1. Fri: Ezekiel 43-44
  2. Sat: Psalms 69-72
  3. Sun: Leviticus 5-7
Monday · Week 24
The Gospels & Acts

Luke 8-9

Week 24 · about 15 min
  1. Tue: Isaiah 65-66
  2. Wed: 1 Kings 4-7
  3. Thu: 1 Thessalonians

Jesus teaches, heals, sends out the twelve, is transfigured, and turns toward Jerusalem.

No Looking Back

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Luke 9:62 (KJV)

Luke tells us about women who traveled with Jesus and paid for his ministry out of their own money: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, whose husband worked for Herod, Susanna, and others. Many of the stories here match Mark. Then chapter 9 turns a corner. Jesus “stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.” A Samaritan village won’t welcome him, and James and John offer to call down fire. Jesus rebukes them. Three people say they want to follow him. One gets told “Foxes have holes.” Another says “suffer me first to go and bury my father,” and the third says “let me first go bid them farewell.”

Reflect: What “let me first” is holding you back?

Luke 8

1And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good tidings of the kingdom of God, and with him the twelve,

2and certain women which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary that was called Magdalene, from whom seven devils had gone out,

3and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto them of their substance.

4And when a great multitude came together, and they of every city resorted unto him, he spake by a parable:

5The sower went forth to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it.

6And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

7And other fell amidst the thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.

8And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold. As he said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

9And his disciples asked him what this parable might be.

10And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

11Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.

13And those on the rock are they which, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

14And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

15And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.

16And no man, when he hath lighted a lamp, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but putteth it on a stand, that they which enter in may see the light.

17For nothing is hid, that shall not be made manifest; nor anything secret, that shall not be known and come to light.

18Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he thinketh he hath.

19And there came to him his mother and brethren, and they could not come at him for the crowd.

20And it was told him, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.

21But he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

22Now it came to pass on one of those days, that he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples; and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake: and they launched forth.

23But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.

24And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. And he awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.

25And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And being afraid they marveled, saying one to another, Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and the water, and they obey him?

26And they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is over against Galilee.

27And when he was come forth upon the land, there met him a certain man out of the city, who had devils; and for a long time he had worn no clothes, and abode not in any house, but in the tombs.

28And when he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I beseech thee, torment me not.

29For he commanded the unclean spirit to come out from the man. For oftentimes it had seized him: and he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters; and breaking the bands asunder, he was driven of the devil into the deserts.

30And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion; for many devils were entered into him.

31And they entreated him that he would not command them to depart into the abyss.

32Now there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they entreated him that he would give them leave to enter into them. And he gave them leave.

33And the devils came out from the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd rushed down the steep into the lake, and were choked.

34And when they that fed them saw what had come to pass, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country.

35And they went out to see what had come to pass; and they came to Jesus, and found the man, from whom the devils were gone out, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, at the feet of Jesus: and they were afraid.

36And they that saw it told them how he that was possessed with devils was made whole.

37And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes round about asked him to depart from them; for they were holden with great fear: and he entered into a boat, and returned.

38But the man from whom the devils were gone out prayed him that he might be with him: but he sent him away, saying,

39Return to thy house, and declare how great things God hath done for thee. And he went his way, publishing throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done for him.

40And as Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed him; for they were all waiting for him.

41And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him to come into his house;

42for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the multitudes thronged him.

43And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any,

44came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately the issue of her blood stanched.

45And Jesus said, Who is it that touched me? And when all denied, Peter said, and they that were with him, Master, the multitudes press thee and crush thee.

46But Jesus said, Some one did touch me: for I perceived that power had gone forth from me.

47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people for what cause she touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

48And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

49While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.

50But Jesus hearing it, answered him, Fear not: only believe, and she shall be made whole.

51And when he came to the house, he suffered not any man to enter in with him, save Peter, and John, and James, and the father of the maiden and her mother.

52And all were weeping, and bewailing her: but he said, Weep not; for she is not dead, but sleepeth.

53And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.

54But he, taking her by the hand, called, saying, Maiden, arise.

55And her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately: and he commanded that something be given her to eat.

56And her parents were amazed: but he charged them to tell no man what had been done.

Luke 9

1And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

2And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

3And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.

4And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart.

5And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

6And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.

7Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done: and he was much perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead;

8and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

9And Herod said, John I beheaded: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.

10And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done. And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida.

11But the multitudes perceiving it followed him: and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and them that had need of healing he healed.

12And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.

13But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people.

14For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.

15And they did so, and made them all sit down.

16And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

17And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.

18And it came to pass, as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that I am?

19And they answering said, John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

20And he said unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

21But he charged them, and commanded them to tell this to no man;

22saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

23And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self?

26For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.

27But I tell you of a truth, There be some of them that stand here, which shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

28And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray.

29And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and dazzling.

30And behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elijah;

31who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

32Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

33And it came to pass, as they were parting from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah: not knowing what he said.

34And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

35And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him.

36And when the voice came, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen.

37And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him.

38And behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Master, I beseech thee to look upon my son; for he is mine only child:

39and behold, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth, and it hardly departeth from him, bruising him sorely.

40And I besought thy disciples to cast it out; and they could not.

41And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? bring hither thy son.

42And as he was yet a coming, the devil dashed him down, and tare him grievously. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.

43And they were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marveling at all the things which he did, he said unto his disciples,

44Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men.

45But they understood not this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it: and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

46And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

47But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side,

48and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great.

49And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us.

50But Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against you is for you.

51And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

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

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

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

55But he turned, and rebuked them.

56And they went to another village.

57And as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

58And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

60But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.

61And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.

62But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Revised Version (RV). Revised Version (RV), 1885, public domain.