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In this lesson:
Jesus' Galilean tour is over, now the final phase of His ministry begins. Between this and verse 19:27 (lesson 148), Luke concentrates on Jesus' trip to Calvary and crucifixion. Because Jesus traveled through Perea and Judea on His way to Jerusalem, many Bible scholars refer to this as the Perean-Judean Ministry, which took about four months. Matthew covers this ministry in 19:1-20:34, Mark in 10:1-52, and John in 7:3-12:12. Study Tip: Make yourself a better person by applying biblical lessons to your life. |
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Who were the -
The Samaritans -
The citizens of Samaria, Israel's northern kingdom. After Assyria defeated Israel in 722 BC, Assyrian King Esarhaddon deported many of the Jews living in Samaria and repopulated the area with Gentiles deported from his other conquered territories (2 Kings 17:24). These new settlers lived in peace with the Jews who remained in Samaria, intermarried with them, and in time they blended their pagan religion (complete with idol worship) with Judaism. When the exiled Jews were allowed to return, they looked down on this new hybrid religion. They called the Samaritans "half breeds," and
refused their help when rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 4:1-3). In fact, they destroyed the Samaritan's temple on Mount Gerizim in 130 BC. This led to a bitterness which still existed in Jesus' time. Devout Jews would have "no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9) and tried to diminish Jesus by calling Him a Samaritan (John 8:48). The Samaritans held the Jews in equal contempt. They often refused Jewish travelers passing through Samaria a place to
stay or food and water (Luke 9:51-53). As noted in John 4:5-42, Acts 8:25 and 15:3, many Samaritans accepted the Gospel early in Jesus' ministry. Approximately 750 Samaritan's live in Israel today.
The Samaritans -
The citizens of Samaria, Israel's northern kingdom. After Assyria defeated Israel in 722 BC, Assyrian King Esarhaddon deported many of the Jews living in Samaria and repopulated the area with Gentiles deported from his other conquered territories (2 Kings 17:24). These new settlers lived in peace with the Jews who remained in Samaria, intermarried with them, and in time they blended their pagan religion (complete with idol worship) with Judaism. When the exiled Jews were allowed to return, they looked down on this new hybrid religion. They called the Samaritans "half breeds," and
refused their help when rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 4:1-3). In fact, they destroyed the Samaritan's temple on Mount Gerizim in 130 BC. This led to a bitterness which still existed in Jesus' time. Devout Jews would have "no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9) and tried to diminish Jesus by calling Him a Samaritan (John 8:48). The Samaritans held the Jews in equal contempt. They often refused Jewish travelers passing through Samaria a place to
stay or food and water (Luke 9:51-53). As noted in John 4:5-42, Acts 8:25 and 15:3, many Samaritans accepted the Gospel early in Jesus' ministry. Approximately 750 Samaritan's live in Israel today.
The Gospel According to St. Luke
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Luke 9:51-62
Samaria 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, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? *Not all Greek manuscripts include, "even as Elias did." 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. 57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 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. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 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. 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. |
Margin notes:
"The time was come that he should be received up." (9:51) - It was time for Jesus to leave Galilee for Jerusalem and crucifixion. "Sent messengers before his face." (9:52) - "Sent messengers ahead of him." "Because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem." (9:53) - Means "because He was headed for Jerusalem." The Samaritan's did not like Jews or Jerusalem. "Wilt thou that we command fire to come down." (9:54) - "Should we command fire to come down." Like Elijah did centuries earlier (2 Kings 1:9-15). Perhaps this is why Jesus nicknamed James and John "the sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17). "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are." (9:55) - "You don't know what kind of person you are." "The Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." (9:56) - Jesus reinforces this vital message in John 3:17. When Jesus repeats Himself, we should listen. "As they went in the way." (9:57) - "As they went down the road." "Follow me." (9:59) - These are Jesus' most repeated words in the Bible. "Suffer me." (9:59) - "Allow me." "Let the dead bury their dead." (9:60) - Jesus is referring to the spiritually dead. See "Today's Question" below. |
You can learn more about the price of following Jesus in John 15:18-21.
New Living Translation
Luke 9:51-62
Opposition from Samaritans
51 As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
52 He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival.
53 But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem.
54 When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, "Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?"
55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.
56 So they went on to another village.
The Cost of Following Jesus
57 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go."
58 But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head."
59 He said to another person, "Come, follow me."
The man agreed, but he said, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father."
60 But Jesus told him, "Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God."
61 Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family."
62 But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Opposition from Samaritans
51 As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
52 He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival.
53 But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem.
54 When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, "Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?"
55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.
56 So they went on to another village.
The Cost of Following Jesus
57 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go."
58 But Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head."
59 He said to another person, "Come, follow me."
The man agreed, but he said, "Lord, first let me return home and bury my father."
60 But Jesus told him, "Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God."
61 Another said, "Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family."
62 But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village." (9:56)
"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." (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." (9:58)
Today's Question:
1. What does "let the dead bury their dead" mean? (9:60)
To learn more about the Scriptures, explore your Bible each day. These lessons shouldn't be your only contact with God.
1. What does "let the dead bury their dead" mean? (9:60)
To learn more about the Scriptures, explore your Bible each day. These lessons shouldn't be your only contact with God.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. In Jesus' day, to say, "let me bury my father first," was the same as saying, "I'll get around to it, someday." It was the procrastinator's way of putting things off. This man's father was probably still alive. Jews were required to bury their dead before sunset. It is doubtful he would be visiting Jesus if his father had died that day. By procrastinating, the man was telling Jesus that he was spiritually dead.
Application thought for the day:
What is your excuse for not giving Jesus more of your time?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke