by means of an imputed righteousness.

"Justified" means: "just as if I had never sinned". The justified, here, is the publican who humbled himself before God.

Moses was said to be the humblest man in the Old Testament. We know that God exalted him to the point that he led three million (approximately), Hebrews out of Egyptian bondage. The Pharaoh exalted himself, and God (through the ten plagues), brought Pharaoh down.

Luke 18:15 "And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when [his] disciples saw [it], they rebuked them."

These disciples felt that these people were wasting Jesus' time. They thought, what could Jesus touching a baby do? It could raise up a John the Baptist or someone like him, that's all. These babies, not baptized, but promised to God, would be the next generation of disciples. Listen to Jesus' answer to them.

Luke 18:16 "But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."

We are all little children to God. These children could miss many a heartache if they decide to follow Jesus at a very early age. A child raised in the church when they are little will always follow God when they are old. Sometimes in their teens or twenties, they may wander away, but when they get a little older, they always come back to their early training.

The kingdom of God is made up of people who have accepted Jesus with a humble heart like a child. We see this very thing said by Jesus (in verse 17), below.

Luke 18:17 "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."

"As a little child": This is how Jesus characterized conversion. Like the Beatitudes, it pictures faith as the simple, helpless trusting dependence of those who have no resources of their own. Like children, they have no achievements and no accomplishments to offer or commend themselves with.

Little children have a special humbleness and are easily taught. Most adults are not this way. When a person is converted, it means he turned from his old ways and starts out brand new. A little child is enthusiastic and eager to learn, and has a love that is forgiving. He has simple trust.

This does not mean you have to be a little child, but that you must have the humbleness and total dependence on God that the little child has. We must receive the kingdom of God as a free gift. We cannot earn it, and we certainly do not deserve it, as this Pharisee thought. We get it through the grace of God by faith.

Luke Chapter 18 Questions

1. How often should men pray?

2. What kind of prayer availeth much?

3. In verse 2, what kind of judge is this speaking of?

4. What does he (judge) base his decisions on?

5. Who came to this judge for help?

6. What did the judge reply at first?

7. Why did he finally listen to the woman?

8. What does this teach us about praying?

9. Why has God not already avenged for His own elect?

10. What question did Jesus ask in verse 9?

11. How would you answer this?

12. What do we read in 2nd Peter chapter 3, verse 9 that tells us of His love even for those who have not repented?

13. The people Jesus spoke this to, trusted in whom?

14. In verse 10, who were the two who went to the temple to pray?

15. Who was the publican?

16. Who was the Pharisee?

17. What attitude did the Pharisee have?

18. What were some of the bragging remarks the Pharisee made?

19. What does 1st John chapter 1. verses 8-10 teach us about sin?

20. Which was justified the publican or the Pharisee?

21. What does "justified" mean?

22. Which two Old Testament people did the author use to show how God exalts or brings down someone? Explain.

23. Why did they bring infants to Jesus?

24. Why did the disciples rebuke them for bringing the infants?

25. Jesus said "suffer little children to ________ ____ ______ and ________ __________ _________.

26. Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise _________ ________.

27. What exactly is this Scripture saying?

Luke Chapter 18 Continued

Luke 18:18 "And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

The Scripture tells us here that a ruler asked Jesus, but it does not tell us what ruler. He called Jesus, Good Master. Jesus is his Master. He has a valid question which should be the same question every person asks at some time in their life. What must I do to be saved?

Luke 18:19 "And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none [is] good, save one, [that is], God."

Notice that Jesus did not say He was not good. He just said that only God was good. You could take it that Jesus is explaining in a roundabout way that He is God the Son who took on the form of flesh and dwelt among us.

No person on this earth is good. Jesus is holy. In fact, He said be ye holy as I am holy. If we really look at this, then we see who Jesus really is.

Luke 18:20 "Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother."

Jesus names a few of the ten commandments of God. Jesus knew which ones the man had kept without the man replying. Jesus tells him, you are educated in these things. You already know the commandments.

Luke 18:21 "And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up."

This is almost a bragging answer he gave here; as if he is saying to Jesus, I am a religious man who keeps all the laws. In a recent lesson, we learned that Jesus does not want us proud. We must be humble to receive eternal life.

Luke 18:22 "Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me."

This is not to be taken as a rule for everyone to do to be saved. The reason Jesus told this ruler this, is because he had put too much importance on his money and the prestige it brought him.

His wealth had become a god to him. This man's treasures were not in heaven, but here on the earth in his own possessions. To follow Jesus then or now, a person must sometimes leave home, family, and things of the world.

Luke 18:23 "And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich."

His riches meant more to him than God did. This young ruler should have done like Zacchaeus that we will read about (in Luke 19). Jesus didn't even have to tell him to give. His heart was pure. He volunteered that 1/2 of his goods would go to the poor and anyone he had cheated any, he would restore them fourfold.

God does not mind you having money. Your wealth must not come between you and God. You must be quick to give to the needy and must not look down on those less fortunate than you.

Luke 18:24 "And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"

A wealthy person has a difficult time making anyone their Lord. They are in the habit of being lord and master themselves. They do not want to lose control of their life or their money. Jesus will not be your Savior unless He can be your Lord, as well.

Luke 18:25 "For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

We see here, something that seems impossible, but nothing is impossible with God. Rich men and women must humble themselves and bow to Jesus. They must make Jesus Lord of their lives to receive Him, just as all the poor people do. It is just a little harder for the rich, because they have more to give up.

Luke 18:26 "And they that heard [it] said, Who then can be saved?"

Most of these people here were Hebrews who knew of the great wealth that many of the old patriarchs had. It didn't displease God then, why would it displease God now to have wealth. Abraham had been rich in gold, silver, and cattle. David had been very rich.

The difference is that their riches were blessings from God. They were not a stumbling block which kept them from the Lord. A very good example was Job who was very wealthy. Satan took it all away from Job, and Job still blessed God. God gave Job back even more than he had originally, because He could trust him with the riches.

Luke 18:27-30 "And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." "Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee." "And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake," "Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting."

Matthew and Mark deal with this very same subject. All three of them together give you a very broad idea of this. The blessings that the disciples then and Jesus' disciples today share is the tribulation that goes along with the joy we have in serving Him. The greatest reward is the reward in heaven which brings eternal life.

Luke 18:31 "Then he took [unto him] the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished."

"All things ... written by the prophets": E.g. (Psalm 22:69; Isaiah chapter 53; Daniel 9:26; Zechariah 13:7).

These twelve are the apostles; the chosen ones. Jesus is headed for Jerusalem and has begun to tell them about His crucifixion.

Luke 18:32 "For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:"

"Delivered unto the Gentiles": Each prophecy of His death (9:22, 44; 12:50; 13:32-33; 17:25), was more explicit than the last. This is His first mention of being turned over to the Gentiles.

Luke 18:33 "And they shall scourge [him], and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again."

"He shall rise again": Christ had predicted His resurrection on the third day before (9:22). But the disciples missed the import of these words, and when He actually did rise, they were surprised by it (24:6).

Jesus is telling them in detail what they can expect to happen to Him when they get to Jerusalem. The Gentiles mentioned here are the Romans. He tells them that He will be spit upon, whipped, and crucified. He also tells them that He will rise again.

Luke 18:34 "And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken."

"They understood none of these things": The whole matter of Christ's death and resurrection was not grasped by the 12. The reason may have been that they were enamored with other ideas about the Messiah and how His earthly rule would operate (Matt. 22; 17:10; Acts 1:6).

These disciples thought of Jesus as the most powerful force in the world. They could not comprehend Him being spit on and crucified. He had escaped so many times. They did not understand that this crucifixion would be His greatest victory. They had never experienced anyone rising from the grave except Lazarus, and they just didn't understand.

Luke 18:35 "And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:"

"Jericho": A city located about 15 miles northeast of Jerusalem and 5 miles from the Jordan River. The route from Perea to Jerusalem passed through it. This is the only recorded visit of Jesus to Jericho.

We have already dealt with this blind beggar being healed, so we will just touch briefly on it here. It is (in Matthew chapter 20 and Mark chapter 10), as well. The only way a blind man could make a living was to beg. Jericho is on the way to Jerusalem.

Luke 18:36 "And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant."

We see here, that a crowd was still following Jesus. It is only natural that the blind man would ask what was going on because of the great multitude following Jesus.

Luke 18:37 "And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by."

Everyone by this time had heard of the miracles Jesus had done. This blind man was not deaf and he had heard, too.

Luke 18:38 "And he cried, saying, Jesus, [thou] son of David, have mercy on me."

"Son of David": An affirmation that he recognized Jesus as the Messiah and King.

We see that this blind man was blind physically and spiritually. He cried for mercy.

Luke 18:39 "And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, [Thou] son of David, have mercy on me."

This blind man would not be quieted. He knew Jesus was his only chance to see again.

Luke 18:40-41 "And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him," "Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight."

Jesus could not refuse his cries for help. Jesus already knew what his needs were, but He wanted him to ask Him for his sight. The Bible says we have not, because we ask not. He asked.

Luke 18:42 "And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee."

"Thy faith hath saved thee": Literally "saved you" (Matt. 9:22).

This could certainly mean that his faith had given him both physical and spiritual sight because of the word "saved".

Luke 18:43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw [it], gave praise unto God."

We can easily see that this man's whole life was transformed. He not only gained sight but was saved as well, and went with the multitude which followed Jesus. He gave praise where praise was due. He glorified God for this miracle. The people praised God as well. They will soon forget all these miracles and run for their lives.

Luke Chapter 18 Continued Questions

1. What question did the ruler ask Jesus?

2. What did he call Jesus as he asked?

3. Jesus said there is only one good who is ______.

4. Which of the commandments did Jesus name to him?

5. What did the man tell Jesus he had done from his youth?

6. What sort of attitude must we have to receive eternal life?

7. What one thing did Jesus tell him he lacked?

8. Do you think this is required of everyone?

9. Why was he required to do this?

10. Why was he sorrowful when Jesus told him what he must do?

11. What was different with this ruler and the rich man Zacchaeus?

12. Who did Jesus say would have a hard time getting to heaven?

13. What example did Jesus give to magnify the difficulty of the rich making it to heaven?

14. What did those listening ask Jesus?

15. What was the heritage of most of these people?

16. Name 3 rich Old Testament men who God loved.

17. The things which are ____________ with men are __________with God.

18. What did Peter say to Jesus?

19. What did Jesus say would happen to those who gave up home and family to follow Him?

20. In verse 31, what was Jesus trying to prepare the disciples for?

21. What is something all the disciples of Jesus share that is considered by the Lord as blessing?

22. What things did Jesus tell the apostles would happen to Him?

23. Why did they not understand what He told them?

24. Near what town did they see the blind man who was begging?

25. When the blind man asked what was going on, what did they tell him?

26. What did the blind man call Jesus?

27. When the blind man cried for mercy, what did Jesus do?

28. In verse 42, what two things did Jesus say to the man who was blind?

29. Where did the man go when he received his miracle?

Luke Chapter 19

Luke 19:1 "And [Jesus] entered and passed through Jericho."

Jericho was a town with much history. When Joshua was headed for the Promised Land, this city's fortified walls fell down before them. Jericho has been remembered for that event. Some historians must remember Jericho for the miracles Jesus did here, as well.

Luke 19:2 "And, behold, [there was] a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich."

"Chief among the publicans": Zaccheus probably oversaw a large tax district, and had other tax collectors working for him. Jericaho alone was a prosperous trading center, so it is certain that Zaccheus was wealthy man.

It is striking to note that only a chapter earlier, Luke records the account of the rich young ruler, and Jesus' statement about "how hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God" (18:24). Here Jesus demonstrates that with God, nothing is impossible (18:27).

Luke is the only one of the writers that tell us of this rich, little man who had been a collector of taxes. Tax collectors were hated among the Israelites. He had gained great wealth perhaps from tax collecting.

Luke 19:3 "And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature."

"The press": Christ was probably traveling with a large entourage of pilgrims to the Passover in Jerusalem. But "the crowd" (press) apparently refers to people in Jericho who lined the street to see Him pass through. They had undoubtedly heard about the recent raising of Lazarus in Bethany, less than 15 miles away (John 11).

That, combined with His fame as a healer and teacher, stirred the entire city when word arrived that He was coming.

It seems the multitude that followed Jesus prevented this small man from seeing Jesus. He had heard of His fame and wanted to see Him.

Luke 19:4 "And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that [way]."

"Sycomore tree": A sturdy tree with low, spreading branches. A small person could get out on a limb and hang over the road. This was an undignified position for someone of Zaccheus' rank, but he was desperate to see Christ.

This does not sound like something a rich man would do. Zacchaeus would not be denied. He was going to see Jesus, one way or the other.

Luke 19:5 "And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house."

"I must abide at thy house": This was worded as a mandate, not a request. It is the only place in all the gospels where Jesus invited Himself to be someone's guest (Isaiah 65:1).

Jesus was pleased that Zacchaeus would go to that much trouble to be able to see Him. Zacchaeus being a rich man would have ordinarily kept him from climbing a tree. It seemed this rich man was not full of pride. Jesus knows his heart and tells Zacchaeus that He is going home with him.

Luke 19:6 "And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully."

"Joyfully": Such a despicable sinner as a typical tax collector might have been distressed at the prospect of a visit from the perfect, sinless Son of God. But Zaccheus' heart was prepared.

This was beyond his greatest expectations that Jesus could want to stay with him. He was overjoyed.

Luke 19:7 "And when they saw [it], they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner."

"They all murmured": Both the religious elite and the common people hated Zaccheus. They did not understand, and in their blind pride refused to see, what possible righteous purpose Jesus had in visiting such a notorious sinner. But He had come to seek and to save the lost, verse 10.

Remember that the Hebrews hated publicans because they were tax collectors. They classified Zacchaeus as unfit to fellowship with. God never did like murmuring, not in the wilderness journeying and not here, either.

Luke 19:8 "And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore [him] fourfold."

"I restore him fourfold': Zaccheus' willingness to make restitution was proof that his conversion was genuine. It was the fruit, not the condition, of his salvation. The law required a penalty of one-fifth as restitution for money acquired by fraud (Lev. 6:5; Num. 5:6-7), So Zaccheus was doing more than was required.

The law required 4-fold restitution only when an animal was stolen and killed (Exodus 22:1). If the animal was found alive, only two-fold restitution was required (Exodus 22:4). But Zaccheus judged his own crime severely, acknowledging that he was as guilty as the lower common robber.

Since much of his wealth had probably been acquired fraudulently, this was a costly commitment. On top of that, he gave half his goods to the poor. But Zaccheus had just found incomprehensible spiritual riches and did not mind the loss of material wealth (Matt. 13:44-46). He stands in stark contrast with the rich young ruler in 18:18-24.

This man truly has a repentant heart. He does not wait for Jesus to tell him this; he volunteers. He wants nothing to stand between him and Jesus. He has made Jesus Lord of his life, he even calls Him Lord. This was a very wealthy man and 1/2 was a tremendous amount to give away.

Luke 19:9 "And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham."

"Is a son of Abraham": a Jew by race for whom Christ came as Savior (Matt. 1:21; 10:6; 15:24; John 4:22).

When Jesus calls Zaccheus the son of Abraham, He was speaking of Zacchaeus' faith, just as all believers in Christ are sons of Abraham because of their faith.

Galatians 3:7, "Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham."

Zacchaeus received salvation because of his faith.

Luke 19:10 "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

"Son of man": This is the name Jesus used for Himself more than any other. It is used 83 times in the gospels, always by Jesus Himself. It was a messianic title (Dan 7:13-14), with an obvious reference to the humanity and the humility of Christ. Yet, it also speaks of His everlasting glory, as Dan. 7:13-14 shows (Matt. 24:27; Acts 7:56).

"To seek and to save that which was lost": The main theme of Luke's gospel (5:31-32; 15:4-7, 32).

Jesus came to save sinners. Just as in the parable where the shepherd went to find the lost sheep, Jesus left the security of heaven and came to earth to save the lost. The wonderful thing is that He would have come if there had been just one.

Luke 19:11 "And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear."

"They thought": The disciples still mistakenly assumed that Christ would establish his kingdom on earth at Jerusalem.

Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem to be crucified, but those traveling with Him thought that He would overthrow the Romans and set up His kingdom at this time. They still did not understand how the victory would come.

Luke 19:12 "He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return."

"A far country": Kings in Roman provinces like Galilee and Perea actually went to Rome to receive their kingdoms. The entire Herodian dynasty was dependent on Rome for ruling power, and Herod the Great himself had gone to Rome to be given his kingdom. This parable illustrates Christ, who would soon depart to receive His kingdom, and will one day return to rule.

It is similar to the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30) but there are significant differences. That parable was told during the Olivet Discourse; this one was told on the road from Jericho up to Jerusalem, verse 28.

This parable, here, is similar to the parable about the ten talents in Matthew, but there are marked differences, as well. I believe this is a spiritual parable about Jesus leaving His apostles to take care of His followers while He goes away into heaven to build us a home. Jesus is the nobleman.

Luke 19:13 "And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come."

"Pounds": (same as mina). Which is Greek measure of money equal to slightly more than 3 month's salary. The mina was one-sixtieth of a talent, meaning that the ten servants in this parable had been given a considerably smaller sum to account for than any of the 3 servants in the parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30).

We see here that Jesus has equipped the disciples to take care of His followers until He returns. Jesus told all believers in Christ to occupy until He comes.

Luke 19:14 "But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this [man] to reign over us."

"Sent a message after him": This was precisely what had happened to Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, when he went to Rome to be made tetrarch of Judea. A delegation of Jews traveled to Rome with a protest to Caesar Augustus. He refused their complaint and made Archelaus king anyway.

Archelaus subsequently built his palace in Jericho not far from where Jesus told this parable. Archelaus' rule was so inept and despotic that Rome quickly replaced him with a succession of procurators, of who Pontius Pilate was the fifth. With this parable Jesus warned that the Jews were about to do the same thing, in a spiritual sense, to their true Messiah.

I can see in this the rejection by the people of the gospel message. The world rejected Jesus as Savior and Lord; the Hebrews in particular, but really this covers all who reject Him.

Luke 19:15 "And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading."

"When he was returned": This pictured Christ's return to earth. The full manifestation of His kingdom on earth waits that time.

The Lord has given each of us a measure of faith. He has entrusted to us what we can handle. Some of us have a little more money than the other, but to whom much is given, much is required.

This reminds me so much of the parable of the seed which fell on good ground. Some brought forth a hundred fold, some sixty fold and some thirty fold. You can read about it in Matthew, chapter 13.

This is the same thing in verse 15 above. We are to work until Jesus comes back with His kingdom to set up here on the earth for His 1,000 year reign.

Luke 19:16-17 "Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds." "And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities."

"Been faithful in a very little": Those with relatively small gifts and opportunities are just as responsible to use them faithfully as those who are given much more.

"Over 10 cities": The reward is incomparably greater than the 10 minas warranted. Note also that the rewards were apportioned according to the servants' diligence: the one who gained 10 minas was given 10 cities, the one who gained 5 minas, 5 cities (verse 19) and so on.

This Scripture, here, is saying this servant will rule over ten cities. A nobleman in the flesh would not have ten cities to turn over to this man. What this is really saying is, if we are faithful until the end, working to win as many souls for His kingdom as we can, then He will make us ruler.

Luke 19:18-19 "And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds." "And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities."

We see again, here, that this is obviously the Lord Jesus awarding to the faithful the rule over cities.

Luke 19:20 "And another came, saying, Lord, behold, [here is] thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:"

Fear is not of God. This servant was afraid of losing what he had. Faith is the opposite of fear. Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Luke 19:21 "For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow."

"For I feared thee": A craven fear, not borne out of love or reverence, but tainted with contempt for the master. Had he had any true regard for the master, a righteous "fear" would have provoked diligence rather that sloth.

This fear, this person was feeling was not like fear the Christian has of God which is really reverence. He knew the Lord reaped where He had not sown. He will be punished, because he knew and didn't do what he knew to do.

Luke 19:22 "And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, [thou] wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:"

"Thou knewest": This did not suggest that what the man "knew" about the master was true. However, even the knowledge he claimed to have was enough to condemn him. Thus will it be with the wicked in the day of judgment.

Luke 19:23 "Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?"

This servant condemned himself. He knew the Lord multiplied without anything to start with. This is just a flimsy excuse for not having worked until the Lord came.

Luke 19:24 "And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give [it] to him that hath ten pounds."

This seems unfair, but really all he is going to do is sit there and hold it. The Lord wants it in the hands of someone who will work for Him. When the Lord gives us a gift, He expects us to use it for Him.

Luke 19:25 "(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)"

The world does not understand this and complains, but the Lord has already tried this servant and he failed.

Luke 19:26 "For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him."

"For unto every one that hath shall be given": See Matthew 13:12. The recipients of divine grace inherit immeasurable blessings in addition to eternal life and the favor of God (Rom. 8:32).

But those who despise the riches of God's goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering (Rom. 2:4), burying them in the ground and clinging instead to the paltry and transient goods of this world, will ultimately lose everything they have (Matt. 6:19; John 12:25).

The Lord expects us to use what He gives, not to sit around whining about what we don't have. It is of no advantage to the Lord at all to put tools in the hands of those who will not use them.

Luke 19:27 "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me."

"Those mine enemies": These illustrated the Jews who actively opposed him.

"Slay them before me": This spoke of harsh, violent judgment and may be a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem.

This is speaking of a judgment for those who have totally rejected Jesus. They will be destroyed.

Luke Chapter 19 Questions

1. What is the city of Jericho known for?

2. Who was Zacchaeus?

3. Why did the Hebrews hate him?

4. Why could Zacchaeus not see Jesus?

5. What did he do to make it possible to see?

6. What did Jesus say to Zacchaeus when He saw him?

7. How did Zacchaeus react to Jesus' request?

8. What was the crowd murmuring about?

9. What did Zacchaeus voluntarily say that he was going to do which pleased Jesus?

10. What did Jesus say had come to Zacchaeus' house that day?

11. What did Jesus mean when He called Zacchaeus, Abraham's son?

12. What had Jesus come to the earth for? (Verse 10)

13. The people thought what would immediately appear in Jerusalem?

14. Who is the nobleman symbolic of?

15. What did the nobleman tell the ten servants to do until he came back?

16. Who is this really speaking of in verse 14?

17. After He had received what, he returned?

18. When the servant reported he had gained 10 for the 1 pound, what did his master say to him?

19. Why do we know for sure this symbolizes Jesus and His servants and not really the nobleman?

20. Why was the Lord disappointed in the servant who hid the talent?

21. Why will he be punished?

22. How will the Lord judge him?

23. What happened to the 1 pound he hid?

24. What was the final outcome of those enemies who did not want Him to reign over them?

Luke Chapter 19 Continued

Luke 19:28 "And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem."

"Up to Jerusalem": The road from Jericho to Jerusalem was a steep ascent, rising some 3,300 feet in about 17 miles. This represented the last leg of the long journey that began (in 9:51).

We see here again, that even though Jesus knew that crucifixion awaited Him in Jerusalem, He was determined to go there. He is steadily getting nearer and nearer.

Luke 19:29 "And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called [the mount] of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,"

"Bethphage": A small town near Bethany, on the southeast slope of the Mount of Olives. It is mentioned nowhere else in Scripture except in connection with Christ's triumphal entry (Mark 11:1; Matt. 21:1).

We have previously dealt with this (in Matthew 21 and Mark 11), but there are always a few details to add. This Mount of Olives is a very short distance outside the walls of Jerusalem. Notice He sent two. Two means agreement.

Luke 19:30 "Saying, Go ye into the village over against [you]; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring [him hither]."

"Colt": The other gospels say this was a donkey colt (Zech. 9:9), and Matthew reveals the mare was brought along as well.

"Whereon yet never man sat": "The Jews regarded animals that had never been ridden as especially suited for holy purposes (Num. 19:2; Deut. 2:3; 1 Sam. 6:7).

We discussed before that the Lord Jesus had foreknowledge of everything, and He knew this colt would be tied there. Perhaps, the Spirit of God had spoken to someone and had them bring the colt to this spot for this purpose. In (Zechariah 9:9), this was prophesied.

Luke 19:31 "And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose [him]? Thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him."

This is probably what the Spirit had told the owner of the colt to expect. There would be no argument, because this had been prearranged by the Spirit of God.

Luke 19:32-33 "And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them." "And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?"

Here we see even more prominently the deity of Jesus. He is all knowing of the future, the past, and the present. He knew the colt would be here at this exact time, and He even knew the question the man would ask.

Luke 19:34 "And they said, The Lord hath need of him."

This seemed to be the exact words he needed to hear, because he did not argue with the two Jesus sent.

Luke 19:35 "And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon."

When they cast their garments on the colt for Jesus to ride upon, they were recognizing Jesus as their King. (In 2 Kings 9:13), we see this recognition of a worldly king the same way. Jesus was to ride this colt to show His humbleness, even though the people would herald Him as their King.

Luke 19:36 "And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way."

"Spread their clothes": Luke omits the cutting of palm branches mentioned by Matthew and Mark.

Luke 19:37 "And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;"

"The whole multitude of the disciples": Doubtless many in the crowd were not true disciples.

It is very interesting here that His entrance into Jerusalem begins from the Mount of Olives. There will come a time when Jesus returns to the earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. That Jesus will set His foot on the mount of Olives; and the mountain will break in two (cleave). He will come into the city of Jerusalem to set His kingdom up on the earth. (Zechariah 14:4).

Notice in the Scripture above that the disciples are a multitude. This is not the twelve. They believed Jesus would take over as King now. They are praising and rejoicing. My question is: where were they when He was crucified?

Luke 19:38 "Saying, Blessed [be] the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest."

"Blessed be the King" Quoting (Psalm 118:26), they hailed Jesus as Messiah.

"Peace in heaven": Only Luke reported this phrase. It is reminiscent of the angels' message in (2:14).

Jesus is the King of Peace and there will be no true peace upon the earth until the King of Peace comes and establishes His peace. This was a victorious cry. Perhaps, they would have all taken up arms and fought if Jesus had asked them.

Luke 19:39 "And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples."

"Rebuke thy disciples": The Pharisees were offended by people offering Him such worshipful praise. They wanted Him to stop them.

These Pharisees were numbered among His disciples, so they undoubtedly had decided to follow Jesus. They even call Him, Master. Whether they were fearful of the Romans or their own rulers of the synagogue is not said. At any rate, they thought Jesus had allowed His disciples to go too far with this praise and worship.

Luke 19:40 "And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."

"The stones would immediately cry out": This was a strong claim of deity, and perhaps a reference to the words of (Hab. 2:11). Scripture often speaks of inanimate nature praising God (Psalm 96:11; 98:7-9; 11:4-7; Isaiah 55:12), and the words of John the Baptist (in Matt. 3:9), and the fulfillment of Jesus' words (in Matthew 27:51).

Everything in the universe must cry out praises to its Creator. This is what Jesus is saying here, that even these stones are created of God. If these disciples had not cried praises, then the lower things would.

John the Baptist had previously told them that God could raise up children of Abraham from the stones, if necessary. (Luke 3:8) The Lord of all the earth is passing by, it was necessary for them to cry out praises. In David's time when he danced before the Ark of the Covenant, we are told if David had not cried out praises, the rocks would have.

Verses 41-42: Only Luke recorded the weeping of Jesus over the city of Jerusalem. Christ grieved over Jerusalem on at least two other occasions (13:34; Matt., 23:37). The timing of this lament may seem incongruous with the triumphal entry, but it reveals that Jesus knew the true superficiality of the peoples' hearts, and His mood was anything but giddy as He rode into the city. The same crowd would soon cry for His death (23:21).

Luke 19:41 "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,"

Jesus loved Jerusalem. Jerusalem killed prophets and of course, Jesus was crucified right outside the city wall.

Luke 19:42 "Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things [which belong] unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes."

Jesus is speaking here of the destruction of Jerusalem which would come in just a few short years. He is saying, if you only knew what awaits you.

Luke 19:43 "For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,"

"Cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round" (21:20). This is precisely the method used by Titus when he laid siege to Jerusalem (in A.D. 70). He surrounded the city on April 9, cutting off all supplies, and trapping thousands of people who had been in Jerusalem for the Passover and feast of Unleavened Bread (just completed).

The Romans systematically built embankments around the city, gradually starving the city's inhabitants. The Romans held the city in this manner through the summer, defeating various sections of the city one by one. The final overthrow of the city occurred in early September.

Luke 19:44 "And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation."

"Lay thee even with the ground": This was literally fulfilled. The Romans utterly demolished the city, temple, residences and people. Men, women and children were brutally slaughtered by the tens of thousands. The few survivors were carried off to become victims of the Roman circus games and gladiatorial bouts.

"Because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation": I.e. Jerusalem's utter destruction was divine judgment for their failure to recognize and embrace their Messiah when He visited them (20:13-26; John 1:10, 11).

Here again, this is Jesus speaking in foreknowledge of the destruction of Jerusalem. It just goes into detail about the happening. We do see here, why this destruction came was because they did not accept Jesus at His visitation.

Verses 45-46: This was the second time Jesus had driven the sellers out of the temple, and is a different incident from the one described (in John 2:14-16). He quotes from (Isa. 56:7).

Luke 19:45-46 "And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;" "Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves."

This is a warning for then and for now. We must be very careful what goes on in the temple of God. No business transactions should be made inside the sanctuary. The place of worship is a holy place.

Prayer should be first and foremost. Many of us take this holy place far too casually. This place of worship is to be used to communicate with God. It is not a place of entertainment.

Luke 19:47 "And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,"

"Chief Priests": The rulers of the temple.

"Scribes": Mostly Pharisees, experts in the law and traditions.

"Chief of the people": Prominent Jewish laymen with influence in temple affairs. By bringing His ministry to the temple, Christ had walked into the very heart of the opposition against Him.

"Sought to destroy Him": I.e., kill Him (22:2; Matt. 26:3-4; John 5:16-18; 7:1, 19, 25).

Luke 19:48 "And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him."

The chief priests and the scribes tried over and over to get evidence to convict Him. I personally believe that they were jealous because His ministry was with power and miracles which they themselves did not have and could not do. The people (masses), followed Him; because He had answers to their problems, and He gave them hope, not a set of rules that no one could keep.

Either these priests and scribes did not understand the Scriptures they were reading and rejected Jesus for that reason or else they understood, but did not want to lose their power grip over the people. At any rate, they killed the Savior of the world.

Luke Chapter 19 Continued Questions

1. Why was Jesus not headed away from Jerusalem, instead of toward it?

2. What mount did Jesus go to near Jerusalem?

3. Who did He send to town?

4. What did He send them after?

5. What does the Lord tell them to say to anyone inquiring why they want it?

6. When they brought it to Jesus, what did they do that showed they believed Jesus to be their King?

7. What did the disciples praise Jesus for in verse 37?

8. When is another time Jesus will come to the mount of Olives to triumphantly enter Jerusalem?

9. What is the blessing that was spoken in verse 38 and in Psalms?

10. Who is the King of Peace?

11. What did some of the Pharisees tell Jesus to do?

12. What did Jesus say would cry out if the disciples stopped?

13. Who danced before the Ark of the Covenant?

14. Why is that long ago happening important here?

15. When Jesus saw Jerusalem, what did He do?

16. In what city's outskirts was Jesus crucified?

17. What is Jesus saying is hid from their eyes in verse 42?

18. In verse 43, Jesus says the enemies will do what about the city?

19. They shall not leave one ________ upon _____________.

20. Why would this destruction come?

21. Who did Jesus cast out of the temple?

22. What did Jesus call the temple?

23. What did He say they had made it?

24. What lesson can we receive from this?

25. When He taught in the temple daily, who tried to destroy Him?

26. Why were they not successful at destroying Jesus then?

27. What does the author believe was behind their reason for wanting to destroy Him?

28. He gave them _______ to their problems and He gave them _________.

Luke Chapter 20

Luke 20:1 "And it came to pass, [that] on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon [him] with the elders,"

"One of those days": Probably Tuesday of Passion Week. The triumphal entry was on Sunday, and the cleansing of the temple on Monday. The events in this chapter best fit Tuesday in the chronology of that week. This chapter features a series of carefully coordinated attacks on Christ by the Jewish leaders.

"Chief priests ... scribes ... elders": Each of these groups played a unique role in the various attacks that follow. Each was also represented in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, suggesting that the council had met to orchestrate the attack against Jesus. Their attacks came in the form of a series of questions designed to entrap Him.

Luke 20:2 "And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?"

This was the first in a series of questions designed to entrap Jesus. This question was raised by the chief priest, scribes and elders, evidently representatives of the Sanhedrin.

Palm Sunday was when Jesus and His disciples had entered into the city. This teaching in the temple took place, probably soon after Jesus' triumphal entry into the city. Jesus had been bringing the good news (gospel), to the people in the temple.

These religious leaders, possibly had confronted Him as He came to speak again. As we have said before, they were jealous because the people had such high regard for Him and His teachings. His teachings were different than the law which they had brought. He taught love of God and your fellowman, and He brought hope to the downtrodden and hopeless.

He ministered to sinners that they refused to have anything at all to do with. He had even stopped their money-making ventures in the temple when He drove them out. He taught with such power and authority. Now they ask Jesus where He got the authority to do this.

Luke 20:3-4 "And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:" "The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?"

Jesus always answered them with a question they could not answer. Here again, they cannot trap Him. He asks them a question they will not answer. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or men?

Luke 20:5 "And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?"

"Why then believed ye him not": John had clearly testified that Jesus was the Messiah. If John was a prophet whose words were true, they ought to believe his testimony about Christ. On the other hand, it would have been political folly for the Pharisees to attack the legitimacy of John the Baptist or deny his authority as a prophet of God.

John was enormously popular with the people, and a martyr at the hands of the despised Herod. For the Pharisees to question John's authority was to attack a national hero, and they knew better than that. So, they pleaded ignorance (verse 7).

Luke 20:6 "But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet."

Jesus has done it again. Either way they answer, they will defeat their own cause. John had been very popular with the people as a prophet of God and after he was beheaded, became even more popular with the people.

If they say John was from heaven, they would have to believe what he said was true; and he had recognized Jesus as Messiah. Either way, they made a fool of themselves, or they would be stoned by the people if they answered.

Luke 20:7 "And they answered, that they could not tell whence [it was]."

This is the only way they could answer, and yet this did not give them any proof of Jesus being worthy of death. They were defeated.

Luke 20:8 "And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things."

"Neither tell I you": Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the question, unmasking their evil motives. He wasted no truth on them (Matt. 7:6).

If it is legal for them to not answer, then it is legal for Jesus not to answer either.

Luke 20:9 "Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time."

Luke alone noted the parable was addressed to all the people, not just the Jewish leaders.

The vineyard here is symbolic of the House of Israel. The husbandmen, the vineyard was let to, were these very leaders of the temple He was speaking to. This long time is the approximately 2,000 years that they had the Abraham covenant.

You see, Jesus was answering their previous question in such a way, that they would not be able to accuse Him. The man in this parable is symbolic of God.

Luke 20:10 "And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent [him] away empty."

You see, the House of Israel brought forth no fruit. The husbandmen failed their job. This prophet God had sent, they beat and did not accept him.

Luke 20:11-12 "And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated [him] shamefully, and sent [him] away empty." "And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast [him] out."

This is just saying, that over and over God has sent prophets to warn Israel and their religious leaders of their errors, and they have beaten them, and even killed some, and threw them out of the temple.

Luke 20:13 "Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence [him] when they see him."

"Beloved son": Both Luke and Mark recorded this expression, which makes clear that the son in the parable is an illustration of Christ.

Jesus is telling these religious men, in this verse, who He is. He is the beloved Son of God. In this, Jesus shows that God tries time and time again to win Israel. Even when Jesus is telling them this, God is making one last effort. Undoubtedly, they will know the Scriptures well enough that these priests, scribes, etc. will recognize the Son of God.

Luke 20:14 "But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours."

From this Scripture, Jesus is saying these men know who He is and want to destroy Him, so they can take over.

Luke 20:15 "So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed [him]. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?"

He is saying here, that the Israelites totally reject the Lord Jesus and even kill Him. Then He asks the question: what do you think God will do to these Israelites?

Luke 20:16 "He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard [it], they said, God forbid."

"Destroy these husbandmen": This probably pictures the destruction of Jerusalem.

"Give the vineyard to others": This expression is unique to Luke. It identifies the year from Israel's captivity (586 B.C. to Babylon; 2 Kings 25), to her restoration in the kingdom (Revelation 20:1-6).

It has been a time during which, in accord with God's purpose, Gentiles have dominated or threatened Jerusalem. The era has also been marked by vast spiritual privileges for the Gentile nations (Isa. 66:12; Mal. 1:11; Matt. 24:14; Mark 13:10).

We see here, that God will turn His back on Israel and turn His work on earth over to the Gentiles. There was no question what this meant and it frightened them so badly that before they thought, they cried out: God forbid.

Luke 20:17 "And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?"

Quoted from (Psalm 118:22).

Psalm 118:22 "The stone which the builders rejected has become the head stone of the corner."

Jesus is speaking of Himself as being the stone which had been rejected. He is telling them that they have rejected the foundation of the church. Jesus, whom they rejected, is the cornerstone upon whom all the lively stones (Christians), are fitted together to build the church of the living God.

Luke 20:18 "Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."

"Whosoever shall fall ... whomsoever it shall fall": The expression was a quotation from (Isa. 8:13-15), which speaks of Jehovah. Like so many other Old Testament passages applied to Christ, it proves that He was Jehovah incarnate.

Falling on that stone is repenting and receiving Jesus. We must be broken and made new all over before we can truly serve Him. To reject Jesus is when the stone falls on you. Total destruction lies ahead for that person.

Luke 20:19 "And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them."

These learned men of the law knew that Jesus had spoken this parable against them. There was no question as to who He had said the Son was. These religious leaders wanted to destroy Jesus even though they understood. The only reason they didn't is because they were afraid of the people.

Luke 20:20 "And they watched [him], and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor."

"Spies": The fact that the Jewish leaders resorted to such tactics is a measure of their desperation. They could not find any legitimate reason to accuse Him (6:7; 11:53-54; Matt. 22:15; 26:59-60).

"The governor": I.e. Pilate, who was in town for the coming Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.

This is nothing new. They have been trying to find something that they could accuse Him of so they could destroy Him all the time. These spies claim to be followers of Jesus so that they can gather proof to judge Him by.

The governor really did not have the power and authority over Jesus. The only time they had any power over Jesus is when He wanted them to, in order to fulfill His purpose.

Luke Chapter 20 Questions

1. While Jesus was speaking in the temple, who came upon Him to question Him?

2. What did they ask Him?

3. What day had Jesus entered Jerusalem?

4. Why were they jealous of Jesus?

5. What was different about His message?

6. He taught with ________ and ________.

7. What did Jesus ask them about John's baptism?

8. Why would they not answer?

9. How did they answer Jesus?

10. Why did Jesus not answer them?

11. Who is this parable directed at?

12. In the parable, who is the vineyard symbolic of?

13. Who are the husbandmen symbolic of?

14. What is the long time mentioned here?

15. Who are the servants symbolic of?

16. What did they do to these servants?

17. In verse 13, the beloved Son was symbolic of whom?

18. What did the parable say they did to the Son?

19. God will come and ___________ these husband men.

20. Before they thought, these religious leaders said ____________.

21. The stone the builders rejected has become ____________.

22. Whosoever shall fall upon the stone shall be ___________.

23. What will happen if the stone falls on you?

24. What was the only reason they didn't grab Jesus then?

25. Who did they send to gather information against Jesus?

26. Who did they pretend to be?

Luke Chapter 20 Continued

Luke 20:21 "And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person [of any], but teachest the way of God truly:"

In the last lesson, we learned that the people who asked these questions were the spies who had filtered into the disciples and were trying to trap Jesus. They are buttering up Jesus by telling Him that He taught rightly and that they knew He was not a respecter of persons.

If they believe He teaches the truth of God, why are they trying to trap Him?

Luke 20:22 "Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?"

This was the second in a series of questions designed to entrap Jesus. This question was raised by the Pharisees and Herodians (Mark 12:13).

This question was to trick Jesus. If Jesus said no, He would be in trouble with Rome. If He said yes, the Hebrew people wouldn't like it.

Luke 20:23 "But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?"

Jesus knows what is in their hearts and minds. They cannot trick Him. He lets them know that He is aware of their trickery.

Luke 20:24 "Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's."

"Whose image": The image on the denarius was one of the main reasons the Jews chafed at the poll tax. They claimed it was a violation of the commandment against graven images, and since Caesar pretended to a position tantamount to deity, the paying of the tax was unlawful worship, and in the minds of many, tantamount to gross idolatry (Mark 12:16).

Jesus really does not answer them with a specific answer. Jesus knew that it would be Caesar's picture on the penny that was in circulation at that time.

Luke 20:25 "And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's."

"Render therefore unto Caesar": Christ thus recognized that all citizens have duties to the secular state, as well as duties to God, and He recognized a legitimate distinction between the two (Mark 12:17).

Jesus does not say to pay taxes to Caesar. He just says give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars. What is God's? Everything. What is Caesar's? Who knows? Perhaps this penny that has his inscription.

We are advised to obey the laws of the land however. I do not believe that Jesus answered them at all here, because they still had to determine what was Caesar's.

Luke 20:26 "And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marveled at his answer, and held their peace."

The real reason they had asked Him this question you remember, was to trap Him. Had He given them an answer either way, they could have accused Him.

Luke 20:27 "Then came to [him] certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,"

The Sadducees were known for their denial of things supernatural. They denied the resurrection of the dead (Matt. 22:23), and the existence of angels (Acts 23:8). Unlike the Pharisees, they rejected human tradition and scorned legalism. They accepted only the Pentateuch as authoritative.

They tended to be wealthy, aristocratic members of the priestly tribe, and in the days of Herod their sect controlled the temple, though they were fewer in number than the Pharisees.

Pharisees and Sadducees had little in common. Pharisees were ritualists; Sadducees were rationalists. Pharisees were legalists; Sadducees were liberals. Pharisees were separatists; Sadducees were compromisers and political opportunists. Yet they united together in their opposition to Christ (Matt. 22:15-6, 23-24, 35). John publicly addressed them as deadly snakes.

Luke 20:28 "Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother."

"His brother should take his wife": According to the law of Levirate marriage outlined (in Deut. 25:5).

Look carefully at this as we go, because you must remember these Sadducees do not believe in the resurrection. This is just a trap they are trying to set before Jesus.

In the law, if a man die and his brother marry his wife, the first child will bear the name of the dead brother and receive his inheritance. The rest of the children would belong to the brother who is alive.

These Sadducees believed only the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

Luke 20:29-33 "There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children." "And the second took her to wife, and he died childless." "And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died." "Last of all the woman died also." "Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife."

This was the third in a series of questions designed to entrap Jesus. This question was raised by the Sadducees (verse 27).

(Matthew 22:34-10 and Mark 12:28-34), recorded one last question raised by a scribe. Luke omitted it from his record.

This Sadducee has brought forth this hypothetical situation, because he does not understand the difference in the flesh and the spirit. This woman was theirs in the flesh on this earth. Her spirit was her own, as we will see Jesus explain in the next few verses.

Luke 20:34-35 "And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:" "But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:"

We will shed this old body when we die. The new heavenly body that we receive will not be of this earth and will not be designed to create children. The reason for earthly bodies now is for husband and wife to populate the earth. There will be no flesh in heaven. We will have bodies, but they will be a celestial (heavenly nature), not terrestrial (of the earth).

1 Corinthians 15:40 "[There are] also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial [is] one, and the [glory] of the terrestrial [is] another."

1 Corinthians 15:50 "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."

You see, there is a different form of life in heaven; far more wonderful than this old flesh here. It is similar to this because Thomas could still feel the nail prints in Jesus, but it is different too. It doesn't age or know any pain any more.

This Sadducee had no knowledge of the spirit, at all. Many people have this problem today. They relate everything to the flesh (which will pass away).

Luke 20:36 "Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection."

"Equal unto the angels": I.e., like the angels in that they do not procreate.

The reason these resurrected don't marry is because they are not male and female. They are like the angels in heaven. Angels are not subject to the problems of this world and neither is the resurrected body.

Angels are something else that these Sadducees do not believe in, so Jesus is careful to bring them in on this as well. We are God's family. In fact, we are His children.

Luke 20:37 "Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."

"Moses showed at the bush" (Exodus 3:1 - 4:17). In that passage God identified Himself to Moses as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, using the present tense. He didn't say He was their God, but "I AM" their God, indicating that their existence had not ended with their deaths.

Luke 20:38 "For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him."

"All live unto him": Only Luke records this phrase. All people, whether departed from their earthly bodies or not, are still living, and will live forever. No one is annihilated in death (John 5:28-30).

What Jesus is saying here is that if Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were not alive in heaven at the time Moses saw the bush in the desert, then God could not have been their God. God is the God of things that exist, not the God of things that do not exist.

Jesus is saying, they are still alive in heaven, and God is their God.

Luke 20:39 "Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said."

"Master, thou hast well said": Christ had given a powerful argument for the resurrection of the dead, and on that subject, the Pharisees agreed with Him against the Sadducees. This scribe, in spite of his hatred for Christ, was pleased with the answer He had given.

These scribes were of the group who believed in life after death.

Luke 20:40 "And after that they durst not ask him any [question at all]."

"Durst not ask him any question at all": The more questions Jesus answered the clearer it became that His understanding and authority were vastly superior to that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matt. 22:46; Mark 12:34).

There was no use for them to ask, because He trapped them with every answer He gave.

Verses 41-44: After the Jewish leaders gave up questioning Him, Christ turned the tables and posed a question to them (Matt. 22:42-45; Mark 12:35-37).

Luke 20:41-44 "And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?" "And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand," "Till I make thine enemies thy footstool." "David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?"

We see here, something that flesh cannot understand. On the flesh side of Jesus, His ancestor is David; but in the Spirit, Jesus is David's God. The Spirit of Jesus is eternal. He was there at creation day with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus here, is quoting from Psalms (Psalm 110:1), the very same thing. The only way that we can believe the verses above is to believe in the virgin birth. We must believe that God the Son (Jesus), took on the form of flesh and dwelt among us. The flesh was descended from David, but the life within that flesh was Eternal God, the Son.

Luke 20:45-47 "Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples," "Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;" "Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation."

Jesus is describing someone who is highly conceited. His belief is just a show; it is not way down deep in his heart. His praying is not even done to God, but so man can hear. He really has no faith in God at all, it is all show.

There is little to say here except their religion is a religion of convenience, not a deep, heartwarming through the Spirit religion. Their end is total destruction. Our Matthew lesson goes into greater detail on this.

Luke Chapter 20 Continued Questions

1. In verse 21, the spies say that Jesus teaches what?

2. What name did they call Jesus by?

3. What question did they ask Jesus to try to trick Him?

4. In verse 23, we find that Jesus _________ their craftiness.

5. What does Jesus tell them to show Him?

6. Whose picture was on it?

7. Render unto ________ the things that are _________ and unto ____ the things that are _____.

8. Verse 26 tells us that they ______ at His answer.

9. Which group denied there is a resurrection?

10. Whose writing do they bring before Jesus?

11. What are the only books these Sadducees accepted?

12. In this hypothetical story, how many brothers married this woman?

13. Who would she be married to in heaven?

14. What did Jesus tell them about marriage and about heaven?

15. What is a heavenly body called by?

16. What is an earthly body called by?

17. In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, we learn that flesh and blood cannot do what?

18. Verse 36 says the resurrected are equal to what?

19. What else, besides the resurrection, do the Sadducees not believe in?

20. In verse 37, Jesus says Moses proved what at the burning bush?

21. God is not the God of the ______ but of the ___________.

22. Who said "Master thou hast well said?"

23. Why did they stop asking Him questions?

24. Explain how Jesus could be David's and God's Son at the same time?

25. Who did Jesus tell the disciples to beware of?

26. Why?

27. Why are they destroyed in the end?

Luke Chapter 21

Luke 21:1 "And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury."

"The treasury": Thirteen chests with funnel-shaped openings stood in the court of the women. Each was labeled for a specific use, and donations were given accordingly.

We see from this that the Lord does not overlook anything. He knows when you have given and when you have not. He knows also, whether you gave grudgingly or from a free heart.

Luke 21:2 "And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites."

"Poor widow": The Greek expression signifies extreme poverty. This woman was desperate poor and more fit to be a recipient of charity than a donor.

"Two mites": The smallest copper coins in use in Palestine were worth about one-eighth of a cent, but they were all this woman had to live on (verse 4).

We have studied before how important it is to do the best you can with what has been entrusted to you. We see here, this widow by the world's standards has put in very little and in many groups today would not be heavily sought after, because she would not have very much to put in the collection plate.

Jesus looks on things differently than the world, as we will see in the next few verses.

Luke 21:3 "And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:"

Jesus is saying the rich men did not sacrifice for God's work. It was no pain at all for them to give in their abundance, but this woman sacrificed all that she had to give to her Lord. Great will be her reward in heaven.

Luke 21:4 "For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."

"Their abundance": There was nothing sacrificial about their giving.

Luke 21:5 "And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,"

"Goodly stones": Some of the stones in the temple complex at Jerusalem measure 40x12x12 feet and were expertly quarried to fit perfectly against one another. The temple buildings were made of gleaming white marble, and the whole eastern wall of the large main structure was covered with gold plates that reflected the morning sun, making a spectacle that was visible for miles.

Luke 21:6 "[As for] these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."

This will truly come to pass within 40 years of the time Jesus was speaking. Jesus tells them here; you have your eyes on the beautiful things of this world and you have neglected the weightier things of the Spirit. When all this earthly shall be destroyed, what will you view then?

Luke 21:7 "And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign [will there be] when these things shall come to pass?"

Everyone from every generation wants an answer to this. We are not to fret about when all this will happen. Our concern is to stay ready to meet Him. We dealt with this same thing (in Matthew 24 and in Mark chapter 13), more fully.

Luke 21:8 "And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them."

I am just sure that the reason this is mentioned so many times is because Jesus knows how deceiving these impostors will be. They have great deception. As I have mentioned several times prior to this, the only way not to be deceived is to learn all the Bible you possibly can.

Try the spirits and see whether they are of God. Pray and trust God. We cannot let our guard down. Be careful not to do anything that appeals to the flesh. Get the flesh in subjection to your spirit.

Today, as never before, people are claiming to be Christ, because the time is near for the second coming of Christ.

Luke 21:9 "But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end [is] not by and by."

"The end": False prophets, as well as wars and rumors of wars, characterize the whole of the present age, but will escalate toward the end (2 Tim. 3:13). Also, read (Matthew 14:16-28).

There have been wars and rumors of wars for thousands of years. The difference in then and now is that man has the power to destroy all of mankind. Just because there is a war is not reason enough to say the end is near.

Luke 21:10 "Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:" "And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven."

Signs shall there be from heaven": The cross references (in Matt. 24:7 and Mark 13:8), omit this phrase (verse 25).

This is speaking of right about the time of the second coming of Christ. There are earthquakes more often now than a few years ago. Occasionally we see devastating earthquakes in faraway places.

There have been famines in India, parts of Africa, and Ethiopia. Most of the people where these great famines are occurring are worshipping false gods, such as animals.

We deal more fully with all of this in our teaching on Matthew, chapter 24.

Luke 21:12 "But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute [you], delivering [you] up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake."

We see here that Jesus jumps from the end of the Gentile age (in verse 11), to the years immediately after His crucifixion (in verse 12). These followers of Jesus will suffer great persecution. The sad thing is that this persecution comes from the synagogues and from the religious leaders of their day. It is not much different from our days.

If you get to the point that you are serious about your relationship with God, you will find that your greatest opposition comes from people in the church.

Luke 21:13 "And it shall turn to you for a testimony."

"Turn to you for a testimony": Trails are always opportunities (James 1:2-4), and persecution is often an opportunity to magnify one's testimony.

This very fact, that they are persecuted for what they believe, lets you know that they believe the right thing. Their persecution testifies for them. Jesus was persecuted. His true followers will be persecuted also.

Luke 21:14 "Settle [it] therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:"

This verse is meant as a comfort for those under life-threatening persecution, not an excuse for laziness in ministry. The exact same expression is used (in Luke 12:11-12), speaking of concern for one's material necessities. In neither context was Jesus condemning legitimate toil and preparation. He was promising the Holy Spirit's aid for times of persecution when there can be no preparation.

Luke 21:15 "For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist."

In (Exodus 4:11), God tells Moses about his mouth:

Exodus 4:11 "And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?"

These two Scriptures above and this one in Exodus make it very clear. God who made our mouth can surely put the words in there that we need to say in every situation. Let the Lord do the talking through you is what He is saying. You can never fail when you do this.

Luke 21:16 "And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and [some] of you shall they cause to be put to death."

The above-mentioned people know you so well that they can never believe that God has done anything special in your life. When you begin in the ministry, the very people you thought would be behind you 100% is seldom behind you at all.

Luke 21:17 "And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake."

This is true today, as well as when the apostles were ministering. The world hates the believers. Perhaps, it is because we make them feel guilty.

Luke 21:18 "But there shall not a hair of your head perish."

"Not a hair" (verse 16). This was not a promise for the preservation of their physical lives, but a guarantee that they would suffer no eternal loss. God Himself sovereignly preserves His own.

I believe we must look back at (verse 15), to find what this is saying. If you say the words the Lord puts in your mouth, then there shall no harm come to you. We are not able to defend ourselves, but God can and will defend us.

Luke 21:19 "In your patience possess ye your souls."

The true sense of this verse seems to be, "By your endurance you will gain your lives," referring to the final aspect of salvation, namely glorification.

We are not to get hysterical or lose our patience when difficulty arises. We must depend totally on the Lord. Our conduct under pressure reveals just how devoted and dependent we are upon the Lord.

Luke Chapter 21 Questions

1. In the temple, who did Jesus first notice casting his money into the treasury?

2. How much did the poor widow cast in?

3. What did Jesus say about her offering?

4. Why did Jesus not have as much respect for the offering of the rich man?

5. What was the temple adorned with?

6. What did Jesus say would be thrown down?

7. What question did they ask Jesus about?

8. In verse 8, Jesus says take heed that ye be not _______.

9. These deceivers will claim to be who?

10. How is the only way not to be deceived?

11. What does Jesus say to do when we see wars and rumors of wars?

12. What are some of the natural disasters that will occur before the second coming of Christ?

13. Who are people worshipping in India as a whole?

14. Verse 12 happens in what time?

15. What chapter of Matthew is all about the end?

16. Who will be brought before kings and rulers and be thrown in to prison?

17. Who persecutes Christians more than anyone else?

18. What will turn to you for a testimony in verse 13?

19. Why should we not meditate on what we will say when we are answering for the Lord?

20. Who made our mouth?

21. In verse 16, who betrays whom?

22. Why will Christians be hated?

23. Verse 18 says what will not perish?

24. Explain verse 18.

25. In your ____________ possess ye your _______.

Luke Chapter 21 Continued

Luke 21:20 "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh."

"Jerusalem compassed with armies": A comparison with (Matt. 14:15-16 and Mark 13:14), suggests that this sign is closely associated with "the abomination of desolation". This sign of Jerusalem under siege was previewed in A.D. 70, but awaits its fulfillment in the future.

We know that just a few years after Jesus spoke this, Jerusalem was surrounded and fell. I personally believe this had a dual meaning for then and for the last days, as well. One of the things we are to watch is what is happening to Israel and especially Jerusalem to know when we are near the end of the Gentile age.

The main thrust of verse 20 above is for the end of the Gentile age.

Luke 21:21 "Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto."

"The mountains": Probably a reference to the region southeast of Jerusalem, particularly the Dead Sea area, where there are many caves and places of refuge. David hid from Saul in this area (1 Sam. 23:29). This would also include the hills of Moab and Edom.

The Greek word for "flee" is related to the English word "fugitive," a person who is on the run to escape danger. Jesus warns those who live in Judea to escape the holocaust by taking refuge in the mountains.

This time to run and leave the temple and everything within the city walls is at the end of the Gentile age. Israel turned its back on the Lord and in this terrible time God lets this happen to Jerusalem.

Luke 21:22 "For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled."

"Vengeance": I.e., God's righteous retribution against sin.

God's fury has come up in His face, and He will wait no longer for His beloved people to turn to Him. This is punishment time.

Luke 21:23 "But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people."

See (Mark 13:17). Jesus certainly felt compassion for those women who will be hindered from fleeing quickly because they carry children. But He may have been warning them about atrocities that could include unborn children being slashed in the wombs and tiny infants being crushed (Hosea 13:16).

This would slow them down in their escape. At this late date, God will not wait to give them more time to get out. A woman in either situation above could not run to escape. It will be especially bad on those who can't get away.

Luke 21:24 "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."

"The times of the Gentiles": This expression is unique to Luke. It identifies the year from Israel's captivity (586 B.C. to Babylon; 2 Kings 25), to her restoration in the kingdom (Rev. 20:1-6). It has been a time during which, in accord with God's purpose, Gentiles have dominated or threatened Jerusalem.

The era has also been marked by vast spiritual privileges for the Gentile nations (Isa. 66:12; Mal. 1:11; Matt. 24:14; Mark 13:10).

It is estimated that during the fall of Jerusalem about one million people perished. This is probably what the first part of (verse 24) is saying. These Israelites were captive in many nations until recently. Jerusalem was lived in by Gentiles until recently.

The times of the Gentiles has about been fulfilled, as well. It appears the second coming of Jesus is near.

Luke 21:25 "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;"

"There shall be signs": The celestial signs and wonders described here immediately precede the return of Christ.

"Signs in the sun": Such phenomena are a common feature of the Day of the Lord prophecy (see Isa. 13:9-10; Ezek. 32:7-8; Joel 2:10, 31; 3:15; Amos 8:9). The ultimate fulfillment of these prophecies takes place during the time of the Beast's reign (Rev. 6:121, 13; 8:12).

There are signs in the sun. Sun spots have been seen with telescopes already, so there is the fulfillment of that part of this prophecy. One of the signs in the moon is that man has been able to travel there. You see, you could pick out anything you want from this prophecy, and could say it had already been fulfilled.

Luke 21:26 "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken."

It is no shock to anyone that men's hearts are failing for fear of things coming upon the earth. Just one push of a button could bring global nuclear war. You see, all of this in fact is already here.

Luke 21:27 "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."

"Coming" (Quoted from Daniel 7:13; Mark 13:26-27; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Rev. 19:11-16).

Just as He went away in a cloud, He is coming back in a cloud (Acts 1:9-11). He will have power and great glory, because He will be King of kings and Lord of lords.

Luke 21:28 "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."

"Lift up your heads": The dreadful tribulations and signs that mark the last days are a cause of great expectation, joy and triumph for the true believer.

"Redemption": I.e., the final fullness of redemption, when the redeemed are reunited with Christ forever.

We see here, God is giving man some signs to watch for. When these things happen, praise God. The end is near. A generation many times in the Bible is spoken of as 40 years. In some few instances, it is even 120 years.

We are not to hang our heads and complain when all these things start happening. We are in this world, but we are not of this world. We are about to go home, so rejoice and praise God. Look toward heaven with anticipation and joy. Your redemption draweth nigh.

Luke 21:29-30 "And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;" When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand."

The "fig tree" is symbolic of the house of Israel. You remember that was what was meant when Jesus cursed the fig tree. So, this was talking about when Israel lives again. The "blooming" means to me is when Israel became a nation in 1948.

There are signs in the sun. Sun spots have been seen with telescopes already, so there is the fulfillment of that part of this prophecy. One of the signs in the moon is that man has traveled there. The fig tree throughout the Bible is symbolic of Israel.

In my opinion, this fig tree shooting forth is when Israel became a nation in 1948. I believe this is just another sign that the end is near.

Luke 21:31-32 "So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand." "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled."

"This generation": This cannot refer to the generation living at that time of Christ, for "all these things", the abomination of desolation (Matt. 24:15), the persecutions and judgments (Matt. 24:17-22), the false prophets (Matt. 24:23-26), the signs in the heavens (Matt. 24:27-29), Christ's final return (Matt. 24:30,) and the gathering of the elect (Matt. 24:31), did not "take place" in their lifetime.

You see, we don't know what generation God is speaking of. It is fun to anticipate. If God had wanted us to know for sure when this would happen, He would have told us in the Word. Our job is to stay ready.

Luke 21:33 "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."

"Heaven and earth shall pass away": The "heaven" refers to the physical universe. Some scripture interpretations include the words "with a roar". The "roar" connotes a whistling or a crackling sound as of objects being consumed by flames. God will incinerate the universe, probably in an atomic reaction that disintegrates all matter as we know it (see 2 Peter 3:10).

You cannot put value on anything in this earth or even on heaven itself. This earth will pass away. God's Word is the only thing that will not pass away.

Luke 21:34 "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares."

"That day": I.e., the day of His return. When Christ mentions His return, he invariably enjoins watchfulness (12:37-40; Matt. 25:13; Mark 13:33-37).

We are cautioned over and over to watch and wait. Sin should not be in the vocabulary of the Christian. The Lord is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkle. If we are living like the world, pleasing our flesh, when the Lord comes back, we will go the way of the world. The Son of man cometh when you least expect Him.

Luke 21:35-36 "For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."

"Pray always": A common theme in Paul's epistles (Romans 1:9; 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thess. 5:17; 2 Thess. 1:11).

Just as death comes without warning many times, we see here that the return of the Lord will be unexpected by the world. Even the Christians will not know the day or hour. "Watch and pray that ye may escape" has to do with the catching away of the Christians.

Those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb and living for Jesus when He comes will be snatched away into heaven to remain until the wrath of God is complete. You can read about the catching away (in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

Luke 21:37 "And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called [the mount] of Olives."

"In the day": I.e., during the days of that final week in Jerusalem.

Jesus went into the temple to teach the few days after Palm Sunday. He went to the Mount of Olives to sleep each night. Perhaps, He was there praying. This was Jesus' favorite place to go to pray.

For whatever reason He was there, it was a good place to rest.

Luke 21:38 "And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him."

It seems that even that last week before the crucifixion, the general public came to hear Jesus teach. In (verse 38), "coming early in the morning" shows great devotion, and also, that they were eager to be taught of Him. My only question is; where were they when they crucified Jesus?

Luke Chapter 21 Continued Questions

1. The desolation is nigh when you see what?

2. Where should we watch to know the end is near?

3. Let them which are in Judaea flee to the ________.

4. Why will God allow this to happen to Jerusalem and its people?

5. In verse 22, this time is called the day of ________.

6. Verse 23 says woe to whom?

7. In verse 24, what happens to them?

8. During the fall of Jerusalem, approximately how many died?

9. Jerusalem will be trodden down of the Gentiles until when?

10. What is a sign in the sun we have been seeing recently?

11. Why will men's hearts fail them?

12. How will they see the Son of man coming?

13. In what book in the New Testament does it say Jesus will come back the same way He went away?

14. When these things come to pass, what is the Christian to do?

15. Who is the fig tree symbolic of?

16. What is probably meant by this fig tree shooting forth?

17. When you see Israel spring forth, know ye that what is nigh?

18. This ______ shall not pass away till all be fulfilled.

19. What two things shall pass away, but God's Word will not pass away?

20. What are we cautioned not to be doing?

21. In verse 36, what two things must we do?

22. What should we want to be accounted worthy to escape from?

23. Who will be caught away to be with Jesus?

24. What did Jesus do in the daytime?

25. Where did He go at night?

26. Why did the people come early in the morning to the temple?

Luke Chapter 22

Luke 22:1 "Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover."

"Which is called the Passover": Passover was a single day, followed immediately by the Feast of the Unleavened Bread (Lev. 23:5-6). The whole season could be referred to by either name.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread lasted 8 days. Leaven was symbolic of sin.

Passover was a remembrance of the night in Egypt when all of Egypt's firstborn died, and God saved the firstborn of the Hebrews, because of the blood of the lamb which was over their door. Death passed over the house, where the blood was over the door, and did not enter. This Passover would be remembered for all of eternity for the Lord Jesus is the Passover Lamb.

Luke 22:2 "And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people."

"Chief priests and scribes": Both of these groups played a unique role in the various attacks that follow. Each was also represented in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, suggesting that the council had met to orchestrate the attack against Jesus. Their attacks came in the form of a series of questions designed to entrap Him.

"For they feared the people": They were therefore plotting secretly, hoping to eliminate Him after the Passover season, when Jerusalem would not be filled with so many people (verse 6; Matt. 26:4-5; Mark 1-2). But these events occurred according to God's timetable, not theirs.

They could not just rush out, get Jesus and kill Him; because the people would rise up in protest.

Jesus had left Jerusalem and taught in the rural areas for weeks before He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. At Passover time there were hundreds of thousands of people more than normal in Jerusalem, Jesus had taught in the temple on Monday and Tuesday after Palm Sunday. It seems large numbers of people came to hear Him teach.

These chief priests and scribes were jealous of Jesus and that is really why they wanted to kill him.

Luke 22:3 "Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve."

"Entered Satan": I.e., Judas was possessed by Satan himself. Satan evidently gained direct control over Judas on two occasions, once just before Judas arranged his betrayal with the chief priest, and again during the Last Supper (John 13:27), immediately before the betrayal was actually carried out.

We see in this that one of the trusted twelve, Judas Iscariot who traveled with Jesus and had opportunity to receive all the wonderful gifts of the Spirit that came upon the other eleven, fell. His greed for money opened him to the possibility to receive Satan within himself.

This spirit of Satan had to have Judas' permission to enter him. As I said, greed caused this possession. Judas loved money more than he loved God.

Luke 22:4 "And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them."

"Captains": I.e., the temple guard, a security force consisting of Levites.

Judas had been with the others. When he became overcome by Satan, he went quickly to the chief priests and captains to make his terrible deal with them to betray Jesus.

Luke 22:5 "And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money."

"And covenanted to give him money" (Matthew 26:15), says 30 pieces of silver, the price of a slave (Exodus 21:32).

This is the 30 pieces of silver mentioned in other Scriptures. We see in the amount paid Judas Iscariot that God is purchasing our redemption from the world. What Judas meant for evil will be the greatest victory ever won by Jesus for us.

Luke 22:6 "And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude."

Judas would catch Jesus away from the multitude and betray Him. The first opportunity Judas got, he would send for these people to take Jesus.

Luke 22:7 "Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed."

"Day of unleavened bread": I.e., the first day of the feast season. The people from Galilee celebrated the Passover on Thursday evening so the lambs were killed in the afternoon of that day. The disciples and Jesus ate the Passover meal that evening, after sundown (when Passover officially began). Judeans would follow this same sequence one day later, on Friday.

Jesus is the Passover Lamb, and He is also the Unleavened Bread. Unleavened means free from sin. Jesus is the Bread of life. As we have said before, even "Bethlehem" where Jesus was born means house of bread.

Luke 22:8 "And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat."

"Peter and John": Identified only by Luke.

"Go and prepare": This was no small task. They had to take the paschal lamb to be sacrificed, and make preparations for a meal for 13 (verse 14). But preliminary arrangements for the meal had apparently been made personally by Jesus Himself, and the owner of the upper room was taking care of many of those details for them.

This last supper that Jesus was to eat with his disciples was what Peter and John were to go to prepare. This last supper would be served in the upper room. Jesus Himself, is the Passover Lamb and will be crucified on the 14th day of Nissan which is Passover. The Jewish day begins at 6 P.M. in the evening and goes to 6 P.M. the next day.

In Genesis, God established the evening and morning being a day. He ate the same day He was crucified. He ate the Passover supper just after 6 P.M. and was crucified later that day at approximately 9 A.M. in the morning.

Luke 22:9-10 "And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?" "And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in."

"Bearing a pitcher of water": Probably part of his work to prepare for the meal. Normally carrying water was woman's work, so a man carrying a pitcher would stand out. It is unlikely that the water pitcher was any sort of prearranged signal.

Christ's knowledge of what the man would be doing at the precise moment the disciples arrived appears to be a manifestation of His divine omniscience.

Luke 22:11 "And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?"

Here again, the Spirit of God has undoubtedly gone ahead and made preparations for Jesus and the disciples to have this room for the last supper.

Luke 22:12 "And he shall show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready."

"A large upper room furnished": One of many such rooms for rent in Jerusalem that were maintained for the express purpose of providing pilgrims a place to celebrate feasts. The furnishing undoubtedly included everything necessary to prepare and serve a meal

Here we see this is to be a large upstairs room where there would not be a disturbance from the busy streets.

Luke 22:13 "And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover."

Little did these disciples know that their blessed Jesus was the true Passover Lamb. Their making ready consisted of making sure there was no leaven, getting special plates, and doing the things generally done by the father of the home for Passover.

Luke 22:14 "And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him."

"The hour was come": I.e., sundown, marking the official beginning of Passover.

Luke 22:15 "And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:"

"I have desired": (John 13:1). Jesus wanted to prepare them for what was coming.

Jesus calls this meal that they are partaking of the Passover. As I explained earlier, it is possible that just after 6 P.M. on what we would call Thursday evening, Jesus could have eaten Passover with His disciples. At 6 P.M. that evening, Passover could have begun.

The next morning which would still have been Passover, they crucified Jesus at the third hour (between 6 A.M.-9 A.M.) six hours later at the ninth hour Jesus died. At the latest, it would have been 3 P.M., leaving plenty of time to get Him to the tomb before their Sabbath began at 6 P.M.

This way Jesus could have eaten Passover with the disciples and yet was the Passover Lamb, as well.

Luke 22:16 "For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God."

"Fulfilled": Christ's death on the following day fulfilled the symbolism of the Passover meal. Passover was both a memorial of the deliverance from Egypt, and a prophetic type of the sacrifice of Christ.

Jesus is eating Passover for the last time before His crucifixion. The next Passover that any of them eat will not even be called Passover, but Communion. When the bread and wine are taken, it will be in remembrance of the true Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ our Lord.

The kingdom of God that Jesus established was the church of the living God.

Luke 22:17-18 "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide [it] among yourselves:" "For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come."

"And he took the cup": Luke mentions two cups (verse 20). The Passover Seder involved the sharing of 4 cups of diluted red wine. This cup was the first of the 4 (the cup of thanksgiving), and was preliminary to the institution of the Lord's Supper. It represented the end of His time of eating and drinking with the disciples, particularly partaking of the Passover (verse 18; 5:34-35; Matt. 9:15; 26:29).

In verse 18 here, it seems to be telling us that this is the last of the Passover for the believers; because (in verses 19 and 20), He seems to begin Holy Communion.

Luke 22:19 "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake [it], and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me."

"This is my body": I.e., it represented His body (the words of 8:11), "the seed is the word of 'God", and also (verse 20). Such metaphorical language was a typical Hebraism. No Eucharistic miracle of transubstantiation was implied, nor could the disciples have missed the symbolic intent of His statement, for His actual body, yet unbroken, was before their very eyes.

"This do": Thus, He established the observance as an ordinance for worship.

"Remembrance of me": Passover had looked forward to the sacrifice of Christ; He transformed the Seder into an altogether different ceremony, which looks back in remembrance at His atoning death.

Luke 22:20 "Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup [is] the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

"Also the cup": This is the third (the cup of blessing), of the 4 cups in the Passover celebration.

"After supper" (1 Cor. 11:25). These two verses are virtually identical in form. Paul stated that he had received his information about this event from the Lord Himself (1 Cor. 11:23).

"This cup is the new testament": Clearly the cup only represented the New Covenant.

Jesus is saying in this communion that the old law of Passover is being made the new covenant of His blood. What the law could not do, Jesus' shed blood did: purchased our salvation. We have talked throughout the Bible study how Jesus is the Bread. In fact, He is the unleavened Bread.

His body (free of sin), is symbolized by the unleavened Bread. His blood is symbolized by the fruit of the vine. When we take communion, we are remembering what great price Jesus paid on the cross to save us.

Luke 22:21 "But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me [is] with me on the table."

"The hand ... betrayeth me": Luke recounted the details of the Lord's Supper topically, not chronologically. Matthew and Mark place Jesus' warning about the betrayer prior to the giving of the bread and cup; Luke put it afterward.

Only (John 13:30), records Judas' departure, but John says nothing about the bread and cup. So it is difficult to tell by comparison whether Judas left before or after the institution of the Lord's Supper. But Luke's words here seem to imply that Judas actually shared in that event. If so, his presence at that time makes his hypocrisy and crime all the more despicable. (1 Cor. 11:27-30).

Judas was at the table taking Passover and communion with Jesus. He was living a lie. He was already unfaithful to the Lord. Jesus knew who it was.

Luke 22:22 "And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!"

"As it was determined": Every detail of the crucifixion of Christ was under the sovereign control of God and in accord with His eternal purposes (Acts 2:23; 4:26-28).

"But woe": The fact that Judas' betrayal was part of God's plan does not free him from the guilt of a crime he entered into willfully. God's sovereignty is never a legitimate excuse for human guilt.

The crucifixion of Jesus had been planned from the foundation of the earth. God had foreknowledge of Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus, but it was not pre-determined. Judas had of his own free will allowed Satan to enter him. Judas did this through lust for money.

The woe spoken will soon be found out when Judas kills himself after he betrays Jesus.

Luke 22:23 "And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing."

No one knew but Judas and Jesus who this was. The disciples might have killed Judas if they had known.

Luke Chapter 22 Questions

1. Verse 1 says the Feast of Unleavened Bread is called what?

2. What was leaven symbolic of?

3. What was the Passover celebrating?

4. Who wanted to kill Jesus, but feared the people?

5. What spirit entered Judas Iscariot?

6. Who did Judas meet with to plot against Jesus?

7. What did they covenant to give Judas?

8. What do the 30 pieces of silver symbolize?

9. When must the Passover lamb be killed?

10. Who is the Passover Lamb?

11. Who did Jesus send to prepare for the Passover meal?

12. What is another name this meal would be called by?

13. Where would this meal be served?

14. What day of the month is Passover?

15. At what hour of the day does the Jewish day begin?

16. At what hour was Jesus crucified?

17. At the very latest, what hour did He die?

18. How many hours were left to get Him in the tomb before the Sabbath?

19. Jesus wanted to eat Passover with His disciples before He _______.

20. How long did Jesus hang on the cross?

21. In verse 16, Jesus is eating Passover the last time and is establishing what?

22. The kingdom of God symbolizes what?

23. In verses 19 and 20, Jesus teaches what?

24. The old law of Passover is being made what?

25. The wine symbolizes what?

26. This unleavened bread symbolizes what?

27. Whose hand was on the table with Jesus?

28. What statement did Jesus say about the one who betrayed Him?

29. In verse 23, what were they discussing?

Luke Chapter 22 Continued

Luke 22:24 "And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest."

"A strife" (9:46; Matthew 20:20-24). This dispute may have prompted the episode where Christ washed their feet (John 13:1-20). It reveals how large an issue this was in the minds of the disciples, and how far they were from grasping all that He had taught them.

It is such a shame there is a power struggle even in God's church. These disciples were no different; they wanted to be the greatest in Jesus' sight.

Luke 22:25 "And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors."

"Benefactors" (Matthew 20:25). This title was used by the heathen rulers of both Egypt and Syria, though it was rarely a fitting description. The intent was to portray themselves as champions of their people, but it had a very condescending ring to it, especially when so many "benefactors" were actual ruthless tyrants.

These benefactors (workers of good), were demanding and ruled hard over their people. They held themselves in high esteem.

Luke 22:26 "But ye [shall] not [be] so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve."

"Chief, as he that doth serve" (Matthew 20:26-28). This is an apparent reference to the washing of their feet. Christ Himself had modeled such servitude throughout His ministry (verse 27; Phil. 2:5-8).

Jesus is trying to teach them humility, and also trying to teach them to not regard themselves higher than others. Don't try to rule, be willing to be ruled over.

Luke 22:27 "For whether [is] greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? [is] not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth."

Jesus is showing them here that even though He is their leader, He is serving them at tables. Jesus' followers are actually His servants, and yet, the Master is serving them.

Luke 22:28 "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations."

"My temptations": Christ's entire life and ministry were filled with temptations (4:1-13); hardships (9:58); sorrows (19:41); and agonies (verse 44). Not to mention the sufferings of the cross which He knew were yet to come.

Jesus is explaining how dear they are to Him. They know Him better than anyone else on earth. They have seen the enemy come against Him so much, and yet He is without sin.

Luke 22:29 "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;"

"A kingdom ... hath appointed": Christ confirmed the disciples' expectation of an earthly kingdom yet to come. It would not come in the timing or the manner that they hoped, but He affirmed the promise that such a kingdom would indeed be established, and that they would have a principal role in it (verse 30; Matt. 19:28).

The Lord here is telling the apostles that He is turning the followers of Jesus (Himself), over to them. Jesus started the church; they must take the reins and keep it going.

Luke 22:30 "That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

"Judging the twelve tribes of Israel": The language identifies this as a millennial promise.

This is a promise Jesus is making the apostles for their rewards in heaven and His 1000 year reign upon the earth. He is saying, when we get to Heaven, you may sit at My table with Me. What a wonderful promise. He goes even further and says, I am putting you ruler over the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 22:31 "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat:"

"Simon, Simon": The repetition of the name (10:41; Acts 9:4), implied an earnest and somber tone of warning. Christ Himself had given Simon the name Peter (6:14), but here He reverted to his old name, perhaps to intensify His rebuke about Peter's fleshly over confidence.

The context also suggests that Peter may have been one of the more vocal participants in the dispute of (verse 24).

"Satan hath desired to have you": Though addressed specifically to Peter, this warning embraced the other disciples as well.

"Sift you as wheat": The imagery is apt. It suggests that such trials, though unsetting and undesirable, have a necessary refining effect.

Jesus loved Simon Peter. Satan undoubtedly got permission from God to tempt the disciples, like he got permission to try Job. These disciples did not remain with Jesus when it appeared they might be crucified with Him, they ran. Peter was possibly more severely tried, because he was the rock Jesus said He would build His church on.

Trials come to make us strong, and that is what happened eventually to Peter also. Jesus prayed for Peter's faith not to fail. Peter would be powerful in helping the others.

Luke 22:32 "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."

"I have prayed for thee": The pronoun thee (you), is singular. Although it is clear that Jesus prayed for all of them (John 17:6-19), He personally assured Peter of His prayers and of Peter's ultimate victory. Even encouraging Peter to be an encourager to the others.

"That thy faith fail not": Peter himself failed miserably, but his faith was never overthrown (John 21:18-19).

Luke 22:33 "And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death."

Peter felt at this moment as if he would never leave the Lord. Peter was ready to fight to the death, if necessary. Remember, he had his sword which he cut the soldier's ear off with. Peter would not understand Jesus seemingly letting them win.

Luke 22:34 "And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me."

"Thou shalt thrice deny": This prediction of Peter's denial evidently took place in the upper room (John 13:38).

(Matthew 26:34 and Mark 14:30), recorded a second, nearly identical incident, which took place of the Mt. of Olives on the way to Gethsemane (Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26).

This had to come as a blow to Peter. He did not believe, that under any circumstances, he would deny Jesus. Nevertheless, the Master said it. He even said he would deny Jesus three times. We say we would not have denied Him. We have never been put to that hard a test. We do not know what we would do.

Luke 22:35 "And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing."

"When I sent you" (9:3; 10:4).

When Jesus had sent them out before, it was during His popularity on earth. The disciples were anointed to cast out demons, heal the sick and preach the Word. They were well respected and had need of nothing.

Luke 22:36 "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."

"But now": When Christ sent them out before, He had sovereignly arranged for their needs to be met. Henceforth they were to use normal means to provide for their own support and protection. The money bag, knapsack and sword were figurative expressions for such means (the sword being emblematic of protection, not aggression).

But they mistakenly took His words literally (verse 38).

Times have changed. They must prepare to minister without Jesus. Persecution of Jesus' followers was as certain as His death on the cross. Jesus is saying to them that there will be hard times. Whatever they can do for themselves, do it. They would be persecuted for being His followers.

Luke 22:37 "For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end."

Quoted from (Isaiah 53:12).

It had been prophesied about Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, and God does not lie. The Scriptures must be fulfilled. He was reckoned a transgressor for our sins. He took on the sins of the world (chapter 53 of Isaiah 1-12), predicts just that. Jesus explains to the apostles one more time that now is that time.

Luke 22:38 "And they said, Lord, behold, here [are] two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough."

"Two swords": These were short, dagger-like instruments, more like knives than swords. There was nothing unusual about the carrying of such weapons in that culture. They had many practical uses besides violence against other people.

"It is enough": I.e. enough of such talk (verse 51).

Luke 22:39 "And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him."

The "Mount of Olives (Olivet)" is a small range of several summits (highest elevation 2,723 feet), running north-south for two and one half miles. The range overlooks Jerusalem from the east, across the Kidron Valley. Jesus often went to the Mount of Olives to teach (Matt. 24:3), to pray (Luke 23:39-40), and to rest (Luke 21:37).

Jesus loved to go to the Mount of Olives to pray.

"His disciples also followed him" (Matthew 26:36-37 and Mark 14:32-33), give more details. He left most of the disciples at the entrance to Gethsemane, and took Peter, James and John inside with Him to pray.

Luke 22:40 "And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation."

"The place": Gethsemane.

"Pray": He had already warned them, and Peter in particular, that an egregious trial was imminent (verse 31). Sadly, that warning, as well as His imploring them to pray, went unheeded.

Jesus knew the disciples would be sorely tested before this was over. There is strength in prayer, and that is what Jesus told them to do. Prayer changes things.

Luke 22:41 "And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,"

"A stone's cast": I.e. within earshot. His prayer was partly for their benefit (John 11:41-42).

Even though this is God the Son, He is housed in flesh which suffers pain the same as we do. Jesus found it necessary to pray. This should show us the importance of prayer in our lives.

Luke 22:42 "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."

"This cup": I.e., the cup of divine wrath (Isa. 51:17, 22; Jer. 25:15-17, 27-29; Lam. 4:21-22; "Ezek. 23:31-34; Hab. 2:16).

"Not my will" (Matthew 26:39; John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38; 8:29). This does not imply that there was any conflict between the will of the Father and the will of the Son. It was a perfectly normal expression of His humanity that He shrank from the cup of divine wrath. But even though the cup was abhorrent to Him, He willingly took it, because it was the will of the Father.

In this prayer He was consciously, deliberately and voluntarily subjugating all His human desires to the Father's perfect will. Thus, there was neither conflict between Father and Son, nor between the deity of Christ and His human desire.

Until we too can say not my will, but thine Lord, we are not where we need to be. Jesus wants to be our Savior, but He must be our Lord, as well. Jesus' flesh was weak, but his Spirit was willing.

Verses 43-44: The facts in these verses are related only by Luke, the physician.

Luke 22:43 "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him."

This is a terrible fate awaiting Jesus in the flesh. This angel (ministering spirit), has come to strengthen Jesus in the flesh, so His flesh will be in harmony with His Spirit.

Luke 22:44 "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

"Great drops of blood": This suggests a dangerous condition known as hematidrosis, the effusion of blood in one's perspiration. It can be caused by extreme anguish or physical strain. Subcutaneous capillaries dilate and burst, mingling blood with sweat. Christ Himself stated that His distress had brought Him to the threshold of death.

The fate of the whole world lay upon Him. Worse perhaps, than the pain was the knowing that He would take on His body the sin of the entire world, and that the Father would turn His head from Him. The dread is so terrible is why the sweat was like drops of blood.

Luke 22:45 "And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,"

"Sleeping for sorrow" (9:32). The emotional strain was wearing on the disciples as well as Christ. Their response, however was to capitulate to fleshly cravings. Thus, they gratified their immediate desire for sleep, rather than staying awake to pray for strength, as Christ had commanded them (verse 40).

All the reasons for their subsequent failure are found in their behavior in the garden.

This sleep seems to be to keep them from praying. They were sorrowful, and perhaps, at a loss for what to do. Sleep can sometimes be an escape from problems we don't know how to solve.

Luke 22:46 "And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation."

"Rise and pray": A tender appeal to the disciples, who in their weakness were disobeying Him at a critical moment. He may have been summoning them to a standing posture, to help overcome their drowsiness. (Matthew 26:43 and Mark 14:40), reveal that He again found them sleeping at least one more time.

The disciples just did not understand the severity of the situation. Sometimes when we need to pray, we are the sleepiest. Could it be that Satan caused them to sleep?

Luke Chapter 22 Continued Questions

1. What strife was among the apostles?

2. What are the Gentile lords sometimes called?

3. In verse 26, Jesus said the greatest should do what?

4. What is Jesus trying to teach them?

5. Who is greater, the one who is served, or the one serving?

6. In verse 28, Jesus said they had continued with Him in what?

7. What did Jesus appoint to His disciples?

8. What would they do at Jesus' table in His kingdom?

9. Who would the disciples reign over?

10. What did Jesus say Satan wanted to do to Peter?

11. Jesus prayed for Peter to do what?

12. What did Peter say he was ready to do for Jesus?

13. How many times did Jesus say Peter would deny Him?

14. When the disciples went out without provisions, lacked they anything?

15. What did Jesus tell them to take with them now?

16. Where did Jesus use a Scripture from in the Old Testament in verse 37?

17. How many swords were brought to Jesus?

18. Where did Jesus go to pray?

19. What did he tell the disciples to pray?

20. Jesus _______ and prayed.

21. What did Jesus ask the Father in prayer?

22. Who ministered to Jesus in His agony?

23. What was Jesus sweat compared to?

24. How did Jesus find the disciples when he got up from prayer?

25. In verse 46, what did Jesus ask them?

Luke Chapter 22 Second Continued

Luke 22:47 "And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him."

"A multitude": These were heavily armed representatives of the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43), accompanied by a Roman cohort with lanterns, torches, and weapons (John 18:3).

"Kiss": A typical greeting, but this was the prearranged signal by which Judas would identify Christ for the soldiers (Matt. 26:48-49).

This is so important that it is touched upon in all four gospels. Judas Iscariot (the betrayer), would make it even worse by betraying Jesus with a Kiss. This, like so many other crimes, was done under the cover of darkness. Judas knew where Jesus went to pray and that there would not be a large group there.

Luke 22:48 "But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?"

Jesus knew exactly what Judas would do. He even knew about the kiss. Only someone who had been counted as a friend would have gotten so close.

Luke 22:49 "When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?"

Had Jesus not have wanted to go with them. He would not have needed warriors, or even swords. Jesus was in full control of this whole situation. He was fulfilling Scripture. He could have paralyzed all these that came for Him with just one word. It was His decision to go.

Luke 22:50 "And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear."

"Cut off his right ear": All four gospels record this incident. Only John revels that the swordsman was Peter and the victim was named Malchus (John 18:10). And only Luke, the physician, records the subsequent healing (verse 51).

This had to be impulsive Peter who smote off the ear of the high priest's servant. As I said in the explanation above, Jesus could have stopped them any time He had wanted to. He knew this must be done to be the Savior of the world. At any moment, Jesus could have called 10,000 angels to fight for Him, and they would have been there.

In fact, He could have stopped it without the angels. He chose to die for you and me that we might have everlasting life. He had come to Gethsemane to strengthen His flesh, not His Spirit. Gethsemane is an olive crusher which makes olive oil (Holy Spirit). There was no need to fight. Jesus would fulfill the wishes of His father.

Luke 22:51 "And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him."

"Touched his ear, and healed him": This is the only instance in all of Scripture where Christ healed a flesh wound. The miracle is also unique in that Christ healed an enemy, unasked and without any evidence of faith in the recipient. It is also remarkable that such a dramatic miracle had no effect whatsoever on the hearts of those men.

Neither had the explosive power of Jesus' words, which knocked them to the ground (John 18:6). They carried on with the arrest as if nothing peculiar had happened (verse 54).

Had there ever been any doubt from any of these people who Jesus was, there shouldn't be now. It appears they knew who He was and went ahead with this crucifixion anyhow.

Luke 22:52-53 "Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?" "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

"Your hour ... power of darkness": I.e., nighttime, the hour of darkness. They had not the courage to confront Jesus in the presence of the crowds at the temple, where He had openly taught each day. Their skulking tactics betrayed the truth about their hearts.

Nighttime was a fitting hour for the servants of the power of darkness (Satan), to be afoot (John 3:20-21; Eph. 5:8, 12-15; 1 Thess. 5:5-7).

They had not stretched forth their hands against Him in the temple, because they feared the people He was ministering to. Of course, the only way they could take Him now was to fulfill God's purpose. Notice, they came under cover of darkness.

This was the place Jesus went to withdraw from the multitude. This was like a kangaroo court. All of this happened at night. Jesus makes the chief priests and captains aware that He knows what they are doing.

Luke 22:54 "Then took they him, and led [him], and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off."

"High priest's house": I.e. Caiaphas' house.

"Peter followed afar off": All 4 gospels record this fact. John indicates that another disciple, presumably himself, also followed (John 18:15).

It seems as though all of this trial of Jesus took place during the night. This is a very strange way to try someone. It is even strange to me that these people of this great authority would be awake at this hour of the night. The high priest's house was the beginning of the trials.

We see here, Peter does not want to be totally separated from Jesus. He is following from afar. The symbolism here is for our day. Many of the Christians follow Jesus from afar. We love Him, but some of us won't get close enough for people to realize we belong to Jesus. Peter was afraid to get too close, afraid they might crucify Him too.

Are we like that? If we get too close to Jesus, our friends and neighbors might turn on us and persecute us.

Luke 22:55 "And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them."

Peter wanted to be close enough to know what was going on, but not close enough to share in the punishment. In these big halls of these homes, they had fires burning. Peter sat by the fire. This tells us that at this time of year, it was still pretty cool. This all happens on the 14th of Nisan, which is early spring.

Luke 22:56 "But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him."

"A certain maid": All 4 gospels mention her. She appears to have been the doorkeeper of Annas' house (Matt. 26:69; Mark 14:66; John 18:17).

Peter had been with Jesus when He taught the multitudes. It would have been impossible to hide the fact that Peter was a follower of Jesus.

Luke 22:57 "And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not."

"He denied him": (John 18:13-18), says this first denial took place while Jesus was being examined by Annas father-in-law, to Caiaphas. Both accounts mention a fire in the courtyard (verse 55; John 18:18), so it may be that the houses of Annas and Caiaphas shared a common courtyard.

Only John mentions the examination by Annas, so the other gospels describes Peter's 3-fold denial as an incident that took place in the porch and courtyard of Caiaphas' house.

This strong apostle of Jesus who had been so close to the Master, in the face of loss of his own life, denies Jesus.

Luke 22:58 "And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not."

"Another say him": "Another" is a masculine pronoun in the Greek indicating a man. (Mark 14:69), says this second challenge to Peter came from the same servant-girl who first recognized him (verse 56).

The supposed discrepancy is easily reconciled when it is remembered that Peter was among several bystanders, and many of them questioned him at once (Matt. 26:73). He responded with his second denial.

It is interesting to me that even though Peter is being accused of being Jesus' follower and he is denying it, he still stays near.

Luke 22:59 "And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this [fellow] also was with him: for he is a Galilean."

"He is a Galilean": They knew because of his accent (Matthew 26:73).

Now even his speech and dress have given Peter away. He is obviously a Galilean.

Luke 22:60 "And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew."

This had to be the saddest moment of Peter's life. When this cock crew. Peter immediately realized what he had done.

Luke 22:61 "And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice."

"The Lord turned, and looked upon Peter": Luke alone records that Jesus made eye contact with Peter. The verb used suggests an intent, fixed look. The fact that He could see Peter suggests that the men holding Jesus had already brought Him into the courtyard to beat Him (verse 63).

"Peter remembered": Matthew 26:75 "And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly."

"And Peter remembered": The Lord knew when the cock crew that Peter had truly denied Him three times. Whether this look was one of compassion or not, I know Jesus felt sorry for His friend Peter, who had done the very thing he had said he wouldn't, under pressure of death. This had to be a very saddening remembrance of the prophecy Jesus had made.

Luke 22:62 "And Peter went out, and wept bitterly."

Peter probably thought the Lord would never have any use for him again. Peter hates his own weakness. Perhaps, one of the reasons Peter went back to his nets to fish for a living again, was because he felt Jesus would not want someone as weak as he to preach the salvation message.

Luke Chapter 22 Second Continued Questions

1. What was Judas to do to show them which one was Jesus?

2. What part of the day was this done in?

3. How do we know that Jesus knew what Judas was about to do?

4. What did Jesus' disciples ask about defending Him?

5. What did one of the disciples do to the high priest's servant?

6. What disciple was it, probably?

7. Why did Jesus let them take Him?

8. What miracle did Jesus do in front of all these accusers who had come for Him?

9. What did Jesus say to the chief priests and captains?

10. Why had they not come against Him in the temple?

11. Which of the disciples followed afar off?

12. Where did they take Jesus first to try Him?

13. All of Jesus' trial took place at __________.

14. What is so strange about this trial of Jesus?

15. What is the symbolism of Peter following from afar?

16. Where did they kindle a fire?

17. What did Peter fear?

18. What was the month and day this happened?

19. Who was the first to say they recognized Peter as being with Jesus?

20. What was Peter's reply?

21. In verse 59, what gave Peter away?

22. Just as Peter denied Jesus the third time, what happened?

23. When did Peter remember what Jesus had prophesied?

24. When Peter realized what he had done, what did he do?

25. What was probably the reason Peter stopped preaching and went back to his nets?

Luke Chapter 22 Third Continued

Luke 22:63 "And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote [him]."

"Mocked him and smote him": Luke includes no details about Caiaphas' first interrogation of Jesus, recorded (in Matt. 26:59-65). The beating described here evidently took place after that first examination, before the Sanhedrin could assemble for its official hearing (verse 66).

Luke 22:64 "And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?"

This is a terrible scene. All I can think of, as I read this, is how these same men will feel when they stand before Jesus (the Judge of all the world). Then all of this will come home, because without them saying anything, He will be able to say: You are the one who hit me while I was blindfolded.

Many a word that some of us have said about people in the ministry will be regretted, as well.

Luke 22:65 "And many other things blasphemously spake they against him."

Many would regret all of this later in the day; when all of a sudden, darkness comes for three hours, right in the middle of the day; and also, when the earthquake comes. Then all of this blasphemy will be sorely remembered.

Luke 22:66 "And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,"

"As soon as it was day": Criminal trials were not deemed legal if held at night, so the Sanhedrin dutifully waited until daybreak to render the verdict they had already agreed on anyway (Matt. 26:66; Mark 14:64).

These three groups made up the Sanhedrin. This group could sentence Jesus in its court, but they could not carry out the punishment. The Roman governing group had taken this authority from them. This is the first action that had taken place in daylight.

I had always been disappointed in the multitudes of followers of Jesus for not stopping all of this, but they probably were not aware of it; because they had gone somewhere to rest for the night when all of this happened.

Even the crucifixion would take place so early in the morning that word could not have gotten around sufficiently for them to know of this in time to do anything.

Luke 22:67 "Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:"

"Art thou the Christ": The Sanhedrin subjected Him to the same set of questions He had been asked in the nighttime trial, and the answers He gave were substantially the same (verses 67-71; Matt. 26:63-66; Mark 14:61-64).

He had already told them in all the healings, deliverances, and powerful sermons that had taken place in their own temple. The only reason they want Him to answer now is so they can accuse Him. They are really saying, are you the promised Messiah? He answers them correctly. If all of the miracles didn't answer for Him, what could be gained by saying He is now?

Luke 22:68 "And if I also ask [you], ye will not answer me, nor let [me] go."

Why should He answer? If He answers either way, that just gives them more evidence for the trial before Pilate.

Luke 22:69 "Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God."

Jesus prophesies to them of where He will be shortly. Jesus not only sits at the right hand, but is spoken of as God's Right Arm and Hand. We know from previous lessons that Jesus is Creator God.

In (John 1:1-3) we read, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." "The same was in the beginning with God." "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

We could go back and show that the Lord was the Rock in the wilderness. He was the symbolic Arm that was stretched over the Red Sea to part it. He was the finger of God who wrote the Ten Commandments in the tables. Jesus you see, is the Second Person of the Godhead.

Jesus really is boldly telling them who He is. I believe they know and are just jealous and feel if they get rid of Him, they will have more power over the people.

Luke 22:70 "Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am."

Jesus does not deny that He is God the Son. By all of them asking Him this question, it is obvious that they were all involved in this. This is not just one of these men, but rather a conspiracy of all of them to get rid of Him.

The problem with this Sanhedrin committee, and people in a good many of our churches today, is they could not get it out of their head that He was a man. Because they could see His flesh and bone. They could not believe that God the Son was standing before them. I go back once more to (John 1:14).

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

Our eyes will deceive us. We must not believe in only what we can see with our natural eye, because that takes no effort at all and is not faith. In (Hebrews 11:1), we learn what faith is:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

These men of the Sanhedrin were not interested in things of faith. They believed what they saw with their carnal eye, a man.

Luke 22:71 "And they said, What need we any further witness? For we ourselves have heard of his own mouth."

This Sanhedrin group is satisfied that they can now take Him and get Him sentenced to crucifixion by Pilate.

To recap all of this, it is ridiculous. What was He really accused of? Doing miracles that the religious people of that day could not do. His works alone proved who He was. They knew the people would never stand for this, so they bring this whole thing about in the middle of the night.

The thing that stands out to me in this is that even though these evil people betray Jesus, God's time table is perfect in this happening. On the 14th of Nisan just after 6 p.m., Jesus takes Passover with the disciples. A short time later, Jesus carried to the high priest's home where He is buffeted all night.

At daylight, the Sanhedrin meets and condemns Jesus. About 9 A.M., He is crucified. At noon, it turns dark. At 3 P.M., Jesus is dead. All of this is still on Passover, making Jesus the sacrificial Lamb. Before 6 P.M., Jesus is put in the tomb. This is one of the fastest captures, condemnations, punishments and burials on record. This is so it will fit into God's perfect plan.

Luke Chapter 22 Third Continued Questions

1. What did the men who held Jesus do to Him?

2. When they blindfolded Him, what did they ask Jesus?

3. In verse 65, what kind of things did they say to Him?

4. What would cause them to regret all of this that very day?

5. As soon as it was day the elders, chief priests, and scribes took Jesus where?

6. Who did these 3 groups make up?

7. What was the only thing they could do to Jesus?

8. Why did the multitude of Jesus' followers not stop this?

9. What did the Sanhedrin ask Jesus?

10. How did Jesus answer them?

11. If Jesus answers them, what will happen?

12. In verse 69, Jesus calls Himself whom?

13. Where does Jesus tell them He will sit?

14. John 1 tells us that Jesus is _________ _________.

15. Name 2 or 3 times the power of Jesus was manifest in the Old Testament.

16. The author believes they knew who Jesus was and were just _______.

17. In verse 70, what do they ask Jesus?

18. How does He answer?

19. What was wrong with the way these men of the Sanhedrin viewed Jesus?

20. In John 1:14, what do we learn about who Jesus is?

21. What is faith?

22. What was the only thing these of the Sanhedrin saw when they looked at Jesus?

23. What proved without a shadow of doubt who Jesus was without Him even speaking?

24. What day was Passover?

25. What day was Jesus crucified?

26. Who was the Passover Lamb?

Luke Chapter 23

Luke 23:1 "And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate."

"The whole multitude of them": I.e., the entire Sanhedrin, some 70 men. At least one member of the council, Joseph of Arimathea, dissented from the decision of condemn Christ (verses 50-52).

"Led": Delivered him to Pontius Pilate. Jesus had two trials, one Jewish and religious, the other Roman and secular. Rome reserved the right of execution in capital cases, so Jesus had to be handed over to the Roman authorities for execution of the death sentence.

Pilate's headquarters were in Caesarea, on the Mediterranean coast, but he was in Jerusalem for the Passover celebrations, so he oversaw the trial. Christ was brought before Pilate (Matthew 2:14), then was sent to Herod for yet another hearing (Luke 23:6-12), then returned to Pilate for the final hearing and pronouncing of sentence (Matt. 27:1 15-26).

Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea and Samaria during Christ's ministry. Emperor Tiberius appointed him as the fifth procurator of Judea (A.D. 26-36). As procurator, he controlled the Judean province, having an army of from three thousand to five thousand Roman soldiers.

Usually he would govern from Caesarea, but during the Jewish feasts he and his troops would be garrisoned in Jerusalem just outside the temple area at the fortress of Antonia. Pilate was an insensitive, cruel leader who needlessly infuriated the Jews and Samaritans (Luke 13:1). This evidently led to his recall to Rome.

The multitude is speaking of those of the Sanhedrin. These Jews did not have the authority to kill Jesus, so they had to bring Jesus before Pilate for pronouncing the death sentence. Of course, this whole thing was against the law. Trial at night and crucifying the accused the same day was really against the law.

Luke 23:2 "And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this [fellow] perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King."

"Forbidding to give tribute to Caesar": This was a deliberate lie. Members of the Sanhedrin had publicly questioned Jesus on the very issue (hoping to discredit Him before the Jews), and He expressly upheld Caesar's right to demand taxes (20:20-25).

"Saying that he ... is Christ a king": This was innuendo, implying that He was seditious against Rome, another untrue charge.

Of course, Jesus had not said anything about giving tribute to Caesar. This accusation was just to stir Pilate up so he would crucify Jesus. Jesus had not even told them that He was Christ. They had said that themselves. This whole trial was a set up. Very little truth was told.

Luke 23:3 "And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest [it]."

"Thou sayest it" (John 18:33-37), gives a fuller account of Jesus' reply to this question.

Pilate, perhaps, had heard that this Jesus was believed to be the King of the Jews, the Messiah. In the answer Jesus gave, Pilate knew that Jesus was indeed the King. Jesus answered in such a way that they could not accuse Him of saying that He was. In the other accounts of this, some of the other writers go into detail explaining that Pilate really did not want to kill Jesus.

John was probably somewhere near and heard these details. We know that Peter was near, as well.

Luke 23:4 "Then said Pilate to the chief priests and [to] the people, I find no fault in this man."

"No fault": Despite the Jewish leaders' desperate attempts to accuse Him, Pilate was satisfied that Jesus was no insurrectionist, but the ferocity of the people made him afraid to exonerate Jesus. He was relieved to hear that Jesus was a Galilean, because that gave him an excuse to send Him to Herod (verses 5-6).

There really was no evidence of any wrong doing on Jesus' part. Pilate realized that this was a move caused by jealousy on the part of these religious people who accused Jesus. This is a frame-up to get rid of Jesus.

Luke 23:5 "And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place."

This is the nearest thing to the truth they have told. The church had gotten so stagnant that nothing was happening and here this Jesus comes along and gets everyone excited about God. He brings hope where there was no hope.

People the church had turned down, are becoming His followers. He even heals people when there was no healing going on in the church. Someone surely needed to stir up the people. In fact, we could use a good stir in the church now before it completely dies.

Luke 23:6 "When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilean."

Pilate quickly sees a chance to get off the hook. If this man is a Galilean, perhaps, this decision belongs to someone else.

Luke 23:7 "And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time."

"Herod's jurisdiction": Herod Antipas ruled Galilee and Perea. The Pharisees, no friends of Herod themselves, may have warned Christ because they hoped the threat of violence from Herod would either silence Him, or drive Him back to Judea, where the Sanhedrin would have jurisdiction over Him (see Luke 13:31).

"Sent him to Herod": Herod had come to Jerusalem for the feasts, and Pilate seized the opportunity to free himself from a political dilemma by sending Jesus to his rival.

We see from this that Pilate really believed Jesus to be innocent, but he did not want to stir up the Jews against him. He really did not want the blood of this innocent man on his hands, especially since his wife had dreamed about this very thing and told Pilate not to do this.

His fear of the people caused him not to release Jesus. He did not want to condemn Him, either. He was pleased that He was in Herod's jurisdiction; and since Herod was in Jerusalem, he just sent Him to Herod to judge.

Luke 23:8 "And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long [season], because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him."

"Was desirous to see him": Herod's interest in Christ was funneled by the fact that Christ reminded him of his late nemesis, John the Baptist (9:7-9). At one time Herod had apparently threatened to kill Jesus (13:31-33), but with Christ in Judea rather that Galilee and where Herod ruled, the king's concern seems to have been nothing more than an eager curiosity.

Herod's usual residence was Capernaum, and he had heard of the mighty miracles that Jesus had done; but had never had an opportunity to see a miracle. Herod was not interested in punishing Jesus.

Luke 23:9 "Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing."

"Answered him nothing": It is significant that in all Jesus' various interrogations, Herod was the only one to whom He refused to speak. (Matthew 7:6). Herod had summarily rejected the truth when he heard it from John the Baptist, so it would have been pointless for Jesus to answer him (Isa. 53:7; Psalms 38:13-14, 39:1-2, 9; 1 Peter. 2:23).

Pilate it appears, questioned Jesus at length, not to find fault, but to take care of his curiosity. Jesus did not answer him.

Luke 23:10 "And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him."

The chief priests and scribes went right along when they carried Jesus to Herod and they continued accusing Jesus.

Luke 23:11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked [him], and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

"His men": I.e., his security force.

"Set him at nought": Herod made Christ and the charges against Him as an occasion for a joke for Pilate's amusement (verse 12).

"A gorgeous robe": Probably not the same robe mentioned (in Matthew 27:28), which was a military cloak. This was an elegant king's garment, probably one that Herod was prepared to discard.

Since Jesus didn't do a miracle in front of Herod, he decided there must not be anything to the stories about the miracles. He and his men made fun of Jesus, they even put a kingly robe upon Him, and then they sent Jesus back to Pilate.

Luke 23:12 "And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves."

"Friends": Based on the common unjust and cowardly treatment of Jesus.

We see here that Herod felt that Pilate had shown respect for him by sending Jesus who was from his district to be judged by him. Herod recognized Pilate's superiority when he returned Jesus to Pilate for such a serious decision. This caused them to become friends.

Luke 23:13 "And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,"

"Called": Pilate intended to declare Christ not guilty (verse 14), and it was his intention to make the verdict as public as possible. He undoubtedly expected that it would put an end to the whole matter.

Verses 14-15: Pilate and Herod concurred in the verdict (1 Tim. 6:13).

Luke 23:14-15 "Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined [him] before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:" "No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him."

The fear of man brings many into this snare that they will do an unjust thing, against their consciences, rather than get into trouble. Pilate declares Jesus innocent, and has a mind to release him.

Luke 23:16 "I will therefore chastise him, and release [him]."

"I will therefore chastise him": (verse 22). Though Pilate found Him innocent of any wrongdoing he was prepared to scourge Him merely to pacify the Jews. But even that punishment, severe as it was, could not quench their thirst for His blood.

The very first thing that shows up in this is that even though Pilate and Herod found Jesus to be completely innocent, they both punished Him. Pilate, to please these people of the Sanhedrin says he will chastise Him. If he is innocent, it is illegal to chastise Him. These chief priests and rulers of the people will not be satisfied with this, because they want to be rid of Jesus.

Luke 23:17 "(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)"

"For of necessity": I.e. because it was a longstanding Jewish custom (John 18:39), traditionally honored by the Romans.

It was the custom to release a prisoner (pardoned) at feast time.

Luke 23:18 "And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this [man], and release unto us Barabbas:"

"Barabbas": A robber (John 18:40), and murderer (Luke 23:18-19), in some way involved as an anti-Roman insurrectionist. Whether his involvement was motivated by political conviction or personal greed is not known.

It is impossible to identify the specific insurrection in question, but such uprisings were common in Jesus' day and were precursors of the wholesale revolt of (A.D. 66-70).

Jealousy is one of the cruelest sins, because men do terrible irrational things to innocent people. Barabbas was a menace to society, a very evil man, and yet they chose him over the Lord of all the earth.

Luke 23:19 "(Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)"

You can easily see Barabbas deserved punishing. He had led a revolt against the authorities. John calls him a robber; and here in Luke, we see him called a murderer. In other words, he was a very evil man.

Luke 23:20 "Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them."

Pilate wants to release Jesus. He knows Jesus is innocent of any wrong doing. Once more, he tries to convince these people to release Jesus.

Luke 23:21 "But they cried, saying, Crucify [him], crucify him."

"Crucify him": Crucifixion was the most painful and disgraceful form of execution the Romans employed.

Pilate by this time has washed his hands and said he was innocent of taking this innocent man's blood. These religious people of the day would not be hushed. They wanted to be rid of this Jesus.

Luke 23:22 "And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let [him] go."

"The third time": Pilate repeatedly gave powerful testimony to the innocence of Christ (verses 4:14-15). In doing so, he not only condemned the Jews, who demanded Jesus' death, but also himself, because he handed the Savior over without cause.

A ruler, or anyone who judges, should never allow a mob to make his decision for him. He knows Jesus is innocent and he should not be swayed by the mob. His fear of losing his high position is swaying his better judgement.

Luke 23:23 "And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed."

Pilate gave in to these loud voices of these Jews. Public opinion should never sway a judge. Pilate is afraid these Jews will cause great trouble with his rule and might even overthrow him.

Luke 23:24 "And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required."

"Pilate gave sentence": Pilate's response reveals his lack of principle. His desire to please the Jews for political reasons (to save himself from Rome's displeasure), ultimately overcame his desire to set Jesus free (verse 20).

(John 18:39 - 19:16), gives a much more detailed account of Pilate's decision to hand Jesus over.

We see mob rule here. Pilate, against his better judgement, sentences Jesus to crucifixion. Pilate is not as guilty as these Jewish Leaders. Nevertheless, he could have stopped this and he didn't. He knew Jesus was innocent of wrong doing, yet he sentenced Him anyway.

He cannot plead innocence. What a terrible fate to stand before Jesus on judgement day and know that you ordered the crucifixion.

Luke 23:25 "And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will."

This is the grossest example of injustice ever in history. We know that God will use this terrible injustice and bring the greatest act of grace in all of history about at the crucifixion of His only begotten Son.

Luke Chapter 23 Questions

1. When the multitude arose, where did they take Jesus?

2. Who is this multitude?

3. Why did they take Jesus to Pilate?

4. What did they accuse Jesus of before Pilate?

5. What question did Pilate ask Jesus?

6. How did Jesus answer in verse 3?

7. In verse 4. what statement did Pilate make to the people?

8. Where did they say Jesus had preached?

9. Why did Pilate believe where Jesus had preached would get him off the hook?

10. Who did Pilate send Jesus to?

11. Why was he glad to see Jesus?

12. When he questioned Jesus, how did Jesus answer?

13. Who went with Jesus and accused Him to Herod?

14. What did Herod and his men do to Jesus?

15. What two men were made friends?

16. When they brought Jesus back to Pilate, what did he tell the chief priests and rulers?

17. In verse 16, how was Pilate willing to punish this innocent man?

18. Verse 17 tells us of a custom. What was it?

19. Who did the priests and rulers ask to be released?

20. What was this one guilty of?

21. What did they want Pilate to do with Jesus?

22. How many times did Pilate go back and ask them to let him release Jesus?

23. Why didn't he release Jesus?

24. Whose wishes prevailed?

25. Who sentenced Jesus?

26. What rule do we see here?

27. What should a ruler do, instead of listening to a mob?

28. Do you feel Pilate will be counted innocent when he stands before Jesus on judgement day?

Luke Chapter 23 Continued

Luke 23:26 "And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear [it] after Jesus."

"Simon, a Cyrenian": All 3 synoptic gospels mention Simon.

Cyrene was associated with Africa, so this means that Simon was a black man. This was not a voluntary act of Simon, but rather this job was thrust upon him. There was no evidence that he was forced. I believe when they told him to do this, that he willingly did it.

Condemned prisoners were required to carry the heavy crossbeam of their cross to the execution site. Exhausted from a sleepless night and severely wounded and weakened by His scourging, Jesus was unable to continue. The Roman guards conscripted, Simon, apparently at random, to carry Jesus' crossbeam the rest of the way.

Simon, from the North African city of Cyrene, was on his way into Jerusalem. The identification of him as "the father of Alexander and Rufus" (Rom. 16:13), is evidence of Mark's connection with the church at Rome.

Most people who were crucified carried their own cross, but the cruelty with which they had scourged Jesus had left His physical body so weak that there was a need for someone to carry this heavy cross for Him. Cyrene was a part of northern Africa. There were Jews living in that area and many believe Simon was a Jew, as well as being an African.

God uses little things like this to show His acceptance of different races of people. Even though they seemed to force this on Simon, we see no protest on his part. He will have a crown in glory for helping the Lord.

There is a great deal of spiritual meaning here, as well. Jesus said all believers must take up their cross daily and follow Him. It may not be a wooden cross, but we too have one to bear. Simon took up the cross and followed Jesus.

Luke 23:27 "And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him."

These women loved Jesus and showed open grief for the things that were happening that day. It seems many of His followers had found out about it by now and some were following.

Luke 23:28 "But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children."

"Daughters of Jerusalem": There is nothing to suggest that these women were Christ's disciples. They may have been professional mourners, obligatory at Jewish funerals, and probably present at high-profile executions as well.

"Weep for yourselves": Christ's reply to them was a prophetic warning. Only Luke recorded this incident.

Jesus has compassion on these women. His thoughts even now in His great physical agony, is not for Himself, but for these women. Jesus' problems will soon be over. He tells them to weep for themselves and their children.

In the very near future, Jerusalem would be under siege. The war will destroy this city. I believe it goes much further, too. Jesus knows the persecution His followers will face.

Luke 23:29 "For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed [are] the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck."

Blessed are the barren": I.e., a time is coming when those who have no children to mourn will be considered blessed.

Again, this is spoken for that near future overthrow of Jerusalem, but it goes on also, until the end when the last terrible war will come. Then will these Hebrew women, who thought it a curse from God not to have children, be happy not to have a child to go through all the problems.

Luke 23:30 "Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us."

"To say" (Quoted from Hosea 10:8 and Rev. 6:15-17 and 9:6).

"Then shall they begin to say": The Syriac, Arabic, and Persian versions read, "then shall ye begin to say". The tribulation being so great, as never was the like since the creation of the world, nor never will be to the end of it; and being so sore pressed with the sword and famine; with the enemy without, and divisions, robberies, and murders within.

And their miseries being inexpressible, and intolerable, they will seek to go into the holes of the rocks, and caves of the earth, as is prophesied of them (Isaiah 2:19). And as Josephus says, many of them did, when the city was taken. And, like those (in Hosea 10:8), will say, "to the mountains fall on us, and to the hills cover us"; will choose rather that the mountains and hills round about Jerusalem, should fall upon them. And they be buried under the ruins of them, than live in such terrible distress, or fall into the hands of their enemies!

Isaiah 2:19 "Men will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth."

Hosea 10:8 "The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us."

This perhaps, was speaking of the terrors of the soon overthrow of Jerusalem, but also the Jewish women, even until now, have seen so much terror (as in World War 2). Even now, it is not safe for a Hebrew to walk along the streets around Jerusalem.

Luke 23:31 "For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?"

"Green tree ... dry": This was probably a common proverb. Jesus' meaning seems to be this: If the Romans would perpetrate such atrocities on Jesus (the "green" wood, young, strong, and a source of life), what would they do to the Jewish nation (the "dry" wood, old, barren, and ripe for judgment)?

The green tree signifies life. That is what Jesus offered, life. When this offer of life is gone (the dead tree), what then?

Luke 23:32 "And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death."

"Two other": Or "robbers". Denoting a rebel or brigand who plunders as he steals. Mere thieves were not usually crucified. They were probably involved with Barabbas in the rebellion, since robbery itself was not a capital offense under Roman law.

These malefactors were truly criminals, guilty and deserving punishment.

Luke 23:33 "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left."

"Called Calvary": In Latin, called the Skull the Latin equivalent of Golgotha.

This place was called Calvary, Golgotha, and a place of a skull. They crucified Him. This we say so quickly, when in fact, they nailed Him to the wooden cross. They put a nail in each of His hands and nailed His feet to the cross, as well. I would like to say, right here, that even at this moment, Jesus was in complete control.

The only reason they could do this, is because He chose to die for you and me. His death on that cross for each of us was so that we might live. At no time was Satan, or any of his demons, forcing Jesus to do anything He didn't want to.

He was looking down through time and seeing you and me. He knew if He got off the cross, we would go to hell. Our faces are what kept Him on the cross.

Luke 23:34 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots."

"Forgive them": I.e., His tormentors, both Jews and Romans (Acts 7:60). Some of the fruit of this prayer can be in the salvation of thousands of people in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:41).

"They know not what they do": I.e., they were not aware of the full scope of their wickedness. They did not recognize Him as the true Messiah (Acts 13:27-28). They were blind to the light of divine truth, "for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (1 Cor. 2:8).

Still, their ignorance certainly did not mean that they deserved forgiveness. Rather, their spiritual blindness itself was a manifestation of their guilt (John 3:19). But Christ's prayer while they were in the very act of mocking Him is an expression of the boundless compassion of divine grace.

"Cast lots": This was in fulfillment of (Psalm 22:18). The executioners customarily divided the victim's clothes among themselves. The garments of the victim were the customary spoils of the executioners. (John 19:23-24), gives a fuller account.

We see from this statement Jesus makes that He takes no thought for Himself, but as usual, is thinking of others. The two thieves by His side have need to pray; "Father forgive me", but Jesus has no sin. His prayer, "Father forgive them" denotes a need for all of us for forgiveness for our part in this terrible punishment.

These soldiers did not even have the courtesy to wait until He was dead. They divided His belongings right before Him. The one garment which had no seam was desired of all, so they cast lots for it. The movie "The robe" is based upon this garment which had no seam. It was taken from an ancient book other than the Bible.

Luke 23:35 "And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided [him], saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God."

"Deride him": All they that see me laugh me to scorn - The meaning here is to mock, to deride, to treat with scorn.

The idea of laughing is not properly in the word, nor would that necessarily occur in the treatment here referred to. How completely this was fulfilled in the case of the Savior, it is not necessary to say.

They shoot out the lip. The Hebrew word means properly "to split, to burst open;" then, as in this place, it means to open wide the mouth; to stretch the mouth in derision and scorn (see Psalm 35:21), "They opened their mouth wide against me." (Job 16:10), "they have gaped upon me with their mouth."

They shake the head, In contempt and derision. See (Matthew 27:39), "Wagging their heads."

Notice, it is not the people deriding Him, it is these religious rulers. They mocked Jesus as if he had to prove something to them. I believe they knew all the time that He was the Messiah. There had been too many miracles done in their presence for them not to know.

Luke 23:36 "And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,"

Psalm 69:21: "They gave me also gall for my food; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."

"Vinegar": Wine that was mingled with gall": "Gall" simply refers to something bitter. (Mark 15:23), identifies it as myrrh, a narcotic. The Jews had a custom, based on (Prov. 31:6), of administering a pain-deadening medication mixed with wine to victims of crucifixion, in order to deaden the pain.

But Jesus refuses; wanting to go through this for all of us. Their mocking will be turned to sorrow when the earth starts to quake and darkness covers the land at noonday.

Luke 23:37 "And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself."

They had no idea of the whole purpose of the crucifixion. The sad thing is that Jesus was dying for their sins, too.

Luke 23:38 "And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS."

"A superscription": All 4 gospel writers mentioned the inscription, but each reported a slightly different variation. Both Luke and John (19:20), said that the inscription was translated on the placard itself. It is ever more likely that all 4 evangelists simply reported the substance of the inscription elliptically, with each one omitting different parts of the full inscription.

All 4 concur with Mark that the inscription said The King of Jews (Matt. 27:37; John 19:19). Luke added "this is" at the beginning, and Matthew started with "This is Jesus". John's version began "Jesus Of Nazareth" Putting them all together, the full inscription would read "This Is Jesus Of Nazareth, The King Of The Jews."

The Jews had tried to get Pilate to change this to say that He said He was the King of the Jews. Pilate would not do it. He was the King of the Jews.

Luke 23:39 "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us."

"One of the malefactors": (Matthew 27:44 and Mark 15:32), report that both criminals were mocking Christ along with the crowd. As the hours wore on, however, this criminal's conscience was smitten and he repented. When the impenitent thief resumed his mocking (verse 39), this thief rebuked him and refused to participate again.

Luke 23:40 "But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?"

The one thief on the right became very different. First, he began to fear God which is the beginning of wisdom. He had faith that Jesus was sinless, as well. This thief said he deserved punishment, and we will see the Lord forgives him.

Luke 23:41 "And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss."

"This man hath done nothing amiss": Even the thief hanging to the right of Jesus began to testify of Jesus' innocence.

These two men, the one on the left and the other on the right, had very little in common, except that they were both guilty of committing a crime. The one on the left, I believe, fussed at Jesus and said, "if you are Christ, save us". You see, he had no faith at all. He would die in his sin.

Luke 23:42 "And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom."

"Jesus, Lord, remember me": The penitent thief's prayer reflected his belief that the soul lives on after death; that Christ had a right to rule over a kingdom of the souls of men, and that He would soon enter that kingdom despite His impending death.

His request to be remembered was a plea for mercy, which also reveals that the thief understood he had no hope but divine grace, and that the dispensing of that grace lay in Jesus' power. All of this demonstrates true faith on the part of the dying thief, and Christ graciously affirmed the man's salvation (verse 43).

He makes Jesus Savior and Lord in this one statement. (In Romans 10:9), we see that we must believe in our heart and confess with our mouth, and he has done both here.

Luke 23:43 "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."

"Paradise": The only other places this word is used in the New Testament are (2 Cor. 12:4 and Rev. 2:7). The word suggests a garden (it is the word used of Eden in the LXX), but in all 3 New Testament uses it speaks of heaven.

We read (in Revelation 2:7), about the paradise of God. This is heaven. Jesus' Spirit and man's spirit will be in heaven that day. Jesus will dismiss His Spirit from His body on the cross and command it to go to the Father. Then He goes to hell, preaches, and brings back captivity captive.

Luke 23:44 "And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour."

"Sixth hour ... until the ninth hour": From noon to 3:00 p.m. Luke was using the Jewish method of reckoning time.

"Darkness": This could not have been caused by an eclipse, because the Jews used a lunar calendar, and Passover always fell on the full moon, making a solar eclipse out of the question. This was a supernatural darkness.

Luke 23:45 "And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst."

In (Matthew 27:51), we find that this veil was rent from the top to the bottom. God tore the curtain. Jesus opened the way to the very throne of God to all believers in Christ. This also symbolizes the wall being removed between Jew and Gentile. Both must believe in Jesus. Jesus opened the way to God for us.

Luke 23:46 "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."

"Into thy hands": This quotes (Psalm 31:5), and the manner of His death accords with (John 10:18). Normally victims of crucifixion died much slower deaths. He, being in control, simply yielded up His soul (John 10:18; 19:30), committing it to God. Thus, He "offered" Himself without blemish to God" (Heb. 9:14).

Notice, He did not say I commend my body. This is where Jesus sent His Spirit to God. His body goes to the tomb, not His Spirit. The third day after He had preached in hades (the abode of the dead), His Spirit rejoins His body and comes out of the tomb.

Luke 23:47 "Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man."

"The centurion ... saw what was done": (Mark 15:39), says the centurion was the one who uttered the words of confession, but he evidently spoke for his men as well. Their fear speaks of an awareness of their sin, and the word "truly" suggests a certainly and conviction that bespeaks genuine faith.

He was sorry, but it was a little late.

Luke 23:48 "And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned."

"Smote their breasts": Luke alone records this expression of remorse and anguish (18:13).

These people have realized that this was truly their Messiah! The smiting of the breasts shows that they are truly sorrowful.

Luke 23:49 "And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things."

"The women ... from Galilee": (Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40-41), report that this included Mary Magdalene; Mary, mother of James (the less), and Joses; Salome, mother of James and John, and many others.

The same women were present at His burial (verse 55; Matt. 27:61; Mark 15:47), and His resurrection (24:1; Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1), so they were eyewitnesses to all the crucial events of the gospel (1 Cor. 15:3-4).

The happenings of this day reassured all of them of the fact that Jesus Christ was truly Messiah.

Luke 23:50 "And, behold, [there was] a man named Joseph, a counsellor; [and he was] a good man, and a just:"

"Joseph": All four evangelists mention him; Mark and Luke identified him as a member of the Sanhedrin; only Luke noted that he dissented from the council's verdict against Jesus (verse 51).

Luke 23:51 "(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) [he was] of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God."

"Waited for the kingdom of God": I.e., he believed Jesus' claims. (John 19:38), refers to him as a secret disciple.

This Joseph had been of the very religious group who had Jesus killed. Joseph had not consented to the crucifixion. He had gone against the rest of the Sanhedrin. He had accepted Jesus as Messiah.

Luke 23:52-53 "This [man] went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus." "And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulcher that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid."

This happened immediately, because they had to get Jesus' body in the tomb before 6 P.M., the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath. Joseph was a rich man and had this beautiful tomb already. This fulfilled Scriptures that said Jesus would be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9). The linen was symbolic of righteousness.

Luke 23:54 "And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on."

"Day ... preparation": I.e., Friday, the day before the Sabbath.

This just means they were in a hurry. There were about three hours between His death and burial.

Luke 23:55 "And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how his body was laid."

"Beheld ... how his body was laid": According to (John 19:39), Nicodemus brought a hundred pounds of spices and aloes (probably obtained while Joseph was negotiating with Pilate for Jesus' body), and he and Joseph wrapped the body with linen and the spices. These women, from Galilee, were probably unfamiliar with Joseph and Nicodemus, who were Judeans.

After all, both men were associated with the Jewish leaders who orchestrated the conspiracy against Jesus (verse 50; John 3:1). So, the women were determined to prepare Jesus' body for burial themselves. They returned (i.e. went to their homes) to prepare their own spices and perfumes (verse 56).

They had to have Jesus' body placed in the tomb before sunset, when the Sabbath began, so they were not able to finish preparing the body. (Mark 16:1), says they purchased more spices "when the Sabbath was over," I.e., after sundown Saturday.

Then they returned Sunday morning with the spices (24:1), expecting to finish the task that had been interrupted by the Sabbath.

Notice the love of the women for Jesus. They were not anxious to be separated from Him. They followed to the tomb.

Luke 23:56 "And thy returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment."

These women knew how strict the law was about the Sabbath. Had they gone on the Sabbath day, they would have been stoned to death. They did have everything prepared to be there the first thing on Sunday. The loyalty of the women is not overlooked in Luke.

Luke Chapter 23 Continued Questions

1. Who carried Jesus' cross for Him?

2. What country was he from?

3. Did he carry it before or after Jesus?

4. Why did they need someone to carry His cross?

5. What two men were his offspring?

6. Why was this particular man chosen?

7. All believers must take up their cross _______ and follow Him?

8. Who bewailed and lamented Jesus' crucifixion?

9. Who did Jesus call these women?

10. Who did He tell them to weep for?

11. What would these women say that was not natural for Hebrew women to say?

12. What will they say to the mountains?

13. What was meant by the green tree in verse 31?

14. Who would be put to death with Jesus?

15. What was the place called where Jesus was crucified?

16. What is very important to remember about who is in control?

17. His death was so that we might ____________.

18. What prayer did Jesus say to the Father for them?

19. What should be the prayer of the two thieves?

20. Who derided Jesus saying, save yourself?

21. Who mocked Him and offered Him vinegar?

22. What was written over Him?

23. What 3 languages was it written in?

24. What different attitudes did the two thieves have?

25. The one said to Jesus, _____ remember me.

26. Where did Jesus say He would be that day with Him?

27. Where is this place?

28. When was the darkness over the face of the earth?

29. What does the author believe the three hours of darkness symbolize?

30. What happened to the veil in the temple?

31. Why is this important?

32. What did Jesus say, exactly, when He commanded His Spirit to leave His body and go to the Father?

33. What did the Centurion say after all this?

34. What did the people do that shows they knew they sinned?

35. Who, besides His acquaintance, watched this?

36. Who went and begged Pilate for Jesus' body?

37. What group was he a part of?

38. Did he agree with them about Jesus?

39. Why did he have to be a rich man?

40. Where did they bury Jesus?

41. Why were they in a hurry to bury Him?

42. Who followed after Joseph to see where the tomb was?

43. What did the women do on Saturday to get ready to go to the tomb Sunday?

44. What would have happened to them, if they had gone on Saturday?

Luke Chapter 24

Luke 24:1 "Now upon the first [day] of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain [others] with them."

"Bringing the spices": The women were not expecting to find Jesus risen from the dead; their only plan was to finish anointing His body for burial.

One of the very last things in last lesson was that the women prepared these spices to bring to the tomb at the very first moment possible. This would be early Sunday morning when these women come to the tomb.

Luke 24:2 "And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher."

"The stone rolled away": (Matthew 28:2-4), records that an earthquake occurred and an angel rolled the stone away. The Roman guards fainted with fear. Mark, Luke and John make no mention of the guards, so it appears they fled when they awoke to find the empty tomb. The women must have arrived shortly after.

This was a very heavy stone that would have taken several men to move. It has been opened.

Luke 24:3 "And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus."

This part of the account of the resurrection is in all four gospels. It is very important that He rose from the grave.

Luke 24:4 "And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:"

"Two men": These were angels. Only Luke mentioned them both. Mark was concerned only with the one who spoke for the duo. Such minor differences in the gospel accounts are all reconcilable.

Here's a summary of the events of the resurrection, assembled from all 4 evangelists' accounts: Finding the stone rolled away, the women entered the tomb, but found it empty (verse 3). While they were still in the tomb, the angels suddenly appeared (verse 4; Mark 16:5).

The angel who spoke reminded them of Jesus' promises (verses 6-8), then sent them to find Peter and the disciples to report that Jesus was risen (Matt. 28:7-8; Mark 16:7-8).

The women did as they were told (verses 9-11). The disciples were skeptical at first (verse 11), but ran to where the tomb was, John arriving first (John 20:6). They saw the linen wrappings intact but empty, proof that Jesus was risen (verse 12; John 20:6-8). They left immediately (verse 12; John 20:10).

Meanwhile, Mary Magdalene returned to the tomb, and was standing outside weeping when Christ suddenly appeared to her (John 20:11-18). That was His first appearance (Mark 16:9). Sometime soon after that, He met the other women on the road and appeared to them as well (Matt. 28:9-10).

Later that day; He appeared to two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus (verses 13-32), and to Peter (verse 34).

It really doesn't matter how many angels were there. Different people see different things. These women were first disturbed that His body was not there, and then they beheld the two heavenly beings. By two a thing shall be established.

Luke 24:5 "And as they were afraid, and bowed down [their] faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?"

They said also, in another account, He is risen. Both messages mean the same, Jesus is alive. They were not sure at first what they saw because of the shiny white clothes. They did know they were heavenly beings and bowed their heads. This was wonderful news. Their Lord is alive.

Luke 24:6 "He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,"

"How he spake unto you ... in Galilee" (see the notes on Luke 9:22 and Luke 18:31-33).

Luke 24:7 "Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."

He had told the twelve apostles over and over that this was to happen to Him, but they (not wanting to believe it), had shut it out of their minds. Now these angels are reminding them that Jesus had told them this before, and now He is risen from the tomb.

Luke 24:8 "And they remembered his words,"

Now that they have been reminded, they do remember what He had said, they are overjoyed.

Luke 24:9 "And returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest."

"All the rest": I.e., the other disciples, mostly from Galilee, who were in Jerusalem for the Passover.

You know that they just could not get to the eleven fast enough. The others here are Jesus' other followers.

Luke 24:10 "It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary [the mother] of James, and other [women that were] with them, which told these things unto the apostles."

"Mary Magdalene"; Mary of Magdala. She had a special cause of attachment to the Savior, having been relieved by him of a most dreadful calamity and restored to her right mind, after being possessed by seven devils. She was the first to see Jesus alive.

"Joanna": Her husband was Herod's steward (See the note on Luke 8:3).

"Mary the mother of James": Mary the mother of James and Joses: the same with the wife of Cleophas, and sister to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Instead of Joses, the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read Joseph: "Jose", in Hebrew, is the same with "Joseph", the last letters being cut off; the Arabic version reads Mary, the mother of James, and the mother of Joses (John 19:25).

And the mother of Zebedee's children. That is, of James and John (Matthew 10:2). Her name was Salome (Mark 15:40).

These women had been faithful. They were the last at the cross and first at the tomb. And now, the first to tell Jesus had risen.

Luke 24:11 "And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not."

It is striking to me, how little some of these disciples believe. Perhaps, they didn't believe because the women brought the message.

Luke 24:12 "Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass."

"Peter ... ran": John ran with Peter, but reached the tomb first (John 20:4).

"Linen clothes": I.e., the empty shell of wrappings that had contained the body.

Peter has an awful lot to reflect on. He possibly thinks Jesus might not want him as an apostle anymore, because he denied Him. Peter must be thinking back to the things Jesus had said about His death and resurrection.

Luke 24:13 "And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem [about] threescore furlongs."

"Two of them": These evidently were not any of the 11 apostles. According to verse 18, one was named Cleopas.

This "two" here is speaking of two disciples. This town was a little over six miles from Jerusalem. "Emmaus" means bath or wells. It was probably a place where you could go, like to a hot springs for your health. Jesus Himself, had sent them out by twos on many occasions.

Luke 24:14 "And they talked together of all these things which had happened."

They had been among the group the women had told about Jesus' resurrection, which they did not believe. Now they are talking it over as they go down the road.

Luke 24:15-16 "And it came to pass, that, while they communed [together] and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them." "But their eyes were holden that they should not know him."

"Their eyes were holden": I.e., they were kept by God from recognizing Him.

We see here a reality of the Scripture that says, "where two or three are gathered, there He is in the midst of thee". Jesus had shed His earthly body and was now walking in His heavenly body.

In some ways, like the holes in His hands, it was the same; but there was enough difference in appearance, that they did not recognize Him. Neither will the fishermen immediately recognize Him.

Luke 24:17 "And he said unto them, What manner of communications [are] these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?"

It is apparent that they do not quickly recognize His voice, as well. He asks why they are so sad.

Luke 24:18 "And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?"

"Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem": The crucifixion of Jesus was already such a well-known event around Jerusalem that they were shocked that He seemed not to know about it.

These two men are very much like many who proclaim to be Christians today. They are walking with Him, looking on His face, and still do not know who He is.

Luke 24:19 "And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:"

Their answer gives them away. They did not understand the person of Jesus. They thought He was a man, a prophet like Isaiah. They did not realize He was God the Son.

Luke 24:20 "And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him."

This appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to Emmaus happened the same day that he rose from the dead. It is well the disciples of Christ to talk together of his death and resurrection; thus they may improve one another's knowledge, refresh one another's memory, and stir up each other's devout affections.

And where but two together are well employed in work of that kind, he will come to them, and make a third. Those who seek Christ shall find him: he will manifest himself to those that inquire after him; and give knowledge to those who use the helps for knowledge which they have.

Though Christ is entered into his state of exaltation, yet he notices the sorrows of his disciples, and is afflicted in their afflictions. Those are strangers in Jerusalem, that know not of the death and sufferings of Jesus. Those who have the knowledge of Christ crucified, should seek to spread that knowledge.

Luke 24:21 "But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done."

"We trusted": They had been looking for an immediate earthly kingdom. With Jesus crucified, they were probably struggling with doubt about whether He was the Messiah who would reign. But they still regarded Him as a true prophet (verse 19).

"The third day": There may have been a glimmer of hope in these words. They had heard rumors of His resurrection already (verse 22-24).

Perhaps Cleopas recalled the Lord's promises of (9:22; 18:33). More likely however, it seems this was his way of expressing surprise that this Stranger did not yet know the news everyone else in Jerusalem had been discussing for the past three days.

Luke 24:22-23 "Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulcher;" "And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive."

The problem with these two all along, was they had perceived Jesus wrongly from the beginning. They had thought like so many others that His reign would be political in nature. They had never seen Jesus as God the Son who would redeem the whole world. Their vision of Jesus had been way too small.

They thought only Israel would be blessed. They thought Jesus would take Jerusalem back from the Romans and rule in David's stead. Now these women have seen a vision which indicates this is a spiritual matter and not a physical, and they can't believe it.

They had known Jesus on the surface, but had really never truly seen Him nor known Him.

Luke 24:24 "And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulcher, and found [it] even so as the women had said: but him they saw not."

"Certain of them which were with us": I.e., Peter and John (see the notes on verse 12 above).

How much evidence do they want? The women believed, but these disciples did not believe even with all this evidence.

Luke 24:25-26 "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:" "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?"

"To have suffered these things": Old Testament prophecies spoke often of a suffering servant of Jehovah.

Jesus reprimands them here for their unbelief. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. He says why don't you read and understand your Bible? All of this is in your Bible. Then He says this was right for Christ to do. Now He, Christ, is in His glory.

Luke 24:27 "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."

"Moses ... all the prophets": Verse 44 gives the 3-fold division, this expression is merely a shortened way to say the same thing.

"In all the scriptures": In the inscrutable wisdom of divine providence, the substance of Christ's exposition of the Old Testament messianic prophecies was not recorded. But the gist of what He expounded would have undoubtedly included an explanation of the Old Testament sacrificial system, which was full of types and symbols that spoke of His sufferings and death.

He also would have pointed them to the major prophetic passages which spoke of the crucifixion, such as (Psalms 16:9-11; 22; 69; Isa. 52:14 - 53:12; Zech. 12:10; 13:7).

And He would have pointed out the true meaning of passages like (Gen. 3:15; Num. 21:6-9; Psalm 16:10; Jer. 23:5-6; Dan. 9:26), and a host of other key messianic prophecies, particularly those that spoke of His death and resurrection.

He gives them a Bible lesson in the Old Testament of all of the prophecies written about Him. They must have been like some ministering today, who are not very familiar with His Word.

Luke 24:28-29 "And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further." "But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them."

It is almost unbelievable that they could have been with Him this long and not realized who this stranger is. Is Jesus a stranger to you? Have you taken time to really get to know Him? The day is far spent for all of us as well.

The thing that stands out in this to me, is if the Holy Spirit does not reveal the person of Jesus to us, He is a stranger.

Luke 24:30 "And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed [it], and brake, and gave to them."

"He took bread": A simple expression meaning to share a meal (verse 35).

Luke 24:31 "And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight."

"Their eyes were opened": I.e., by God. They had been sovereignly kept from recognizing Him until this point (verse 16).

His resurrection body was glorified and altered from its previous appearance and this surely explains why even Mary did not recognize Him at first (John 20:14-16). But in this case, God actively intervened to keep them from recognizing Him until it was time for Him to depart.

"He vanished out of their sight": His resurrection body, though real and tangible (John 20:27), and even capable of ingesting earthly food (verses 42-43), nonetheless possessed certain properties that indicate it was glorified, altered in a mysterious way (1 Cor. 15:35-54; Phil. 3:21).

Christ could appear and disappear bodily, as seen in this text. His body could pass through solid objects, such as the grave clothes, or the walls and doors of a closed room (John 20:19, 26). He could apparently travel great distances in a moment, for by the time these disciples returned to Jerusalem, Christ had already appeared to Peter (verse 34).

The fact that He ascended into heaven bodily demonstrated that His resurrection body was already fit for heaven. Yet it was His body, the same one that was missing from the tomb, even retaining identifying features such as the nail-wounds (John 20:25-27). He was no ghost or phantom.

Jesus must be our companion, and we must commune with Him to truly have our eyes opened, that we might see Him for who He really is. They had been with Him, and yet did not know Him, until they took of His body.

To truly know Jesus, we must partake of His body and His blood. He must live within us.

Luke Chapter 24 Questions

1. Who is the "they" in verse one?

2. Where did they go?

3. When did they go?

4. What did they find in verse two?

5. When they entered the tomb ________ ______ ________ _______.

6. When they were much perplexed, who did they see?

7. What were they wearing?

8. What did the women do when they saw them?

9. What did the angels say to the women?

10. What did the angels remind them of?

11. Where did the women go when they left the tomb?

12. Who were some of the women?

13. Did the men believe them?

14. What did Peter do?

15. Who was walking to Emmaus?

16. What were they talking about?

17. How far was Emmaus from Jerusalem?

18. Who came and walked with them?

19. Why did they not recognize Him?

20. What reality of Scripture do we see fulfilled in verse 15 and 16?

21. What question did Jesus ask them?

22. What was one of their names?

23. These two are like many who proclaim to be Christians today. They were walking with Him, looking on His face, and do not know what?

24. Who did they say Jesus of Nazareth was?

25. What had they believed He would do?

26. What reprimand did Jesus say to them?

27. What did Jesus expound from the Scriptures to them?

28. When were their eyes opened?

29. What can we learn from this?

Luke Chapter 24 Continued

We will recap just a moment on the last lesson. Jesus had walked with two of His disciples who did not recognize Him. He expounded all the prophesies about His life from Scripture. He went in and ate with them, and as he served them Communion, their eyes were opened and they realized who He was. He now has disappeared out of their sight and they are left just the two.

Now we will pick up in Chapter 24:32.

Luke 24:32 "And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"

This is the way His word should affect us. It should make our heart leap within us.

Luke 24:33 "And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,"

This must be a terribly excited group, the word is out, He is risen. Simon Peter was highly respected. They would believe him.

Luke 24:34 "Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon."

"Appeared to Simon" (1 Cor. 15:5-8). Scripture describes at least 10 distinct appearances of Christ between the resurrection and ascension. He appeared to:

Mary Magdalene at the tomb (Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18).
To the women on the road (Matt. 28:9-10).
To the disciples on the road to Emmaus (verses 13-32).
To Peter (verse 34).
To 10 of the 11 disciples, Thomas being absent (verses 36-43; Mark 16:14; John 20:19-25).
To the 11 disciples (with Thomas present), 8 days later (John 20:26-31).
To 7 disciples by the shore of the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25).
To more than 500 disciples, probably on a mountain in Galilee (1 Cor. 15:6).
To James (1 Cor. 15:7).
To the apostles when He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:3-11).

After His ascension, He appeared to Paul (1 Cor. 15:8). The next time He appears it will be in glory (Matthew 24:30).

Luke 24:35 "And they told what things [were done] in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread."

This "breaking of bread" was what we would call taking communion. It is partaking of His body and blood symbolically. It is remembering the great sacrifice He made. The two add their story to what Peter had related.

Luke 24:36 "And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you."

"Jesus himself stood in the midst of them": The doors were closed and locked (John 20:19).

Just as Jesus spoke peace to them; He brings peace to the ones who truly love Him and follow Him today. Now He does not bother to open a door and walk in, He just appears. His body has changed to a heavenly body.

Luke 24:37 "But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit."

Fear of the Lord is wise, but not terror. They need to activate their faith. Perhaps the reason for all of this fear is because He has changed a little in physical appearance.

Luke 24:38 "And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?"

Jesus had already spoken peace to them; maybe they thought He would be angry because they had fled in fear. After this night, they would never again fear death. They know now by the scars in His hands and feet that this is Jesus.

Luke 24:39-40 "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." "And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them [his] hands and [his] feet."

"Behold my hands and my feet": He was showing them the nail wounds to prove it was really Him. (John 20:27).

They know that death of the body will not be the end of them either. They know now that for the body to die is to live for all of eternity. Death will no longer be a dread to them.

Luke 24:41 "And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?"

Now Jesus is about to show them the second evidence that He is not just a Spirit, but has a body, as well. He asks do you have any meat?

Luke 24:42-43 "And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of a honeycomb." "And he took [it], and did eat before them."

Now there is no question. He has a real body with scarred hands and feet, and He eats just like everyone else.

Luke 24:44 "And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me."

The law of Moses and in the prophets and in the psalms": I.e., the whole Old Testament.

Read the notes on (Luke 14:27).

Jesus came not to do away with the law, but to fulfill it. He reminds them here that the prophesies in all the books of the Old Testament about Messiah have been fulfilled in Him.

Luke 24:45 "Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,"

"Opened he their understanding": He undoubtedly taught them from the Old Testament, as He had on the road to Emmaus. But the gist of the expression also seems to convey a supernatural opening of their minds to receive the truths He unfolded. Whereas their understanding was once dull (9:45), they finally saw clearly (Psalm 119:18; Isa. 29:18-19; 2 Cor. 3:14-16).

Until your understanding of the Scriptures is opened by Jesus, you can read it all you want to and not know what it is saying. The understanding of Scriptures is a gift from God. It comes about by the Holy Spirit teaching you.

Verses 46-53: This section contains several ideas that are echoed in the opening of Acts, including Christ's suffering and resurrection (verse 46; Acts 1:3); the message of repentance and remission of sins (verse 47; Acts 2:38); the disciples as His witnesses (verse 48; Acts 1:8); the Promise of the Father (verse 49; Acts 1:4); tarrying in Jerusalem (verse 49; Acts 1:4), and the beginning of gospel outreach there (verse 47; Acts 1:8); power from on high (verse 49; Acts 1:8); Christ's ascension (verse 51; Acts 1:9-11); the disciples' return to Jerusalem (verse 52, Acts 1:12); and their meeting in the temple (verse 53; Acts 2:46).

Luke 24:46 "And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:"

"It is written": I.e., in the Old Testament": (again see the notes on verse 27).

God said this, and His words are TRUE. This was God's plan from the beginning. Jesus won our salvation on the cross. His resurrection from the dead gives us the blessed hope that we too, will rise.

In 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4, we can read about this resurrection beginning with verse 13. We are not like those who have no hope. Our hope is in Jesus Christ the Righteous.

Luke 24:47 "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

This was the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15).

Repentance means a lot. To repent is to turn your back on the life you have been living and to walk in newness of life. Put your sins under the blood of Jesus, and they are gone; done away with. This offer is not to just a few, but to whosoever will in all nations.

Luke 24:48 "And ye are witnesses of these things."

Jesus says, now you have seen. Go and tell everyone who will listen to you.

Luke 24:49 "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."

"The promise of my Father": I.e., the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 15:26; Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:1-4).

This power they needed was the power of the Holy Ghost. This power was given to them so that they could be effective witnesses to the entire world. It is worth waiting for, if you don't have it. Go and tarry till you get it, this will transform these disciples into bold minsters.

No more would they run, even in the face of death. They have the earnest of the promise now. The gates of hell cannot prevail against them.

Luke 24:50 "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them."

"Bethany": The hometown of Mary, Martha and Lazarus (John 11:1), on the eastern slope of the Mt. of Olives, two miles east of Jerusalem.

Also (see the notes on Luke 19:29).

Jesus had been walking on the earth 40 days since His resurrection from the dead when He came here to Bethany. The lifting of hands is in praise. His blessings have extended all the way to us.

Luke 24:51 "And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven."

"Carried up into heaven": I.e., visibly. Before when the resurrected Christ left them, He simply vanished (verse 31). This time they saw Him ascend (Acts 1:9-11).

You can read a little more detailed report on this in the first chapter of Acts. This is when the cloud receives Jesus up into heaven.

Luke 24:52 "And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:"

"They worshipped him": I.e., a formal act of worship. Now that He had opened their understanding, they perceived the full truth of His deity, unclouded by the darkness of confuting or doubt. (Matt. 28:9; John 20:28).

Luke 24:53 "And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."

"In the temple": This became the first meeting place of the church (Acts 2:26; 5:21, 42). There were rooms around the porticoes of the outer court available for such meetings.

There would never be any difficulty anymore on their part in worshipping Jesus. Now none of the routine things of earth are important anymore. The only thing important to them is being constantly in prayer, praising God.

This should be the most important part of our life, as well. Prayer and fellowship with God should be first place in our lives.

Luke Chapter 24 Continued Questions

1. How had they felt when Jesus was expounding the Scripture to them?

2. How should His word affect us?

3. Where did they go to tell about what happened?

4. When they got back, who besides the women had seen Jesus?

5. How had Jesus been revealed to them?

6. Who appeared in the room with them?

7. What are two words describing what effect this had on them?

8. What did they think they had seen?

9. What did Jesus say to them?

10. What did Jesus show them to let them know that He had a body?

11. What did Jesus ask them if they had?

12. Why did He eat with them?

13. What 3 places in the Old Testament did Jesus say told about Him?

14. In verse 45, how did Jesus help them?

15. Why did all this happen to Jesus?

16. What two things should be preached?

17. Where should it be preached?

18. What one word did Jesus call them in verse 48?

19. What did Jesus tell them to tarry for?

20. When He led them to Bethany, what did He do?

21. While He was blessing them, what happened to Him?

22. In verse 52, we are told they did what?

23. What were they doing continually in the temple?

Luke 1	Luke 9	Luke 17
Luke 2	Luke 10	Luke 18
Luke 3	Luke 11	Luke 19
Luke 4	Luke 12	Luke 20
Luke 5	Luke 13	Luke 21
Luke 6	Luke 14	Luke 22
Luke 7	Luke 15	Luke 23
Luke 8	Luke 16	Luke 24