Luke 9:53

And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. AND THEY DID NOT RECEIVE HIM, BECAUSE HIS FACE WAS AS THOUGH HE WOULD GO TO JERUSALEM. The Galileans, in going to the festivals at Jerusalem, usually took the Samaritan route (Joseph. Antt. 20: 6. 1), and yet seem to have met with no such inhospitality. But if they were asked to prepare quarters for the Messiah, in the person of one whose face was as though He would go to Jerusalem, their national prejudices would be raised at so marked a slight upon their claims. (See the note at )....

53._He steadfastly set his face. _By this expression Luke has informed us that Christ, when he had death before his eyes, rose above the fear of it, and went forward to meet it; but, at the same time, points out that he had a struggle, and that, having vanquished terror, (589) he boldly presented himself to die. For if no dread, no difficulty, no struggle, no anxiety, had been present to his mind, what need was there that he should _set his face steadfastly? _(590) But as he was neither devoid of feeling, nor under the influence of foolish hardihood, he must have been affected by the cruel and bitter death, or rather the shocking and dreadful agony, which he knew would overtake him from the rigorous judgment of God; and so far is this from obscuring or diminishing his glory, that it is a remarkable proof of his unbounded love to us; for laying aside a regard to himself

51-56 The disciples did not consider that the conduct of the Samaritans was rather the effect of national prejudices and bigotry, than of enmity to the word and worship of God; and through they refused to receive Christ and his disciples, they did not ill use or injure them, so that the case was widely different from that of Ahaziah and Elijah. Nor were they aware that the gospel dispensation was to be marked by miracles of mercy. But above all, they were ignorant of the prevailing motives of their own hearts, which were pride and carnal ambition. Of this our Lord warned them. It is easy for us to say, Come, see our zeal for the Lord! and to think we are very faithful in his cause, when we are seeking our own objects, and even doing harm instead of good to others....

Verse 53. _HIS FACE WAS_] They saw he was going up to Jerusalem to keep the feast; (it was the feast of tabernacles, John 7:2); and knowing him thereby to be a _Jew_, they would afford nothing for his _entertainment_; for, in religious matters, the _Samaritans_ and _Jews_ had no dealings: see John 4:9. The Samaritans were a kind of mongrel heathens; they feared Jehovah, and served other gods, 2 Kings 17:34. They apostatized from the true religion, and persecuted those who were attached to it. See an account of them, Matthew 16:1. Those only who have deserted the truth of God, or who are uninfluenced by it, hate them who embrace and...

THEY DID NOT RECEIVE HIM - Did not entertain him hospitably, or receive him with kindness. BECAUSE HIS FACE WAS ... - Because they ascertained that he was going to Jerusalem. One of the subjects of dispute between the Jews and Samaritans pertained to the proper situation of the temple. The Jews contended that it should be at Jerusalem; the Samaritans, on Mount Gerizim, and accordingly they had built one there. They had probably heard of the miracles of Jesus, and that he claimed to be the Messiah. Perhaps they had hoped that he would decide that “they” were right in regard to the building of the temple. Had he decided the question in that way, they would have received him as the Messiah gladly; but when they saw that he was going among the Jews - that “by going” he would decide in their favor, they resolved to have nothing to do with him, and they rejected him. And from this we may lear...

EXPOSITION LUKE 9:1 _The Master sends out the twelve on a mission_. LUKE 9:1 THEN HE CALLED HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES TOGETHER. The Galilee ministry was just over; _outwardly_ it had been a triumphant success; vast crowds had been gathered together. The Master was generally welcomed with a positive enthusiasm; the people heard him gladly. Here and there were visible, as in the eases of the woman who touched him and the synagogue ruler who prayed him to heal his little daughter, just related (Luke 8:1.), conspicuous examples of a strange or mighty faith; but the success, the Master knew too well, was only on the surface. The crowds who to-day shouted "Ho

AND THEY DID NOT RECEIVE HIM,.... The Ethiopic version reads "them", the messengers; but it should rather seem that they did receive the messengers, and promised them lodging and entertainment; being glad that so great a person would honour them with his presence, hoping that miracles would be done by him, among them; and that he would stay with them, and show some approbation of them, and their worship; but when Christ came in person, with his disciples and the multitude, they would not admit him; the reason follows, BECAUSE HIS FACE WAS AS THOUGH HE WOULD GO TO JERUSALEM: by all circumstances, by his words and looks, and gestures; by all that they could see and hear, and learn from him, his determination was to make no stay with them, but proceed on to Jerusalem, after he had took a night's lodging with them, and had refreshed himself and company and therefore they would not receive h...

Our Lord had been on the mountain, and had been transfigured; and when he came down, the first person that he met was the devil, with whom he had to come in contact. Whenever you or I get up on the mountain-top, and have a very happy and delightful experience, we may expect to be in a battle before long. Our joy is, however, a preparation for the conflict; it nerves our spirit, and makes us strong to meet the great enemy of our souls. Luke 9:37. _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._...

IV. THE JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM -- CHAPTER 9:51-19:27 CHAPTER 9:51-62 _ 1. His Face Set Toward Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51)_ 2. The Rejected Messengers and His Rebuke. (Luke 9:53) 3. Tests of Discipleship. (Luke 9:57 .) The fifty-first verse marks a new part in this Gospel. The time was come; His hour was approaching. As the perfect Man we have seen Him. As babe, as child, as man in all His loveliness we have seen Him and now the compassionate, loving One, He, who always pleased God in a perfect obedience “steadfastly set His face to go up to Jerusalem.” Coming from Galilee the messengers entered into a village of the Samaritans, who would not receive Him because His face was set toward Jerusalem, the city th

INHOSPITABLE SAMARITANS. The journey was begun by the direct road through Samaria (for Lk.'s interest in Samaritans _cf. Luke 10:33_, Luke 17:16; contrast Matthew 10:5), though Jesus appears (Mk., Mt.) later to have gone across Jordan into Peræ a (_cf._ Luke 9:56 *). LUKE 9:51. RECEIVED UP: a reference to the Ascension. Luke 9:52. before his face: _ cf. Luke 1:76_,...