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Luke 9: Feeding the Five Thousand
How did Jesus give his disciples authority for healing and deliverance? In this ministry, what do you think Judas’s role was?
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Luke 9:1–2 Jesus called the twelve and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and heal all kinds of sicknesses. He sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
King James
Luke 9:1–2 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Why did Jesus say they were not to take provisions for their time away? How well did they follow those instructions?
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Luke 9:3 “Take nothing with you—no money, walking stick, or bag with extra clothes.”
King James
Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
What were the disciples to do when they were either received or rejected?
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Luke 9:4–5 “In whatever house you are welcomed, stay until you leave for another town. When people do not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the offense like dust from your feet, as a testimony against them.”
King James
Luke 9:4–5 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 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.
How effective was the disciples’ ministry? Did they gain their own loyal followers, as John had? Why?
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Luke 9:6 The disciples went through the towns, preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God and healing the sick.
King James
Luke 9:6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
Why did some people think someone’s spirit had returned from the dead? What did Herod think?
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Luke 9:7–9 When Herod the tetrarch received reports about Jesus, he was troubled because some had said the spirit of John had returned from the dead. Others said, “He is Elijah,” or, “He is like one of the great prophets who lived long ago.”
“I had John beheaded,” Herod said, “so who is the man who is doing such amazing things?” Herod wanted to see him.
King James
Luke 9:7–9 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; and of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.
What was Jesus doing while the disciples were away? When they met later, what kinds of stories did they have to tell?
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Luke 9:10 After their tour of ministry, the disciples gathered around Jesus and told him all they had said and done. Then he directed the disciples toward a desolate place in the region of Bethsaida.
King James
Luke 9:10 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
What good was a place distant from town if a huge crowd followed?
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Luke 9:10–11 After their tour of ministry, the disciples gathered around Jesus and told him all they had said and done. Then he directed the disciples toward a desolate place in the region of Bethsaida. Many people saw them leave, and they followed him. Jesus welcomed them, preached the Kingdom of God, and healed their sick.
King James
Luke 9:10–11 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
Why didn’t people have food with them?
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Luke 9:12 Late in the afternoon, the twelve said to Jesus, “We are far from town. Send the people away so they can go to the farms and towns nearby and buy food.”
King James
Luke 9:12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.
How absurd was Jesus’ instruction for the disciples to feed the crowd?
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Luke 9:13 Jesus said, “Why don’t you feed them?”
“With what?” they said. “All we have are five loaves and two fish. Or do you expect us to buy enough food for this gigantic crowd?”
King James
Luke 9:13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.
What did the crowd think when they were asked to divide into groups of fifty?
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Luke 9:14–15 Besides the women and children, about five thousand men were there.
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down in groups of about fifty.”
So everyone sat down.
King James
Luke 9:14–15 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and made them all sit down.
Where and how did the multiplication of fish and bread take place? How was the food delivered?
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Luke 9:16–17 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked toward the sky, and gave thanks. He broke the loaves and fish and handed them to his disciples, who distributed the pieces to the people.
They all ate as much as they wanted, and the disciples gathered twelve baskets full of leftover bread and fish.
King James
Luke 9:16–17 Then 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. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
Why did people have different opinions about who Jesus was? What were they?
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Luke 9:19 They said, “Some say you are John the Baptizer. Others say you are Elijah or one of the other prophets, who has come back to life.”
King James
Luke 9:19 They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
What was unusual about Peter’s perception of Jesus? What would Judas have said?
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Luke 9:20 “Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said, “You are the Anointed One, the Messiah sent from God.”
King James
Luke 9:20 He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
Why did Jesus’ identity need to be kept secret?
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Luke 9:21 He gave a stern warning: “Do not tell anyone that I am the Messiah.”
King James
Luke 9:21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;
How much of Jesus’ explanation about his future did the disciples understand?
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Luke 9:22 Jesus explained that the Son of Man must endure great suffering at the hand of government officials, chief priests, and teachers of the Law. “I will be killed,” he said, “but three days later I will rise to life.”
King James
Luke 9:22 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
What did Jesus mean when he said, “Take up your cross”? Why was that important?
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Luke 9:23–25 Then he taught his disciples. “If anyone wants to follow me, he must sacrifice his selfish desires. Take up your cross, and then you can follow me. If you try to save your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you lose your life for my sake and for spreading the good news, you will find it. What have you gained if you own the whole world but lose your life?”
King James
Luke 9:23–25 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
For what reasons are people ever “ashamed” of Jesus? What is God’s reaction if we are ashamed?
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Luke 9:26 “Those who are ashamed of me and my words will cause the Son of Man to be ashamed of them when he comes in glory and in his Father’s glory, with the holy angels.”
King James
Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Jesus said some would see the Kingdom before they died, which also tells us that some would not? What distinguished the two groups?
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Luke 9:27 “I guarantee, some of you standing here will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.”
King James
Luke 9:27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
How might news of Jesus’ coming death have affected what the three disciples thought when they saw him with Moses and Elijah? What did they understand? What might they have missed?
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Luke 9:28–32 About eight days after Jesus told his disciples about his need to die, he took Simon Peter, James, and John to pray alone, high up on the mountain.
As Jesus prayed, the three saw his whole appearance change. His clothes became dazzling white.
Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with him. They also stood in brilliant glory while they talked about his death, which was to take place in Jerusalem.
Simon Peter and the others had been overcome with sleep, but when they awakened, they saw Jesus in his glory and the two men with him.
King James
Luke 9:28–32 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
Why were three shrines not a bright idea? Why did Peter suggest it?
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Luke 9:33–35 Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is wonderful to be here. Let’s build three shrines here—for you, Moses, and Elijah.” He spoke without considering what he was saying.
While Peter was still speaking, a cloud overshadowed them. They were terrified as the cloud enveloped them.
A voice came from the cloud. “This is my dearly loved son. Listen to him.”
King James
Luke 9:33–35 And it came to pass, as they departed 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 Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
If the three disciples didn’t tell anyone about what happened on the mountain, how did the event become known?
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Luke 9:36 After they heard the voice, they saw that Jesus was alone. They kept the event to themselves, telling no one what they had seen.
King James
Luke 9:36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
Why had a large crowd gathered when Jesus wasn’t there?
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Luke 9:37–40 The day after Jesus and the three disciples came down from the mountain, they met a large crowd.
A man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you, help my son. He is my only child. An evil spirit takes control of him, so he screams, foams at the mouth, and goes into convulsions. It will not leave him alone until after he is physically exhausted. I begged your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they could not do it.”
King James
Luke 9:37–40 And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.
Who was Jesus frustrated with? Why?
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Luke 9:41 Jesus said, “How long must I be with this faithless and corrupt generation? How long must I put up with you? Bring your son to me.”
King James
Luke 9:41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
When brought to Jesus, why did the possessed boy go into convulsions and fall to the ground? Why were people amazed when the boy was delivered?
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Luke 9:42–43 When the boy came near, he went into convulsions and fell to the ground. Jesus spoke against the evil spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
Everyone was amazed at God’s mighty power. While people were still marveling at the miracles, Jesus taught his disciples.
King James
Luke 9:42–43 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,
Why did the disciples not understand the “betrayal” that Jesus talked about?
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Luke 9:44–45 “Listen carefully. The Son of Man will soon be betrayed into the hands of men.”
They did not understand everything Jesus said, but were afraid to ask what he meant.
King James
Luke 9:44–45 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
How often might the disciples have argued about who would be the greatest? Why? In what way did Judas contribute to the argument?
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Luke 9:46 An argument arose about which of them was the greatest.
King James
Luke 9:46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
How can the “least” be the “greatest”?
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Luke 9:47 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus brought a little boy to his side.
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Luke 9:47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
What does it mean to welcome someone “in Jesus’ name”?
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Luke 9:48 “Anyone who welcomes this child in my name is welcoming me. And anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the one who sent me. The least of those among you is the greatest.”
King James
Luke 9:48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this 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 shall be great.
How could someone who was not a part of Jesus’ group be casting out evil spirits? Why did Jesus say this was okay?
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Luke 9:49–50 John said, “Master, we saw someone casting out evil spirits in your name. We told him to stop because he was not part of our group.”
“Don’t stop him,” Jesus said. “Anyone who is not against us is for us.”
King James
Luke 9:49–50 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
Why did the Samaritans refuse Jesus? What made his going to Jerusalem a problem for them?
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Luke 9:51–53 As the time drew closer to when he would ascend to Heaven, Jesus decided to go to Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to arrange a place for him to stay in a Samaritan town.
After hearing that Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem, the Samaritans refused to welcome him.
King James
Luke 9:51–53 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, and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
Why were James and John so angry with the Samaritans? What made them think they could call fire from above?
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Luke 9:54 When James and John heard about their rejection, they said, “Sir, should we call down fire from above to consume them, just as Elijah did?”
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Luke 9:54 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?
What was wrong with James and John’s desire to see the Samaritan’s judged?
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Luke 9:55–56 Jesus turned and rebuked them. “You do not know what kind of spirit you have. The Son of Man has not come to destroy lives, but to save them.”
They went on to another town.
King James
Luke 9:55–56 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
What did Jesus mean when he said, “The Son of Man has no home where he can lay his head”?
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Luke 9:58 “Foxes have dens, and birds have nests,” Jesus said, “but the Son of Man has no home where he can lay his head.”
King James
Luke 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
When Jesus invites people to follow him, what excused might they make?
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Luke 9:59–61 To another man, he said, “Follow me.”
But the man said, “Sir, let me first go and care for my father until he dies.”
Jesus said, “The dead can bury their dead. You need to preach the Kingdom of God.”
Someone else said, “Sir, I would like to follow you, but I need to go back home and say good-bye to my family.”
King James
Luke 9:59–61 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
What is wrong with “looking back”? Why might that be a benefit?
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Luke 9:62 “After a man puts his hand to the plow,” Jesus said, “he is not fit for the Kingdom of God if he keeps looking back.”
King James
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.