Luke 9:1-9
Jesus sends His witnesses with kingdom authority, and His fame forces the question of His identity.
1 He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
2 He sent them out to preach God’s Kingdom and to heal the sick.
3 He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey—no staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money. Don’t have two coats each.
4 Into whatever house you enter, stay there, and depart from there.
5 As many as don’t receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.”
6 They departed and went throughout the villages, preaching the Good News and healing everywhere.
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,
8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again.
9 Herod said, “I beheaded John, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” He sought to see him.
Jesus sends his witnesses with kingdom authority, and his fame forces the question of his identity.
Luke records Jesus giving the Twelve power and authority, sending them to proclaim the kingdom of God and heal the sick, and then shows Herod’s troubled curiosity over Jesus’ identity, so readers see that Jesus’ own mission is now extended through his appointed witnesses and begins to unsettle rulers.
After Luke 8 displays Jesus’ authority over nature, demons, disease, and death, Jesus calls the Twelve together and gives them power and authority over demons and diseases. He sends them to proclaim the kingdom of God and heal the sick, instructing them to travel with radical dependence and to bear witness against rejecting towns. Their ministry spreads the message widely. Herod the tetrarch hears about these events and is perplexed because people are saying John has been raised, Elijah has appeared, or an ancient prophet has risen. Herod knows he beheaded John, and he wants to see Jesus.
The Christ Revealed, the Cross Announced, and the Jerusalem Road Begun
Jesus is the Christ of God, the glorious Son who must suffer, and the resolute Lord who calls His followers into kingdom mission, daily cross-bearing, humble service, and undivided allegiance on the road to Jerusalem.