The Mission of the Twelve (9:1-11).
Having focused on revealing Himself for what He is Jesus now sends out the twelve to proclaim the Kingly Rule of God and with authority, granted by Him, to cast out evil spirits and heal. He is very much acting as God' official representative with an authority given by God.
The purpose of Jesus in selecting out twelve Apostles had been for this very purpose (it is why He called them Apostles - those sent forth) as He had initially indicated when He chose Peter. He had chosen them in order that they might become fishers of men. Now the time had come for their initial venture. It was not to be a long one, but would give them a taste of what was to come. And it would ensure the wider spreading of the fact that the Kingly Rule of God was now here.
But it would also bring into view the opposition. The passage may be analysed as follows:
a And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases, and He sent them forth to preach the Kingly Rule of God, and to heal the sick (Luke 9:1-2).
b And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money, nor have two coats, and into whatever house you enter, there abide, and from there depart (Luke 9:3-4).
c And as many as do not receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them (Luke 9:5).
d And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the good news, and healing everywhere (Luke 9:6).
c Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done, and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead, and by some, that Elijah had appeared, and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him (Luke 9:7-9).
b And the apostles, when they were returned, declared to him what things they had done. And He took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida (Luke 9:10).
a But the crowds perceiving it followed Him, and He welcomed them, and spoke to them of the Kingly Rule of God, and those who had need of healing He cured (Luke 9:11).
Note that in ‘a' the twelve are sent to proclaim the Kingly Rule of God and heal, and in the parallel Jesus proclaims the Kingly Rule of God and heals. In ‘b' He describes the conditions they are to follow on their journey, and in the parallel they describe what they have done on their journey. In ‘c' He tells them what to do about those who do not receive them, and in the parallel we have a prime example of one who did not receive God's messengers. Central to all is the proclamation of the Good News everywhere.