Luke 9:1-5
Luke 9:1 (KJB)
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority
over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Jesus now calls to Himself the twelve disciples. (Luke 6:13 KJV) And when it
was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom
also he named apostles; They are now called “apostles” because the word in
the Greek behind “to send…forth” is the word “apostolon” where we derive our
word “apostle” from. Jesus had been preparing them for the time when they would
go out on their own and here is the first time they are being sent by
themselves, in pairs. Not only did they go forth to preach the Gospel, but Jesus
even gave them power over the unclean spirits. They would be able to cast out
devils from those who were possessed. This would show the people they ministered
to the power of the Kingdom of God and also the fact that the Kingdom of God has
arrived. (Mark 16:17 KJV) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In
my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; Mark
writes in the end of His Gospel that one of the signs that would accompany the
early church would be the ability to cast out devils. (Acts 16:18 KJV) And
this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit,
I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out
the same hour. In Philippi, Paul did that very thing and it almost cost him
his life.
Luke 9:2 (KJB)
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Their task was to proclaim the Kingdom of God and the true Gospel. While they
did this they were to simultaneously heal the sick. This was for the purpose of
confirming the word which they were preaching. Others had gone from town to town
preaching their message but only the Apostles would have the authority to cast
out devils and command physical healing. This is what set the true Gospel apart
from the false gospels in the first century. The scribes and Pharisees had no
such power associated with their Gospel.
Luke 9:3 (KJB)
And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip,
neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
After the day of Pentecost, the disciples would become Apostles in an official
capacity but here they are being sent forth with specific instructions. The only
thing they are permitted to take with them is a staff for walking and to protect
themselves against any wild animals. They were not to take a scrip which was a
money bag which was a leather bag where they would keep their funds. Since they
were not to take any money, there would have been no need for the scrip. They
were not even to take any bread, that is, any sustenance. This journey may not
have been a long journey and these things would not be needed but more likely
Jesus was teaching them to have faith in God for their needs.
Luke 9:4 (KJB)
And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
They were not to make any provisions for their journey and were to completely
trust God for their necessities. This type of situation also placed a Gospel
obligation on the hearers of the messages the apostles preached. The Gospel does
not only place a demand of faith on the hearer, but it also requires action on
their part. (James 2:17 KJV) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead,
being alone. Faith without works is dead. How can someone sit in a crowd
and hear everything being spoken about the Gospel and then refuse to do so much
as to house and feed the preachers. (Gal 6:6 KJV) Let him that is taught in
the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Galatians
6:6 teaches that those who hear the Gospel from a preacher and if that preacher
is proclaiming the truth, then there should be no reason why that person’s
ministry should not be supported. Then the apostles are not to stay at a
different house each night. If they have found a host that gives them food and
roof over their head, then they are to remain at that residence until their
ministry in that place is complete.
Luke 9:5 (KJB)
And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the
very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.
One thing that Jesus is preparing the apostles for and that is that not everyone
is going to be amenable to their Gospel message. This has been something which
has been carried down through the ages. In fact, the majority of people on this
earth will not agree with the Gospel message. So Jesus is telling them that if
you go to a place and you are not received nor are heard, then you are to depart
to another city. Then in a symbolic gesture of rejection, they are to shake the
dust off their feet as they depart. When Jews had returned from traveling to a
foreign land, they were to shake the dust off their feet before they entered
Israel again. Soil from foreign lands was considered unclean. So when the
disciples shook the dust off their feet, it was saying that whoever heard the
proclamation of the Gospel and rejected or opposed it, was like the pagan from
the foreign land who held no regard for the teachings of the Scriptures.