Luke 9:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,

NIV: When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,

NASB: Now He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and the power to heal diseases.

CSB: Summoning the Twelve, he gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.

NLT: One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases.

KJV: Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

NKJV: Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

In Luke 9:1–6, Jesus empowers the disciples to "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, [and] cast out demons" (Matthew 10:8). This is the first time the disciples take an active role in the ministry for which Jesus is training them. All but cleansing lepers reflect the last three miracles of Jesus that Luke recounts (Luke 8:26–56); Luke mentioned Jesus cleansing a man of leprosy earlier (Luke 5:12–16). Jesus gives them this power to ease the pain of those who are struggling, but also to validate their proclamation of the kingdom of God (Luke 9:2)

"The Twelve" are the twelve primary disciples Jesus chose early in His ministry (Luke 6:12–16). Often, Jesus travels with many more than just these (Luke 8:1–3, 9). Soon, Jesus will empower seventy-two of His followers to preach and perform miracles (Luke 10:1–12).

"Power" doesn't mean that the disciples are somehow given superpowers to use as they please. Jesus gave them very specific ability to do what He wants them to do: heal people and expel demons. "Authority" is translated from a Greek term implying a resource or power one has the right to control. As in English, "power" is the raw ability to do something, while "authority" is the right to do it. Matthew 10:1 and Mark 6:7 use "authority" as representative of both.

Luke 9:1–6 continues the stories of Jesus' power and authority which began in Luke 8:22. He equips His disciples with the power to perform wonders on His behalf. They experience a welcoming reception for their message. However, Jesus had warned this would not always be so (Luke 8:4–21). The disciples' joy is short-lived; when faced with thousands of hungry people (Luke 9:10–17) and a demon-tortured boy (Luke 9:37–43), they forget their own authority. Mark 6:7–13 also records the disciples' brush with power while Matthew 10 includes a much longer account of their training.

Luke 9 completes Jesus' Galilean ministry and begins describing His journey towards Jerusalem. Jesus gives His disciples miraculous power and commissions them to preach. The empowerment thrills the disciples but confuses Herod Antipas. A hungry crowd of thousands and hard teachings about following Jesus, however, shows the disciples' faith is short-lived. The transfiguration and the demonized boy precede stories of the disciples' continued confusion. They still struggle to accurately represent Jesus. Luke 9:51–62 begins the "travelogue" (Luke 9:51—19:27) with examples of the patience and sacrifice needed to represent Jesus as His followers.

Luke 9 straddles the two major sections biblical scholars call "Jesus' Galilean Ministry" (Luke 4:14—9:50) and "The Travelogue to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51—19:27). The Galilean ministry alternates calls to discipleship with stories on Jesus' authority and teachings. The travelogue records what Jesus did and taught to prepare the disciples for His crucifixion. After a final group of stories on how to respond to Jesus (Luke 9:51—11:13) and several examples of how the Jewish religious leaders reject Jesus (Luke 11:14–54), Luke presents Jesus' teaching on the kingdom of God (Luke 12:1—19:27).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.