Setting

The Lord’s ministry now enters a new phase. Jesus, knowing God’s purpose and timing, set out resolutely to accomplish His mission. Much of the material in this section, also known as the great travel narrative, is unique to Luke. Although Jesus would still travel back and forth through various regions, it is clear that He was moving toward Jerusalem. In this travel narrative, the teachings of Christ will become more dominant as He expounded the truths of God’s kingdom, instructed the disciples, and warned the complacent.

Key Verse

(9:51)

Did You Know...?

1. Village of the Samaritans (9:52): Samaritans were particularly hostile to Jews who were on their way to observe religious festivals in Jerusalem. It was at least a three-day journey from Galilee to Jerusalem through Samaria, and Samaritans refused overnight shelter for the pilgrims. Because of this antipathy, Jews traveling between Galilee and Jerusalem frequently went on the east side of the Jordan River. ^[ref]
2. The probable site of Korazin (10:13) along with that of Bethsaida is near Capernaum, at the north end of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus concentrated his ministry. ^[ref]

Outline

• Rejection by the Samaritans
  (9:51-56)
• Cost of Following Christ
  (9:57-62)
• Sending out the Seventy
  (10:1-24)
• Sending out and giving instructions
  (10:1-16)
• Return of the seventy
  (10:17-20)
• Rejoicing of Jesus
  (10:21-24)

Keywords/Phrases

authority, destroy/save, follow, harvest, hears, hidden/revealed., Jerusalem, judgment, kingdom of God, laborers, lambs, receive, received up, rejects, rejoice, steadfastly set His face, when the time had come, wolves

General Analysis

Segment Analysis

• 9:51-56

  1.

  Why did Jesus determine to go to Jerusalem? What can we learn from the Lord regarding our attitude toward God’s will?         Show Answer The time had come for Jesus to fulfill His mission in Jerusalem—to suffer, die, resurrect, and be received up in glory. Being fully aware of the Father’s timing and purpose, He set out resolutely to accomplish God’s will in God’s time. Likewise, we must equip ourselves with a strong determination to carry out God’s will in our lives according to His purpose and timing, even if doing so entails sufferings. Hide Answer

• 2.	Why did the Samaritans not welcome Jesus?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer

• 3.	What was the mentality of James and John?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer

• 4.

  What can we learn from Jesus’ attitude toward people’s rejection?         Show Answer While James and John had their mind set on wrathful judgement and self vindication, the Lord Jesus was concerned for people’s lives. Although it is our duty to warn the people of impending judgment, we must not have a self centered “manner of spirit” (55) and wish that anyone who doesn’t listen to us be destroyed. We must have a heart of compassion and desire all men to be saved (cf. 1Tim 2:1-4). Let God be the ultimate Judge. Hide Answer

• 9:57-62

  5.

  Based on each of the responses Jesus gave to the three men, explain what following Jesus involves. a. Verse 58 b. Verse 60 c. Verse 62         Show Answer a. Forsaking material comfort for Christ’s sake. b. Placing the work of preaching the gospel above social and family obligations (cf. Mt 10:37). c. Undivided attention to the business of God’s kingdom. Hide Answer

• 10:1-16

  6a.	What was the purpose of appointing the seventy?         Show Answer See verse 1. Hide Answer

• 6b.

  Why did the Lord send them out two by two? What lesson can we learn from this?         Show Answer Both can help and support one another (cf. Ecc 4:9-12). God’s work often calls for collective involvement rather than individual effort. Sharing the work with fellow workers is in itself a blessing as well as a training. Hide Answer

• 7.

  Why must we always remind ourselves that “the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few”?         Show Answer These are the words of our Lord before sending out the disciples or instructing them about their mission. They provide the motivation for our ministry and drive us to carry out our task with utmost urgency. Only if we realize the magnitude of our work and the great need for workers will we rise to the calling and actively involve ourselves in the ministry. Hide Answer

• 8.

  Observe that the Lord commanded the disciples to pray (2) and to go (3). What can we learn from this about our ministry?         Show Answer 1. Prayer precedes and goes hand in hand with service. 2. We must pray and serve. While we seek God’s help through prayer, we must also go and accomplish our mission. Hide Answer

• 9.	In your life, how are you a laborer in God’s great harvest?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer

• 10.	How would the disciples be “as lambs among wolves”?         Show Answer They would face rejections, ridicules, threats, and persecutions from vicious unbelievers. Hide Answer

• 11.

  Why must the disciples travel light (4)? Why should they not greet anyone on the road?         Show Answer The instruction not to bring along many possessions suggests a simple lifestyle that allows total dedication to the task at hand. It also, along with the instruction not to greet anyone on the road, conveys a sense of urgency in the missionary work. They could not afford to be bogged down with many possessions or waste time with unnecessary conversations. Hide Answer

• 12.	What do verses 7-8 teach us about the attitude and lifestyle of an evangelist?         Show Answer They were to respect and humbly depend on their hosts for their hospitality. They should concentrate on their work rather than on where to stay or what to eat. Hide Answer

• 10:17-20

  13.

  Why should we rejoice over our eternal life instead of rejoicing over having authority over our enemy?         Show Answer Although experiencing God’s power in our service is a cause for joy, it does not guarantee or necessarily reflect a sound relationship with God (cf. Mt 7:21-23; 1Tim 4:11-16). Our ministry and service will pass away one day. But if by God’s grace we can have the assurance of eternal life, that should be the greatest reason for joy because after all, what truly matters is the salvation of our souls and being with Christ forever. Therefore, we need to pay attention to our own relationship with the Lord while carrying out the duties of our ministry. Hide Answer

• 10:21-24

  14.

  Who are the wise and prudent? Who are the babes?         Show Answer The wise and the prudent are those who are wise in their own eyes. The babes are the simple and humble. These words of Jesus, as they are in Matthew, were probably directed at the unbelieving cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum (13-16; Mt 11:20-24). Hide Answer

• 15.	What do 21 and 22 teach about divine revelation?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer

• 16.	In verse 24, what did the disciples see and hear?         Show Answer God’s salvation through Jesus Christ (cf. 2:30-32). Hide Answer