Luke 9:51-56 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

Inhospitable Samaritans. The journey was begun by the direct road through Samaria (for Lk.'s interest in Samaritans cf. Luke 10:33, Luke 17:16; contrast Matthew 10:5), though Jesus appears (Mk., Mt.) later to have gone across Jordan into Peræ a (cf. Luke 9:56 *).

Luke 9:51. received up: a reference to the Ascension.

Luke 9:52. before his face: cf. Luke 1:76, Luke 10:1. A Hebraism.

Luke 9:53. going to Jerusalem: especially for the Passover, which intensified the antagonism of the Samaritans towards the rival sanctuary.

Luke 9:54. cf. 2 Kings 1:10, though the mg., here is only a copyist's (sound) comment. The references to Elijah in the Gospels form an interesting study.

Luke 9:55. The mg., though probably not belonging to the original text, is in true accord with the character and aim of Jesus.

Luke 9:56. another village: perhaps across Jordan, more likely still m Samaria.-We have then a parallel with the Galilean ministry, an initial rejection (Luke 4:28 f.) followed by better treatment.

Luke 9:51-56

51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.