19: Sending the twelve & Herod’s confusion & Five thousand (Luke 9:1 – 17)

Chapter 9 is about discipleship and the suffering of Jesus. This section shows what ministry in God’s kingdom is like. It requires total dependence on God. God’s power works in ways we do not fully understand. The problems are often too big for human ability. But the disciples do not work alone. They take part in the ministry together with the Lord’s power.

👉 Read Luke 9:1 - 17

Q1. What were two missions given to the disciples? How could they accomplish those missions?

ANS: Proclaim the kingdom of God and cure diseases. Jesus gave them authority and power to carry out these missions.

In proclaiming the gospel, we should reflect on our ministry if there is no sign of restoration or healing. These works are connected to the promises given when the Lord commissioned His people.

"Make disciples of all nations… I will be with you." (Matthew 28:19–20)

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel… These signs will accompany those who believe." (Mark 16:16–17; though this passage may not be part of the earliest manuscripts)

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses." (Acts 1:8)

"As the Father has sent me, I also send you." (John 20:21)

All these promises point in one direction: Jesus is with us through the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we receive power that goes beyond human ability, not limited only to healing. The most important thing in gospel ministry is to remain with the Lord and be led by the Holy Spirit.

Q2. This could be the guideline for participating in the ministry of the kingdom.

“Take ( ) for your journey. Whatever house you enter, stay there ( ) you leave the area. Wherever they do not receive you, shake the ( ) off your feet as you leave that town.”

“Take (nothing) for your journey. Whatever house you enter, stay there (until) you leave the area. Wherever they do not receive you, shake the (dust) off your feet as you leave that town.”

This teaches total dependence on God. Do not focus on securing support or preparing many resources for ministry.

Also, allow people to participate by offering hospitality as their response to the gospel. Do not attract people merely with food or gifts while preaching. Otherwise, they may come only for material benefits.

Q3. Why do you think Herod was perplexed at hearing of Jesus and wanted to see him?

ANS: He was perplexed because he feared that John the Baptist, whom he had killed, might have come back to life. This may have come from guilt or fear.

People also thought Jesus might be a prophet raised from the dead, because His power was far beyond what they had seen before.

Q4. What did Jesus say to the disciples when they asked Him to send the crowd away to buy their own food?

ANS: “You give them something to eat.”

This teaches that we must pay attention both to the gospel ministry and to people’s real needs.

Often we face overwhelming problems—physical, emotional, or spiritual. We are called to share the burden as we can and bring these needs to the Lord. He is the one who provides the solution, and through Him, all can be satisfied.

Without sharing the burden, we cannot bring it to the Lord from our heart.