Luke 10
1 Now after these things the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come.
(Jesus sent out seventy disciples, two by two.)
(Verses 2-16: Jesus commissioned the seventy.)
2 And he said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.
(A key word in this passage:
-"laborers" was Strong's #2040 ergates – "a workman, a laborer." The etymology pointed to this being the same word as was translated as "workman" in 2 Timothy 2:15 – "Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth."
"laborer/workman" meant "to toil with works of words as a teacher." Jesus needs people who daily toil with works of words as a teacher in order to improve the thought processes of Believers and help the church come into agreement through Fellowship.)
(See Matthew 9:35-38 for more detailed commentary on the subject of "laborers.")
3 Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.
(They would be as lambs among wolves.)
4 Carry no purse, no wallet, no shoes; and salute no man on the way.
5 And into whatsoever house ye shall enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
6 And if a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it shall turn to you again.
7 And in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
9 and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
(They could not carry physical resources. They were to focus on their commission and not protecting against physical need. They were to heal the sick and proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom of God.)
10 But into whatsoever city ye shall enter, and they receive you not, go out into the streets thereof and say,
11 Even the dust from your city, that cleaveth to our feet, we wipe off against you: nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh.
12 I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment, than for you.
15 And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt be brought down unto Hades.
16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me.
(Jesus said to shake the dust off of their feet from cities that rejected them and that city's judgment would be worse than Sodom's. The only part of the body that was allowed to become unclean were the feet. The disciples' feet came in touch with the dust of the earth in order to win these people to Christ and teach them about God's Kingdom, which was evangelism.)
17 And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name.
(The seventy returned joyful because they felt they were successful. Why? Because even the demons were subject to them through Jesus' Name.)
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven.
19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.
20 Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
(Jesus said He had seen Satan judged, which meant Satan did not have a free will: he cannot act apart from his evil nature. Jesus told the seventy to rather rejoice because their names were written in heaven. Jesus wanted them to focus on the causes (God) and not the manifestations of their gifts (effects from God). Believers are responsible for their Salvation, however, their ability to heal can be prevented by the unbelief of the person being healed.)
21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: yea, Father; for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.
22 All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth who the Son is, save the Father; and who the Father is, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.
(Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit that those who were wise in their own understanding were unable to see the things of faith.)
23 And turning to the disciples, he said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
24 for I say unto you, that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which ye see, and saw them not; and to hear the things which ye hear, and heard them not.
(Jesus told them they were blessed for the things they were seeing.)
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
(A teacher of the Law tempted/tested Jesus.)
26 And he said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
(Jesus acted as a Rabbi and answered by asking what the Law said and if this man had read the Law.)
27 And he answering said, 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; and thy neighbor as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
(The lawyer answered accurately: love God with all your being (emotion, spirit, physical, and mental). However, he tempted Jesus by asking "who is my neighbor?")
(Verses 30-37: Jesus answered the question by sharing the Parable of the Good Samaritan.)
30 Jesus made answer and said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
(The priest would be unclean if he touched the victim (because it was believed he was dead or dying) according to Leviticus 19:18 and Leviticus 21:4.)
32 And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.
(The Levite would be prevented from his service if he touched the man. So far, Jesus told this "lawyer" that the priest and the Levite did not love the victim because they both thought they were doing God's Will by remaining able to keep themselves clean. The "lawyer" figured Jesus' next "character" in this story would be like the "lawyer" and Jesus would conclude the victim was his ("lawyer's") neighbor.)
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion,
34 and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on them oil and wine; and he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow he took out two shillings, and gave them to the host, and said, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repay thee.
(To the "lawyer," Samaritans were seen as more unclean than the dying man. Also, Samaritans were seen as the enemy of devout Jews. At this point, the "lawyer" could think Jesus was motivating him to see the dying man as a neighbor because even a Samaritan saw the victim as neighbor.)
36 Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers?
(Jesus flipped the response with His question. Jesus did not ask who saw the victim as a neighbor. Jesus asked who was a neighbor to the victim. The answer had to be the Samaritan, who was the most unclean person in this story according to the "lawyer," to the point that he could not even say the word "Samaritan.")
37 And he said, He that showed mercy on him. And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
(Jesus told this man to emulate the example set by his enemy: the Samaritan.)
(Verses 38-42: Mary sat at Jesus' feet to hear His word and she was commended for it.)
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things:
42 but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Luke 11
1 And it came to pass, as he was praying in a certain place, that when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, even as John also taught his disciples.
(One of Jesus' disciples asked Him to teach them to how pray.)
(Verses 2-4: The Lord’s Prayer.)
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Father, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins; for we ourselves also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.
(This was a shorter version of The Lord's Prayer than what was presented in Matthew 6.)
5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 for a friend of mine is come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;
7 and he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee?
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needeth.
(Jesus gave a natural example of a person inconveniencing a friend and getting what they desired because they continued to ask. He did this to illustrate how we ought to continue to ask God.)
9 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.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
11 And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask a loaf, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
(God wants to give good gifts to us. That is part of God's Will.)
14 And he was casting out a demon that was dumb. And it came to pass, when the demon was gone out, the dumb man spake; and the multitudes marvelled.
(Jesus casted out a demon and the people wondered.)
15 But some of them said, By Beelzebub the prince of the demons casteth he out demons.
(Some said Jesus did it through Beelzebub, the "prince of demons." These people said it of themselves, they were the source of this word. This was not said in reference to a misinterpretation of a scripture. Also, the healing was obviously a good thing from God, so some people were so hard-hearted they attributed this blessing to a demon and not the Holy Spirit.)
16 And others, trying him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
(Others tempted Jesus looking for a sign from heaven so they would believe, which was the opposite of faith. Faith would believe without seeing. These people wanted to believe because they first saw.)
17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub.
19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
20 But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.
(Jesus used the principle of non-contradiction to prove that He was not casting out demons through the prince of demons.)
21 When the strong man fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in peace:
22 but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him his whole armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
23 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
24 The unclean spirit when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and finding none, he saith, I will turn back unto my house whence I came out.
(Demons look for waterless places seeking rest. Remember, the swine from Luke 8:33 immediately drowned themselves once the legion of demons were cast into them. The demons' nature requires them to get rest by possessing or oppressing people.)
25 And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished.
26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more evil than himself; and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first.
(If a demon is cast out and the individual does not take measures to clean up his life, he will end up in a worse condition. The demon will let others know there is a person they can possess, and then possess him.)
27 And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the breasts which thou didst suck.
(A woman blessed Mary because Mary was Jesus' mother for physical reasons.)
28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
(Jesus stated that blessed rather are those who hear (understand) the Word of God and do it. According to Jesus, understanding and doing the Word of God were more important than actions focused on the physical.)
29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, he began to say, This generation is an evil generation: it seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah.
(Jesus said people would get the sign of Jonah: Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights. This would be a sign that the people would be given without needing to have faith.)
30 For even as Jonah became a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
32 The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.
(Jesus said He was warning His generation the same way Jonah warned his. Jesus said the people of Nineveh would stand up in judgment over His generation because they repented and Jesus' generation would not.)
33 No man, when he hath lighted a lamp, putteth it in a cellar, neither under the bushel, but on the stand, that they which enter in may see the light.
34 The lamp of thy body is thine eye: when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
35 Look therefore whether the light that is in thee be not darkness.
36 If therefore thy whole body be full of light, having no part dark, it shall be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining doth give thee light.
(Jesus was stating that He was full of light and it ought to be obvious to others. Jesus was also saying that others can tell who are believers by seeing whether they are light or darkness.)
37 Now as he spake, a Pharisee asketh him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.
38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first bathed himself before dinner.
(A certain Pharisee had Jesus as a guest in his home. The Pharisee marveled because Jesus did not wash before dinner.)
39 And the Lord said unto him, Now ye the Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter; but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness.
40 Ye foolish ones, did not he that made the outside make the inside also?
(Jesus used the question to act as Rabbi and ask the Pharisee which was more important: clean on the inside or clean on the outside? Jesus was clean on the inside and the Pharisees were only clean on the outside.)
41 But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you.
42 But woe unto you Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God: but these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
43 Woe unto you Pharisees! for ye love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces.
44 Woe unto you! for ye are as the tombs which appear not, and the men that walk over them know it not.
(Jesus stated that being clean inside made you clean on the outside. Then He rebuked the Pharisees for being focused on appearance and being in pride.)
45 And one of the lawyers answering saith unto him, Teacher, in saying this thou reproachest us also.
(A teacher of the Law stated that Jesus was making the teachers of the Law's jobs tougher because Jesus was contradicting what they taught.)
46 And he said, Woe unto you lawyers also! for ye load men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
47 Woe unto you! for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
48 So ye are witnesses and consent unto the works of your fathers: for they killed them, and ye build their tombs.
49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send unto them prophets and apostles; and some of them they shall kill and persecute;
50 that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
51 from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary: yea, I say unto you, it shall be required of this generation.
52 Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
(Jesus rebuked the teachers of the Law for holding others to a standard they did not hold themselves to, which was hypocrisy.)
53 And when he was come out from thence, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press upon him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things;
54 laying wait for him, to catch something out of his mouth.
(The scribes (teachers of the Law) and Pharisees were waiting for Jesus to say something they could accuse Him of.)
Luke 12
1 In the mean time, when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
(Jesus stated it plainly: The leaven of the Pharisees was hypocrisy.)
2 But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
3 Wherefore whatsoever ye have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
4 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.
5 But I will warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
(Do not fear man, who can only affect you physically, but fear God who can (and will) affect you eternally.)
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.
7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
8 And I say unto you, Every one who shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
9 but he that denieth me in the presence of men shall be denied in the presence of the angels of God.
10 And every one who shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven.
(Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the unpardonable sin. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is: intentionally attributing (by being the source) an obviously positive work of the Holy Spirit to Satan or his demons. This was done in Luke 11:15 when people themselves attributed the healing Jesus did to Beelzebub.)
11 And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
12 for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that very hour what ye ought to say.
(During persecution, the Holy Spirit will teach you what to say, the Holy Spirit will give you wisdom.)
13 And one out of the multitude said unto him, Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me.
14 But he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
(Jesus blatantly stated that a man's life does not consist of what he has (possessions).)
(Verses 16-21: the Parable of the Rich Fool.)
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my grain and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry.
(The man had physical abundance. His response was to stop growing and focus on becoming comfortable.)
20 But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
(God proved His focus is on growth, not physical possessions. Then, Jesus stated that the person ought to have invested their physical excess towards God.)
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.
23 For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment.
(Jesus stated not to worry about what you eat or what you wear.)
24 Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye than the birds!
25 And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life?
(How does anxiety/worry actually benefit a person's life?)
26 If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest?
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
(Jesus equated this worry about physical things to people who had little faith.)
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: but your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 Yet seek ye his kingdom, and these things shall be added unto you.
(Jesus said to have a spiritual focus, God will take care of the physical:
-Cause: Seek first God's Kingdom.
-Effect: He will add the things we need unto us.)
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth.
(Treasure in heaven is eternal and obtained through Justice.)
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Where your treasure is, is where your heart is. Do you want treasure now, on earth? or do you want treasure later, in heaven? See Matthew 6. What is your treasure? Money, time, and family/friends. Where you put your money, time, and family/friends, that is where you will be attracted towards mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.)
35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning;
36 and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him.
37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them.
38 And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so blessed are those servants.
39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through.
40 Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.
(Be ready for the Lord because Jesus will return at a time we do not know.)
41 And Peter said, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even unto all?
(Peter wanted to know if this parable was for them (the Disciples) or for all.)
42 And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall set over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
(Jesus said we ought to continue to do, make progress, grow.)
44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath.
45 But if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46 the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the unfaithful.
47 And that servant, who knew his lord's will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes;
48 but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.
(Again, Jesus said to be watchful/ready.)
49 I came to cast fire upon the earth; and what do I desire, if it is already kindled?
(Jesus desired that this fire upon earth (that will cause division - verse 51) was kindled. Then He asked a rhetorical question that would sound like this in today's English: "What else is there to desire if it is already kindled?")
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51 Think ye that I am come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
(Jesus came for division, division of those who will hear (understand) Him and those who will not.)
52 for there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 They shall be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother in law against her daughter in law, and daughter in law against her mother in law.
54 And he said to the multitudes also, When ye see a cloud rising in the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it cometh to pass.
55 And when ye see a south wind blowing, ye say, There will be a scorching heat; and it cometh to pass.
56 Ye hypocrites, ye know how to interpret the face of the earth and the heaven; but how is it that ye know not how to interpret this time?
57 And why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
(If we can discern the weather (physical causes and effects), we ought to be able to discern the spiritual signs of the times.)
58 For as thou art going with thine adversary before the magistrate, on the way give diligence to be quit of him; lest haply he drag thee unto the judge, and the judge shall deliver thee to the officer, and the officer shall cast thee into prison.
59 I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the very last mite.
(Jesus said to agree with your adversary over physical things because they were only effects. We ought to be focused on the spiritual causes.)
(This post covered the Pharisees' frustration with Jesus to the point they began to actively look for a way to destroy Him.)
Day 301
3 Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.
(They would be as lambs among wolves.)
4 Carry no purse, no wallet, no shoes; and salute no man on the way.
5 And into whatsoever house ye shall enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
6 And if a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it shall turn to you again.
7 And in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
9 and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
(They could not carry physical resources. They were to focus on their commission and not protecting against physical need. They were to heal the sick and proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom of God.)
10 But into whatsoever city ye shall enter, and they receive you not, go out into the streets thereof and say,
11 Even the dust from your city, that cleaveth to our feet, we wipe off against you: nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh.
12 I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment, than for you.
15 And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt be brought down unto Hades.
16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me.
(Jesus said to shake the dust off of their feet from cities that rejected them and that city's judgment would be worse than Sodom's. The only part of the body that was allowed to become unclean were the feet. The disciples' feet came in touch with the dust of the earth in order to win these people to Christ and teach them about God's Kingdom, which was evangelism.)
17 And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name.
(The seventy returned joyful because they felt they were successful. Why? Because even the demons were subject to them through Jesus' Name.)
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven.
19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.
20 Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
(Jesus said He had seen Satan judged, which meant Satan did not have a free will: he cannot act apart from his evil nature. Jesus told the seventy to rather rejoice because their names were written in heaven. Jesus wanted them to focus on the causes (God) and not the manifestations of their gifts (effects from God). Believers are responsible for their Salvation, however, their ability to heal can be prevented by the unbelief of the person being healed.)
21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: yea, Father; for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.
22 All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth who the Son is, save the Father; and who the Father is, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.
(Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit that those who were wise in their own understanding were unable to see the things of faith.)
23 And turning to the disciples, he said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
24 for I say unto you, that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which ye see, and saw them not; and to hear the things which ye hear, and heard them not.
(Jesus told them they were blessed for the things they were seeing.)
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
(A teacher of the Law tempted/tested Jesus.)
26 And he said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
(Jesus acted as a Rabbi and answered by asking what the Law said and if this man had read the Law.)
27 And he answering said, 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; and thy neighbor as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
(The lawyer answered accurately: love God with all your being (emotion, spirit, physical, and mental). However, he tempted Jesus by asking "who is my neighbor?")
(Verses 30-37: Jesus answered the question by sharing the Parable of the Good Samaritan.)
30 Jesus made answer and said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
(The priest would be unclean if he touched the victim (because it was believed he was dead or dying) according to Leviticus 19:18 and Leviticus 21:4.)
32 And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.
(The Levite would be prevented from his service if he touched the man. So far, Jesus told this "lawyer" that the priest and the Levite did not love the victim because they both thought they were doing God's Will by remaining able to keep themselves clean. The "lawyer" figured Jesus' next "character" in this story would be like the "lawyer" and Jesus would conclude the victim was his ("lawyer's") neighbor.)
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion,
34 and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on them oil and wine; and he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow he took out two shillings, and gave them to the host, and said, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repay thee.
(To the "lawyer," Samaritans were seen as more unclean than the dying man. Also, Samaritans were seen as the enemy of devout Jews. At this point, the "lawyer" could think Jesus was motivating him to see the dying man as a neighbor because even a Samaritan saw the victim as neighbor.)
36 Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers?
(Jesus flipped the response with His question. Jesus did not ask who saw the victim as a neighbor. Jesus asked who was a neighbor to the victim. The answer had to be the Samaritan, who was the most unclean person in this story according to the "lawyer," to the point that he could not even say the word "Samaritan.")
37 And he said, He that showed mercy on him. And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
(Jesus told this man to emulate the example set by his enemy: the Samaritan.)
(Verses 38-42: Mary sat at Jesus' feet to hear His word and she was commended for it.)
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things:
42 but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Luke 11
1 And it came to pass, as he was praying in a certain place, that when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, even as John also taught his disciples.
(One of Jesus' disciples asked Him to teach them to how pray.)
(Verses 2-4: The Lord’s Prayer.)
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Father, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins; for we ourselves also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation.
(This was a shorter version of The Lord's Prayer than what was presented in Matthew 6.)
5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 for a friend of mine is come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him;
7 and he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee?
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will arise and give him as many as he needeth.
(Jesus gave a natural example of a person inconveniencing a friend and getting what they desired because they continued to ask. He did this to illustrate how we ought to continue to ask God.)
9 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.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
11 And of which of you that is a father shall his son ask a loaf, and he give him a stone? or a fish, and he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he give him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
(God wants to give good gifts to us. That is part of God's Will.)
14 And he was casting out a demon that was dumb. And it came to pass, when the demon was gone out, the dumb man spake; and the multitudes marvelled.
(Jesus casted out a demon and the people wondered.)
15 But some of them said, By Beelzebub the prince of the demons casteth he out demons.
(Some said Jesus did it through Beelzebub, the "prince of demons." These people said it of themselves, they were the source of this word. This was not said in reference to a misinterpretation of a scripture. Also, the healing was obviously a good thing from God, so some people were so hard-hearted they attributed this blessing to a demon and not the Holy Spirit.)
16 And others, trying him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
(Others tempted Jesus looking for a sign from heaven so they would believe, which was the opposite of faith. Faith would believe without seeing. These people wanted to believe because they first saw.)
17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
18 And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub.
19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
20 But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.
(Jesus used the principle of non-contradiction to prove that He was not casting out demons through the prince of demons.)
21 When the strong man fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in peace:
22 but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him his whole armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
23 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
24 The unclean spirit when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and finding none, he saith, I will turn back unto my house whence I came out.
(Demons look for waterless places seeking rest. Remember, the swine from Luke 8:33 immediately drowned themselves once the legion of demons were cast into them. The demons' nature requires them to get rest by possessing or oppressing people.)
25 And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished.
26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more evil than himself; and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first.
(If a demon is cast out and the individual does not take measures to clean up his life, he will end up in a worse condition. The demon will let others know there is a person they can possess, and then possess him.)
27 And it came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the breasts which thou didst suck.
(A woman blessed Mary because Mary was Jesus' mother for physical reasons.)
28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
(Jesus stated that blessed rather are those who hear (understand) the Word of God and do it. According to Jesus, understanding and doing the Word of God were more important than actions focused on the physical.)
29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, he began to say, This generation is an evil generation: it seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah.
(Jesus said people would get the sign of Jonah: Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights. This would be a sign that the people would be given without needing to have faith.)
30 For even as Jonah became a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
32 The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.
(Jesus said He was warning His generation the same way Jonah warned his. Jesus said the people of Nineveh would stand up in judgment over His generation because they repented and Jesus' generation would not.)
33 No man, when he hath lighted a lamp, putteth it in a cellar, neither under the bushel, but on the stand, that they which enter in may see the light.
34 The lamp of thy body is thine eye: when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
35 Look therefore whether the light that is in thee be not darkness.
36 If therefore thy whole body be full of light, having no part dark, it shall be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining doth give thee light.
(Jesus was stating that He was full of light and it ought to be obvious to others. Jesus was also saying that others can tell who are believers by seeing whether they are light or darkness.)
37 Now as he spake, a Pharisee asketh him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.
38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first bathed himself before dinner.
(A certain Pharisee had Jesus as a guest in his home. The Pharisee marveled because Jesus did not wash before dinner.)
39 And the Lord said unto him, Now ye the Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter; but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness.
40 Ye foolish ones, did not he that made the outside make the inside also?
(Jesus used the question to act as Rabbi and ask the Pharisee which was more important: clean on the inside or clean on the outside? Jesus was clean on the inside and the Pharisees were only clean on the outside.)
41 But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you.
42 But woe unto you Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God: but these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
43 Woe unto you Pharisees! for ye love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces.
44 Woe unto you! for ye are as the tombs which appear not, and the men that walk over them know it not.
(Jesus stated that being clean inside made you clean on the outside. Then He rebuked the Pharisees for being focused on appearance and being in pride.)
45 And one of the lawyers answering saith unto him, Teacher, in saying this thou reproachest us also.
(A teacher of the Law stated that Jesus was making the teachers of the Law's jobs tougher because Jesus was contradicting what they taught.)
46 And he said, Woe unto you lawyers also! for ye load men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
47 Woe unto you! for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
48 So ye are witnesses and consent unto the works of your fathers: for they killed them, and ye build their tombs.
49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send unto them prophets and apostles; and some of them they shall kill and persecute;
50 that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
51 from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary: yea, I say unto you, it shall be required of this generation.
52 Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
(Jesus rebuked the teachers of the Law for holding others to a standard they did not hold themselves to, which was hypocrisy.)
53 And when he was come out from thence, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press upon him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things;
54 laying wait for him, to catch something out of his mouth.
(The scribes (teachers of the Law) and Pharisees were waiting for Jesus to say something they could accuse Him of.)
Luke 12
1 In the mean time, when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
(Jesus stated it plainly: The leaven of the Pharisees was hypocrisy.)
2 But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
3 Wherefore whatsoever ye have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what ye have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
4 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.
5 But I will warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
(Do not fear man, who can only affect you physically, but fear God who can (and will) affect you eternally.)
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.
7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
8 And I say unto you, Every one who shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
9 but he that denieth me in the presence of men shall be denied in the presence of the angels of God.
10 And every one who shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven.
(Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the unpardonable sin. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is: intentionally attributing (by being the source) an obviously positive work of the Holy Spirit to Satan or his demons. This was done in Luke 11:15 when people themselves attributed the healing Jesus did to Beelzebub.)
11 And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not anxious how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
12 for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that very hour what ye ought to say.
(During persecution, the Holy Spirit will teach you what to say, the Holy Spirit will give you wisdom.)
13 And one out of the multitude said unto him, Teacher, bid my brother divide the inheritance with me.
14 But he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
(Jesus blatantly stated that a man's life does not consist of what he has (possessions).)
(Verses 16-21: the Parable of the Rich Fool.)
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 and he reasoned within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have not where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my grain and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, be merry.
(The man had physical abundance. His response was to stop growing and focus on becoming comfortable.)
20 But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
(God proved His focus is on growth, not physical possessions. Then, Jesus stated that the person ought to have invested their physical excess towards God.)
22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.
23 For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment.
(Jesus stated not to worry about what you eat or what you wear.)
24 Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye than the birds!
25 And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life?
(How does anxiety/worry actually benefit a person's life?)
26 If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest?
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28 But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
(Jesus equated this worry about physical things to people who had little faith.)
29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: but your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31 Yet seek ye his kingdom, and these things shall be added unto you.
(Jesus said to have a spiritual focus, God will take care of the physical:
-Cause: Seek first God's Kingdom.
-Effect: He will add the things we need unto us.)
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that which ye have, and give alms; make for yourselves purses which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief draweth near, neither moth destroyeth.
(Treasure in heaven is eternal and obtained through Justice.)
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Where your treasure is, is where your heart is. Do you want treasure now, on earth? or do you want treasure later, in heaven? See Matthew 6. What is your treasure? Money, time, and family/friends. Where you put your money, time, and family/friends, that is where you will be attracted towards mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.)
35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning;
36 and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him.
37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them.
38 And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so blessed are those servants.
39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through.
40 Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.
(Be ready for the Lord because Jesus will return at a time we do not know.)
41 And Peter said, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even unto all?
(Peter wanted to know if this parable was for them (the Disciples) or for all.)
42 And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall set over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?
43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
(Jesus said we ought to continue to do, make progress, grow.)
44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath.
45 But if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46 the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the unfaithful.
47 And that servant, who knew his lord's will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes;
48 but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.
(Again, Jesus said to be watchful/ready.)
49 I came to cast fire upon the earth; and what do I desire, if it is already kindled?
(Jesus desired that this fire upon earth (that will cause division - verse 51) was kindled. Then He asked a rhetorical question that would sound like this in today's English: "What else is there to desire if it is already kindled?")
50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!
51 Think ye that I am come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
(Jesus came for division, division of those who will hear (understand) Him and those who will not.)
52 for there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53 They shall be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother in law against her daughter in law, and daughter in law against her mother in law.
54 And he said to the multitudes also, When ye see a cloud rising in the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it cometh to pass.
55 And when ye see a south wind blowing, ye say, There will be a scorching heat; and it cometh to pass.
56 Ye hypocrites, ye know how to interpret the face of the earth and the heaven; but how is it that ye know not how to interpret this time?
57 And why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
(If we can discern the weather (physical causes and effects), we ought to be able to discern the spiritual signs of the times.)
58 For as thou art going with thine adversary before the magistrate, on the way give diligence to be quit of him; lest haply he drag thee unto the judge, and the judge shall deliver thee to the officer, and the officer shall cast thee into prison.
59 I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the very last mite.
(Jesus said to agree with your adversary over physical things because they were only effects. We ought to be focused on the spiritual causes.)
(This post covered the Pharisees' frustration with Jesus to the point they began to actively look for a way to destroy Him.)
Day 301
(Jesus said to agree with your adversary over physical things because they are only effects. We ought to be focused on the spiritual causes.)
ReplyDeletethis last comment really struck me. thank you for these teachings/commentary
nathan wayne
nathan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing!
I really appreciate your comments and what you added to this blog throughout this first year. You are in a very select group that has kept up with this blog throughout the year.