Interpretive Study of Luke's Gospel - Summary

Jesus is the Son of Man.

Chapter links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, God.

Chapter 7 Summary:

Jesus Acts Like a King.

In the prior chapter, Jesus caused the spiritual conception of the church by appointing the twelve who should become apostles and giving the 'Sermon on the Mount', which is the basic doctrine for saved people to follow during the 'Church Age'. (Please keep in mind that Jesus prayed all night before selecting the twelve. That means that it was actually God the Father Who chose Judas Iscariot.)

Now, in this chapter, Jesus asserts His position as King of His kingdom, which will be during His 1,000-years reign. Right now, He is preparing a people to be part of His kingdom. Only those people who accept His position as Messiah / Christ, and as King, will be allowed to enter, and be part of, His kingdom. Thus, after appointing the twelve to be His ambassadors (apostles) to represent His kingdom to this lost world, and specifying the basic doctrine that His subjects will be expected to accept (the 'Sermon on the Mount'), Jesus is now making it clear that everyone must accept Him as their personal King.

Our chapter starts with the account of Jesus healing the servant of a centurion. Even though the centurion was a Gentile, and Jesus told the Gentile woman Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs (Mark 7:27). Here, Jesus said: I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. A king rewards those who support His kingdom, even if they are not part of His kingdom. Our chapter tells us that the elders of the Jews beseeched Jesus saying: That he was worthy for whom he should do this: forhe loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. (7:4-5). In addition, the centurion addressed Jesus as Lord, which is one of the proper titles for a King. Thus we see that this centurion had helped the people of the kingdom and supported the character of Jesus as King by acting in the faith that Jesus demanded in His kingdom and by his way of addressing Jesus. With these evidences of his support, the centurion was rewarded by Jesus, Who was acting as a King.

Next, we read about His raising the only son of...a widow from the dead. This son would then provide for the support of his widow mother, and part of the responsibilities of a King is to provide for the poor of His kingdom.

Next we read about John the Baptist, who was in jail waiting to die. We read in 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?. The answer that Jesus sent back was to demonstrate how He will act in His kingdom when He is accepted as King.

Next, we see Jesus declaring the character of John the Baptist. One job of a King is to recognize the service that great servants of the kingdom do.

Next we read about Jesus warning the people against the Pharisees and lawyers (who) rejected the counsel of God against themselves. One job of a King is to warn the people of the kingdom against enemies of the kingdom.

Next we read about Jesus going to a dinner of a Pharisee. Part of the job of a King is to treat with the leaders of other kingdoms. in this case, Jesus was treating with leaders in the kingdom of Satan. However, when the Pharisee started criticizing Jesus for the way that He treated a woman of His kingdom, Jesus defended the woman and His treatment of her. One job of a King is to defend His people and to act with the same character of His kingdom even when in the territory of His enemies.

Finally, our chapter ends with Jesus rewarding this woman for acting in the character of His kingdom even while she was in the territory of His enemies. This is also the responsibility of a King.

'Thus, every incident reported in this chapter supports the theme of the chapter.' "The application for us, today, is that we must accept Jesus as our personal spiritual King. Below are the various accounts of this chapter and the application for us tday.

Please see the Doctrinal Studies called: Significant Gospel Events; Gospel Time Sequences, Table Of Miracles and Table of Parables in the New Testament for references related to events in this chapter and for how the events of this chapter fit in the time sequence of the life of Jesus.

In Luke 7:1-10 and Matthew 8:5-13 we are told that Jesus healings the centurion's servant. This was part of His ministry in Capernaum, which is reported in: Matthew 8:5-17; Mark 1:21-39; Luke 4:31-44 and Luke 7:1-10. Please also see the Table of Miracles in the Gospels about this, and similar, miracles. The application is our personal need to have true Biblical faith if we want personal blessings.

In Luke 7:11-17 we are told about Jesus raised the widow's son from the dead. In addition, in Luke 8:41-42 "and Luke 8:49-58 we read about Jesus raising the daughter of Jatius. Further, John 11 tells about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Thus, we have three demonstrations of His power over death before he was raised from the dead without God using another man to do the resurrection. Please also see the Table of Miracles in the Gospels about these, and similar, miracles.

In Matthew 11:2-6 and Luke 7:18-23 we are told that John the Baptist sent from prison and asked Jesus if He was the Christ. in this account, we see that Jesus did not answer with words but answered with evidence. This is how we should answer any Biblically based question which we receive.

In Matthew 11:4-5 and Luke 7:21 we are told about Jesus healed the diseased and cast out devils as proof He is Christ for John the Baptist's disciples.

In Matthew 11:7-15 and Luke 7:24-30 we are told about Jesus telling the crowd what God thought about John the Baptist.

In Matthew 11:16-19 and Luke 7:30-35 we are told about Jesus asking But whereunto shall I liken this generation?

Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50 and John 12:1-11 tell us about the time that Jesus and His disciples ate a meal at the house of Simon the leper and Mary Magdalene anointed Jesus for His death.

In Luke 7:41-47 we read the parable about 'the two debtors'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.

C7-S1 : Jesus returned to His home.
1. The word Now means: 'After you understand what was said before this'. We need to understand the prior doctrine, especially all of the sayings of Jesus in the prior chapter, before we can completely understand the doctrine to follow.
2. The phrase when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people means: 'The things said in the prior chapter are meant for all people, lost and saved'.
3. The phrase he entered into Capernaum means: 'Jesus returned to His home'.
C7-S2 : the need is described.
1. Our sentence adds the start of the next account. Please also see the Table of Miracles in the Gospels about these, and similar, miracles.
2. The phrase And a certain centurion's servant means: 'This was who was in need'.
3. The phrase who was dear unto him means: 'This is the feeling that the centurion had for his servant'.
4. The phrase was sick, and ready to die means: 'This was his condition'.
C7-S3 : the centurion begged the right people to represent him and his request.
1. Our sentence adds what the centurion did.
2. The phrase when he heard of Jesus means: 'This is when he figured out what to do'.
3. The phrase he sent unto him the elders of the Jews means: 'He showed proper respect for the leaders of the Jews because Jesus was a Jew'.
4. The phrase beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant means: 'This is what the centurion begged'.
C7-S4 : Jesus agreed to help.
1. Our sentence adds that the Jewish elders also begged Jesus to help the centurion.
2. The phrase And when they came to Jesus means: 'The Jewish elders came to Jesus'.
3. The phrase they besought him instantly, saying means: 'They begged Jesus to help'.
4. The phrase That he was worthy for whom he should do this means: 'This centurion was different from most Roman centurions'.
5. The phrase For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue means: 'He proved his love for the people of God and for the religion of God'.
C7-S5 says: Then Jesus went with them. This is the first reported time that Jesus did something for a Gentile. Notice that Jesus responds to the attitude of heart rather than divisions emphasized by men such as race.
C7-S6 : the centurion stated why he had faith.
1. Our sentence adds the response from the centurion when he heard that Jesus was going to his house.
2. The phrase when he was now not far from the house means: 'This had to happen as soon as the centurion heard that Jesus was going to his house'.
3. The phrase the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him means: 'These friends were most likely Jews. We already saw that the Jewish religious leaders were his friends. And, we see, in this sentence, that he was sensitive to the racial attitudes of Jews and of Romans'.
4. The phrase Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof means: 'He uses a capitalized Lord in recognition that Jesus was / is God in human flesh. That attitude is also shown in the rest of our phrase'.
5. The phrase Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee means: 'This was his personal reaction to understanding Who Jesus truly was'.
6. The phrase but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed means: 'This proves his true Biblical faith'. The Jews looked for signs (John 2:18; 1Corinthians 1:22). However, this centurion believed the truth of the word of God while not depending on all of the Jewish religious traditions. We see, in the next sentence, that he also applied his own understanding to the truth of the word of God. As a result, He did not need signs, such as Jesus personally touching the servant in order to heal him.
C7-S7 : the centurion expresses His faith in Jesus and His authority in this physical reality. Our sentence adds why the centurion believed like he did.
1. The phrase For I also am a man set under authority means: 'The centurion explains that he understands the principals of authority'.
2. The phrase having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh means: 'He explains his personal authority over soldiers'.
3. The phrase and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it means: 'He explains his personal authority over servants'.
4. What is not expressed, but is implied, is the belief of the centurion that Jesus, as 'God in human flesh', has the same type of authority over all of the physical reality.
C7-S8 : Jesus expresses His opinion of the centurion's faith.
1. Our sentence adds the reaction by Jesus.
2. The phrase When Jesus heard these things means: 'This is when Jesus reacted'.
3. The phrase he marvelled at him means: 'This is how Jesus reacted'.
4. The phrase , and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him means: 'This is what Jesus did because of His reaction'.
5. The phrase I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel means: 'This is the testimony of Jesus for the centurion'.
C7-S9 : Jesus healed the servant from a distance.
1. Our sentence adds the final result seen by others.
2. The phrase they that were sent, returning to the house means: 'Only the servants went to the house of the centurion. Jesus did not go'.
3. The phrase found the servant whole that had been sick means: 'They saw that Jesus healed from a distance and did not have to go and ouch the man'.
C7-S10 : Jesus went to another city.
1. Our sentence adds the start of the next account. Please also see the Table of Miracles in the Gospels about these, and similar, miracles.
2. The phrase And it came to pass the day after means: 'This is when the account happened'.
3. The phrase that he went into a city called Nain means: 'This is where the account happened'.
4. The phrase and many of his disciples went with him, and much people means: 'This is who was with Jesus'.
C7-S11 : Jesus met a funeral procession.
1. The phrase Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city means: 'This is where the miracle happened'.
2. The phrase behold means: 'Pay close attention'. This is the first, of three, people that Jesus raised from the dead. In all of the Old Testament, only three people were raised from the dead.
3. The phrase there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow means: 'This is who was raised from the dead'. God cares about His widows.
4. The phrase and much people of the city was with her means: 'These were the local witnesses'.
C7-S12 : The Lord had compassion.
1. Our sentence adds the reaction of the Lord.
2. The phrase And when the Lord saw her means: 'Jesus saw her using His role as Lord'. Please see the detailed Note and the related note in the Lord Jesus Christ Study about why this role is mentioned by Luke.
3. The phrase he had compassion on her means: 'Our God cares about our feelings and our hurts and our needs'. As this widow's only son, his death left her without physical support in this world.
4. The phrase and said unto her, Weep not means: 'The Lord said this because He knew what He would do'. God tells us what to do and we must obey, in true Biblical faith, in order to receive the blessing.
C7-S13 : Jesus stopped the funeral procession.
1. Our sentence adds what Jesus did physically to stop the funeral procession.
2. The phrase he came and touched the bier means: 'What Jesus did'.
3. The phrase and they that bare him stood still means: 'What the bearers of the dead did'.
C7-S14 : Jesus commanded him to rise from the dead.
1. The phrase And he said means: 'The Lord gave this command'.
2. The phrase Young man, I say unto thee, Arise means: 'He spoke to this dead man personally'. Someone once speculated what would happen if Jesus did not make the commandment to resurrect personal. And, we are told that answer in 1Thessalonians 4:16. (All saved but physically dead will rise together.)
C7-S15 says: And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. The dead obeyed. When he spake, it removed any doubt in the witnesses. This is the first person who Jesus raised from the dead. The daughter of Jairus was second and reported in Luke 8. Lazarus was third and reported in John 11.
C7-S16 says: And he delivered him to his mother. Jesus delivered the resurrected man to his mother.
C7-S17 : the people told others about Jesus.
1. Our sentence adds the reaction by the witnesses.
2. The phrase And there came a fear on all means: 'They were afraid because they saw an undeniable proof that God had sent His prophet and they were afraid of judgment by God for their own personal sin'.
3. The phrase and they glorified God, saying means: 'They recognized that Jesus was sent by God the Father because He demonstrated power that only God the Father has'.
4. The phrase That a great prophet is risen up among us means: 'This was speculation that Jesus was the prophet promised by Moses, who would also be God's Christ'.
5. The phrase and, that God hath visited his people means: 'They were speculating that God was ready to start the 1,000-years reign of Christ'. Jesus started His ministry by offering this to the Jews but the offer was removed when the religious leaders, and most of the common Jews, rejected Jesus as their King.
C7-S18 : Certain people heard about Jesus.
1. Our sentence adds the spread of this belief.
2. The phrase And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea means: 'This belief was spread as a rumour because they did not, yet, have undeniable proof. And, it went throughout all Judaea, which was the stronghold of the Jewish religious leaders'.
3. The phrase and throughout all the region round about means: 'It went everywhere Jews lived in the area'.
C7-S19 says: And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. John the Baptist was in prison, at this time, and knew that he would die there. He was there because He publically said that Herod was sinning to have his brother's wife.
C7-S20 : John the Baptist asked for assurance before he died.
1. The phrase And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying means: 'John had declared that Jesus was God's Christ, based upon the sign that God the Father had given to him. However, when faced with death and his own judgment by God, John wanted assurance that he had not made a mistake'.
2. The phrase Art thou he that should come? means: 'John asked his question very clearly'. And, our next sentence adds: or look we for another?. This was a simple enough question that Jesus could say 'Yes' or 'No'. Instead, He sent John irrefutable proof. God understands our need for assurance in certain situations. And, God gives very clear assurance to those who truly devote their lives to the service of God, like John the Baptist did.
C7-S22 : says: When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come?. Our next sentence adds: or look we for another?.
1. The job of a true messenger is to deliver the exact message to the person whom it is directed to. A true prophet of God delivers the message: Thus says the Lord. The world tells people that a true prophet tells the future. However, God only added that sign before the New Testament was completely written. The job of a true prophet is still the same. We just compare their message to the word of God. There are many people who claim to be a prophet and, if they are, they are a prophet for Satan because their message goes against the single literal interpretation of the word of God. There are also preachers who, mistakenly, believe that they have the spiritual gift of prophecy, but they are preaching the many applications of religion. A true modern day prophet delivers the single interpretation of the word of God because that is what comes from the Lord while the many applications, when true, come from Jesus or from Christ.
2. These men were true messengers because they delivered the exact message that they were sent to deliver.
C7-S24 : Jesus demonstrated the evidence of who He was.
1. Our sentence adds that Jesus first responded by giving irrefutable evidence that He was / is God's Christ. Please see the Table Of Miracles for references to the many other places where we are told that Jesus did miracles. He did many more than any other man and that was one of the major signs that God told the Jews to look for.
2. The phrase 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 means: 'Jesus did so many miracles that there could be no doubt that he was / is God's Christ'.
C7-S25 : Jesus sent assurance to John.
1. The word Then means: 'After Jesus produced the signs to prove Who He was'.
2. The phrase Jesus answering said unto them means: 'Jesus sent this message to John the Baptist'.
3. The phrase 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 means: 'This is the message to deliver along with your own personal testimony'.
C7-S26 says: And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. This is a truth for all people at all times.
C7-S27 : Jesus honors John the Baptist.
1. The phrase And when the messengers of John were departed means: 'Jesus waited until the messengers of John were gone before challenging the people'.
2. The phrase he began to speak unto the people concerning John means: ''. . . .
3. The phrase What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? means: 'They went into the wilderness for to see John the Baptist'. They knew that he was a prophet. They should have understood what that meant about his character. Therefore, they should have understood how he was different from the religious leaders and how his message had to be different from the religious leaders. However, they were like many people are today. They want to hear many different religious opinions, decide for themselves what they choose to believe, and expect God to accept all of the variety of religious opinions. That goes directly opposite of what John the Baptist preached.
C7-S28 says: A reed shaken with the wind? This means: 'Did you really expect someone who changes with every wind of doctrine from lying men and devils?'. John the Baptist did not waver in his doctrine even when facing death for his preaching.
C7-S29 says: But what went ye out for to see? means" 'Think about what you should have expected to see and hear from a true prophet of God'.
C7-S30 says: A man clothed in soft raiment? means: 'Did you truly expect a true prophet of God to dress like the most successful of this world?'. This was a direct slap at the Jewish religious leaders of that day.
C7-S31 says: Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings courts. The Jewish religious leaders were there and they delivered doctrines from devils. John the Baptist was a true prophet of God and they had to go into the wilderness for to see him.
C7-S32 says: But what went ye out for to see? means: 'Think about what you should have expected to see and hear from a true prophet of God'.
C7-S33 says: A prophet? and it means: 'Did you really go to see a true prophet of God?'.
C7-S34 says: Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. Here, Jesus tells the general Jew that John the Baptist was much more than a prophet. A true prophet was a messenger from God. John the Baptist was their herald for their true King.
C7-S35 says: This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee and gives scripture for John's role. Our current sentence is quoting the messages of Isaiah 40:3 and making a reference to Matthew 3:3; Malachi 3:1 and Malachi 4:5-6. The common Jew should have understood that this quote was a reference to God's herald for God's King. Thus, they also should have understood that God's King had come and was offering them the kingdom. But, they rejected God's King and the kingdom in order to follow the false doctrine of their religious leaders.
C7-S36 : Jesus says God's opinion of John the Baptist.
1. The phrase For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist means: 'This was speaking of all prophets already born at that time. John the Baptist was the greatest Old Testament prophet but he did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit like the saved do. That is why the next phrase is true'.
2. The phrase but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he means: 'Those people who truly saved and have the character of God (the kingdom of God) in them are considered by God to be greater than John the Baptist'. However, saved people who do not accept the character of God (the kingdom of God) in themselves personally, do not fit in this category.
C7-S37 : Some people's lives justified God's salvation.
1. Our sentence adds the reaction of the common Jew to the message from Jesus.
2. The phrase And all the people that heard him, and the publicans means: 'This identifies the people in this category'.
3. The phrase justified God means: 'They provided proof of the preaching of John the Baptist'.
4. The phrase being baptized with the baptism of John means: 'This is why. They had already accepted the preaching of John the Baptist and acted on that preaching'.
C7-S38 : Some people's lives justified God's condemnation.
1. Our sentence adds the reaction of the Jewish religious leaders to the message from Jesus.
2. The phrase But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves means: 'This identifies the people in this category'.
3. The phrase being not baptized of him means: 'This is why. They had already rejected the preaching of John the Baptist and refused to act on that preaching'.
C7-S39 : Jesus changes the subject.
1. Our sentence adds a judgment by the Lord.
2. The phrase And the Lord said means: 'Jesus said this using His role as Lord'.
3. The phrase Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? means: 'He is giving us a picture (liken) of that generation'. This is not any particular group but the general judgment of the people living then.
C7-S40 adds and to what are they like? to the prior sentence. This makes the following sentences a double likeness, which makes it the basis for a legal judgment.
C7-S41 : Jesus compares the people of His day to self-centered children.
1. The phrase They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying means: 'The generation acts like immature selfish children'.
2. The phrase We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept means: 'They complained because God did not do as they wished'. They refused to be reasonable and work with the laws of reality which God created. They demanded that reality change to match what they wanted.
C7-S42 : the testimony of John the Baptist.
1. Our current sentence gives us the first reason that caused the Lord to judge them like He did.
2. The phrase For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine means: 'This is how John the Baptist acted'.
3. The phrase and ye say, He hath a devil means: 'This is how they judged his behavior'.
C7-S43 : A comparable testimony of Jesus.
1. Our current sentence gives us the second reason that caused the Lord to judge them like He did. Here, they demanded the opposite of what they demanded in the prior sentence.
2. The phrase The Son of man is come eating and drinking means: 'Jesus acted the opposite of John the Baptist'.
3. The phrase and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of public and and sinners! means: 'They still condemned Him for His behavior'.
C7-S44 says: But wisdom is justified of all her children. means: 'True wisdom does not judge nor act like the majority of that generation'. True wisdom is seen in the actions and attitudes of the individuals who obey true wisdom (is justified of all her children). True wisdom is seen in individuals and not in the general attitudes and actions of
C7-S45 : the start of the next incident.
1. Our sentence adds another account to the lessons of this chapter.
2. Our sentence says: And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him means: 'Jesus accepted this invitation even knowing that it was planned as something different from what it appeared to be'. Usually, when someone invites you to a meal, they want to treat you well. This is especially true when twelve disciples come with you. However, this meal was planned as an insult to Jesus. Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50 and John 12:1-11 tell us about the time that Jesus and His disciples ate a meal at the house of Simon the leper and Mary Magdalene anointed Jesus for His death. Simon is not called Simon the leper at this time. I, personally, imagine that God gave him leprosy as a consequence of this supper. leprosy was a blood disease which caused people to become numb and not realize when they were wounded. It was used symbolically for people who live a corrupted spiritual life which makes them unaware of spiritual damage which they do to themselves. Please see the Detailed Note for more details about this incident and for comparisons to the other Gospel accounts of this incident.
C7-S46 says: And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. means: 'Jesus accepted the challenge because He knew that this Pharisee did not mean what a normal meal invitation meant'.
C7-S47 : the description of a true servant of God.
1. Our sentence adds what Mary Magdalene did during the supper.
2. The phrase And, behold means: 'Pay close attention to this additional information'.
3. The phrase a woman in the city, which was a sinner means: 'identifies the woman and what Simon thought of her'. Other Gospel accounts identify her as Mary Magdalene.
4. The phrase when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house means: 'This is when she acted'.
5. The phrase brought an alabaster box of ointment means: 'This is what she brought with her'.
6. The phrase 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 means: 'This is what she did and the attitude she had while acting this way'.
C7-S48 : the host judged the woman.
1. The word Now means: 'After you understand what was just explained'. Simon ignored her attitude and her action. He simply judger her for her past. While Jesus had forgiven her past, this religious bigot insisted that she could never be forgiven.
2. The phrase when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying means: 'He presumed to judge Jesus'. He refused to acknowledge that Jesus was 'God in human flesh' in spite of all of the miracles that Jesus had done. And, he judged Jesus based upon the religious rules that his group had added to the Law of God. We see this in the rest of this sentence.
3. The phrase This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him means: 'He denied that Jesus was a prophet as well as denying that Jesus was 'God in human flesh''. He based this on his judgment that for she is a sinner and refused to consider that she was a sinner not now was forgiven by God.
4. The phrase for she is a sinner means: 'He raised himself above God when he rejected the forgiveness of God'.
C7-S49 : Jesus defended the woman of His kingdom.
1. Our sentence adds the answer of Jesus to the judgment of Simon.
2. The phrase Jesus answering said unto him means: 'This is an answer from Jesus to the judgment of Simon'.
3. The phrase Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee means: 'Jesus said this to Simon personally (thee)'.
C7-S50 says: And he saith, Master, say on. Simon responds to being addressed but He only calls Jesus Master ('teacher'). He addresses Jesus as being a lower status than himself.
C7-S51 : Jesus starts a parable. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for other parables and to understand how to interpret a parable.
1. The phrase There was a certain creditor which had two debtors means: 'This is the start of the circumstances of the parable'. Most likely, Simon had people who owed him money. Thus he probably imagined that he could relate to the creditor.
2. The phrase the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty means: 'It is common for a creditor to have different people owe him different amounts'.
C7-S52 : Jesus gives the main point of the parable. Our sentence adds And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. at this point, Simon can no longer relate to this creditor because Simon would never do this.
C7-S53 : Jesus asks Simon to make a judgment. Our sentence says: Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?. Simon must judge a circumstance which he has never experienced since he would never forgive a debt and can not imaging a creditor who would forgive a debt.
C7-S54 : Simon answers the question to the best of hid ability.
1. The phrase Simon answered and said, I suppose means: 'Simon could not answer for positive because he never imagined such a thing occurring'.
2. The phrase that he, to whom he forgave most means: 'This is the obvious answer'. The person who realizes how much God has forgiven them is far more thankful then the person who believes that only did minor sins and that God only had to forgive little.
C7-S55 says: And he said unto him, thou hast rightly judged. Jesus tells Simon that he has judged rightly before applying the truth to Simon and to Mary. Simon found out that his position with God was not what he imagined it to be and he found out that Mary Magdalene's position with God was not what he imagined it to be. And, since he became known as Simon the leper, it is apparent that he rejected the truth that Jesus told him and that he did not receive forgiveness from God.
C7-S56 : Jesus points out the woman.
1. Our sentence adds the start of Jesus instructing Simon in part of his error. However, since he later became a leper, we can believe that he never truly repented
2. The phrase And he turned to the woman means: 'Jesus points out the woman that Simon judged to be a sinner'.
3. The phrase and said unto Simon means: 'Who Jesus talked to'.
4. The phrase Seest thou this woman? means: 'Jesus focused all attention to the woman'.
C7-S57 : Jesus compares the behavior of Simon to the woman.
1. Our sentence adds .
2. The phrase I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet means: 'Simon deliberately insulted Jesus '. . . .
3. The phrase but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head means: 'She honored Jesus as her personal Saviour'.
C7-S58 : Jesus adds a second comparison.
1. Our sentence adds the second insult.
2. The phrase Thou gavest me no kiss means: 'Simon refused the customary greeting that showed no animosity'.
3. The phrase but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet means: 'She showed unending love'.
C7-S59 : Jesus adds a third comparison.
1. Our sentence adds the third insult.
2. The phrase My head with oil thou didst not anoint means: 'Simon refused to offer the basic comfort which was customarily offered to someone leaving a dry, dusty environment and entering a house'.
3. The phrase but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment means: 'She went to extreme measures to provide comfort to what was considered to be the least important part of the body'.
C7-S60 : Jesus applies the parable.
1. Our sentence adds the judgment from God for each set of behavior.
2. The word Wherefore means: 'This is a conclusion that will be seen wherever you look'.
3. The phrase I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven means: 'This was God's judgment'.
4. The phrase for she loved much means: 'Why she received this judgment'.
5. The phrase but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little means: 'This is the judgment of God for people who do little to express their love for God'.
6. What is not stated, but is implied is: 'Simon showed no love for God and, therefore, received no forgiveness'.
C7-S61 : Jesus addresses the woman.
1. The phrase And he said unto her means: 'Jesus talked directly to the woman but made sure that everyone else heard'.
2. The phrase Thy sins are forgiven means: 'She was saved'. Actually, she was saved earlier but, here, Jesus confirmed her salvation before many witnesses.
C7-S62 : People question the action by Jesus.
1. Our sentence adds that the religious crowd were confused because they refused to believe the earlier witness when Jesus forgave the man with palsy for his sins and then healed him to prove that Jesus was 'God in human flesh'.
2. The phrase And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves means: 'These were Simon's religious supporters who came to see Simon put Jesus down to the religious and social level that they thought He belonged at'.
3. The phrase Who is this that forgiveth sins also? means: Jesus showed them that He was 'God in human flesh'.
C7-S63 : Jesus explains His action.
1. The phrase And he said to the woman means: 'Jesus gave assurance to His faithful follower'. True assurance only comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. The phrase Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace means: 'Peace only comes from God when the saved act in true faith'.

Chapter 8 Summary:

Jesus Deals with People who Accept Him as King.

in this chapter we see Jesus deal with many people the way that a righteous king should deal with people in His kingdom. in this chapter we see examples of what we should receive from Jesus if we truly accept Him as our personal King. However, most people don't understand what that truly means. The word of means 'belongs to'. The Bible uses the phrase kingdom of heaven to identify things which 'belong to heaven', such as angels. Everything which the Bible tells us 'belongs to heaven' shows us the character of God the Father since He made Heaven. The Bible uses the phrase kingdom of God to identify things which 'belong to God'. This phrase is to be applied to the saved while they are here on this Earth. Thus, the truly saved are to display the character of God in this world, because He is their King.

Every person who receives a blessing from Jesus, in this chapter, displays true Biblical faith in Him, which is the start of how we receive His character in our personal life. Those who are willing to have true Biblical faith in Him, and receive His character in their personal life, receive blessings fro Him, as this chapter shows us.

However, one truth that many people fail to realize is that Jesus refused to bless those who refused to accept Him as their personal King and become part of His kingdom. In fact, many were punished. The political and religious liars of today try to deny this truth. Not only does a true king provide for the people in his kingdom, but he also denies those things to people who are not his citizens. Further, a true king fights against enemies of his citizens. This is one of the lessons of our chapter which many people deny and many others preach against.

The one lesson of this chapter, which many deny or ignore, comes from 'the Parable of the Sower'. in this parable we have four types of ground, which represent four types of hearts in people. There are two different doctrinal errors which are taught about this parable because religious traditions teach that there are only two categories of people in this world while the Bible teaches that there are actually three. Therefore, the one type of doctrinal error tries to put the third category in one of the other categories and the other type of doctrinal error tries to put that third category in the remaining category. Both doctrinal errors try to deny the eternal results received by the people in the third category. That third category contains people who claim to be saved but live like they are lost. And, the truth is that some of them are truly saved, but carnal, and some ate truly lost. In addition, we can not know which of these people are truly saved and which are truly lost. Only their death will reveal which spiritual category each person is in.

Our chapter makes it clear that people who truly are 'identified with the character of Jesus Christ' receive blessings from Him. People who refuse to let their life show that they are 'identified with the character of Jesus Christ' do not receive these blessings and it does not matter if they are saved or lost. That is the truth of this chapter which both types of doctrinal error try to deny.

In Luke 8:1-3, we read that Jesus went about inviting people to His kingdom and, like any true king, He had people traveling with Him and taking care of His physical needs.

In Luke 8:1-3, we read that Jesus cast seven devils out of Mary Magdalene.

In Matthew 13:2-23; Mark 4:1-20 and Luke 8:4-15, we read 'the Parable of the Sower'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.

In Matthew 5:14-16; Mark 4:21-23; Luke 8:16-18 and Luke 11:33-36, we read 'The Parable of Lighted Candle'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.

Matthew 7:2; Mark 4:24-25 and Luke 8:18 tell us to take heed how you measure. This warning tells us to have spiritual things at the highest priority of our life.

Matthew 12:46-50 and Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21 tell us about the mother and brethren of Jesus showing up and wanting to interrupt His ministry so that they could talk to Him. Jesus refused to let the desires of His physical relatives have a higher priority in His life than His spiritual ministering. Without a doubt, His response upset them and the Bible lets us know that His brothers and sisters were not saved until after the resurrection. However, as Jesus shows us here, we can not let such things keep us from obeying God and doing what God wants us to do.

Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41 and Luke 8:22-25 all tells us about times that Jesus calmed a tempest. In addition, Mark 6:45-56 is a similar, but different, incident where Jesus calmed a tempest. Please also see the Miracles in the Gospels, which provides links to all miracles which are reported in the Gospels.

Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39 tell us about Jesus freeing the mad man of Gadara from many devils. There was actually a second man, according to Matthew, but he wasn't important enough for Mark nor Luke to mention. Please also see the Miracles in the Gospels, which provides links to all miracles which are reported in the Gospels.

Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43 and Luke 8:40-56 all tell us about Jesus raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead. Please also see the Miracles in the Gospels, which provides links to all miracles which are reported in the Gospels. The note for Luke 8:51 has the time sequence of the events in the last part of this miracle account.

Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34 and Luke 8:43-48 tell about the healing of the woman with an issue of blood while Jesus, and a throng of people, were on the way to heal the daughter of Jairus.

C8-S1 : Jesus expanded His ministry.
1. The phrase And it came to pass afterward means: 'The accounts of this chapter happened after the things of the prior chapter'.
2. The phrase that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God means: 'Jesus was offering the kingdom of God to people'. (The kingdom of God is: 'God's character in you today and the 1,000 years reign of Christ in the future'.) However, the people did not want to change from their sinful lifestyle and rejected this offer. Therefore, to offer of the 1,000-years reign of Christ (the kingdom) was taken away from the Jews.
3. The phrase : and the twelve were with him means: 'They were, and still are, to be right under Jesus in the 1,000-years reign of Christ'.
4. The phrase And certain women means: 'There were women who were also disciples, of which Luke only names three'.
5. The phrase which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities means: 'All three had been healed and served out of thanksgiving'. This is how we each should serve.
6. The phrase Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils means: 'This is the first woman named'. Please see the Detailed Note for more details.
7. The phrase And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward. Joanna is only mentioned here and as one of the women who went to the sepulchre after the crucifixion. However, between the two times, we are told that she was a faithful disciple of Jesus and did what she could to serve Him..
8. The phrase and Susanna this is the only place that Susanna is mentioned.
9. The phrase and many others means: 'Other women were disciples and served even if they had not needed healing'.
10. The phrase which ministered unto him of their substance means: 'This is one way that God provided for the ministry of Jesus'. The Bible teaches that people who receive spiritual blessings are to provide for the physical needs of their teacher.
C8-S2 : Jesus gives 'the parable of sower'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.
1. Our sentence adds the 'Parable of the Sower' as a teaching about how people will react to the teaching of Jesus.
2. The phrase when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city means: 'Jesus gave this parable when He had an audience from many places'. This parable is meant for all people.
3. The phrase he spake by a parable means: 'Jesus used parables to teach truth to people who seek truth from God's Holy Spirit (or from Jesus). And, He used parables to lead the lost and carnal into error'. We have two different wrong interpretations of this parable which appeal to the lost and to the carnal. Please note that in our chapter, and also in the other Gospel accounts, Jesus gives just the parable to most people but explains it in private to His disciples. This demonstrated how Jesus taught with all parables. Please see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to where all parables are found in the Gospels. Please also see later in this chapter, and also in the other Gospel accounts, for the explanation of this parable from Jesus.
4. The phrase A sower went out to sow his seed means: 'Their culture was closely tied to farming and people would understand the physical message of this parable'. The spiritual message is: 'A person went out and preached the word of God'.
5. The phrase and as he sowed means: 'What follows are the results of his work'.
6. The phrase some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it means: 'The physical meaning is obvious. The spiritual meaning first tells us that the way side represents people with a hard heart because the way side is where people walked and made the dirt of the path hard. The spiritual meaning next tells us that and it was trodden down. This means that people discount and mock the truth of the Gospel. Next, devils (the fowls of the air) came and stole the truth from the minds of people (devoured it)'. Be careful of the doctrinal error which claims that the fowls of the air always symbolically represent devils. Doves, and other clean birds, do not represent devils.
C8-S3 : the second results of the parable.
1. Our sentence adds the second type of ground / heart.
2. The phrase And some fell upon a rock means: 'This seed fell where it could not get the necessary help to grow'. Some people claim that this sentence represents people who are lost because we are told that the plant (results from the seed) withered away. Others claim that it represents saved people because it showed life (it was sprung up). Bothe of the people who make those claims then conclude with doctrinal error.
3. The phrase and as soon as it was sprung up means: 'It showed life'. However, life begins at conception and Jesus said: Ye must be born again (John 3:7). Birth and conception are two separate events with birth happening some time after there has been life due to conception. Therefore, even though this sentence tells us that there was life, that does not guarantee birth. Neither does it exclude birth.
4. The phrase it withered away means: 'It appeared to be dead but might not have been dead'. Go out to a desert when there is no rain and look at the plants which are there. Then go back right after a rain. That experience will teach you about withered plants which appear to be dead but are actually alive. Again, we can not say if the plants of this sentence are alive or dead.
5. The phrase because it lacked moisture means: 'This, symbolically, means that this person lacked the ongoing living relationship of God's Holy Spirit'. A lost person does not have the ongoing living relationship of God's Holy Spirit. A saved, but carnal, person ignores the ongoing living relationship of God's Holy Spirit. These are two different conditions but they appear to be the same.
6. In the explanation from Jesus, Luke 8:13 tells us: 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. The phrase fall away could mean that they spiritually die, and were never truly born again, even though they had a spiritual conception. It could also mean that they were truly born again, but never produces any spiritual life.
7. Basically, we can not say for positive that this person is saved or is lost. Only God knows for sure. However, it they are truly saved, they will be in Heaven but will also be crying their eyes out an average of more than twice a week for more than 1,000-years.
C8-S4 : the third results of the parable.
1. Our sentence adds the third type of ground / heart.
2. The phrase And some fell among thorns. In the explanation from Jesus, Luke 8:14 tells us: 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. Please notice that Jesus did not say that they were dead but he said that they bring no fruit to perfection. The people who claim that this group represents spiritually dead people ignore that living plants can have times of not producing fruit. And, there is much fruit which is produced but which is not brought to perfection. And, while this seems to be helping the people who argue that this group represents spiritually alive people, I have yet to hear one of them also preach that they bring no fruit to perfection and then explain the spiritual consequence of that phrase. The truth is that this group has the same spiritual consequence as the people from the prior group who are truly saved. They will be in Heaven but will also be crying their eyes out an average of more than twice a week for more than 1,000-years.
3. The phrase and the thorns sprang up with it means: 'These people had just as much care for the lusts of this world as they had for serving God'. They refused to make God their first priority in life.
4. The phrase and choked it means: 'This type of split priority results in failure to achieve any goal that is pursued because the life is trying to go too many different ways'.
C8-S5 : the fourth results of the parable.
1. Our sentence adds the fourth type of ground / heart. In the explanation from Jesus, Luke 8:15 tells us: 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. The important things about these people is that they have an honest and good heart and they have heard the word and they keep it and they do their ministry with patience. Please see the Detailed note for Luke 8:15 for more details about these attributes.
2. The phrase And other fell on good ground means: 'This spiritually represents someone whose heart is devoted to serving God'.
3. The phrase and sprang up means: 'The word of God changed their life by increasing the spiritual life in them'.
4. The phrase and bare fruit an hundredfold means: 'The other Gospel accounts give different numbers for how much fruit is produced. Thus, is not as important how much fruit is produced other than a whole lot'.
C8-S6 : Only people with God given spiritual ears will understand fully.
1. Our sentence adds how we are to respond to this parable.
2. The phrase And when he had said these things means: 'This is the follow-up of the parable'.
3. The phrase he cried means: 'Jesus wanted everyone to hear and understand the importance of what He said'.
4. The phrase He that hath ears to hear, let him hear means: 'If you can hear spiritual truth then listen closely to the spiritual message of the parable'. The note for Mark 4:9 has links to every place in the Bible where we read the phrase ears to hear and has links to every place in the Bible where we read the phrase let him hear.
C8-S7 says: And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?. The other Gospel accounts tell us that they waited until they were alone in the house woth Jesus.
C8-S8 : Parables are used to give some understanding and others condemnation.
1. The phrase And he said means: 'Jesus added this explanation to their question'.
2. The phrase Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God means: 'The saved people who are truly trying to serve God receive understanding about the character of God (the kingdom of God which they are willing to make their own character to match'.
3. The phrase but to others in parables means: 'People who are not willing to accept the character of God as their own character are taught in parables'.
4. The phrase that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand means: 'This is so that they will think that they understand but will be led into doctrinal error'.
C8-S9 says: Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. means: this symbolism is true for this parable and for many other places in the Bible, but not always.
C8-S10 says: 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. The symbolism ofThis sentence was given earlier and is also covered in the Detail Note for this sentence.
C8-S11 says: 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. The symbolism ofThis sentence was given earlier and is also covered in the Detail Note for this sentence.
C8-S12 says: 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. The symbolism ofThis sentence was given earlier and is also covered in the Detail Note for this sentence.
C8-S13 says: 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. The symbolism ofThis sentence was given earlier and is also covered in the Detail Note for this sentence.
C8-S14 : the next parable Please see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to where all parables are found in the Gospels.
1. The phrase No man, when he hath lighted a candle means: 'This is symbolically speaking about God putting His spiritual light into the saved (Matthew 5:14; Luke 16:8; John 11:9-10; 2Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:15)'.
2. The phrase covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick means: 'This is what no man does. 'Likewise, when a saved person hides God's light, and does not let it shine onto a lost world, they are going against God's plan for their life when God saved them.
3. The phrase that they which enter in may see the light means: 'God saves us so that all can see God's light (understand spiritual things) through our life'.
4. This parable is given in context with the 'Parable of the Sower'. If we are to prove that our heart is represented by the good ground, then we must let God's light shine from our life so that God uses us to produce many spiritual fruit.
C8-S15 : the application of the parable.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For, which means it is telling us why the parable in the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest means: 'God is going to reveal everything about the life of each saved person at thejudgment seat of Christ. All of the beings in Heaven will be there and will know, for eternity, everything that God reveals at that time'.
3. The phrase neither anything hid, that shall not be known and come abroad means: 'This is a second stating of the first phrase in this sentence'. By saying the same thing twice, God is letting us know that it is part of His law and judgment. No one will avoid this happening.
C8-S16 : the results of the way that we personally hear. Please also see the Message called The Character of God in You for the application of this section. Those people who hear properly will have 'The Character of God in in them'. Those people who do not hear properly will not have 'The Character of God in in them'.
1. The beginning of our chapter gave us the 'Parable of the sower'. Then we read the explanation of that parable from Jesus. Then Jesus told us to let God's light shine through us in this world and warned us that we will face judgment for if we produce a spiritual profit for God or if we fail to do so. That is what came before our sentence which starts with the phrase Take heed therefore. We are commanded to 'pay close attention based upon what came before this sentence'. That is; pay close attention to the spiritual meaning of what is taught in the word of God.
2. Next, the phrase how ye hear means: 'make sure that you hear the spiritual message of what is being said'. Most people hear the physical meaning of parables and other things in the word of God. They are not paying attention to how (physical versus spiritual) you personally (ye) hear. In addition, the matching section, from Mark, tells us to Take heed what ye hear (Mark 4:4). We are to be careful to listen to people who give us the true spiritual message of the word of God while refusing to listen to people who teach doctrinal error.
3. The phrase for whosoever hath, to him shall be given means: 'The people who have a spiritual profit for God, from their work in this life, will be given everlasting rewards'. Please see the teaching on the 'Parable of the Pounds' (Luke 19:11-27) and the teaching on the 'Parable of the Talents' (Matthew 25:14-30) for an explanation of this truth. In addition, this is actually a prophecy of what will happen to the saved at the judgment seat of Christ. .
4. The phrase and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have this is the other side of the prior phrase. Saved people, who do not bring God a spiritual profit, will lose even the spiritual gift that they were given at their initial salvation. Please see the references of the phrase point for this phrase also.
C8-S17 : the physical family of Jesus came to Him.
1. The phrase Then came to him his mother and his brethren means: 'After Jesus taught the prior lesson, His physical family came to see Him'. All of them were lost except His mother Mary.
2. The phrase and could not come at him for the press means: 'They could not get near Jesus physically because of how many people crowded around Him'.
C8-S18 : Jesus was told about their presence.
1. Our sentence adds that people told Jesus about His family being there.
2. The phrase And it was told him by certain which said means: 'The message was passed to those who were physically near Jesus'.
3. The phrase Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee means: 'This was the message'.
C8-S19 : Jesus said that His true family was His spiritual family.
1. Our sentence adds the response from Jesus.
2. The phrase And he answered and said unto them means: 'This is the answer from Jesus'.
3. The phrase My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it means: 'Jesus claimed that His spiritual family were His true family and not the physical family'.
C8-S20 : the start of the account of the next incident.
1. The phrase Now it came to pass on a certain day means: 'The day is not important but what is important is that the report of this account starts here'.
2. The phrase that he went into a ship with his disciples means: 'They all got into the ship'.
3. The phrase and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake means: 'After they were in the ship, Jesus told them to cross the lake'.
C8-S21 : says: And they launched forth, which means that 'Jesus and His disciples started across the lake'.
C8-S22 : the test of faith was given.
1. Our sentence adds .
2. The phrase But as they sailed he fell asleep means: 'Jesus was not worried or He would not have fallen asleep'.
3. The phrase and there came down a storm of wind on the lake means: 'This was the set-up of their test'.
4. The phrase and they were filled with water means: 'This was the circumstance of their test'.
C8-S23 : the disciples told Jesus their fear.
1. Our sentence adds that they flunked the test.
2. The phrase And they came to him, and awoke him, saying means: 'The disciples woke Jesus because of their fear'.
3. The phrase Master, master, we perish means: 'Notice that they called Him Master and not Lord'. They were thinking of Jesus as 'A human teacher' and not as 'God in human flesh'. When God seems to be asleep during out problems, we can be sure that He is giving us a test. (Notice His question in the second next sentence.) If we retain our true Biblical faith in Him, then we will see a miracle if the situation truly becomes impossible for us to handle in our flesh.
C8-S24 : Jesus calmed the storm.
1. The phrase Then he arose means: 'He acted after they awoke Him'.
2. The phrase and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water means: 'This is what Jesus did'.
3. The phrase and they ceased, and there was a calm means: 'This is the result'. Please see the Table Of Miracles for links to other miracles done in the Gospels.
C8-S25 : Jesus rebuked His disciples.
1. Our sentence adds the rebuke from Jesus.
2. Our sentence says: And he said unto them, Where is your faith?. The account by Mark reports: And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?. We should believe that Jesus said all of this, and probably more, but each Gospel writer decided to limit what they reported. However, both accounts let us know that they failed their test of faith. After God has given us new spiritual understanding, we should expect a test from God.
C8-S26 : the disciples wondered at the faith of Jesus.
1. The phrase And they being afraid wondered means: 'They reacted this way because the action, and rebuke, from Jesus, was far from what they expected'.
2. The phrase saying one to another means: 'They talked to each other because they were afraid to talk to Jesus'.
3. The phrase What manner of man is this! means: 'This shows that they forgot that they were dealing with God in human flesh'.
C8-S27 : Why they were amazed.
1. The phrase he commandeth even the winds and water means: 'Reportedly, some natural forces have more power than the most destructive bomb that man has made'.
2. The phrase and they obey him means: 'The powers of nature obeyed Jesus instantly'.
C8-S28 says: And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee means: 'This tells where they landed'.
C8-S29 : Jesus met the mad man of Gadara. Please see the Detail Notes for the account in Matthew which compares all three Gospel accounts and explains the differences in what is reported by each account
1. Our sentence adds that the devil-possessed man met Jesus.
2. The phrase And when he went forth to land means: 'This is when He was met'.
3. The phrase there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time means: 'He was controlled by devils. He used to live in the city but the devils made him move to the tombs'.
4. The phrase and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs means: 'This is how the devils had dehumanized the man'.
C8-S30 : the devils in him recognized Jesus.
1. The phrase When he saw Jesus means: 'This is what prompted the actions by the devils'.
2. The phrase he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said means: 'This is what the devils did'.
3. The phrase What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? means: 'This is what the devils said'. Notice that they recognized the character of Jesus (thou Son of God) and His relationship to God which provided Him with His power (God most high).
C8-S31 : says: I beseech thee, torment me not means: 'The devils recognized that Jesus had the power to lock them in Hell until the 'Rapture''
C8-S32 : this sentence, and the next sentence, tell us why the devils made the prior request of Jesus.
1. Our sentence adds .
2. The sentence (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man means: 'Jesus forced the devils out of the man and they would have to go where He commanded them to go'.
3. The sentence 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.) tells us how the devils treated this man. Therefore, they truly deserved punishment.
C8-S34 : Jesus asked the devil his name. Our sentence says: And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name?
C8-S35 : the devil answered Jesus. Our sentence says: And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him
C8-S36 : the devil made a request of Jesus.
1. Our se4ntence says: And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. This means that the devils asked Jesus to not send them into Hell where some devils are chained until God's Holy Spirit is removed at the 'Rapture'.
C8-S37 : the devils requested that Jesus let them enter the pigs.
1. The phrase And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain means: 'The Jews should not have been raising them because they were forbidden to eat swine'.
2. The phrase and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them means: 'They asked Jesus to send them where the destruction of the swine would only be a right judgment by God'. They were destined to die anyway. However, this way the Jews could not eat the forbidden meat.
C8-S38 says: And he suffered them.
C8-S39 : the first result of the request.
1. The phrase Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine means: 'This is where the devils moved to'.
2. The phrase and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked means: 'The swine had better sense than to live possessed by devils'.
C8-S40 : the next result of the request.
1. Our sentence adds the reaction by the workers.
2. The phrase When they that fed them saw what was done means: 'This is when they reacted'. Notice that they did not react at seeing the devil=possessed man but reacted when they could be blamed for losing the swine.
3. The phrase they fled, and went and old it in the city and in the country means: 'They told everyone what happened. I believe part of that was to protect themselves from blame. However, part of it also was because they had never seen anyone with the power to order devils around like Jesus did'.
C8-S41 : the swine-herds looked.
1. The phrase Then they went out to see what was done means: 'This would be the owners of the swine and their friends and neighbors'.
2. The phrase and came to Jesus means: 'This is Who they met'.
3. The phrase and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind means: 'They saw the dramatic change in the saved man'. All truly saved people are supposed to display a changed life.
4. The phrase and they were afraid means: 'These people had to realize the power that Jesus had, and that He lived a holy life, and that He had seen the evidence of their sinful lives'. They were afraid of the judgment of God, even though they had ignored the future judgment until it became real in their lives.
C8-S42 : Witnesses testified what Jesus had done.
1. Our sentence says: They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. means: 'The workers who were taking care of the swine also saw that Jesus did the change the man who had been possessed by many devils'. They witnesses to others what Jesus had done for the man.
C8-S43 : the people's response to Jesus.
1. The phrase Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about means: 'All of the people in the country reacted the same way because they were all living sinful lives'.
2. The phrase besought him to depart from them means: 'They were not willing to give up their sinful lives'.
3. The phrase for they were taken with great fear means: 'They could not deny the consequence of a sinful life while facing Jesus'.
4. The phrase and he went up into the ship, and returned back again means: 'Jesus did as they requested and returned to the other side of the lake'.
C8-S44 : the mad man's response to Jesus.
1. The phrase Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him means: 'The saved man wanted to be with Jesus. He also wanted to be away from the people who didn't care about his being possessed by many devils. And, these people wanted to hold onto their sinful life which would probably result in someone else being possessed. However, they were so selfish that they didn't care if someone else ended up with that fate'.
2. The phrase but Jesus sent him away, saying means: 'This was a commandment that he had to obey out of thanksgiving for what Jesus had done for him'.
3. The phrase Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee means: 'God often tells His people to go where they don't want to go, and do what they don't want to do, because that is where they will be most useful foe the work of God'. And, God promises greater blessings for those people who make greater sacrifices to serve God.
C8-S45 : the obedience of the mad man.
1. Our sentence adds a statement of his obedience.
2. The phrase And he went his way means: 'He obeyed the command'.
3. The phrase and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him means: 'He was a witness for Jesus'. In Marks account, we are told that he went throughout Decapolis, which was a region of ten cities. We also see that Jesus had a totally different reception the next time that He came into the country. Sometimes, that is the job that God gives to us.
C8-S46 : the people were glad to see Jesus when He returned to His home region.
1. The phrase And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned means: 'This is when Jesus returned to His home region'.
2. The phrase the people gladly received him means: 'This is the attitude of the people'.
3. The phrase for they were all waiting for him means: 'This is why. A miracle was needed and the people knew toat only Jesus could do the miracle'. We see the same thing today. When people realize that they can't handle the situation, they flock to church. But, when they think everything is going OK, they don't have time for God.
C8-S47 : the start of the last two incidents in this chapter. The Detailed Notes of the three Gospel accounts compare the differences in what is reported in each account. Those differences give more understanding the true Bible student and do not constitute a conflict.
1. Our sentence adds why the people were waiting for Jesus.
2. The word behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
3. The phrase there came a man named Jairus means: 'He was the man with the request for Jesus'.
4. The phrase and he was a ruler of the synagogue means: 'He was important in the social and religious parts of the Jews'. . . .
5. The phrase and he fell down at Jesus' feet means: 'He humbled himself'. This is the attitude we need when we request anything from God.
6. The phrase and besought him that he would come into his house means: 'He was willing to beg before a large audience of Jews who thought he was important'.
7. The phrase For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age means: 'His daughter was why he was willing to humble himself'. . . .
8. The phrase and she lay a dying means: 'This was the problem'.
C8-S48 : A mob crowded Jesus along the way. The other Gospel accounts tell us that Jesus agreed to go to the house of Jairus while Luke assumes it is understood with this sentence. Our sentence says: But as he went the people thronged him. This means: 'The people were pushing each other as they walked with each trying to get as close to Jesus as they could along the way'.
C8-S49 : the start of the included incident.
1. Our sentence adds the second incident which happened as Jesus went to the house of Jairus.
2. The phrase And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years means: 'This identifies the main person in this second incident'.
3. The phrase which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any means: 'She had tried all other methods of getting healed'.
4. The phrase Came behind him, and ouched the border of his garment means: 'This is what she did to be healed'.
5. The phrase and immediately her issue of blood stanched means: 'She was healed'.
C8-S50 says: And Jesus said, Who touched me?. We can believe that Jesus knew the answer but that He also demanded a public confession. When God gives us a miracle we are to testify of it so that others go to God with their needs.
C8-S51 : the multitude thought that His question was ridiculous.
1. The phrase When all denied means: 'This is when the disciples spoke'.
2. The phrase Peter and they that were with him said means: 'This is who spoke'.
3. The phrase Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? means: 'This is what they said'. They did not understand the difference between normal physical touching and the spiritual touch which provided healing. (Yes, the woman touched Him physically, but, as the rest of the report tells us, she also touched Jesus in true Biblical faith, which was the spiritual touch which provided her healing.) And, as we see many other places in the word of God, we are to look beyond the physical to find the true spiritual meaning.
C8-S52 : Jesus gives clarification of His demand..
1. The phrase And Jesus said means: 'Jesus explained to the people listening'.
2. The phrase Somebody hath touched me means: 'Jesus said what happened physically and spiritually'.
3. The phrase for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me means: 'This is why Jesus knew of the spiritual touch'.
C8-S53 : the woman confesses.
1. Our sentence adds the response from the woman.
2. The phrase when the woman saw that she was not hid means: 'This is when she responded'.
3. The phrase she came trembling means: 'This is how she responded'. She, obviously, had fear which caused the trembling. She was probably afraid that Jesus might take away her healing or punish her some other way for the way that she sought healing. Often, God tells His people to do something that makes them afraid. However, we must trust in the character and love of God and obey with the faith that God will make everything OK.
4. The phrase and falling down before him means: 'Here is how she humbled herself'. This is the attitude that God blesses.
5. The phrase she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him means: 'She testified the truth even though she was afraid'.
6. The phrase and how she was healed immediately means: 'She testified of what God did for her'.
C8-S54 : Jesus responds to the confession.
1. Our sentence adds the judgment from Jesus. Many surrounding Jesus probably wondered why He was wasting time on her while the daughter of Jairus was dying. However, this event should have built up the faith of Jairus. God often has more than one purpose for everything that He does.
2. The phrase And he said unto her means: 'Jesus told her the judgment from God'.
3. The phrase Daughter means: 'Jesus assured her that she was a saved child of God'.
4. The phrase be of good comfort means: 'God always starts out dealing with His children's worry and fear'.
5. The phrase thy faith hath made thee whole means: 'Jesus told her the basis of her salvation and healing'.
6. The phrase go in peace means: 'This is the blessing from God when His children act in true faith'.
C8-S55 : A messenger came with bad news.
1. The phrase While he yet spake means: 'This sentence happened at the same time as the prior sentence'.
2. The phrase there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house means: 'This is where the message came from'.
3. The phrase saying to him means: 'The me4ssage was given to Jairus'.
4. The phrase Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master means: 'This was the message'. The people at the home of Jairus thought the situation was past fixing. But nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37; Luke 18:27). The messenger, and those who sent him, only looked at what was possible physically. But the healing which Jairus asked for required spiritual power. So does resurrection and, in Jewish history, God had raised three (3) people from the dead. Therefore, they needed true faith in the spiritual power of God.
C8-S56 : the opposing command from Jesus.
1. The word But means our sentence is continuing the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions. Where the prior sentence delivered a message of hopelessness, Jesus gives hope.
2. The phrase But when Jesus heard it means: 'This is when Jesus responded'.
3. The phrase he answered him, saying means: 'Jesus addressed Jairus'.
4. The phrase Fear not: believe only means: 'This is what Jairus had to do'.
5. The phrase and she shall be made whole means: 'This was the promised result'.
6. All of the promises from God, during the 'Church Age' have requirements for us to fulfill before we receive the promise. Please see the sections on Promises in the Significant Gospel Events and in the Significant New Testament Events for several hundred promises which I have documented.
C8-S57 : restricted who was there.
1. Our sentence adds what Jesus did when He arrived.
2. The phrase And when he came into the house means: 'This is when He acted'.
3. The phrase he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden means: 'Jesus limited the audience to those people who truly had faith in God'. Other places in the Bible warn us that our lack of true Biblical faith can restrict what God does for us.
C8-S58 : Jesus demands true faith.
1. Our sentence adds how the other people were acting when Jesus arrived.
2. The phrase And all wept, and bewailed her means: 'This type of action was part of their culture. Some people even made a living by going to the house of someone who died and being paid to wail for the dead'.
3. The phrase but he said means: 'Jesus responded to their wailing by telling the not do it'.
4. The phrase Weep not means: 'This is what Jesus told them to stop doing'.
5. The phrase she is not dead, but sleepeth means: 'This is the reason why He gave the prior command'.
C8-S59 : the reaction of the people who were there.
1. Our sentence adds the reaction of the people in the house to what Jesus said.
2. The phrase And they laughed him to scorn means: 'They were fools to do this (Psalms 1:1 '. Imagine how they felt 2when she walked out of the room.
3. The phrase knowing that she was dead means: 'They knew the truth, but did not know that Jesus was / is the Resurrection (John 11:25 '.
C8-S60 : the action by Jesus.
1. Our sentence adds What Jesus did after that. The other Gospel accounts provide a few more details about these actions
2. The phrase And he put them all out means: 'Jesus kicked out the unbelievers'. One very foolish thing that a lot of people believe is that they can refuse to have true Biblical belief and have true Biblical faith and still receive the same rewards as people who do have true Biblical belief and do have true Biblical faith.
3. The phrase and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise means: 'Here Jesus resurrected her'.
C8-S61 : the results of true faith.
1. Our sentence adds the proof that she rose from the dead.
2. The phrase And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway means: 'What she did'.
3. The phrase and he commanded to give her meat means: 'Jesus commanded to do to help her recover from her experience'.
C8-S62 : the results of the miracle.
1. Our sentence adds the reaction, and instruction, of the parents.
2. The phrase And her parents were astonished means: 'This was their reaction'.
3. The phrase but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done means: 'This was their instruction from Jesus'. Imagine the parents letting someone run their mouth, while saying nothing, and then bringing out their living daughter. That type of action shuts mouths more thoroughly than arguing, even if you have a winning argument.

Chapter 9 Summary:

The Twelve Receive Spiritual Maturity.

In the first account of our chapter, we are told: then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. In other words, they each received personal experience in the ministry. Some things are only learned through experience. These experiences would require a certain level of spiritual maturity but they would also increase the level of spiritual maturity that the twelve would have. Near the end of the chapter, James and John went a little too far and Jesus has the correct them. The chapter ends with a couple of people wanting to be disciples but not willing to pay the cost. Thus, there are blessings for being a true disciple but we must remain under the control of Jesus Christ and we must be willing to pay the price.

Next we have a report of the twelve having to minister to others when they wanted to be alone to grieve. The source of the grieving actually comes from the matching report in other Gospels. However, serving others when we are hurting and want to be alone requires maturity. This was when Jesus fed the 5,000 men and tried to leave them and go across the lake to be alone with His disciples. However, the crowd followed Him again. It was only after they acted that way that Jesus rebuked them for being self-centered.

Next we have Peter declaring declaring the belief of all of the disciples that Jesus is God's Christ. This was a spiritual maturity test, given by Jesus, which they passed and allowed Jesus to start teaching a tougher doctrine.

Next, we have the report of the 'Mount of Transfiguration', which only the inner-three experienced. When they came down from the mountain we see Jesus cast out a devil which the other disciples could not cast out. Part of maturing is failing when you are feeling like you have arrived. While no one likes to fail, failure brings its own form of maturing.

We see the need failure caused by not maturing as required. The twelve were reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. This is when Jesus taught them: he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. This, of course, is the opposite of what the world teaches us.

Next, we see John saying: Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. Jesus answered: Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. Part of maturing is learning that your particular group is not always better than everyone else.

Next we see James and John wanting to destroy people who rejected Jesus and Jesus forbid it. Once more we see a lesson in maturity in the requirement to restrain anger and not respond to insult.

Finally, we see someone who wanted to be a disciple but was not willing to fully commit to following Jesus, at that time. He was rejected. Many throughout history want to be part of a big group. Many churches accept anyone who wants to join. It takes spiritual discernment to realize that certain people should be turned away when they wish to join.

Our chapter ends with Jesus saying: No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. This is the main doctrinal message of the entire chapter and most people do not understand it. many people believe they can serve for awhile, back-slide, return to serving and keep vacillating this way and be blessed by God. The truth is that such people never advance in their spiritual growth and service for God. Jesus said that these repeated back-sliders are not fit for the kingdom of God.

In each of the incidents of this chapter we see a lesson that brings, or requires, spiritual maturity. Therefore, once more, we see that Luke puts together accounts of incidents which all support his theme of the chapter.

Please see the Doctrinal Studies called: Significant Gospel Events; Gospel Time Sequences and Table Of Miracles for references related to events in this chapter and for how the events of this chapter fit in the time sequence of the life of Jesus.

In Matthew 10:8; Mark 3:15; Mark 6:13; Mark 9:38; Mark 16:17; Luke 9:1; Luke 9:49; Luke 10:17-18; Jesus gave His disciples power to cast out devils.

The twelve were commissioned to be sent out as reported in Matthew 10:1 and Luke 9:1-6. The note for Luke 9:1 gives an outline of this first incident. In addition, Luke 10 tells us that Jesus did the same thing with another seventy disciples.

Matthew 14:1-12 and Mark 6:14-29 and Luke 9:7-9 report the beheading of John the Baptist. Please use this link for all references to John the Baptist that are in the Bible. Luke 9:7-9 tell us that the head of the local civil government confused Jesus with John the Baptist.

Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:29-33; Luke 9:10 and John 6:1-3 all tell us that Jesus took His disciples and went across the sea to a desert place. Now, unless the reader compares the different Gospel accounts, they might miss that this was when the disciples returned from preaching the gospel and healing the sick. What only a couple of the Gospel accounts relate is that Satan caused Herod to behead John the Baptist while they were doing this ministry. In Matthew 14:12 and Mark 6:30 we are told that the disciples of John the Baptist buried his body then went to Jesus. John the Baptist was the closest personal friend that Jesus had in this world. In addition, he had been the master of many of the disciples of Jesus. Therefore, they went to the desert place to be alone and morn.

However, the people followed them and they were denied a time alone to morn. (Matthew 14:13; Mark 6:33 and Luke 9:11.)

When the people followed, Jesus...was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd and he began to teach them manythings and he healed their sick. (Matthew 14:14 and Mark 6:34 and Luke 9:11.) please also see the Table Of Miracles for references to other places where the Gospels tell us that Jesus did many miracles without naming the specifics.

Matthew 14:15-21; Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17 and John 6:5-13 tell us that Jesus fed five thousand with 5 loaves and 2 fish, or references it. Jesus references that miracle for another teaching on the same subject in Matthew 16:9 and Mark 8:19. Please see the Table of Miracles in the Gospels for links to similar miracles.

Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-20; John 4:42; John 6:69 and John 11:27 all contain a profession of faith that Jesus is Christ and is the Son of God. Following this confession, all three (3) Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark and Luke) tell us that Jesus started telling His disciples that He would be crucified and rise again.

Matthew 16:21-28 and Mark 8:31-38 and Luke 9:21-27 tell us that Jesus started teaching His disciples about His death and resurrection and what people must do if they decided to come after me.

In Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27 Jesus prophesied the experience called 'Transfiguration of Jesus Christ'. Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:1-8 and Luke 9:28-36 tells us about the 'Mount of Transfiguration'.

Matthew 17:14-21 and Mark 9:14-29 and Luke 9:37-43 tell us about Jesus driving out a devil that the twelve couldn't drive out.

Matthew 17:19-21 and Mark 9:28-29 tell us that the twelve asked Jesus why they could not cast out the devil, but Luke skips that detail.

Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32 and Luke 9:43-45 tell us that Jesus, again, told His disciples about His future torture and death and resurrection.

Matthew 18:1-35; Mark 9:33-37 and Luke 9:46-48 tell us that Jesus gives us a lesson on spiritual maturity. Jesus gives another teaching on the same subject in Luke 14:7-11.

Mark 9:38-40 and Luke 9:49-50 tell us that Jesus corrected the religious actions of James and John when they dealt with other believers who were not part of their camp.

Luke 9:51-62 tell us about people doing wrong religious actions because of wrong beliefs. Luke 9:57-62 give us three incidents where people claimed to want to be a 'disciples of Jesus Christ', but, apparently, they were not willing to dedicate their lives to Jesus. Matthew 8:19-22 also tells us about two of these people and gives us some details that Luke leaves out.

Matthew 8:19-22 and Luke 9:57-62 tell us that a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest and Jesus told him the cost. However, he was not willing to pay the cost.

C9-S1 : Jesus prepared the twelve to be sent out.
1. The phrase Then means: 'After the events of the prior chapter'. There, were saw 'Jesus deal with people who accept Him as King'. Now, Jesus is giving His disciples, who will become apostles, practice using the power and authority of a true apostle. Liars of today claim to be an apostle but they do not meet the Biblical requirement nor do they have the true power and authority. True apostles were ambassadors for Heaven and could do the things that our sentence tells us that Jesus gave these disciples the power to do.
2. The phrase he called his twelve disciples together means: 'Jesus called the twelve'.
3. The phrase and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases means: 'Jesus gave them this power'. This was the power given to an ambassador for Heaven.
C9-S2 : Jesus told them what to do.
1. Our sentence adds the commandment which goes with the spiritual power.
2. The phrase he sent them to preach the kingdom of God means: 'They were to preach people receiving the character of God'.
3. The phrase and to heal the sick means: 'They were to do miracles as a sign, to the Jews, that their message came from God'. Today, we do not provide signs but show how our doctrine matches the written word of God.
C9-S3 : Jesus told them to rely upon God.
1. Our sentence adds instructions for how they were to go and preach. Later, we see different instructions. When we go to a culture to preach the Gospel, the application must match the culture we are going to. The Gospel does not change but the way that we present it can change.
2. The phrase And he said unto them means: 'These instructions came from Jesus'.
3. The phrase Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece means: 'Jesus told them to rely upon the provision provided by the Jews. That was how their culture worked. Local people understood that they were to provide for any messenger from God'.
C9-S4 says: And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart He told them to stay where God first directed them because that would achieve the best spiritual results. They were not to seek the best accommodations, according to the flesh.
C9-S5 : He told them how to deal with rejection. Please keep in mind that this was instructions for that time and culture. It does not always apply today in all circumstances.
1. The phrase And whosoever will not receive you means: 'There might be one person who received them even if others rejected them'.
2. The phrase when ye go out of that city means: 'They were to wait until it was clear that no one in that city would receive them'. Think of the 'mad man of the gadarenes', who accepted Jesus, even when everyone else asked Him to leave. Consider that Jesus left them a witness and did not curse them.
3. The phrase shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them means: 'This was for them to do in the Jewish culture at the time that Jesus was still offering them the kingdom'.
C9-S6 says: And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where the twelve obeyed. They went every where, just like we are supposed to do today.
C9-S7 : Jesus perplexed Herod the tetrarch.
1. The word Now means: 'After you understand what was just said'. Herod heard about Jesus after He sent out the twelve.
2. The phrase Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him means: 'Herod heard what Jesus did'.
3. The phrase and he was perplexed means: 'He didn't know what to think because he was getting conflicting reports and some of the reports affected his conscience'.
4. The phrase because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead means: 'This report really disturbed Herod'.
5. The phrase And of some, that Elias had appeared means: 'This disturbed Herod because he knew that Elias returning meant that the kingdom of Christ would soon appear and he would be out of a job and probably dead'.
6. The phrase and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again means: 'He knew scripture but not well enough to say if such was prophesied or not. However, if any of these opinions were true, then he was close to being judged by God'.
C9-S8 : Herod expressed his confusion.
1. Our sentence adds the thoughts of Herod.
2. The phrase And Herod said, John have I beheaded means: 'John the Baptist was dead and should not have been able to resurrect without a head'.
3. The phrase but who is this, of whom I hear such things? means: 'Herod had no idea who Jesus was'.
C9-S9 says: And he desired to see him. Herod wanted an answer and felt that he would only get the truth from speaking directly to Jesus.
C9-S10 : Luke switches back to the account of the twelve.
1. Our sentence adds the report from the twelve.
2. The phrase the apostles, when they were returned means: 'This is who and when the report was made'.
3. The phrase told him all that they had done means: 'This is what they reported'. Other Gospel accounts also report that John the Baptist had been beheaded, at that time, and that some of the disciples had buried him.
C9-S11 : Jesus took all of the disciples to a place for private morning. The other Gospel accounts make this truth clearer. John the Baptist had been the closest human friend that Jesus had as well as being the herald of Jesus. And, many of the disciples had been disciples of John the Baptist earlier. Therefore, they all wanted a private time to morn his murder.
1. Our sentence adds what Jesus did when He heard of John the Baptist being murdered.
2. The phrase he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida means: 'They went to a place where they should have been alone. They wanted privacy to morn'.
C9-S12 : the people refused to let them morn in private.
1. Our sentence adds how selfish people reacted.
2. The phrase the people, when they knew it means: 'These people knew where Jesus, and the twelve, went and didn't consider why they went to an out-of-the-way place'.
3. The phrase followed him means: 'The people went where Jesus was'.
4. The phrase and he received them means: 'Jesus acted in a spiritual way and not according to the desires of His flesh'.
5. The phrase and spake unto them of the kingdom of God means: 'Jesus took care of their spiritual needs'.
6. The phrase and healed them that had need of healing means: 'Jesus took care of their physical needs'.
C9-S13 : the set-up for the miracle.
1. Our sentence adds the reaction of the disciples at the end of the day.
2. The phrase when the day began to wear away means: 'This is when they reacted'. . . .
3. The phrase , then came the twelve means: 'This is who reacted'. . . .
4. The phrase , and said unto him, Send the multitude away means: 'This is how they reacted'.
5. The phrase that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals means: 'This is their reasoning based upon perceived need'.
6. The phrase for we are here in a desert place means: 'This is why they believed they could not provide for the need'.
C9-S14 : Jesus demanded that they do what was physically impossible.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. Jesus commanded them to do something different from what they saw as the only solution.
2. The phrase he said unto them means: 'Jesus commanded this'.
3. The phrase Give ye them to eat means: 'What He commanded'.
C9-S15 : the disciples told Jesus the impossibility of the circumstances.
1. Our sentence adds the response from the disciples. The other Gospel accounts provide more details than what Luke gives us here. Please see the Table Of Miracles for references to all reports of miracles within the Gospel accounts.
2. The phrase And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes means: 'Andrew found the boy with his small lunch but all of the disciples were part of the reporting about what little was available'.
3. The phrase except we should go and buy meat for all this people means: 'What was available was not sufficient, from a worldly perspective'.
C9-S16 says: For they were about five thousand men. This is not including the woman and children. The great number of people, and the small amount of food, is why the disciples said that there was not enough to meet the need
C9-S17 : Jesus commanded the people to sit.
1. Our sentence adds the first commandment from Jesus.
2. The phrase he said to his disciples means: 'Jesus gave this command when the disciples though there was not enough to meet the need'. They had to obey with the true Biblical faith that Jesus would provide when there were not physical provisions.
3. The phrase Make them sit down by fifties in a company means: 'Do things orderly'.
C9-S18 says: And they did so, and made them all sit down. . The twelve obeyed.
C9-S19 : Jesus blessed and divided what was available.
1. The phrase Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes means: 'Jesus did this after the disciples obeyed His prior command by faith'.
2. The phrase and looking up to heaven, he blessed them means: 'Jesus made it obvious to all of the people that He was praying to God the Father'. Jesus always made sure that God the Father received the glory. We are to be sure to always give God the glory for what He does in and through our lives.
3. The phrase he blessed them, and brake means: 'Jesus blessed them, which brought the supernatural power of God into the miracle'.
4. The phrase and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude means: 'Jesus had five small loaves and two small fisher that He had to multiply just to give them to twelve disciples. Then, the multiplication had to continue as the disciples distributed them to the multitude'.
C9-S20 : More than was needed was provided.
1. Our sentence adds the end results.
2. The phrase And they did eat, and were all filled means: '5,000 men plus women and children had all they could eat after fasting all day while Jesus preached'.
3. The phrase and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets means: 'Think about the residue from five small loaves and two fishes'. One preacher said: His mother was probably glad to send her busy boy to hear Jesus preach while she got a rest. She sent him with enough food for his lunch but expected him to return when he was hungry for dinner. Only he was late and she started to worry. Then he shows up with all of the disciples carrying a basket of fragments. Imagine him telling the story the next day as they fed all of their neighbors.
C9-S21 : the start of the next incident.
1. The phrase And it came to pass means: 'This was a time later'. Matthew 16:13 tells us: When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi. So, Jesus and His disciples had left the place of the prior incident and were going to this other place when this incident happened.
2. The phrase as he was alone praying means: 'Along the way, Jesus took time to pray'. Jesus always prayed before making any decision related to His ministry. And, this incident led to His prophesying His own torture and death to His disciples.
3. The phrase his disciples were with him means: 'The twelve were traveling with Jesus'.
4. The phrase and he asked them, saying means: 'Jesus asked this question to get them thinking along the lines of what He was about to reveal to them'.
5. The phrase Whom say the people that I am? means: 'This question led to His asking them Whom they thought He was and then His revealing part of His role that they refused to accept'.
C9-S22 says: They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. Here we see the disciples answer the question with the many claims from different people.
C9-S23 says: He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? this was the true question that Jesus really wanted to know. He had to verify that they were spiritually mature enough to handle the truth that He needed to reveal to them.
C9-S24 says: Peter answering said, the Christ of God. Peter answered for all. It is important to understand that the Jews were taught that their salvation was tied to the Temple. And, that the religious leaders said that if anyone made this claim then the religious leaders would kick them out of the Temple. Therefore, according to the Jewish religious belief, Peter, and the other disciples, were risking being sent to hell according to the Jewish religious doctrine. What we see here is what everyone needs to do. We need to reject all religious doctrines which go against the true word of God (Jesus).
C9-S25 : Jesus starts teaching a new doctrine.
1. Our sentence adds instructions from Jesus.
2. The phrase he straitly charged them means: 'This was a religious and legal command which could result in judgment from God for disobedience'.
3. The phrase and commanded them to tell no man that thing means: 'There are certain things which God hides until people are spiritually mature enough to receive them'.
4. The phrase Saying means: 'What follows is prophecy'.
5. The phrase The Son of man must suffer manythings, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain means: 'The disciples stopped listening after these phrases'. That is why they missed the next phrase, which would have reassured them. We need to be sure to not take part of the word of God out of context.
6. The phrase and be raised the third day means: 'This was the good news that they missed'.
7. Please note that the other Gospel accounts give us more details about this incident.
C9-S26 : the requirement to be a true follower of Jesus.
1. Our sentence adds what is required for us to follow Jesus. A cross is a hard thing to accept. Yet, we are told to accept it daily.
2. This is added to the prior sentence. What Luke does not report is that all of the disciples rejected the prophecy of the prior sentence. It was too hard for them to accept. That is why Luke is adding this sentence here. God requires us to accept anything that He puts into our life, no matter how hard it is to accept. That is what is meant by: take up his cross daily.
3. The phrase And he said to them all means: 'Jesus said this in a way that lets us know that it applies to us also'.
4. The phrase If any man will come after me means: 'This is a conditional statement (if). We must fulfill the condition or we will not follow Jesus'.
5. The word let 'has all of the power of creation behind it. This word does not mean allow with it also being acceptable to refuse'. The phrase let him deny himself means: 'This is an absolute requirement'. If we are trying to fulfill the lusts of the flesh, we can not be following Jesus.
6. The phrase and take up his cross daily means: 'Every day we must be willing to accept any and all suffering that God puts into our life'.
7. The phrase and follow me means: 'This is added unto the prior phrases. We can not do this phrase until after we do the prior phrases'.
C9-S27 : First reason why we must do 9:23 if we want to be a true follower of Jesus.
1. Our current sentence tells us why we must obey the prior sentence. In addition, this sentence must be understood spiritually.
2. The phrase For whosoever will save his life shall lose it means: 'Whosoever will keep the things in his life which fulfill the lusts of the flesh and his position in this world will lose the position and rewards that God has planned for him in eternity and lose his chance to return for the 1,000-years reign of Christ'.
3. The phrase but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it means: 'Any saved person who is willing to give up everything they have in this life, all possessions and positions, and devote their life to the service of Jesus, and of the Gospel, will receive a greater life in eternity and be allowed to return to this Earth, and enjoy physical life, during the 1,000-years reign of Christ'.
C9-S28 : Second reason why we must do 9:23 if we want to be a true follower of Jesus.
1. Our sentence adds why the prior sentence is true and a second reason why C9-S26 is true.
2. The phrase For what is a man advantaged means: 'This phrase needs to be considered for the time frame of eternity. Yes, there is a short term advantage in this life but that time can not compare to eternity. Therefore, we must consider this question in relationship to eternity'.
3. The phrase if he gain the whole world, and lose himself means: 'What does it matter if you become richer than Solomon only to end up in the lake of fire?'.
4. The phrase or be cast away? means: 'What advantage is there to being saved but losing your spiritual gift, having nothing for eternity, being on the lowest level of heavenly society and receiving tears twice a week for more than 1,000-years?'.
C9-S29 : third reason why we must do 9:23 if we want to be a true follower of Jesus.
1. Our sentence adds why the prior sentence is true and a third reason why C9-S26 is true.
2. The phrase For whosoever shall be ashamed of means of my words means: 'Such people are saved but refuse to let people know that they are saved and refuse to let God change the4ir life so that their life becomes a testimony of God's work'.
3. The phrase of him shall the Son of man be ashamed means: 'Jesus will be ashamed that He saved us if we act like the prior phrase'. And, in addition to the time of the next phrase, Jesus will refuse to protect us in this world if we are truly saved but refuse to be scripturally baptized and identified with Him.
4. The phrase when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels means: 'This is speaking of the 1,000-years reign of Christ. Such people will not be allowed to return with Him but will remain in outer darkness, in Heaven, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth'.
C9-S30 : Jesus will prove His promise of rewards.
1. Our sentence adds .
2. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. Jesus is still telling about rewards and punishments for obedience and disobedience.
3. Our sentence says: I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. This is a prophecy of 'the Mount of Transfiguration'.
C9-S31 : Jesus took only the 'inner circle of disciples' with Him.
1. The phrase And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings means: 'This is the start of the next report and it is separate from the prior report'.
2. The phrase he took Peter and John and James means: 'Jesus took only these three'. They were the closest to Him and received the greatest spiritual rewards as a result.
3. The phrase and went up into a mountain to pray means: 'This is what they went to do but they received more than they expected'.
C9-S32 : the glory that Jesus will have at the fulfillment of the kingdom of God is displayed.
1. Our sentence adds what happened to Jesus.
2. The phrase And as he prayed means: 'This happened as Jesus prayed'.
3. The phrase the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering means: 'Jesus showed the glory that He has in Heaven and that He will have during the 1,000-years reign of Christ'.
C9-S33 : God showed others in the kingdom of God.
1. Our sentence adds the representative of the Mosaic Law and the representative of the prophets talking to Jesus about what He would do on the cross.
2. The word behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
3. The phrase there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias means: 'They were the representative of the Mosaic Law and the representative of the prophets'. Thus, the representatives of the entire Old Testament were there.
4. The phrase Who appeared in glory means: 'They represented what Jesus would have after His resurrection'.
5. The phrase and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem means: 'They spoke of how Jesus would earn His glory'.
C9-S34 : the lost experience due to sleeping through prayer.
1. The phrase But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep means: 'The three fell asleep at first'.
2. The phrase and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him means: 'They saw the truth when they woke up'.
3. We are asleep to many spiritual truths. We need to awake to the spiritual truths before we become aware of them.
C9-S35 : Peter talked foolishness.
1. Our sentence adds Peter talking foolishness, which is ignored by Jesus.
2. The phrase it came to pass, as they departed from him means: 'As Moses and Elijah left, the rest of this sentence happened'.
3. The phrase Peter said unto Jesus, Master means: 'Peter addressed Jesus as his teacher instead of as God in human flesh, which is what was just revealed to the three'.
4. The phrase it is good for us to be here means: 'This much of his statement was OK'.
5. The phrase and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias means: 'Peter made Moses and Elias just as important as Jesus'.
6. The phrase not knowing what he said means: 'Peter really did not understand'.
C9-S36 : God the Father showed up.
1. The phrase While he thus spake means: 'Peter often was foolish and spoke too swiftly'. James 1:19 says: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. We need to think before opening our mouth, especially when we are not sure what to say.
2. The phrase there came a cloud, and overshadowed them means: 'This was a sign of the presence of God the Father'.
3. The phrase and they feared as they entered into the cloud means: 'We should all be afraid of the judgment of God'.
C9-S37 : God the Father spoke from heaven.
1. Our sentence adds that God the Father spoke in an audible voice. Please see the Detailed Note for links to when the Bible reports God speaking in an audible voice.
2. The phrase And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying means: 'They all understood that this was God the Father speaking'.
3. The phrase This is my beloved Son means: 'Jesus not only clearly said that He was / is the Son of God, but God the Father clearly claimed Jesus as His beloved Son'. People who deny this relationship are calling God the Father a liar.
4. The phrase hear him means: 'God the Father refuses to talk to people who try to bypass Jesus'..
C9-S38 says: And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. God and God's men disappeared.
C9-S39 : the inner-three kept quiet until after the resurrection.
1. Our sentence adds their obedience.
2. The phrase they kept it close means: 'They didn't tell anyone anything'.
3. The phrase and old no man in those days any of those things which they had seen means: 'They kept their mouths shut'.
C9-S40 : the start of the next incident.
1. The phrase And it came to pass means: 'This is the start of the next incident'.
2. The phrase that on the next day means: 'This is when the next incident happened'.
3. The phrase when they were come down from the hill means: 'This is what happened first'.
4. The phrase much people met him means: 'This is who were witnesses'.
C9-S41 : A father asked Jesus for help.
1. Our sentence adds what happened.
2. The word behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
3. The phrase a man of the company cried out, saying means: 'This is who cried for attention'.
4. The phrase Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son means: 'What he asked for'.
5. The phrase for he is mine only child means: 'Why'.
C9-S42 : the father explains why he needs help.
1. Our sentence adds the details of the problem.
2. The word lo means: 'This word is used to excite particular attention in a hearer to some object of sight, or subject of discourse'
3. The phrase a spirit taketh him means: 'He was possessed'.
4. The phrase and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again means: 'what the devil does to the boy'.
5. The phrase and bruising him hardly departeth from him means: 'The devil won't leave the boy alone'.
C9-S43 says: And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. . Prior attempts failed.
1. C9-S44 : Jesus expresses aggravation.
  1. Our sentence adds the response by Jesus.
  2. The phrase Jesus answering said means: 'Jesus responded'.
  3. The phrase O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? means: 'What Jesus said'.
2. C9-S45 : Jesus gives a command. Our sentence says: Bring thy son hither.
3. C9-S46 : the devil responds to the command from Jesus.
  1. Our sentence adds how the devil responded.
  2. The phrase as he was yet a coming means: 'This was when the devil acted'.
  3. The phrase the devil threw him down, and tare him means: 'his was how the devil acted'.
4. C9-S47 : Jesus makes everything right.
  1. Our sentence adds that Jesus fixed the problem.
  2. The phrase And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit means: 'Jesus cast the devil out first'. You have to get rid of the source of problems before you can fix problems.
  3. The phrase and healed the child means: 'Jesus fixed the damage done by the devil'.
  4. The phrase and delivered him again to his father means: 'Jesus returned the child'.
5. C9-S48 : says: And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. Notice that Jesus made sure that God the Father received the glory. We must always give the glory to God when He works through us.
C9-S49 : Jesus emphasizes His prior message to His disciples.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. While the people praised God and dealt with the father and son, Jesus explained things to His disciples.
2. The phrase while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did means: 'This is what the crowd was doing'.
3. The phrase he said unto his disciples means: 'Jesus spoke to His disciples'.
4. The phrase Let these sayings sink down into your ears means: 'Pay close attention and understand and remember'.
5. The phrase for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men means: 'Jesus again prophesied that He was going to be betrayed and crucified'.
C9-S50 : the disciples still didn't get the message.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. The disciples did not understand the prophecy because they rejected it before considering it and how it would affect their lives.
2. The phrase they understood not this saying means: 'You can't understand what you refuse to consider'.
3. The phrase and it was hid from them means: 'When we reject a Bible truth enough times, God hardens our heart and makes it impossible for us to understand'.
4. The phrase that they perceived it not means: 'Their mental sight could not see any part of the prophecy'.
5. The phrase and they feared to ask him of that saying means: 'They stayed ignorant because of fear'.
C9-S51 : the disciples switched subjects to discuss.
1. The phrase Then there arose a reasoning among them means: 'They started arguing about a different subject so that they did not have to think about the prophecy'.
2. The phrase which of them should be greatest means: 'Pride filled them because they were avoiding thinking about spiritual truth'.
C9-S52 : Jesus corrects their way of thinking.
1. Our sentence adds that Jesus heard and responded to their discussion.
2. The phrase And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart means: 'Jesus responded to what they had on their hearts'.
3. The phrase took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them means: 'Jesus used a child as an illustration'.
4. The phrase Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me means: 'In their culture, children had little value until they could help with chores'. Jesus is illustrating that we should value people for their relationship to God and not for what they can give to us in this physical world.
5. The phrase and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me means: 'Accepting Jesus means that you are accepting God the Father'. How we treat a messenger is treated as how we receive the Being who sent the message. For example, rejecting the Gospel, even if you claim that you are rejecting the messenger, is viewed, by God, as a rejection of God.
6. The phrase for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great means: 'This is the precept for how we become great in Heaven'.
C9-S53 : John tries changing the subject again.
1. Our sentence adds that John verified that his actions were acceptable.
2. The phrase John answered and said means: 'John verified his action'.
3. The phrase Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name means: 'They saw someone doing the spiritual work of God'.
4. The phrase and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us means: 'James and John told him to stop because they did not belong to the same religious group'.
C9-S54 : Jesus corrects their thinking.
1. Our sentence adds the answer from Jesus.
2. The phrase And Jesus said unto him means: 'Jesus gave this answer'.
3. The phrase Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us means: 'Don't look at the religious affiliation in this world but look at the actual spiritual work the person is doing'. When I was trying to raise support for Filipino missionaries in America, pretty much every pastor told me that they only supported Americ and who came out of their own religious persuasion.
C9-S55 : Jesus determined that it was time for the final confrontation.
1. Our sentence adds what Jesus did when He knew it was time to be crucified.
2. The phrase it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up means: 'This is the time of the crucifixion and His return to Heaven'.
3. The phrase he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem means: 'Jesus did not avoid God's plan for His life even though it included His suffering and death'.
4. The phrase And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans means: 'Jesus rejected the prejudices of His culture'.
5. The phrase to make ready for him means: 'Jesus went to people hated by His culture'.
C9-S56 : Jesus was rejected because He would not stay to bless them.
1. Our sentence adds that Jesus was rejected by the Samaritans.
2. The phrase And they did not receive him means: 'They rejected Him'.
3. The phrase because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem means: 'They rejected Him because he was not willing to do things their way'. This is similar to what James and John were doing as reported in prior sentences. This is a demand that people fulfill your religious prejudices or you will reject the message from God.
C9-S57 : Some disciples were offended.
1. Our sentence adds the reaction by the disciples.
2. The phrase And when his disciples James and John saw this means: 'This is who spoke but, most likely, most of the disciples were feeling the same'.
3. The phrase they said, Lord means: 'They, at least, addressed Jesus by the correct title. They were willing to obey His decision'.
4. The phrase wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them means: ''. They wanted to do a miracle and forgot that a miracle requires the power of God. If God does not agree with the miracle then He does not provide His power. Thus, they forgot that they first needed agreement from God.
5. The phrase even as Elias did? means: 'As is typical in religion, this is a perversion of what actually happened'. Elijah called down fire to consume the sacrifice, not the false prophets and priests. Them Elijah killed with a sword.
C9-S58 : Jesus rebuked their offence.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. Jesus not only did not agree but He rebuked them. Their attitude is typical of religious opinions. People get all upset with any disagreement in how to do things in this world and forget that they are supposed to be representing God's Holy Spirit.
2. The phrase But he turned, and rebuked them, and said means: 'This is how Jesus reacted to their suggestion'.
3. The phrase Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of means: 'Jesus pointed out that our main concern should be spiritual'.
C9-S59 : Jesus explained why their offence was wrong.
1. Our current sentence starts with the word For and tells us why the prior sentence is true. The type of spirit displayed by James and John, and by all who divide the saved according to religious affiliations, was not the type of spirit that Jesus wants His followers to have. Dividing people, according to religious affiliations, will destroy men's lives.
2. The phrase For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives means: 'This is not how we become like Jesus'.
3. The phrase but to save them means: 'This means more than showing them how to have God's life in them and being assured of Heaven. It also includes teaching them how to become like God so that they will enjoy Heaven more'. That includes teaching people to love loke God does and not be devisive.
C9-S60 says: And they went to another village Back in C9-S55, we read that Jesus started to go to a village of the Samaritans. but they did not receive him. So, our current sentence tells us they went to another village. When we are rejected one place, we are not to get mad but are to simply go to another place.
C9-S61 : the start of the final incident of this chapter.
1. The phrase And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way means: 'This is the start of the report of another incident'.
2. The phrase a certain man said unto him means: 'This is the right starting point'.
3. The word Lord shows that he had the right attitude.
4. The phrase I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest means: 'This is the right commitment'. What we are not told is if he did what he committed to do. Many people go to the altar and make a commitment to God but then do not do what they know that they should do. But, then they do not follow-up with their commitment. They are worse than the person who does nor commit because their actions prove that they knew what was wright and their disobedience was deliberate and not of ignorance.
C9-S62 : Jesus told him the cost of discipleship. Jesus had a house earlier in His ministry, but He gave it up before going to Jerusalem to die. That is what He is doing at this point. We need to be willing to give up anything that we no longer need. For example, God has had me move to where I can live on Social Security and still support missions. Therefore, I no longer need my retirement savings and have given all to missions. However, most people won't do something like that because they think that they have to leave an inheritance to their children. They do not feel that raising the children is enough.
1. The phrase And Jesus said unto him means: 'This was the answer from Jesus'.
2. The phrase Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests means: 'Animals have a place to rest and live'.
3. The phrase but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head means: 'Jesus no longer had a home'. The obvious message is that we need to be willing to give up everything that we have in this world if we are to truly follow Jesus.
C9-S63 : Jesus invites another to be His disciple. Our sentence says: And he said unto another, Follow me. However, our next sentence tells us his delaying answer and the sentence after that has the response from Jesus. It could have been years before the father died. As we saw Jesus do with His own physical family, nothing in this world should have a higher priority than serving God.
C9-S64 : the man wants to delay His obedience.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. This man rejected the command from Jesus because he put a higher priority on things of this world. The note for the prior sentence explained that error.
2. The phrase But he said means: 'He gave a delaying refusal'.
3. The phrase Lord means: 'He knew his relationship to God but refused to do his part in the relationship'. We are to never tell our Lord 'no' nor 'wait'.
4. The phrase suffer me first to go and bury my father means: 'There is no way to know how long this delay will take and often, in life, when one reason to delay ends, another reason replaces the prior reason and we never do serve God like God demands'.
C9-S65 : Jesus says that he has the wrong priority.
1. Our sentence adds the response from Jesus.
2. The phrase Jesus said unto him means: 'This is the commandment from Jesus which applies to him and to us'.
3. The phrase Let the dead bury their dead means: 'Let the lost family members worry about family commitments of this physical reality'.
4. The phrase but go thou and preach the kingdom of God means: 'Go and preach that people need to get truly saved and, after that, accept the character of God including giving all spiritual matters a higher priority than physical matters'.
C9-S66 : Another wants delayed discipleship.
1. Our sentence adds another religious rejection to the prior two rejections. People make the mistake of believing that these answers are not a true rejection of God but God regards them as rejections.
2. The phrase And another also said means: 'Here is another rejection which pretends to be just a delay'.
3. The phrase Lord means: 'He knows what his proper relationship is supposed to be. He uses the right title but rejects the true meaning of the title'.
4. The phrase I will follow thee means: 'Here is the commitment'.
5. The phrase but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house means: 'Here is the rejection of commitment which pretends to be just a delay'. There is no need to say farewell because his home would not be so far away that his family would never see him again. And, if it is that far away then he already said farewell. No, this is a lie which pretends to be a true concern.
C9-S67 : the main doctrinal lesson of this chapter.
1. Our sentence adds the response from Jesus.
2. The phrase And Jesus said unto him means: 'This is the response from Jesus'.
3. The phrase No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back means: 'This man, obviously, made a commitment and started to serve but now is doing what people like to claim is' ' backsliding'. People need to seriously consider this answer from Jesus because they like to excuse their ongoing sin as 'backsliding' and believe that God accepts such actions.
4. The phrase is fit for the kingdom of God means: 'God rejects all such actions. God does not accept people keeping on making a commitment and then 'backsliding' and then repeating'.

Chapter 10 Summary:

Right Attitudes and Wrong Attitudes.

Our chapter starts with Jesus sending out seventy and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Then we have several sentences of instructions from Jesus with Him telling the seventy to treat those people who accept the message, and provide for the messengers, differently from those people who refuse to do so. Then we read: And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name (10:17). Jesus answered their joy with a message which ended with in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Thus, our attitude is not to rejoice in what God does through us but in what the Son of God has done for us.

Included in the section just mentioned is where Jesus said: Woe! to the cities where He had done great works and they wanted the works but refused to accept the message. Jesus ended that section to the seventy that was: He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. (10:16). Many people today believe they can refuse a true message from God, by despising the messenger, and it will have no consequences for themselves. The sentence quoted says otherwise.

Next we have instructions from Jesus to be thankful that God has revealed things to us that others wanted to understand but God hid these things from them.

Next we read: And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (10:25). That is followed by the parable about 'The Good Samaritan', and most people know that it is about the different attitudes of different people when it comes to those around us.

Lastly, our chapter ends with the account of Martha rebuking Jesus because He let her sister Mary sit at His feet and learn while Martha was busy preparing a meal for everyone who came with Jesus. Once more we see a lesson on different attitudes. Thus, we also see that every incident reported in this chapter deals with this theme.

In Luke 10:1 Jesus gave seventy (70) disciples the power to do miracles when He sent them out to preach. Luke 10:17 reports their return and saying that they even had power over devils.

In Luke 10:2-12 Jesus gave the seventy (70) instructions which were similar to the instructions that he gave to the twelve (12) when He sent them out (Matthew 10; Mark 6:7-13 and Luke 9:1-6). In Luke 22:35-38 Jesus changed the instruction from that point forward. This shows us the difference in application due to circumstances. When Jesus sent out the twelve (12) and the seventy (70), He sent them to the Jews before the 'Church Age'. In Luke 22:35-38, we have the instructions for the 'Church Age'.

In Luke 10:13-15 and Matthew 11:20-24 Jesus says Woe! to the people who had received the most evidence that He was God's Messiah / Christ and, yet, still refused to believe. Thus, we have a contrast in the attitudes, and resulting judgment by God, between those who believed and obeyed as opposed to those who refused to believe and obey.

Luke 10:16 has the precept about God's judgment based upon how people accept or reject His messenger. We see similar messages in Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13 and Luke 18:9-14.

As already mentioned, Luke 10:17 reports the return of the seventy. Luke 10:18-24 has the response from Jesus to the report from the seventy. Here we literally read that Jesus thanked God the Father for giving different responses to people based upon the level of their faith in action. Then, Luke 10:22 and Matthew 11:27 tell us that the only way to truly receive anything from God the Father is to go through the Son of God.

In Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-27; and Luke 18:18-27 Jesus explained about inheriting eternal life.

In Luke 10:30-37 we read the parable about 'The good Samaritan'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.

In Luke 10:38-42 we read that Martha complained to Jesus about her sister Mary spending time to learn about Jesus and His doctrine instead of helping with housework. Jesus told Martha: Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about manythings: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Here we see that drawing close to God is more important than any responsibility that we have in this world.

C10-S1 : the start of the next phase of training.
1. The phrase After these things means: 'After the events of the prior chapter. In the prior chapter we sat Jesus prophesy His suffering and death, which the twelve rejected. We saw God the Father say to hear Jesus, yet people rejected complete obedience to Jesus. We saw Jesus saying what would be required from true disciples and people wanting to be a disciple but rejecting the full requirements. So, this chapter tells us how Jesus provided blessings to people who were willing to make the required commitment while He rejected those people who refused to accept all that was required. Partial commitments were rejected.'.
2. The phrase the Lord appointed other seventy also means: 'These were true disciples but not the twelve chosen to be apostles'. These represent what God will give to us if we are true disciples.
3. The phrase and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place means: 'This represents how God wants us to go. God wants us to go everywhere but he wants us to take a partner to help us when we need help'.
4. The phrase whither he himself would come means: 'Jesus will follow where we present the true Gospel'.
C10-S2 : Jesus says why He sends the seventy out. The instructions which He gives to them are very similar to what He gave to the twelve in Luke 9.
1. The phrase Therefore said he unto them means: 'This is why Jesus sent them out and why He sends us out'.
2. The phrase The harvest truly is great means: ''. There are many going to Hell who need to hear the true Gospel.
3. The phrase but the labourers are few means: 'There are very few saved people who are willing to pay the price required to be a true labourer in the mission field'.
4. The phrase pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest means: 'We are commanded to pray that God will work on the hearts of His people to produce more true missionaries'.
5. The phrase that he would send forth labourers into his harvest means: 'Pray for God to lead many more workers into being missionaries'. God has promised everlasting rewards in Heaven and God has proven that His promises are reliable. And, even when people know how short this life is when compared to eternity, their flesh causes them to cling to the things of this life. The truth is that most people, who claim to be saved, match the people at the end of the prior chapter who claimed to want to serve their Lord while actually making excuses for their refusal to actually commit to true service.
C10-S3 : Jesus tells the seventy their mission.
1. Our sentence starts several sentences of instructions from Jesus .
2. The phrase Go your ways means: 'Go where God sends you personally'.
3. The word behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
4. The phrase I send you forth as lambs among wolves means: 'The world will try to devour you. Your only protection will be from God'.
C10-S4 says: Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. Their only provision was from God. Note that this commandment was for Jews going to Jews in that culture. We are given different commands for different cultures of today.
C10-S5 : Jesus tells the seventy how to great their host. Our sentence says And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. We are not sent where there is goodness and mercy but those things are to follow us. That requires us first offering the peace of God to those people who are where we go and that is what our sentence commands us to do. Our next few tells us how to deal with different responses.
C10-S6 : Our sentence adds the way to tell how people respond to God. Our sentence says: And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. This means: 'If they truly believe in God then your peace shall rest upon the house. However, if they rely upon keeping religious rules and reject a personal relationship with God, then your peace shall turn to you again as you leave that house and go to the next to see if they will receive the true Gospel'.
C10-S7 : Rely upon God providing for their needs through their host.
1. Our sentence adds what they are to do once accepted.
2. The phrase in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give means: 'They were not to seek the best place to stay according to physical considerations. They were to stay where God provided for them'. God always has pl and and we often do not know the pl and of God. We are to accept what God provides with the faith that God has a reason, even if we don't know it, for why God provides for us where and how God provides.
3. The phrase for the labourer is worthy of his hire means: 'This is a precept that applies in many situations'. When we cheat a child of God by not giving them their just hire, God often provides to them another way and causes us to have unexpected expenses which exceed what we cheated the child of God out of.
C10-S8 says: Go not from house to house. The note for the prior sentence explains why they were told this.
C10-S9 : Do God's work and accept God's provision.
1. Our sentence adds the type of ministry they were to do.
2. The phrase And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you means: 'This is instruction for where they are accepted'.
3. The phrase eat such things as are set before you means: 'Accept the provision from God'
4. The phrase And heal the sick that are therein means: 'Provide for their physical needs if you can'.
5. The phrase and say unto them, the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you means: 'Always preach the spiritual message that they need'.
C10-S10 : Testify against cities which reject God's message.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. This sentence deals with how they were to deal with rejection. Remember that the Jewish culture, of that time, was different from cultures of today.
2. The phrase into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not means: 'This identifies instructions for how to handle rejection'.
3. The phrase go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say means: 'They were to give a warning as they left the city'.
4. The phrase Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you means: 'They were to take nothing from people who rejected their message'.
5. The phrase notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you means: 'They were to warn the people about what they truly rejected. They were not rejecting the messengers but were rejecting God and the message from God'.
C10-S11 : God will bring judgment. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. The prior sentence sentence told us how the people were to judge the city. This sentence tells us how God will judge thecity. Our sentence says: But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city..
C10-S12 : Jesus testifies against Chorazin. Our sentence says: Woe unto thee, Chorazin!. The Bible does not tell us anything more about Chorazin than what is in this chapter.
C10-S13 : Jesus testifies against Bethsaida. Our sentence says: woe unto thee, Bethsaida!. Bethsaida was the home city of Andrew, Peter and Philip. And, Jesus had preached there many times and done many miracles, yet the people still did not believe in Him.
C10-S14 : Jesus testifies of the attitude of cities that God destroyed. Our sentence says: 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.
C10-S15 : Jesus testifies of the judgment the Jewish cities will receive. Our sentence says: But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
C10-S16 : Jesus testifies against Capernaum. Our sentence says: And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. Capernaum was where Jesus had lived and done many miracles, yet the people still did not believe in Him.
C10-S17 : Jesus says who they truly reject.
1. Our current sentence gives us the precept of messengers.
2. The phrase He that heareth you heareth me means: 'The true messenger delivers the message that was sent without any change. Because of that, acceptance or rejection of the message is acceptance or rejection of the person who sent the message. It is not an acceptance or rejection of the massager.'.
3. The phrase and he that despiseth you despiseth me means: 'This not only clarifies the first phrase and that explanation applies to this phrase also'. . . .
4. The phrase and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me means: 'Since Jesus was a true messenger of God the Father, accepting or rejecting His message is accepting or rejecting God the Father'.
C10-S18 : the seventy return with a report of joy.
1. Our sentence adds the reported results from the seventy.
2. The phrase the seventy returned again with joy, saying means: 'This was their report and feelings when they returned'. Our service to God should give us true joy because we see God working and because God choses to work through us.
3. The phrase Lord means: 'This title is used in recognition of Who truly provided the power that the disciples used'.
4. The phrase even the devils are subject unto us through thy name means: 'Notice that they gave glory to God and recognized that he could do through them what they could not do on their own'.
C10-S19 : the extreme example of power over devils.
1. Our sentence adds what God did to the most powerful devil, Satan.
2. The phrase And he said unto them means: 'This answer came from Jesus'.
3. The phrase I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven means: 'He witnessed the power of God the Father against Satan'.
C10-S20 : Jesus is Who provides the power. Note: this power was available until the New Testament was completed because this was how people verified that someone truly spoke for God, at that time. However, since the word of God has been completed, this promise is taken away and we now verify what someone preaches against the word of God.
1. The word behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
2. The phrase I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions means: 'The true servants of God were protected against natural dangers'.
3. The phrase and over all the power of the enemy means: 'This is the spiritual power of devils'.
4. The phrase and nothing shall by any means hurt you means: 'This is a general promise of protection while they are serving God'. However, this did not protect them from death when God decided that their time of service was complete.
C10-S21 : Jesus tells them what should truly provide joy.
1. The word Notwithstanding means: 'the participle of withstand, with not prefixed, and signifying not opposing; nevertheless. There is nothing in the prior promise which opposes the rest of this sentence'.
2. The phrase in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you means: 'What not to rejoice in'. This power is temporary.
3. The phrase but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven means: 'This promise is for eternity'. Therefore, it is greater that anything that is temporary.
C10-S22 : Jesus praised God for His wisdom. God the Father gives wisdom the exact same way as Jesus reveals the meaning of parables.
1. The phrase In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said means: 'Notice that this is a lowercase spirit. This was his human spirit. Jesus had to learn things, like any human does. And, when he understood God the Father's way of thinking and of passing on true wisdom, He rejoiced in spirit and said what He had learned.'.
2. The phrase I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth means: 'He recognized the position of God the Father and that God the Father is over all other things and beings'. . . .
3. The phrase that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent means: 'The people who are wise and prudent, in this world, can't understand true spiritual wisdom (1Corinthians 2:14) because the physical and the spiritual do not work under the same rules'.
4. The phrase and hast revealed them unto babes means: 'People who believe God, when they don't understand, learn from experience'. The wise and prudent, in this world, refuse to obey and, thereby, refuse God's way of learning true spiritual wisdom.
5. The phrase even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight means: 'This is how God the Father made everything available to everyone but still made sure that only the people that He wanted would receive His wisdom'. It's all in a person's attitude.
C10-S23 : God the Father works through His Son.
1. The phrase All things are delivered to me of my Father means: 'This is related to what Jesus said in the 'Great Commission''.
2. The phrase and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father means: 'Only God the Father truly understood the Son of God, especially before the New Testament was completed and revealed Him to us'.
3. The phrase and who the Father is, but the Son means: 'Only the Son of God truly understood God the Father'. Men thought they understood God the Father, but they only understood what their religion told them.
4. The phrase and he to whom the Son will reveal him means: 'The Son of God reveals spiritual things to the saved which the lost can not understand'.
C10-S24 : Jesus explains to His disciples how they were blessed.
1. Our sentence adds a private message from Jesus to His disciples.
2. The phrase he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately means: 'Jesus said the following so that only His disciples heard it'.
3. The phrase Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see means: 'They were blessed to share the physical life of Jesus and to witness the things that He did'. Even with that, He said that we are more blessed today with God's indwelling Holy Spirit.
4. The phrase 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 means: 'Old Testament prophets desired to see and hear what the apostles saw and heard'. And, remember the times that they cried: 'Master, save us. We perish', especially when you feel like you have it rough.
C10-S25 : the start of the next incident.
1. Our sentence adds a question that Jesus was asked more than once. In Luke 10:25-37; Mark 10:17-25; and Luke 18:18-27 Jesus explained about inheriting eternal life. Part of that explanation is the parable about 'The Good Samaritan', which is only found below.
2. The word behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
3. The phrase a certain lawyer stood up means: 'This man was a professional who worked with the Mosaic Law and was sure that he understood more than Jesus'.
4. The phrase and tempted him, saying means: 'Here we see his attitude'.
5. The phrase Master means: 'He regarded Jesus as a religious teacher and not as 'God in human flesh''.
6. The phrase what shall I do to inherit eternal life? means: 'This is the question that he is sure that Jesus can not answer properly'.
C10-S26 : Jesus asked the lawyer about the law. Our sentence says: He said unto him, What is written in the law?, which means let 'Jesus asked him what he believed so that Jesus would know the basis of the attack from the lawyer'. In addition, our nest sentence says: how readest thou?. Jesus asked him this question because lawyers have different opinions about what a single written law actually means. Therefore, Jesus is checking what he believes.
C10-S28 : the lawyer stated the spirit of the Mosaic Law, which is called the greatest commandment. Please also see the Section called Jesus and the Ten Commandments in the Significant Gospel Events Study for links to other places in the Bible where God talked about this (the greatest) commandment.
1. Our sentence adds the answer from the lawyer.
2. The phrase And he answering said means: 'This is the answer from the lawyer'.
3. The phrase 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 is actually the greatest commandment. The lawyer, apparently, expected Jesus to give a different answer or expected Jesus to argue with him. Remember, the lawyer was tempting Jesus, which means that he was looking for an argument.
4. The phrase and thy neighbour as thyself means: 'This part is, actually, the second greatest command but it is always attached to the greatest. Therefore, the lawyer was not wrong to state them together'.
C10-S29 : Jesus responds to his answer.
1. Our sentence adds the answer from Jesus.
2. The phrase he said unto him means: 'Jesus answered the lawyer'.
3. The phrase Thou hast answered right means: 'The lawyer thought that he had an answer that Jesus did not have because many religious people believed the wrong answer'.
4. The phrase This do, and thou shalt live means: 'This seems to be a simple command. Yet, the lawyer understood that there was more to the command (This do) than what most people thought. We see that in the response reported in the next sentence. The command (This do), had to be obeyed spiritually and not just religiously or physically. And, the related parable, in the next few sentences, teaches us this truth'.
C10-S30 : the lawyer tries to squirm out of the doing.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. The prior sentence told us that we need to obey God's law spiritually. The lawyer knew that he was guilty of not fulfilling God's law. Yet, as our sentence says: he (was) willing to justify himself.
2. The phrase he, willing to justify himself means: 'He didn't get the prior argument that he expected so he asked this question expecting it to lead to an argument'.
3. The phrase said unto Jesus means: 'He did not realize that he was dealing with 'God in human flesh'. Therefore, he still thought that he could out-wit Jesus'.
4. The phrase And who is my neighbour? means: 'He expected to be able to argue this point'. He did not expect a parable where he would provide the answer that Jesus led him to.
C10-S31 : Jesus starts the parable of 'The Good Samaritan'. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament. Please also remember that this is in response to a lawyer who was looking for an argument, with Jesus, over the law. He how wants an argument over the definition of the word neighbour. Jesus will make the lawyer agree with the true definition By this parable.
1. The phrase Jesus answering said means: 'Jesus gave this parable in answer to the prior question'.
2. The phrase A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho means: 'This road was well-known as dangerous and full of thieves'..
3. The phrase , and fell among thieves means: 'he was attacked by thieves'.
4. The phrase which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead means: 'This is what they did to him'.
C10-S32 : Jesus tells about the priest.
1. Our sentence adds the response of the priest. The priests were charged by God to help God's people.
2. The phrase And by chance there came down a certain priest that way means: 'The priest passed by'.
3. The phrase and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side means: 'He refused to help and even refused to check on the man'.
C10-S33 : Jesus tells about the Levite.
1. Our sentence adds the response of the Levite. The Levite was, effectively, church staff.
2. The phrase likewise a Levite, when he was at the place means: 'He also saw the need'.
3. The phrase came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side means: 'He at least looked but did nothing'. He is your typical lookey-lou and gossip.
C10-S34 : Jesus tells about the Samaritan.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. Our sentence adds the different response of the Samaritan.
2. The phrase But a certain Samaritan means: 'This identifies a type of person that the Jews looked down on and claimed were rejected by God because their blood was not pure enough'.
3. The phrase as he journeyed, came where he was means: 'The Samaritan also came to the man'.
4. The phrase and when he saw him means: 'The Samaritan saw the problem'.
5. The phrase he had compassion on him means: 'He responded emotionally'.
6. The phrase And went to him means: 'He went to help'.
7. The phrase and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine means: 'The Samaritan took care of the immediate needs'.
8. The phrase and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him means: 'The Samaritan took care of the long-term needs'.
C10-S35 : Jesus continues with the actions of the Samaritan.
1. Our sentence adds that the Samaritan took care of the future needs.
2. The phrase on the morrow when he departed means: 'The Samaritan had to continue on his journey that day'.
3. The phrase he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him means: 'The Samaritan gave instructions and pay for the care of the man'.
4. The phrase Take care of him means: 'This is the instruction'.
5. The phrase and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee means: 'This is the promise of future payment'.
C10-S36 : Jesus asks the lawyer for a judgment. Our sentence says: Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? this was the convicting question which had only one answer unless the lawyer wanted to prove that he was a liar.
C10-S37 says: And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. the lawyer answered with the only answer which would not prove that he was a liar. It is foolish to challenge 'God in human flesh'. And, Jesus proved this truth when He was teaching in the Temple and various religious groups challenged Him.
C10-S38 says: Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
1. The word Then means: 'After the lawyer agreed with the true definition of the word neighbour and could not argue any further'. In addition, with the parable, Jesus had shown him what God required him to do. But, he could only do that if he truly dedicated his life to God.
2. It is important to realize that, at this time, Jesus is dealing with Jews who were still under the Mosaic Law. What God required of them, for salvation, had a different application than what is required during the 'Church Age'. The basic requirement of salvation has never changed. It is an ongoing personal relationship with God which is based on true Biblical faith. We see this with Able, Enoch, Abraham, king David and many others. However, the application )the outward expression of that relationship) has changed over time. This lawyer could not, completely, obey this command without such a relationship. However, he did not have to accept Jesus as his personal Lord as we do today. At that time, the Jews could still deal directly with God the Father.
C10-S39 : the start of the last incident in our chapter.
1. The word Now means: 'After you understand what was said earlier'. We just saw the requirement for a personal relationship with God. The rest of this chapter is telling us that it is better to develop that relationship than to serve God in a non-personal way. Martha's sister Mary was the only person who is reported to believe the prophecy of Jesus suffering and dying. That is why she anointed Him with the expensive ointment before His death and this incident definitely influenced those things.
2. The phrase it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village means: 'Jesus and His disciples stopped here on the way to Jerusalem'.
3. The phrase and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. means: 'This is the sister of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, and sister of Mary Magdalene'.
C10-S40 : Martha's sister was named Mary and she was not helping Martha.
1. Our sentence adds information about Mary.
2. The phrase And she had a sister called Mary means: 'This identifies the sister'.
3. The phrase which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word means: 'This tells us what the sister was doing'.
C10-S41 : Martha complained to Jesus about Mary.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. While Mary was sitting and listening, Martha was working.
2. The phrase But Martha was cumbered about much serving means: 'Martha was busy working, just like many religious people are doing today'.
3. The phrase and came to him, and said means: 'Martha talked to Jesus instead of to her sister'. It is very apparent that Martha had tried to talk to Mary and Mary ignored her. Likewise, many saved people criticize other saved people who spend their time studying the Bible and praying instead of going out to do religious things.
4. The phrase Lord means: 'She had the title right but the relationship wrong. If she had the relationship right, she would not have been tryingb to tell Him what to do'.
5. The phrase dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? means: 'Martha blamed Jesus for failing to do what she thought was the right thing to do'. Many saved people make this same mistake. When their sinful flesh, and the wisdom of this world, and their religious traditions go against what the word of God literally says, they judge the word of God to be wrong.
C10-S42 : Martha demanded that Jesus bid her therefore that she help me. We do not tell God what to do.
C10-S43 : Jesus corrected Martha.
1. Our sentence adds the answer from Jesus.
2. The phrase And Jesus answered and said unto her means: 'This correction came fro, Jesus'. We each need to apply this correction to our own lives.
3. The phrase Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about manythings means: 'Jesus recognized all of her work'.
4. The phrase But one thing is needful means: 'The following is not optional'. If we do not follow the example of Mary, and develop our personal relationship with Jesus all of our religious work will be in vain.
5. The phrase and Mary hath chosen that good part means: 'It is better to get close to Jesus, and become like Him, than to do religious works'. However, people who are not becoming like Jesus are not truly getting closer to Him and are lying when they claim that they are.
6. The phrase which shall not be taken away from her means: 'God is not going to tell us to stop learning spiritual truths so that we can do works defined By this world and religion'.

Chapter 11 Summary:

Spiritual Evidence of Belonging to God.

The theme of this chapter might not be evident to people if they do not truly consider all that is in this chapter and what is the same throughout the chapter. In some incidents of this chapter, we have religious people claiming to belong to God but the evidence they offer does not come from God and, therefore, is not true evidence that they belong to God. We also have those same religious people claiming that Jesus belongs to Beelzebub and Jesus explains how they are using the wrong evidence to support their claims. There are several other things like these examples and they will be covered as we do a general survey of the chapter.

Our chapter theme is: 'Have the True Evidence of Belonging to God'. The theme of the prior chapter was: 'Right Attitudes and Wrong Attitudes'. We have to get our attitudes right before we get our actions right and we have to get both right before we receive 'the True Evidence that we Belonging to God'. Therefore, the reader should be able to see how the lessons of this chapter are based upon the lessons of the prior chapter.

Our chapter starts with the disciples asking Lord, teach us to pray. People who truly belong to God want to know how to improve their relationship with God.

In response Jesus gives what people call 'the Lord's prayer' but what is truly 'the example prayer'. (The true 'Lord's prayer' is in the Gospel of John and made by our Lord at 'the Last Supper' for His disciples.)

After that prayer, Jesus gives an analogy to teach us to be consistent and diligent in our prayers. This is where we read: 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. forevery one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. What most people misunderstand in that saying is that the th, at the end of the action verbs, means that these actions mist be lifestyle actions. People do these things a few times and then quit and believe that our Lord's instructions don't work when they truly did not follow the instructions because they did not make these actions part of their lifestyle .

Next we have an account of Jesus casting out a devil and people claimed that :He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. In addition, we are told: And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. These people thought that they belonged to God but truly didn't because they were relying on their religious activities instead of having a personal relationship with God that changed them to have the character of God.

While Jesus could have pointed that fact out, instead He gave us a lesson on a kingdom divided and a house divided. If someone was truly part of God's kingdom, while fighting against God's character in them, they would make God's kingdom divided. God would not allow that. Such people either are not part of God's kingdom or they are new to God's kingdom and He is working on changing them or they are being corrected and punished until they get right or they get dead. As part of Jesus explaining these truths, He explains about what happens if the unclean spirit is gone out of a man and that man does not have the ongoing personal relationship with God to protect him from the devil coming back into him and possessing him again.

Next, we have a woman saying how blessed His mother, Mary, was. This is the first recorded worship of Mary. Jesus answers with: Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. This is our true evidence that we belong to God.

Next we have Jesus saying that the people were evil because they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. He goes on to say that people in their history would testify against then when they are judged by God because those people responded rightly with lesser signs while the generation of Jesus refused to respond rightly. Therefore, once more, we see the division made between God's true people and the liars who claimed to belong to God but truly belonged to Satan. This division is made based upon their responding rightly to the words and commandments of God through Jesus. Our Gospel ends this section of the chapter with a parable and lesson on light and darkness. People who truly belong to God will have God's light displayed by their life while those who belong to Satan will have Satan's darkness displayed by their life.

Next, we have an account of a certain Pharisee besought (Jesus) to dine with him. The Pharisee marvelled that (Jesus) had not first washed before dinner. This leads into a lesson on the difference between being clean internally, and possibly not clean externally, and being clean externally but truly dirty internally. Here Jesus says: But woe unto you, Pharisees! and gives three different examples on how they were clean externally but truly dirty internally.

The prior led to one of the lawyers (answering), and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. This resulted in Jesus saying Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! and His following that with how they, also, were clean externally but truly dirty internally. Jesus ends these saying with: ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Our chapter ends with: 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 manythings: Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him. thus we see that, while they pretended to want to learn from Jesus, and follow Him, they were truly liars. This is contrasted with the attitudes and actions of people who are truly children of God. Therefore, our chapter is showing us the difference between the lives of God's true children and the liars who claim to be God's children but who are truly children of the Devil. With these differences, it is hoped that the reader can understand how we must look at the true evidence of a person's life to determine if they are a true child of God or if they are a lying child of the Devil. We also should be able to see that we need to examine our own life and remove the evidences that we are a child of Satan and add in the evidences that we are a true child of God.

In Luke 11:1-4, we read that the disciples asked Lord, teach us to pray. The answer from Jesus is what people call 'the Lord's prayer' but what is truly 'the example prayer'.

In Luke 11:5-8, we read parable called 'The Friend at Midnight'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.

In Luke 11:9-13; Matthew 7:7-8; Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24-26; John 14:13-15; John 15:7; John 15:16-17; John 16:23-24 we read promises of answered prayer along with some requirements that must be met in order to receive the answer to prayers.

In Luke 11:14 and Matthew 9:32-33, we read that Jesus cast out a dumb devil. This then led to the Pharisees, and other people, claiming that He used the power of Beelzebub to cast out devils.

In Luke 11:15-66; Matthew 12:24 and Mark 3:22-30 we are told that the Pharisees or other people claimed that Jesus did His miracles by the power of Beelzebub. Please see the Significant Gospe lEvents for links to where Jesue dealt with devils. Following that accusation we have the doctrinal rebuttal from Jesus. This incident was also referenced by Jesus. This incident was also referenced by Jesus in Matthew 10:25.

In Luke 11:17-26; Matthew 12:25-28 and Mark 3:23-26 we have the doctrinal rebuttal by Jesus to their lie that He did His miracles by the power of Beelzebub.

In Luke 11:21-22; Matthew 12:29 and Mark 3:27, we read the parable about 'Rrobbing Strong Man's House'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.

In Luke 11:23 and Matthew 12:30, we read that Jesus said: He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

In Luke 11:24-26 and Matthew 12:43-45, we read the parable of 'The Unclean Spirit'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.

In Luke 11:27-28, we have a woman saying how blessed His mother, Mary, was. This is the first recorded worship of Mary. Jesus answers with: Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. This is our true evidence that we belong to God.

In Luke 11:29-32; Matthew 12:39-45 and Matthew 16:4 we are told that the Jews demanded another sign from Jesus and He told them they would not get another sign besides the sign of Jonas. Jesus also said that past generations would rise up in judgment against the current generation of Jews because the earlier generation believed with far less signs than the current generation of Jews received but the current generation still refused to believe. We see a similar account Mark 8:11-13.

In Luke 11:33-36; Matthew 5:14-16; Mark 4:21-23 and Luke 8:16-18, we read 'The Parable of Lighted Candle'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.

In Luke 11:37-44, we have an account of a certain Pharisee besought (Jesus) to dine with him. This led to Jesus giving a lesson on the difference between external physical cleanliness and the spiritual internal cleanliness. Jesus then says But woe unto you, Pharisees! and gives three different examples on how they were clean externally but truly dirty internally.

In Luke 11:45-52, we read that one of the lawyers who were at the dinner said: Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. In response, Jesus gave a similar, but different, condemnation of the lawyers.

In Luke 11:53-54, we read that the scribes and the Pharisees started open war with Jesus. Where, in the past, they were trying to hide their disagreement with Him and His doctrine, at this point they are no more hiding their disagreement.

C11-S1 : the start of the next incident.
1. The phrase And it came to pass, that means: 'Luke is adding another incident and, since this is the start of a new chapter, Luke is also adding a new theme'. The new chapter theme is: 'Spiritual Evidence of Belonging to God'. All truly saved should strive to have these evidences in their own life.
2. The phrase as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased means: 'They knew that Jesus prayed and respected that by waiting until He was finished'.
3. The phrase one of his disciples said unto him means: 'Other Gospels indicate that it was Peter but that might have been another similar incident'. Luke does not identify which disciple made the request. Therefore, it is not important who the particular disciple was.
4. The phrase Lord means: 'This is the proper title to use for this request'.
5. The phrase teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples means: 'This was the request'.
C11-S2 : the model prayer.
1. Our sentence adds the answer from Jesus.
2. The phrase And he said unto them means: 'Jesus addressed all of them with His answer'. That makes it applicable to us also.
3. The phrase When ye pray means: 'This is a format for any time that we pray'.
4. The phrase say, Our Father means: 'Recognize your relationship to God'. This prayer is for the true child of God.
5. The phrase which art in heaven means: 'Recognize His position. God is above all other beings.'.
6. The phrase Hallowed be thy name means: 'Recognize His character, His power and His authority. All are holy.'.
C11-S3 : Prayer for 'God's character to be in us'. Our sentence says: Thy kingdom come. means: 'Pray for the 1,000-years reign of Christ. But, also pray for God to put His character in you, which is the kingdom of God'.
C11-S4 : Prayer for people to truly obey God's will. Our sentence says: Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. means: 'Pray for people here on Earth to obey like the angels do so that we can have peace on Earth'.
C11-S5 : Prayer for daily provision from God. Our sentence says: Give us day by day our daily bread. means: Most of us want to be like the rich fool and believe everything that we will ever want, for the rest of our life, has been provided. However, by praying for daily food, we must return to prayer at least daily.
C11-S6 : Prayer for God to forgive us.
1. The phrase And forgive us our sins means: 'This also is a daily need'.
2. The phrase for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us means: 'This is the reason why that Jesus gives'. However, very few are truly willing to forgive a debt.
C11-S7 : Prayer for God to protect us.
1. The phrase And lead us not into temptation means: 'The devil tempts us to do sin but God does not'.
2. The phrase but deliver us from evil means: 'This is a prayer for God's help during trials'.
C11-S8 : Illustration to teach persistence in prayer.
1. The phrase And he said unto them means: 'Jesus said this to make them think'.
2. The phrase Which of you shall have a friend means: 'Almost everyone has at least one friend'.
3. The phrase and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him means: 'Your friends are supposed to help in time of need'.
4. The phrase Friend, lend me three loaves means: 'This is the request'.
5. The phrase For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? means: 'This is the reason for the request'.
C11-S9 : the fleshly answer.
1. Our sentence adds the refusal by the friend.
2. The phrase he from within shall answer and say means: 'The friend shouts an answer while refusing to go to the door'.
3. The phrase Trouble me not means: 'The friend says go away'.
4. The phrase the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed means: 'This is the reason for his answer'.
5. The phrase I cannot rise and give thee means: 'This is his conclusion'.
C11-S10 : Why he will change his mind.
1. The phrase I say unto you means: 'This is what Jesus tells them'.
2. The phrase Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend means: 'Being a friend is not sufficient reason to get up'.
3. The phrase yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth means: 'Consistent asking and keeping the friend awake will be sufficient reason for him to get up'.
4. Many people misunderstand this saying. We do not need to badger God. Yet, we do need to pass the test and we do need to learn certain things which we can only learn through experience. One reason why God lets His children suffer is because certain character traits can not be learned any other way. The same is true for tests that God gives to His children. When we have to continue to wait and pray, it proves that we truly believe the promises of God and it also increases our true Biblical faith when God does answer our prayers. Someone who has never prayed for something, like the salvation of a loved one, does not have the true Biblical faith which is possessed by someone who has done that and seen God answer their prayers. Someone who has never died and been revived can not get rid of their fear of death that the person who has that experience no longer feels. Some things are only learned through experience and Jesus is telling us to keep praying and don't give up hope because it will strengthen our true Biblical faith.
C11-S11 : the attitude to have when praying.
1. The phrase And I say unto you means: 'This command and promise comes from Jesus'.
2. The phrase Ask, and it shall be given you means: 'Many times God's people desire but don't even ask. God gave each of us a free will and will not take it away even to keep someone from an eternity in the lake of fire. God would have to force His grace on you, like the religious lie claims, if He gave before you asked'.
3. The phrase seek, and ye shall find means: 'The word seek means that you keep on looking in many different places and using many different ways and don't give up because you have a promise from God that you personally (ye) shall find'.
4. The phrase knock, and it shall be opened unto you means: 'This is a reference back to the prior sentences where Jesus told about the man going to his friend late at night'.
5. Please see the Detailed Note for an overview of the requirements which are associated with these promises.
C11-S12 : Make this type of prayer a lifestyle .
1. Our sentence adds a promise from Jesus.
2. Be careful. This promise is often misquoted and even more often taken out of context. This promise is dependent upon our fulfilling other requirements found in the word of God, such as James 4:3 which says: Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.. Please note that every action verb, in this sentence, if using the lifestyle form of the verb. Very few people are truly willing to devote their life to doing the things that our sentence tells us to do. In addition, someone who truly asketh or seeketh or knocketh is also going to do whatever is required to use what they are asking God for. And an example, a woman who truly wants to marry a preacher will do what Peter writes is the way for a Godly woman to present herself. She will become holy and righteous. She will get to know preachers and those who are studying to be preachers. She will avoid worldly friends. And, she will do anything else the God's Holy Spirit tells her to do.
3. The phrase For every one that asketh receiveth means: 'Persistent asking, by the obedient child of God, results in ongoing receiving'. The word asketh means: 'Ongoing lifestyle asking'. The word receiveth means: 'Ongoing lifestyle receiving'. I can not say doctrinally, but I believe this promise is related to a lifestyle service to God such as Samuel's mother continuing to pray for a son and then continuing to raise him and encourage him to devote his life to the service of God.
4. The phrase and he that seeketh findeth means: 'Again, this is a lifestyle seeking and finding'.
5. The phrase and to him that knocketh it shall be opened means: 'This is another reference back to the prior sentences where Jesus told about the man going to his friend late at night'.
C11-S13 : Start of the illustration.
1. The phrase If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father means: 'The phrase any of you limits this to the people who are truly trying to serve God'. Yes, there might be some evil person who would do this, but such a person would not be in the group that Jesus was speaking to.
2. The phrase will he give him a stone? means: 'Obviously, a stone is not what a truly loving parent would give as food'.
C11-S14 : A second illustration. Our sentence gives and alternative scenario when it says: or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?. The answer to this question is obvious for the audience that Jesus was talking to.
C11-S15 : A third illustration. Our sentence gives and alternative scenario when it says: Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?. The answer to this question is obvious for the audience that Jesus was talking to.
C11-S16 : the application of the illustrations.
1. Our sentence adds the application from Jesus.
2. The phrase If ye then, being evil means: 'Jesus points out our sin nature in His conditional phrase'.
3. The phrase know how to give good gifts unto your children means: 'We can do good in spite of our sin nature'.
4. The phrase how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? means: 'Comparing the type of gifts that God the Father gives to what sinful men give requires comparing the character of each to each other. This is because we give gifts based upon our character'. In addition, Jesus is talking about God the Father giving the Holy Spirit. This is speaking about initial salvation but it also can be applied to God's the Holy Spirit providing us with increased spiritual maturity.
C11-S17 : the start of the next incident. Our sentence says: And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. All reported miracles are physical examples of the doctrine that is in context to the miracle. Our sentence tells us that this devil ('there are no daemons') made the man unable to speak (dumb). Our chapter theme is: 'Spiritual Evidence of Belonging to God' and our chapter started with the disciples wanting to learn how to pray ('talk to God'). And, the second nest sentence says that But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. They had this opinion because they could not talk to God the Father and get an answer. Thus, we see that this devil-possessed man represented the lost, who could not speak to God. And, the disciples represented the saved, who could speak to God. And, the miracle was physical proof that trusting Jesus will change you from being spiritually dumb to being able to talk to God the Father. Please see the Table Of Miracles for references to all reports of miracles within the Gospel accounts.
C11-S18 : the results of casting out a devil.
1. Our sentence adds the results of Jesus casting out the devil.
2. The phrase it came to pass, when the devil was gone out means: 'This is when the results were seen'.
3. The phrase the dumb spake means: 'This is the result that the man experienced'.
4. The phrase and the people wondered means: 'This is the result that the crowd experienced'.
C11-S19 : Some people blasphemed Jesus.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. While some people were glorifying God, some religious Jews claimed that it was actually the work of Satan.
2. The phrase But some of them said means: 'We are not told exactly who'. In addition, this may be the same incident as what is reported in other Gospels or may be a separate incident. Manythings, like this lie, occurred more than once.
3. The phrase He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils means: 'This is the true blaspheme of the Holy Spirit'. Please see the Doctrinal Study called: Jesus used power of Holy Spirit. He put aside His own power, as God, before His conception. He took it back after the devils took Him to Hell. In between those times, He became our example of how to live in the flesh using the power of God's Holy Spirit. That is why this is a true blaspheme of the Holy Spirit and not of Jesus.
C11-S20 : Others tempted Him.
1. Our sentence adds the report of another type of insult.
2. The phrase others means: 'We are not told who they were so that is not an important consideration'. Anyone who is claiming otherwise is trying to distract people from the true doctrine which is being presented.
3. The phrase tempting him means: 'Here we are told their attitude with this demand'.
4. The phrase sought of him a sign from heaven means: 'They already had many signs from heaven, including Jesus casting out the devil as was reported just prior to this incident. No, they wanted to claim that they had authority over Jesus because He had to do miracles when they demanded'.
C11-S21 : Jesus answered their thoughts.
1. C11-S21 through C11-S31 is a single argument and all of the sentences need to be considered together. All are telling us the difference between being part of the kingdom of Satan versus being part of the kingdom of God.
2. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. in this sentence, Jesus is answering the prior lies with the truth.
3. The phrase But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them means: 'Jesus knew their thoughts and answered those wrong thoughts'.
4. The phrase Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation means: 'Jesus uses a kingdom as an example'. In addition, we see that God's kingdom can not be destroyed because everyone in it must agree with God. However, Satan's kingdom will be destroyed because Satan allows any type of doctrine so long as it disagrees with the doctrine of God.
5. The phrase and a house divided against a house falleth means: 'Jesus uses a house for an example'. There are so many divorces because people in marriages do not come to a common agreement about how to satisfy the desires of their flesh. Each person wants (most or all) of the assets used to satisfy their own lusts and not what they agree on.
C11-S22 : the application of the prior illustrations.
1. C11-S21 through C11-S31 is a single argument and all of the sentences need to be considered together. All are telling us the difference between being part of the kingdom of Satan versus being part of the kingdom of God.
2. In our sentence, Jesus is applying the logic, of the prior sentence, to the kingdom of Satan.
3. The phrase If Satan also be divided against himself means: 'This is the condition claimed by the Jews'.
4. The phrase how shall his kingdom stand? means: 'This is the result of their claim, which Satan would want to avoid'.
C11-S23 : Why Jesus gave the prior answer.
1. C11-S21 through C11-S31 is a single argument and all of the sentences need to be considered together. All are telling us the difference between being part of the kingdom of Satan versus being part of the kingdom of God.
2. Our sentence says: because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
C11-S24 : the application to their own group.
1. C11-S21 through C11-S31 is a single argument and all of the sentences need to be considered together. All are telling us the difference between being part of the kingdom of Satan versus being part of the kingdom of God.
2. Our sentence adds the personal application of their claim.
3. The phrase if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? means: 'These Jews refused to recognize the difference in character and power between God and devils. When they did that, they eliminated any way for their own sons to make the distinction'.
C11-S25 : the consequence of their blaspheme.
1. C11-S21 through C11-S31 is a single argument and all of the sentences need to be considered together. All are telling us the difference between being part of the kingdom of Satan versus being part of the kingdom of God.
2. Our sentence adds the only result which is possible with their claim.
3. Our sentence says: therefore shall they be your judges..
C11-S26 : A result of the truth.
1. C11-S21 through C11-S31 is a single argument and all of the sentences need to be considered together. All are telling us the difference between being part of the kingdom of Satan versus being part of the kingdom of God.
2. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. In the prior sentences Jesus dealt with their claims, which were lies. in this sentence, Jesus reveals the truth.
3. The phrase But if I with the finger of God cast out devils means: 'Here Jesus is saying how little power that God has to exert in order to do what is impossible for them to do'.
4. The phrase no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you means: 'This is the only possible conclusion'. It should be accepted that many of the Jews, like most people of today, did not understand the true meaning of the phrase the kingdom of God. They were looking for the 1,000-years reign of Christ. . However, what Jesus was really telling them is that they had to accept the character of God if they wanted the power of God to work in and through their life.
C11-S27 : A prophecy against Satan.
1. C11-S21 through C11-S31 is a single argument and all of the sentences need to be considered together. All are telling us the difference between being part of the kingdom of Satan versus being part of the kingdom of God.
2. In Matthew 12:29; Mark 3:27 and Luke 11:21-22, we read: No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. this was a prophecy that Jesus would bind Satan and lead captivity captive (Ephesians 4:8) when He took all of the Old Testament saints from Paradise to Heaven after His resurrection. Matthew 27:51-53 tells us that God gave evidence that a related prophecy (dead rise) fulfilled. This prophecy is in this context because the Jews said that Jesus used the power of Satan to cast out a devil and this prophecy proves that Jesus used a greater power than the power of Satan.
3. The phrase When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace means: 'His goods are in peace because he prevents anyone from robbing him'.
4. The phrase But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him means: 'When he loses his goods, it proves that the person who overcame him was stronger'.
5. The phrase he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted means: 'The strong man loses his ability to fight and to intimidate others'. Jesus took away the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:18 and Satan had them before Jesus went into Hell and took them (Hebrews 2:14-15).
6. The phrase and divideth his spoils means: 'Jesus took the things which Satan was holding but which were not given to him'. The spoils are what a person takes from someone who is weaker and Satan took ownership of this world, of the governments of this world and of the souls of men through sin. Jesus sets men free.
C11-S28 : the application of the prior statement.
1. C11-S21 through C11-S31 is a single argument and all of the sentences need to be considered together. All are telling us the difference between being part of the kingdom of Satan versus being part of the kingdom of God.
2. The phrase He that is not with me is against me means: 'There is no such thing as sitting on the fence in this spiritual war'. We start out against Jesus because of our inherited sin nature. Unless we deliberately chose Him as our personal Lord, we will die as part of Satan's kingdom and go to Hell.
3. The phrase and he that gathereth not with me scattereth means: 'The verbs of this phrase are life-time action verbs'. Unless we choose to follow Jesus for all of our life, we will follow many false winds of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). This includes the saved, but carnal, person.
C11-S29 : An illustration of a devil who possesses a man.
1. C11-S21 through C11-S31 is a single argument and all of the sentences need to be considered together. All are telling us the difference between being part of the kingdom of Satan versus being part of the kingdom of God.
2. Our sentence adds .
3. The phrase When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man means: 'Jesus is speaking about a devil leaving possession of a person but that person does not receive the indwelling Holy Spirit'. Therefore, the person has no protection against being possessed again.
4. The phrase he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none means: 'This is symbolic language for the devil not liking what he finds elsewhere'.
5. The phrase he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out means: 'This is the decision to possess the man again'.
C11-S30 : the devil finds the man cleaned up but not protected.
1. C11-S21 through C11-S31 is a single argument and all of the sentences need to be considered together. All are telling us the difference between being part of the kingdom of Satan versus being part of the kingdom of God.
2. Our sentence adds says: And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished means: 'This, symbolically, means that the person cleaned up their life using their own ability'.
C11-S31 : What happens to the man.
1. C11-S21 through C11-S31 is a single argument and all of the sentences need to be considered together. All are telling us the difference between being part of the kingdom of Satan versus being part of the kingdom of God.
2. Our sentence adds to the prior two sentences and gives us a warning against trying to clean up our life without the protection of God's Holy Spirit.
3. The phrase Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself means: 'Devils are vengeful. The original devil didn't like this person cleaning up their life so he made their life much worse'.
4. The phrase and they enter in, and dwell there means: 'Now he has multiple devils'.
5. The phrase and the last state of that man is worse than the first means: 'We can not fight devils. We need the protection that only comes from God's Holy Spirit'.
6. In context, our chapter started with the disciples trying to get closer to God. Then Jesus cast out a devil and the lost religious people accused Him of using the power of Satan. Then, Jesus explained to them their error of not understanding the difference in character between God and devils. And, Jesus tells them that He uses the power of God and that anyone who gathereth not with me scattereth. Finally, Jesus warns about the dangers of devils, which will possess anyone who does not join with Jesus and receive the protection of God's Holy Spirit. In all of these things, we see the distinction made between those who truly trust and obey Jesus versus others.
C11-S32 : the next fool speaks up. This is the start of Mary worship. Others probably did not follow her but restarted years later. However, they would have used the same reasoning as this woman.
1. The phrase And it came to pass means: 'This is the start of the report'.
2. The phrase as he spake these things means: 'Jesus didn't even finish His teaching before someone started with a doctrine which opposed what He was teaching'.
3. The phrase a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him means: 'She tried to get Jesus to agree with her'.
4. The phrase Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked means: 'This is an emphasis on physical, which is the basis of all religions. And, Jesus just got done explaining that people need the spiritual protection of God's Holy Spirit and she, obviously, did not understand because she's wanting to lift up His physical mother as the object to worship'.
C11-S33 : Jesus corrects her error.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. A woman wanted to direct honor at the physical mother of Jesus and He corrected her to direct honor to they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
2. The phrase But he said means: 'Jesus correctedcporrected the woman with this sentence'.
3. The phrase Yea rather, blessed are they that means: 'These are the people whom God honors and that we should truly honor instead of someone for physical activities'.
4. The phrase hear the word of God means: 'This phrase is speaking about spiritually hearing what the word of God says'. Please see the note for Mark 4:9 about the phrase ears to hear.
5. The phrase and keep it means: 'This means never let it go. No backsliding allowed'.
C11-S34 : Jesus condemns that generation.
1. The phrase And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say means: 'Other Gospel accounts indicate that it was the Pharisees also with the Sadducees'. This may be a similar, but different, incident.
2. The phrase This is an evil generation means: 'This was the judgment of Jesus because they still demanded more signs after all of the signs that He already provided'.
3. The phrase they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet means: 'The only further sign that Jesus would give them was that He would be in the Earth for three days and three nights just like the prophet Jonas was in the whale's belly for three days'. This is further explained in our next sentence.
C11-S35 : Jesus names the only further sign which will be given.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For and explains why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites means: 'He walked through the city preaching destruction and God forgave them because they truly repented'. One preacher described how he imagined Jonas looking. His clothes and skin were probably eaten by the acid of the whale's belly. He might have had sea weed or other things from the whale's belly on him. Whatever he looked like, he scared a city full of vicious and cruel soldiers.
3. The phrase so shall also the Son of man be to this generation means: 'Everyone who saw the resurrected Jesus was filled with fear'. Yes, the three days is the same in both cases but we need to really consider how they match in other ways.
C11-S36 : they will also be condemnation by the queen of the south.
1. The phrase The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation means: 'She came from Africa when it was difficult to travel even with horses and carriages'.
2. The phrase and condemn them means: 'The men of the days of Jesus did not believe and did not verify what they rejected and were too lazy to even consider what the many miracles truly meant'.
3. The phrase for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon means: 'This is the effort that she made'.
4. The word behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
5. The phrase and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here means: 'For all of his wisdom, Solomon did not do miracles nor was he God in human flesh'.
C11-S37 : they will also be condemnation by the men of Nineve.
1. The phrase The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it means: 'They were lost Gentiles'. They were not raised with scripture nor with the history of the Jews.
2. The phrase for they repented at the preaching of Jonas means: 'They listened and truly repented while the people of the Gospel days refused to repent'.
3. The word behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
4. The phrase and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here means: 'The men of the days of Jesus did not believe and did not verify what they rejected and were too lazy to even consider what the many miracles truly meant and they rejected the evidence that Jesus was a true prophet from God'.
C11-S38 : Jesus gives an illustrative parable.
1. Please see the references given earlier for 'The Parable of Lighted Candle'.
2. The phrase No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, means: 'This is the common rejected behavior'.
3. The phrase but on a candlestick means: 'This is the common accepted behavior'.
4. The phrase that they which come in may see the light means: 'This is the desired result'.
C11-S39 : the spiritual symbolic application of the parable.
1. The phrase The light of the body is the eye means: 'People who are blind live in darkness'.
2. The phrase therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light means: 'If your spiritual eye is constantly on God and Godly things (single), and not distracted by false doctrines nor by lusts of this world, then every thing that you do (thy whole body) is always a testimony for God (is full of light)'.
3. The phrase but when thine eye is evil means: 'If you are looking at evil things such as false doctrines or lusts from sin'.
4. The phrase thy body also is full of darkness means: 'Your life will not be a testimony for God'.
C11-S40 says: Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness means: 'Pay close and constant attention (Take heed) that what people see from your life (that the light which is in thee) is not sin and corruption (be not darkness)'.
C11-S41 : the symbolic application to us.
1. The phrase If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark means: 'If you make sure that everything that you do is in obedience to God's Holy Ghost and not fulfilling the lusts of this world'.
2. The phrase the whole shall be full of light means: 'Your entire life will be a testimony for God'.
3. The phrase as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light means: 'Just like an unblocked source of light lets you see in a dark place'.
C11-S42 : A Pharisee judged Jesus for not keeping their religious rules.
1. Our sentence adds the start of the report of the next incident.
2. The phrase And as he spake means: 'Apparently, this Pharisee rudely interrupted Jesus and believed it was OK because he was an important Pharisee'.
3. The phrase a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him means: 'The Pharisees did this more than once and all Gospel reports of such activities tell us that the Pharisees did this as an opportunity to try and embarrass Jesus'. They failed every time.
4. The phrase and he went in, and sat down to meat means: 'Jesus deliberately acted this way'.
C11-S43 : the Pharisee judged Jesus for His actions.
1. Our sentence adds the reaction of the Pharisee.
2. The phrase And when the Pharisee saw it means: 'This is when he reacted'.
3. The phrase he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner means: 'This is how and why he reacted'. The Pharisees claimed that physically washing made a person spiritually pure. That was doctrinal error. Since this Pharisee invited Jesus so that he could pick a doctrinal fight, Jesus acted like He did in order to cause the doctrinal fight to be over what He wanted to clarify.
C11-S44 : Jesus says the application of His action.
1. Our sentence adds the doctrinal correction from the Lord.
2. The phrase And the Lord said unto him means: 'The Pharisee received judgment and correction from the Lord'.
3. The phrase Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter means: 'The Pharisees were each personally (ye) worried about physical cleanness'.
4. The phrase but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness means: 'The Pharisees were each personally (ye) ignored spiritual cleanness'.
C11-S45 : Jesus says that God cares about the inside.
1. the Lord calls them fools and tells them why God judges them this way.
2. The phrase Ye fools means: 'The Pharisees were each personally (ye) fools because they claimed to be experts in spiritual matters but did not truly consider matters of life from a spiritual perspective'.
3. The phrase did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? means: 'God made our outer parts and our inward parts'.
C11-S46 : What is better than symbolic cleaning.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. Where Jesus rebuked the Pharisee for not considering inward spiritual matters, He now tells them what to consider.
2. The phrase But rather give alms of such things as ye have means: 'Like rich people of today find loopholes to avoid paying taxes, the Pharisees had religious rules which allow them to not tithe or give an offering based upon some things'.
3. The word behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
4. The phrase and, behold, all things are clean unto you means: 'Get your attitude right about physical possessions and you will have a right attitude on spiritual matters'.
C11-S47 says: But woe unto you, Pharisees! Judgment is coming on the Pharisees because they believe that God has to accept their keeping their own religious rules as evidence of righteousness.
C11-S48 : they had wrong judgment of what was important.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For and explains why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs means: 'What they did right'.
3. The phrase and pass over judgment and the love of God means: 'What they failed to do right'. This was their sin.
4. The phrase these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone means: 'The correction from Jesus'.
5. Since Jesus knew that He was invited so that the Pharisees could insult Him and start a doctrinal fight, Jesus deliberately sat without first washing His hands. This directed the doctrinal fight to what He wanted to the subject that He deal with. Here is our example of how to deal with someone who insists upon arguing. Formore on how Jesus gave us an example, Please see the Doctrinal Study called What Did Jesus Do?.
C11-S49 : Jesus repeats the Woe unto you, Pharisees!! and gives the reason in the next sentence.
C11-S50 : Why the Woe!.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For and explains why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets means: 'They love the praise of men and do not seek the praise of God'.
C11-S51 says: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Jesus repeats the Woe! and adds in the scribes. He also said that they were hypocrites. They claimed to be servants of God but, instead, served their own religious rules. Jesus symbolically explains this in the next sentence.
C11-S52 : Why the second Woe!.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For and explains why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase for ye are as graves which appear not means: 'This is symbolic language for them being dead and people not seeing nor realizing that they are spiritually dead'.
3. The phrase and the men that walk over them are not aware of them means: 'Such graves have no influence on men. Likewise, the scribes and Pharisees had no spiritual influence on men because all were living in spiritual death and none had spiritual life. There was no spiritual change in the lives of men due to the religious influence of the scribes and Pharisees thus, they were hypocrites when they claimed to be spiritual leaders'.
C11-S53 : A lawyer speaks up.
1. The phrase Then answered one of the lawyers means: 'This lawyers spoke up after hearing what Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees'. He, apparently, felt that Jesus would be afraid of offending the lawyers for some reason. I have no idea why he would feel that way but this statement was foolish and only invited the condemnation of God upon the lawyers also.
2. The phrase and said unto him, Master means: 'Notice that he calls Jesus teacher and does not recognize Him as God in human flesh even though Jesus is acting in His role as Lord when He judges and condemns them'.
3. The phrase thus saying thou reproachest us also means: 'You are personally (thou) insulting my profession also'. If that happens, and it is true, keep your mouth shut or prove that you are a fool.
C11-S54 says: And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers!. Our next sentence says why this is true then Jesus returns to addressing all at the dinner who came to see Jesus insulted and put in the place that they imagined He belonged in. Obviously, they messed up and were wrong.
C11-S55 : Why he said Woe! to the lawyers.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For and explains why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne means: 'The lawyers did this to the lower-class people who couldn't argue with the lawyers'.
3. The phrase and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers means: 'The lawyers put themselves with the upper-class people who also did not carry their own fair share of the burden'. The same is true throughout history and within all cultures. The leaders take a greater share of the results of their culture while carrying a lower part of the burden, if they carry any part of the burden. And, the lawyers pass laws which allow such unrighteous split of the burdens.
C11-S56 : Jesus says Woe! again. Here, He returns to addressing all at the dinner who came to see Jesus insulted and put in the place that they imagined He belonged in. Obviously, they messed up and were wrong. In the next few sentences Jesus tells them the evidence against them. In the last sentence, we are told that the scribes and the Pharisees ignore the evidence against them, and the future judgment of God, and instead plot against Jesus.
C11-S57 : Why the second Woe!.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For and explains why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase ye build the sepulchres of the prophets means: 'Each and every one of them were personally (ye) involved in building the sepulchres of the prophets'. They did this to prove that they were good people and to claim that they respected the prophets even while they lied to the people and were teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7; Ephesians 4:14; Colossians 2:22). They claimed that their doctrine came from the prophets even while it went contrary to what the prophets actually preached.
3. The phrase and your fathers killed them means: 'They received their positions from their fathers and claimed that they, and their children, had to retain the positions passed from their fathers'. They received their social and religious positions from murderers and claimed that that made them spiritually superior to other Jews.
C11-S58 : their actions testify against them.
1. The phrase Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers means: ''. . . .
2. The phrase for they indeed killed them means: 'Their fathers indeed murdered the prophets'.
3. The phrase and ye build their sepulchres means: 'They do this to honor the prophets. But, if the prophets were so evil that they deserved death, then they should not build their sepulchres. But, it the Jewish religious leaders were right to build their sepulchres, then they testify that their fathers were wrong to murder the prophets. And, if their fathers were wrong to murder the prophets, then they are wrong to claim a superior social and religious position based upon what they inherited from their fathers'.
C11-S59 : Coming judgment.
1. The phrase Therefore also said the wisdom of God means: 'This is opposed to the wisdom of this world (1Corinthians), which is what the lost and carnal follow'.
2. The phrase I will send them prophets and apostles means: 'As opposed to what the world claims, their main job was not to tell the future but to say: thus sayeth the Lord'. They were to tell people the law of God that would be used to judge them. In addition, they were to warn people of coming judgment.
3. The phrase and some of them they shall slay and persecute means: 'The religious leaders, who followed the wisdom of this world, killed and persecuted God's messengers because they opposed the doctrinal lies of the religious leaders. God allowed that to happen because by doing so, the religious leaders provided the legal evidence for God to send them to an eternity in the lake of fire'.
4. The phrase That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world means: ''. God counted the blood of all the prophets against each because, with their attitudes, they proved that they would have treated all of the prophets the same way.
5. The phrase may be required of this generation means: 'In particular, God the Father brought this judgment against the generation of Jews who rejected and crucified the Son of God'.
6. The phrase From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple means: 'These were the first and last prophets who were killed for delivering God's message to the lost and to the carnal'.
7. The phrase verily I say unto you means: 'This message has been verified by Jesus'. We also need to verify what we are told will be used by God when He judges us.
8. The phrase It shall be required of this generation means: 'This is the second time that this sentence warns of judgment upon that generation'. That fulfills God's requirement for legal notice of future judgment.
C11-S60 says: Woe unto you, lawyers!. This is the third time that Jesus says this. It fulfills God's requirement for a legal warning of future judgment.
C11-S61 Why they will receive the judgment.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For and explains why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase for ye have taken away the key of knowledge means: 'They taught people to just rely on the experts and to give up on understanding God's law for themselves'. This way, the people could not verify what they were told and could not dispute a liar.
3. The phrase ye entered not in yourselves means: 'They only learned what they needed to make a living and did not worry about how to verify if what they were told was true or not'. One time, I had to go to court and insisted on answering of myself. After I did, the judge asked me where I went to Law School. I told him that I had never been there and that I had never been taught anything about the law. I only knew what the Bible said were the principals of judging right and wrong. He told me that He had been teaching in Law School for ten (10) years and that I understood the principals of law better than 90% of Law School graduates.
  The fact is that such principals are abstract in nature. In order to apply truth to different circumstances, a person must be able to understand abstract principals and know which apply and how to apply the required principals. Most people are willing to learn specific rules even if they will not learn the abstract principals. That is what Jesus accused these lawyers of doing. They could memorize the rules taught by traditions but did not understand the abstract principals which are required to truly understand how to judge right and wrong.
4. The phrase and them that were entering in ye hindered means: 'When people tried to learn, and apply, the abstract rules for judging right and wrong, the lawyers insisted that they just needed to memorize and obey traditional rules. They told people that they were not qualified and should not try to learn, and use, the abstract principals which truly tell us if something is right or wrong'.
C11-S62 : The scribes and the Pharisees reacted.
1. Our sentence adds the response by the scribes and the Pharisees.
2. The phrase as he said these things unto them means: 'They did not wait until He finished speaking. They shut their ears and minds and rejected truth'.
3. The phrase the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of manythings means: 'They not only rudely interrupted while Jesus was speaking but said things to provoke Him and try to make Him react in anger'.
4. The phrase Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth means: 'They hoped Jesus would react in anger and say something that they could use against Him'. Beware when lost people do the same to you.
5. The phrase that they might accuse him means: 'When people act this way, they ignore what they say and do that is wrong and only concentrate on your wrong reaction'.

Chapter 12 Summary:

Concentrate on Serving God and Let God Take Care of Your Physical Needs.

This chapter is almost all doctrine. In our first sentence we read that Jesus said: Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Our prior chapter told us to have true evidence that we are God's children. We also saw that the Pharisees claimed to be God's children but lacked the true evidence to back their claims. That proved that the Pharisees were hypocrites. Now, our current chapter warns us to not follow the way of the Pharisees and tells us God's way to act, and God's attitudes to have, so that we will show the character of God, which all of God's true children should do.

what follows is an outline of this chapter. Since it is mainly doctrinal teaching, it was felt that the outline format was best.

Luke 12 starts with a large crowd gathering after Jesus had a big argument with the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus then warns His disciples against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They said one thing before men and another thing when alone. They were afraid of what men might do to them if they told a truth that men did not like. They did not trust God to protect them if they always told the truth. Jesus tld us to always tell the truth and trust God to do what is best for us. We are to trust that God will reveal everything that is hidden. Therefore, trusting that we will get away with telling a lie is foolishness.
Luke 12:1-12 : Says to trust God for protection and provision. Prove your trust by always telling the truth.
In Luke 12:4-10 Jesus teaches fearing God more than fearing man. He reminds us that what happens to us in eternity is more important than what happens in this life. If we can't trust the Lord for this life, how can we trust Him for eternity?
in this section Jesus uses fear because that is the main motivation for people acting wrong. However, we fear man because we do not trust the protection and provision of God. Jesus warns that God can bring greater punishment than any man. He then uses sparrows (Luke 12:6) as an example of God's care. We are to trust God to provide for us and be afraid of losing God's provision if we fear men more than we fear God.
In Luke 12:11-12 Jesus teaches us to trust God to give us the answers we need when others are questioning us about our faith. We are to prepare by learning the Word of God but trust God to tell us what parts we are to use when answering religious challenges.
Luke 12:13-21 : Trust God to provide for your needs in this life
Luke 12:13-14 tells about someone wanting Jesus to settle a dispute over an inheritance. This is a lack of trust in God's provision. If we truly trust God for our physical needs then there is no reason to destroy a family relationship over an inheritance. This is what caused the enmity between Jacob and Esau and is the basis of much of the fighting between the Jews and Arabs today. Arabs see the Jews being blessed by God and claim that the Jews stole everything from Arabs and refuse to acknowledge that it is God Who provides for the Jews.
In Luke 12:15-21 Jesus taught against covetousness. That is a lack of trust in God's provision. If we trust God to provide what we need when we need it then there is no need for us to hoard things against a potential future need. Jesus taught that being concerned with providing for our physical needs keeps us from spending time working for God's kingdom. That is also the message about God's rest found in Hebrews 3 and Hebrews 4. The Biblical meaning of rest is: 'serve God and let God worry about your physical needs'. Thus, those chapters are teaching the same thing as we find here only in more detail.
Note: Jesus did not teach against having money because many Godly men, like Daniel, Abraham and David, had money. Jesus taught against seeking money instead of seeking to serve God and let God decide how much money they could be responsible for. 1Timothy 6:9 has one message for they that will be rich and 1Timothy 6:17 has a different message for them that are rich in this world. The first is covetous and the second has responsibility to God.
In Luke 12:21 we read: so is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. Covetousness shows that we are trusting in the things of this world. When we trust in God we don't need to keep the things of this world. Jesus had all of His needs met but never owned anything. When we work for God's kingdom instead of working for things of this world, we invest in eternity. We have a limited amount of time here. We decide what to spend our time on.
Luke 12:22-31 : this section teaches us that worrying about things of the physical life is useless and sin. Luke 12:31 summarizes the correct attitude when it says: But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:22-23 tells us how should direct our thoughts. the life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. We have more purpose in our life than ravens yet God uses them to teach us that we should not waste our life worrying about things that even ravens don't worry about. We should trust God to provide for us and spend our life on the service to God.
Luke 12:22-23 tells us to stop wasting our time on things which we can't change and spend our time on things which we can change for God's glory.
Luke 12:29 says: And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. Jesus equates our seeking the things of this world to doubting God's provision.
Luke 12:30 says: For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. Jesus tells us when we are doing this we are following the wisdom of this world, which is the opposite of the wisdom of God.
Luke 12:31 says: But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Luke 12:32-40 : this section tells us what we are to do if we truly trust God to provide for our needs.
This section is based upon Luke 12:31 (But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.). God always has a test for us to pass before we receive a blessing. Luke 12:31 has an and in it because the blessing are added to our passing God's test. That is: they comes after we prove that we are first seeking the kingdom of God.
Luke 12:32 assures us that God wants to bless us. We just need to trust God and pass His test.
Luke 12:33 tells us God's test when it says: sell that ye have, and give alms. That does not mean that we must give everything away. Many rich men, such as Job, Abraham, Joseph and David, served God while being rich. However, if God tells you about a need that He wants you to provide money for, you can't do that if your money is tied up in land and other things. It's not wrong to own land and things so long as you have a reserve of cash that is available for God to use however God wants.
Luke 12:33 also tells us to have a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. Anything that you have here can be stolen by someone with governments being some of the worst thieves. However, no one can steal what you put into heaven. When you support a ministry that is actually building the kingdom of God you are putting treasure in heaven. Supporting missionaries with money, prayer and care enough to keep up with their reports does that.
Luke 12:34 is our test. Do you spend more on things of this world or on support for the Lord's work?
Luke 12:35-36 tells us to always be looking to serve our Lord any way that He wants. If we are entangled with the things of this world, or so distracted by them that we aren't looking for instructions from our Lord, then we have failed our test of being ready to serve. Luke 12:37 tells us: Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching. Jesus continues with more and ends this section with: Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. the implied warning is that we will lose blessings, and probably be punished, if we fail in this command to watch.
Luke 12:41-48 starts with Peter asking: Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? the answer from Jesus makes it clear that this chapter applies to all of God's true children. This section starts with: 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? this section ends with: 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. In between we are told that the obedient, and productive, servant will be rewarded while the disobedient, and unproductive servant, will be punished. This goes against a lot of popular doctrine which claims that all saved will get a mansion and be in eternal bliss as soon as they die or are 'Rapture'd. In addition, we are told that the person who has greater revelation will be expected to produce greater results. Lots of people want to be in charge but they, usually, don't think about the greater spiritual productivity that God will require.
Luke 12:49-53 tells us that Jesus is going to bring divisions between people who thought they would never disagree. Many people have a hard time with this section. However, it is simple. Jesus demands that we put Him before all others. People who do so will be separated from those people who refuse to do so.
Luke 12:54-59 starts with a parable which Jesus explains with: 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? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? in this section Jesus warns us against fighting with our brother because, if we are in the wrong, God will make sure that we are completely punished. As Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 6:7 : Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? When combined with this section, we are better off to not fight with our brother, and take the loss, and Let God make up the difference, than we are to fight and find out that we were actually the person in the wrong.

If the reader has read through this outline then that should see that Jesus is giving us some very detailed commands about the attitudes and actions which we are to have in order to prove that we are God's children and in order to have the evidence that the prior chapter told us to have. The end of our chapter has Jesus accusing God's people of being very aware of physical weather and what is coming while they are totally ignorant of the spiritual times and what is coming. The message is simple. God's people need to spiritually mature so that that can, and do, pay attention to what is coming in the spiritual time table. This is so that they can be ready and prepared and receive eternal rewards for being prepared and watching. However, our chapter also warns of significant punishment for saved people who are not prepared and do not watch.

Luke 12:1 reports circumstances which are unique to this Gospel. Luke 12:2-9 reports pretty much the same thing as Matthew 10:26-33 and pretty much the same thing as Mark 8:15-21, but the time and circumstances of all three reports are different. Therefore, what we have here is doctrine which was taught more than once, which shows the importance of these doctrines. Different places in the Gospel by Mark report some of the doctrines which are reported in these sections of Luke and Matthew, but Mark does not report them as a single unit. Please see the Detailed Notes for further references to where the Bible gives matching doctrines in other places of the Bible.

Luke 12:13-14 tell us about someone wanting Jesus to settle a dispute over an inheritance. The answer from Jesus shows that this request upset Jesus. But, then He used it as the basis to teach the crowd a doctrinal lesson.

Luke 12:15 through the rest of the chapter is a single doctrinal lesson, from Jesus, about covetousness. The rest of the notes, within this section, are all parts of this doctrinal lesson.

In Luke 12:16-21, we read the 'Parable of the Rich Fool'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.

In Luke 12:22-34, we read the application of the prior parable as given by Jesus.

In Luke 12:36-38, we read the 'Parable of the Lord Returning from a Wedding Feast'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.

In Luke 12:39 and Matthew 24:43-44, we read the 'Parable to Watch for the thief'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.

In Luke 12:40, we read the application of the prior parable as given by Jesus. Then in Luke 12:41 we read Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? this leads into the next parable

In Luke 12:42-48 and Matthew 24:45-51, we read the 'Parable of the Wise Steward'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.

In Luke 12:49-53, we read the application of the prior parable as given by Jesus.

In Luke 12:54-57 and Matthew 16:2-3, we read the 'Parable of Clouds and Wind'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.

In Luke 12:58-59, we read the application of the prior parable as given by Jesus.

C12-S1 : the start of the next chapter and incident. Luke 12:1-12 says to trust God for protection and provision. We are to prove our trust by always telling the truth.
1. The phrase In the mean time means: 'At the same time as events of the last chapter, especially when Jesus was saying Woe!, and pronouncing judgment upon, several groups of Jewish religious leaders.'.
2. The phrase when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another means: 'This were the conditions when Jesus ' gave the message of this chapter.
3. The phrase he began to say unto his disciples first of all means: 'Jesus ignored the crowd to give a special warning to His disciples'.
4. The phrase Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees means: 'Pay close attention and avoid following their doctrinal error'.
5. The phrase which is hypocrisy means: 'This is the meaning of the symbolic language of the prior phrase'.
C12-S2 : Why Jesus warned them against hypocrisy. Luke 12:2-9 is a single unit which needs to be considered together. It reports pretty much the same thing as Matthew 10:26-33 and pretty much the same thing as Mark 8:15-21, but the time and circumstances of all three reports are different. Therefore, what we have here is doctrine which was taught more than once, which shows the importance of these doctrines.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For and explains why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known means: 'This is a prophecy of what will happen at the judgment seat of Christ' Please see the Prophecies Section, of the Significant Gospel Events Study, for more links related to prophecies given in the Gospel Accounts.
C12-S3 : How we should act because of the truth in the prior sentence.
1. The phrase Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light means: 'All of Heaven will hear the secrets that we tried to hide'.
2. The phrase and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops means: 'A second way of saying the prior phrase'. By doubling this message, we can be sure that it is part of our future judgment.
C12-S4 says: 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. This means: 'Don't fear what people can do to you physically because the physical lasts only a short time'.
C12-S5 : the warning to truly fear God.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. This prior sentence said to not fear man while this sentence tells us the fear God.
2. The phrase But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear means: 'This is whom we truly need to fear'.
3. The phrase Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell means: 'This is why'.
4. The phrase yea, I say unto you, Fear him means: 'This is a repeat of the command'. This is a second way of saying the prior phrase. By doubling this message, we can be sure that it is part of our future judgment.
C12-S6 says: Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? means: 'God knows everything that happens, even the things which we think are trivial'.
C12-S7 says: But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered means: 'The value that God puts on every part of us'.
C12-S8 says: Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. means: 'Be assured by the value that God puts on us'.
C12-S9 : the requirement to have Jesus confess us.
1. The phrase Also I say unto you means: 'In addition to our value to God the Father'.
2. The phrase Whosoever shall confess me before men means: 'This is first done when we get baptized. However, it continues as we become His witnesses in this world'.
3. The phrase him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God means: 'When Satan accuses us of sin and demands that God the Father let him punish us, Jesus will claim us as His own and promise to deal with us. Thereby, He protects us. In addition, as we become His witnesses in this world, He can boast about how we let Him change our character and life'.
4. The phrase But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God means: 'Saved people who do not get baptized do not get physical protection in this world. 1Peter 3:20-21 is speaking about a physical salvation and it is to be understood in relationship to this sentence'.
C12-S10 : the difference in how we treat persons in the Trinity.
1. Our sentence adds a warning against blaspheme against the Holy Ghost.
2. The phrase And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him means: 'This phrase woes the title of the Son of man for Jesus because it tells us that Jesus was like other men. And, men curse each other and say bad things against each other. However, God's Holy Ghost is not a man and can not be treated like another man'.
3. The phrase but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven means: 'The word of God uses Holy Ghost for when the third person of the Trinity is affecting things in this physical world'. The word of God uses Holy Spirit for when the third person of the Trinity is dealing with spiritual matters. When God's Holy Ghost is affecting things in this world, He is often doing a miracle or is working through a saved person or doing something else that a literal physical man can not do. Therefore, blaspheme against the Holy Ghost is denying His power and authority, which is a work of a devil. Anyone who does this is letting a devil use them to fight against the work of God in this world and that is a lot worse than mistakenly believing that Jesus was 'just a literal physical man'.
4. In addition to that truth, the word blasphemeth means: 'a lifestyle of blaspheme'. This is not just a one-time mistake but it is an ongoing working in the service of a devil.
C12-S11 : How to deal with human powers.
1. Our sentence adds how to deal with persecution.
2. The phrase And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers means: 'Basically, when you are dragged before any type of authority'.
3. The phrase take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say means: 'Do not plan your answer'.
4. The phrase For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say means: 'Trust God the lead you and say whatever God gives you to say'.
C12-S12 : the start of the next incident.
1. Our sentence adds another incident.
2. The phrase one of the company said unto him means: 'This man did not truly understand the spiritual meaning of what Jesus was teaching. He's worried about getting things of this world while Jesus is giving spiritual lessons about trusting God for everything, including when your life is threatened'. There are many people in the church today which have the same attitude and problem. They want to have everything in this world and also receive blessings in eternity which are only given to saved people who give up everything in this world in order to increase their Heavenly rewards.
3. The phrase speak to my brother means: 'He wanted Jesus to convince the brother to do what he had refused to do earlier'.
4. The phrase that he divide the inheritance with me means: 'The fight was over things of this world'. Many families have destroyed their family relationships over this exact issue.
C12-S13 : Jesus does not want to be part of a fight over physical things.
1. Our sentence adds the fact that Jesus rebuked him for his request.
2. The phrase he said unto him means: 'Jesus gave this answer to the man'.
3. The phrase Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? means: 'This was the rebuke from Jesus'.
4. 1Corinthians 6:6-7 says: But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?. That chapter goes on to teach us about how the lusts of this world prevent us from receiving the everlasting rewards that God wants to give us. Jesus wanted nothing to do with a fight between covetous brothers over things of this world which would keep both from serving God.
C12-S14 : Why Jesus said the prior sentence.
1. Our sentence adds a warning to the entire audience based upon the prior request.
2. The phrase And he said unto them means: 'Jesus said this to everyone who was there'.
3. The phrase Take heed means: 'Pay close attention to this warning'.
4. The phrase and beware of covetousness means: 'This is the very dangerous sin that Jesus is warning against'.
5. The phrase for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth means: 'Our life is not to be measured by our physical possessions'.
C12-S15 : the start of the parable about 'The Rich Fool'. Please also see the Message called How to Know Parables about the doctrine from Jesus on this subject. Please also see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for references to all of the parables in the New Testament.
1. Our sentence adds the 'Parable of the Rich Fool'. As with all parables, the doctrine that the parable is in context with determines the proper interpretation. And, the prior sentences told us about a saved person fighting for things of this world instead of serving God and expecting God to provide everything that he needed.
2. The phrase And he spake a parable unto them, saying means: 'Jesus spake this so that the spiritual would understand while the lost and carnal are led into doctrinal error'. I've heard this parable preached more than once but I believe that no one ever said that it was preached by Jesus because a supposedly saved person was covetous. But, that exact motivation is given in the prior sentence and the second prior sentence gives us the original incident which prompted the telling of this parable.
3. The phrase The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully means: 'This is symbolic for the saved person who has all he needs and more because of the provision of God'. Saved people claim that they don't have enough because they do not handle what God gives them the right way. They are wasteful and use what God provides to get wrong things.
4. The phrase And he thought within himself, saying means: 'Following this phrase was his internal reasoning'.
5. The phrase What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? means: 'He realized the abundance that God had provided'. However, as our next sentences tell us, he did not seek guidance from God, he did not use the abundance the way that God wanted, and God killed him for being an unrepentant fool who would never serve God.
C12-S16 : He decided what to do with his physical riches.
1. Our sentence adds the reasoning of this fool, which was started in the prior sentence.
2. The phrase And he said means: 'This was his conclusion from his reasoning'.
3. The phrase This will I do means: 'This was his action plan'.
4. The phrase I will pull down my barns, and build greater means: 'He decided to store what he did not need instead of distributing it like God wanted him to do'. God wants all saved to learn to have a character like God. God gave for our salvation while we fought against God. So did the Son of God. God wants us to learn to be givers and not selfish. That is why God gives us an abundance.
5. The phrase and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods means: 'This was a selfish and wasteful plan. Think about the spoil rate of food stored a long time, especially with the type of storage that would have been available in the time of the Gospels'.
C12-S17 : He planned to act the fool.
1. Our sentence adds the end results that he planned to have.
2. The phrase I will say to my soul means: 'This plan is only concerned with self'..
3. The phrase Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years means: 'This is what he has prepared'.
4. The phrase take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry means: 'This is what he planned to do'.
C12-S18 : God had different plans.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. The prior sentences told us what this fool planned without consulting God. This sentence tells us what God planned without consulting the fool.
2. The phrase But God said unto him means: 'This is Who made the judgment'.
3. The phrase Thou fool means: 'This God's judgment of his character'.
4. The phrase This night thy soul shall be required of thee means: 'This is what God is going to do'.
5. The phrase then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? means: 'The parable indicates that he did not consider this question. In addition, such a person usually leaves his goods to children, or others, who are fools like him. And, if the heirs spend the money on sin, the original fool is responsible for their sin, and for the consequences of that sin, because God gave the goods to the original fool and we are each personally responsible for what is done with what God gives to us'.
C12-S19 gives us the application of the parable when it says: means: 'So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God'.
C12-S20 : the right conclusion from the parable.
1. Our sentence adds Jesus for how to avoid being judged a fool by God.
2. The phrase he said unto his disciples means: 'Jesus said this to His followers who were truly learning to be like Him'.
3. The phrase Therefore I say unto you means: 'This is the proper spiritual response to the prior parable'.
4. The phrase Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat means: 'Don't worry about the basic needs of life'.
5. The phrase neither for the body, what ye shall put on means: 'Don't worry about the basic needs of the body'.
C12-S21 : Why the prior sentence is right.
1. The phrase The life is more than meat means: 'Our life has a greater purpose than just surviving'.
2. The phrase and the body is more than raiment means: 'Our body is for us to use in the service of God'.
C12-S22 : Jesus provides an illustration.
1. The phrase Consider the ravens means: 'These are considered to be filthy birds both physically and spiritually'. They clean up rotten things such as rotting bodies left in the road after an animal is killed. Matthew 5:45 says: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Our judgment of these birds does not stop God from providing for them.
2. The phrase for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn means: 'They don't worry about saving and providing for their own future'. They expect God to provide for their needs.
3. The phrase and God feedeth them means: 'God does provide for their needs'.
4. The phrase how much more are ye better than the fowls? means: 'God will provide for His human servants better than he provides for ravens'.
C12-S23 says: And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? Our sentence adds the truth that our thoughts can not change the physical reality.
C12-S24 says: If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?. We are to consider our own inability.
C12-S25 : Next consideration.
1. The phrase Consider the lilies how they grow means: 'Here is one of the simplest type of life, which is a plane'.
2. The phrase they toil not, they spin not means: 'Plants don't do anything to make themselves more that what God made them to be'.
3. The phrase and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these means: 'Quite often, clothing copies themes from nature'.
C12-S26 : Consider how God can provide for you.
1. The phrase If then God so clothe the grass means: 'This is a conditional statement to consider'.
2. The phrase which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven means: 'consider the purpose of grass when compared to God's purpose for you'.
3. The phrase how much more will he clothe you means: 'God values His people much more than the grass'.
4. The phrase O ye of little faith? means: 'The problem is our personal level of true Biblical faith'.
C12-S27 : Next commandment.
1. Our sentence adds how we are to prove our true Biblical faith in God.
2. The phrase And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink means: 'Don't worry about basic needs of the body'.
3. The phrase neither be ye of doubtful mind means: 'Have no doubt that God will provide'.
C12-S28 : Why we are to not seek physical needs.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For and explains why the prior sentence is true. Simply put, the truly saved are to have a testimony of being different from the people of the world.
2. The phrase For all these things do the nations of the world seek after means: 'The people of the world worry about getting these things'.
3. The phrase and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things means: 'God knows what we need and we prove our faith in His provision by refusing to seek these things'.
C12-S29 : What to seek instead. We see this same message in Matthew 6:31.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. The word rather means: 'choose this way instead'. Our sentence is giving us something to seek instead of seeking the basic needs of the body.
2. The phrase But rather seek ye the kingdom of God means: 'Seek to have God's character in you'. Saved people who truly seek to have God's character in display the love of God to the lost world. They are who God regards as His true servants and they are who receive God's promise of provision.
3. The phrase and all these things shall be added unto you means: 'This promise is added to the requirement in the prior phrase. We must fulfill the requirement before we receive the promise'.
C12-S30 : the command to not fear.
1. The phrase Fear not, little flock means: 'This is what we are to not do'. . . .
2. The phrase for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom means: 'This is why. God wants to put His character in us (the kingdom of God) and God wants us to enjoy the 1,000-years reign of Christ by returning with Him. However, saved people who do not receive God's character will not be returning for the 1,000-years reign of Christ. And, God the Father receives pleasure when He can give both to saved people'.
C12-S31 : Convert physical provisions into spiritual provisions.
1. The phrase Sell that ye have means: 'This phrase, and the next phrase, are the First Step in gaining treasure which can not be lost nor taken away'.
2. The phrase and give alms means: 'This is the second part of the First Step. The only reason to sell is so that you can give alms and then proceed to the Second Step of this sentence'.
3. The phrase provide yourselves bags which wax not old means: 'This is the second step of this sentence. You can not do this step until after you do the First Step, which is the prior two phrases. The only place that anyone can have bags which wax not old is in Heaven. This is another way to say that we are to put Treasure in Heaven.'.
4. The phrase a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth means: 'Only in Heaven is this possible because God protects everything in Heaven'.
C12-S32 : Why we should obey the prior command. We see this same message in Matthew 6:19-21.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For and explains why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase For where your treasure is means: 'This is a well preached verse. However, it is usually applied to needs of the local church and less often to missions support'.
3. The phrase there will your heart be also means: 'What we truly care about is revealed by where we put our money'. Very few want to hear the prior sentence (Sell that ye have, and give alms), much less obey it. In addition, most people who claim to be saved get really upset if a preacher suggests that they should give 20%, or more, of their income to the Lord's work. Howsoever, that is the exact way to find where someone's heart is according to these sentences. We are told to use Jesus Christ as our gage for giving. However, most people dismiss that instruction since He is God. OK. I've sold everything except my clothes and the computer used for the ministry. I've given all of that and all of my retirement savings to missions. I live on Social Security and give 70% of that to missions. So, you have a real live human to compare yourself to if you don't want to compare yourself to Jesus Christ. And, the fact is that God will refuse to listen to excuses when you are judged. Therefore, your own actions in giving prove where your own personal heart is and that will determine how much treasure in Heaven that you store up for yourself.
C12-S33 : Be looking to serve immediately.
1. Our sentence adds the next way that we are to serve God.
2. The phrase Let your loins be girded about. means: 'Get prepared to go to work'.
3. The phrase and your lights burning means: 'Don't go to sleep'.
4. The phrase And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord means: 'Be prepared for the return of Jesus to happen at any time'.
5. The phrase when he will return from the wedding means: 'Jesus is doing His work in Heaven. However, that will end and He will return for all saved at the time dictated by God the Father'.
6. The phrase that when he cometh and knocketh means: 'Don't be caught doing sin when death or the 'Rapture' takes you to meet Jesus Christ'.
7. The phrase they may open unto him immediately means: 'Be prepared to respond immediately when your Lord has a job for you to do'.
C12-S34 : the reward for obeying the prior sentence.
1. Our sentence adds a promise of reward for maintaining the right attitude and actions.
2. The phrase Blessed are those servants means: 'This is the promise of everlasting rewards'.
3. The phrase whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching means: 'This is who will receive the promised everlasting rewards'.
4. The phrase verily I say unto you means: 'This promise has been verified by Jesus'.
5. The phrase that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them means: 'These people will be at the marriage supper of the lamb'.
C12-S35 says: And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. This promised reward is given to the diligent who are ready at ant time of the day and in any phase of life.
C12-S36 : the illustration of loss due to lack of diligence. This is the start of the 'Parable to Watch for the thief' and it is also found in Matthew 24:43-44.
1. Our sentence adds a warning to people who are tempted to not remain diligent.
2. The phrase And this know means: 'Don't have any doubt about this truth'.
3. The phrase that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come means: 'If we could know the unknowable then we would do the next phrase'. However, since it is unknowable, we must maintain a diligent watch.
4. The phrase he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through means: 'Here is how someone acts if they know the unknowable'.
C12-S37 : the conclusion of the prior command.
1. Our sentence adds the conclusion from the prior sentences.
2. The phrase Be ye therefore ready also means: 'Be ready for the unexpected'.
3. The phrase for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not means: 'These people who claim that they know when Jesus will return are liars who call Him a liar'.
C12-S38 : Who the parable applies to.
1. Our sentence adds a question from Peter.
2. The phrase Then Peter said unto him means: 'Peter asked this question after hearing the prior sentences'.
3. The phrase Lord means: 'Peter used this title because out obedience to the prior sentences can affect out judgment by God'.
4. The phrase speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? means: 'Jesus answers this question with most of the rest of the chapter'. What was said in the prior sentences applies to all saved, but the rest of the chapter gives us a better understanding of how it applies to us.
C12-S39 : Who will get the reward. This is the start of the 'Parable of the Wise Steward' and it is also found in Matthew 24:45-51.
1. Our sentence adds the answer from our Lord.
2. The phrase And the Lord said means: 'The Son of God gave this answer using His role that He will use to judge us'.
3. The phrase Who then is that faithful and wise steward means: 'The following sentences tell us how to be judged to be a faithful and wise steward'. A steward means: 'takes care of what belongs to another and do so as he is commanded with the goal of giving the best possible care'. What we have been given care of belongs to God and He will judge us for how well we take care of what belongs to Him.
4. The phrase whom his lord shall make ruler over his household means: 'These people earn a crown and will help Christ to rule for 1,000-years'.
5. The phrase to give them their portion of meat in due season? means: 'These people will receive rewards from God in proportion to how well they take care of what belongs to God'.
C12-S40 : Assurance of who gets the reward.
1. Our sentence adds a promise of reward if we are a faithful steward.
2. The phrase Blessed is that servant means: 'This is a promise of everlasting rewards (blessed)'.
3. The phrase whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing means: 'This is what is required in order to receive the promise. we must be a faithful and wise steward who is properly taking care of what belongs to God'.
C12-S41 says: Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. This is our assurance of what the reward will be.
C12-S42 : Warning to all.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. Where the prior sentences told us about a good steward, this sentence tells us about a bad steward.
2. The phrase But and if that servant say in his heart means: 'This is his attitude which directs his actions'.
3. The phrase My lord delayeth his coming means: 'Notice that this phrase uses a lowercase lord. This fool is saved but thinks of Jesus as another man who happens to be in charge and does not regard Him as God in human flesh. In addition, this fool thinks that he has lots of time to hide how he has been acting'.
4. The phrase and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens means: 'This fool is mistreating the employees instead of showing them God's love'.
5. The phrase and to eat and drink, and to be drunken means: 'This fool is fulfilling the lusts of the flesh instead of working in God's kingdom'.
6. The phrase The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him means: 'He will be shocked to find that he has died suddenly and is caught in his sin'.
7. The phrase and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder means: 'He will not be allowed to rule anything once he goes to Heaven'.
8. The phrase and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers means: 'These are not the lost because he is saved and in Heaven. However, like other unbelievers he is sent to outer darkness (Matthew 8:12), where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth averaging more than twice a week for more than 1,000-years'.
C12-S43 : the promise of tears here and in heaven.
1. Our sentence adds a promise of punishment for the disobedient. I can not say If this will be in Heaven or on Earth or both.
2. The phrase And that servant, which knew his lord's will means: 'All saved are God's servants. That is one of the results of accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Lord in order to be saved'.
3. The phrase and prepared not himself means: 'This saved person refused to obey the personal commandments sent from Jesus Christ through God's Holy Spirit. We prepare ourselves by becoming holy and righteous, like God the Father, as we spiritually mature through our obedience to our commandments'. God can not use us in His service until we are changed this way.
4. The phrase neither did according to his will means: 'Many saved people disobey for many different reasons. However, while obedience often results in suffering in the flesh, it also causes us to become like Jesus Christ and causes us to have treasure in Heaven. Saved people who know God's will, but still disobey, prove that they value the things of this world, which are temporary, more than they value the everlasting spiritual rewards'.
5. The phrase shall be beaten with many stripes means: 'This is the result of being saved and acting like this sentence describes'.
C12-S44 : Punishment will be proportional to knowledge given by God.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. The prior sentence dealt with saved people who knew what to do while this sentence deals with saved people who do not knew what to do.
2. The phrase But he that knew not means: 'This is the critical phrase which makes this sentence, and the result described in it, different from the prior sentence'.
3. The phrase and did commit things worthy of stripes means: 'They disobeyed and sinned because of ignorance. These people do not have the attitude of deliberate disobedience'.
4. The phrase shall be beaten with few stripes means: 'They are still punished but receive a lesser punishment'. 'Ignorance is no excuse under the law'.
C12-S45 : Why God uses the prior measure.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For and explains why the prior sentence is true. This sentence gives us a precept which is always true regardless of circumstances.
2. The phrase For unto whomsoever much is given means: 'Some saved people are given more spiritual gifts than other saved people. In particular, we are given more as we mature spiritually. Even as men, we expect more from adults than we expect from children. And, God is the same way'.
3. The phrase of him shall be much required means: 'Lots of people want to be pastor and be in charge. However, they don't want to be held responsible for the spiritual maturing of other people that God puts into their ministry'.
4. The phrase and to whom men have committed much means: 'This tells us that men act the same way as God does in this matter and that God uses physical things to teach us spiritual things'.
5. The phrase of him they will ask the more means: 'What is expected is proportional to what is given to someone to use and produce results'.
C12-S46 : Jesus looks for servants preparing His return.
1. Our sentence must be understood spiritually.
2. The phrase I am come to send fire on the earth means: 'Jesus came to change God's people and to make them hot for the things of God'.
3. The phrase and what will I if it be already kindled? means: 'A fire that is kindled is still small. If you have a little fire for the things of God then Jesus Christ wants to make you so hot for the things of God that you try to burn out in His service'.
C12-S47 : Jesus wants to return soon.
1. The word But 'continues the subject of the prior sentence while changing directions'. Where the prior sentence told us about our being hot for the things of God, this sentence tells us the same type of thing applied to Jesus Christ.
2. The phrase But I have a baptism to be baptized with. The word baptism means: 'identified with'. Jesus Christ was 'identified with fire because He literally went to Hell in order to pay for your sins and mine'.
3. The phrase and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! the word straiten means: 'kept in a narrow path or place'. 'Jesus Christ was not allowed to do what He wanted but had to strictly do the will of God the Father until He had died and rose to pay for our sins and to let us walk with a new life from God'.
C12-S48 says Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth?. The next two sentences answer this question.
C12-S49 : the purpose of the return of Jesus.
1. Our sentence answers the question of the prior sentence.
2. The phrase I tell you, Nay means: 'Jesus Christ did not come to give peace on earth'. We will only have peace on earth when Jesus Christ rules and reigns the Earth for 1,000-years.
3. The phrase but rather division means: 'This is the Mathematical function whereby we separate according to precise rules in order to receive precise results'.
4. The phrase For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three means: 'These phrases are an example. Yes, this exact thing will surely happen somewhere. But, this division will also happen with different numbers and in different places that the house. The division will be between the saved and that lost and between the carnal saved and the saved who also truly serve'.
C12-S50 says:
The phrase 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. Our sentence means that 'All of these types of divisions will be the result of what was explained for the prior sentence'. Our sentence adds to the answer of the prior sentence.
C12-S51 : An analogy to teach a point. This is the start of the 'Parable of Clouds and Wind' and it is also found in Matthew 16:2-3..
1. Our sentence adds a parable to help the saved and serving to understand what is happening in their time. The lost and carnal try to understand what happens in this world while denying the influence of spiritual beings and spiritual influences. The saved and serving are warned to pay attention to the influence of spiritual beings and spiritual influences.
2. The phrase And he said also to the people means: 'Jesus said this parable to everyone who was there and had Luke write it to all future generations of people'.
3. The phrase When ye see a cloud rise out of the west means: 'The cloud would be coming from the Mediterranean Sea, which provides lots of moisture'. Likewise, we have weathermen of today who make predictions based upon similar known causes in this Earth.
4. The phrase straightway ye say, there cometh a shower means: 'This is the prediction which is based upon known repeated actions of the weather'.
5. The phrase and so it is means: 'This prediction is correct because of repeated actions in the weather'.
C12-S52 says: And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, there will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Our sentence adds another illistration.
C12-S53 : the accusation.
1. The phrase Ye hypocrites means: 'Each and every one of them (ye) personally are hypocrites'. This judgment came from Jesus.
2. The phrase ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth means: 'The prior illustrations show what they can do and do on a regular basis'.
3. The phrase but how is it that ye do not discern this time? means: 'They do not apply the same reasoning method to spiritual matters in order to understand what was truly happening in their day'. And, most people still do the same thing today.
C12-S54 says: Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?. They had the word of God to tell them how to judge right and wrong. However, they refused to use what God provided to them.
C12-S55 : Warning about fighting spiritual brothers.
1. The phrase When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate means: 'This person is taking a fight to the law court even though they should settle it in their family or church'.
2. The phrase as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him means: 'Try to settle out of court'.
3. The phrase lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison means: 'Consider what might happen to you, especially if God decides to use the court and judge in order to bring a judgment for other sins'.
C12-S56 : the end result of losing such a fight. Our sentence says: I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite. God's 'Law of Sowing and Reaping' is absolute. Criminals claim that they are innocent. Some are liars and some might actually be innocent of the particular crime that they were charged with. However, they did a different crime that they were not charged with. And, God had them punished for the sinful life they lived, regardless of their guilt or innocence in a particular incident.

Home