The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament (91 page)

8:40-56
Three details link these miracle stories together.
(1)
Both highlight the number
twelve,
which represents the age of the young girl and the duration of the woman's suffering.
(2)
Both beneficiaries are females.
(3)
Both illustrate how God honors genuine faith (8:48, 50) (CCC 2616). 
Back to text.

8:41 ruler of the synagogue:
A leading Jewish elder who presided over Sabbath services and other weekly activities (13:14; Acts 13:15).
See note on Mt 4:23
. 
Back to text.

8:43 a flow of blood:
This condition excluded the woman from normal life in Israel. According to the Law, she lived in perpetual uncleanness and could not be touched by anyone (Lev 15:19-30). Jesus first cures her infirmity and then publicizes her restoration before "all the people" (8:46-48) to facilitate her reintegration into Jewish society. 
Back to text.

8:44 fringe of his garment:
The Mosaic Law required Israelites to wear tassels on their garments to remind them of God's commandments (Num 15:38-39; Deut 22:12). 
Back to text.

8:51 Peter and John and James:
Three of Jesus' closest disciples (9:28; Mk 14:33). 
Back to text.

8:52 she is not dead:
The departure and return of the girl's spirit (8:55) suggest that Jesus speaks metaphorically. She is in fact dead, but he says she is
sleeping
to emphasize that her condition is only temporary and soon to be reversed.
See note on Mk 5:39
. 
Back to text.

9:1 gave them power:
Jesus equips the apostles with his own spiritual
authority
to expel demons (4:35, 41), cure the sick (4:39; 5:13; 7:22; 8:47), and proclaim God's kingdom (4:43; 8:1). 
Back to text.

9:3 Take nothing:
Trusting in God, the apostles must rely on local hospitality for necessities during their mission (12:2224). This prepares them for leadership in the Church, where they will preach the gospel through a life of spiritual poverty (10:7). 
Back to text.

9:5 shake off the dust:
A symbolic act of judgment and curse (10:10-12; Acts 13:51). Those who reject God's kingdom disqualify themselves from its blessings.
See note on Mt 10:14
. 
Back to text.

9:7 Herod the tetrarch:
Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee and Perea from 4/1
B.C.
to
A.D.
39.
John had been raised:
Luke does not recount John's execution but last mentions him in Herod's prison (3:20). His martyrdom is narrated in Mt 14:112 and Mk 6:14-29. 
Back to text.

9:9 he sought to see him:
Rumors were circulating that Jesus was a resurrected prophet, either John the Baptist (9:7), Elijah (9:8), or another OT figure (9:8). Herod's desire to meet Jesus went unfulfilled until his trial (23:8-12). 
Back to text.

9:10-17
Apart from the Resurrection, the multiplication of the loaves is the only miracle recounted in all four Gospels (Mt 14:13-21; Mk 6:30-44; Jn 6:1-13). It recalls previous miracles from the OT and foreshadows the sacramental miracle of the Eucharist. It also connects with a larger theme in Luke where Jesus describes God's kingdom as a great feast (13:29-30; 14:7-14, 15-24). This messianic banquet is celebrated first at the Last Supper (22:14-23) and later in heaven (Rev 19:7-9).
See note on Mk 6:35-44
. 
Back to text.

9:10 Bethsaida:
A fishing town on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was located in Herod Philip's territory (3:1) and was the hometown of the apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip (Jn 1:44; 12:21). Jesus later cursed the city for rejecting him (10:13). 
Back to text.

9:18 Who do the people:
According to the following verse (9:19), the crowds associated Jesus with the prophets of recent (John the Baptist) and distant memory (Elijah, old prophets). The "polls" were nonetheless divided, and Jesus' true identity remained a mystery to them. 
Back to text.

9:20 who do you:
In view of conflicting opinions (9:19), Jesus swings the question around to his disciples: What has their experience suggested about his identity and mission?
The Christ of God:
The awaited Messiah (Jn 1:41). Peter was enlightened by the Father (Mt 16:17) to see in Jesus the king of Israel (1:32-33; Jn 1:49) and the only Son of God (9:35; Jn 1:18).
See note on Mt 16:16
and word study:
Christ
at Mk 14:61. 
Back to text.

9:21 tell this to no one:
Broadcasting Jesus as the Messiah could invite misunderstanding and obscure the spiritual thrust of his mission.
See note on Mk 1:44
. 
Back to text.

9:22 Son of man must suffer:
The first of several Passion predictions in Luke (9:44; 12:50; 17:25; 18:31-33). Jesus here begins to clarify that his mission is not earthly or political, but one that entails suffering and death. See topical essay:
Jesus, the Son of Man,
at Lk 17. 
Back to text.

9:23 take up his cross:
Christian discipleship is costly, involving much sacrifice and self-denial (14:26, 33). Perseverance is necessary to follow the way of Christ on a
daily
basis (CCC 1435).
See note on Mt 10:38
. 
Back to text.

9:26 comes in his glory:
Jesus is appointed to be the world's divine Judge (Mt 25:31-46; 2 Cor 5:10). Those with the courage to identify with him will be saved, while those ashamed of him will be rejected in the presence of the Father (2 Tim 2:1113).
See note on Mk 8:38
. 
Back to text.

9:27 see the kingdom:
Jesus promises that his kingdom will arrive within the lifetime of his contemporaries. This points to the birth of the Church in general (22:28-30) and to the destruction of Jerusalem in particular (21:31-32). The downfall of the city (
A.D.
70) will mark a turning point in salvation history that signals the expiration of the Old Covenant kingdom and the definitive establishment of the New.
See note on Lk 4:43
. 
Back to text.

9:28-36
The Transfiguration has three levels of significance.
(1)
Christ reveals his glory to offset the shock of his first Passion prediction (9:22).
(2)
The Father's
voice,
the chosen
Son,
and the
cloud
of the Spirit manifest the presence of the Blessed Trinity.
(3)
The prophets
Moses
and
Elijah
testify that Jesus will fulfill the Law and prophets of the OT. This episode also parallels Yahweh's manifestation to Moses on Mt. Sinai (CCC 554-56, 697).
See note on Mt 17:1-8
. •
Allegorically
(St. Hilary,
In Matt.
17): Christ invites three companions up the mountain to signify the salvation of mankind. As the human family stems from the three sons of Noah—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—so its elevation to glory is represented by Peter, James, and John ascending the mountain into the divine presence. 
Back to text.

9:32 saw his glory:
Evident by the changes in Jesus' appearance and clothing (9:29). • The experience of Peter, James, and John parallels that of the Israelites at Sinai who similarly witnessed the "glory" of God and "heard his voice" at the mountain (Deut 5:24). 
Back to text.

9:35 my Son, my Chosen:
One of several announcements of Jesus' divine Sonship (3:22; 4:41; 8:28). • The Father's words echo Is 42:1, where the Lord's Servant is empowered by the Spirit to bring relief to the oppressed and justice to all nations (Is 42:2-7). The final injunction,
listen to him,
is taken from Deut 18:15, where Moses prophesied that another prophet like himself would someday arise in Israel. Jesus fits this prophetic description, and because his teaching is backed by the approval and authority of the Father, he must be followed as the Israelites once followed their leader Moses (Acts 3:22; 7:37).
See note on Lk 3:21-22
. 
Back to text.

9:41 perverse generation:
An expression drawn from Deut 32:5, 20. • These verses are part of the "Song of Moses", in which Moses prophesied the future failures of Israel and indicted the people in advance for their faithlessness (Deut 32:1-43). Jesus directs these words to his own generation in order to link them with God's wayward people through the ages.
See note on Mt 12:45
. 
Back to text.

9:48 the one who is great:
Greatness in God's kingdom is measured by a standard of humility and service to others. Competition for prestige or worldly recognition is ruled out (22:2427; Mk 10:35-45). 
Back to text.

9:51 to be received up:
A reference to Jesus' Ascension ' (Acts 1:2, 11). • Jewish tradition holds that both Moses and Elijah were assumed into heaven and that both imparted a share of their spirit to their successors (Deut 34:9; 2 Kings 2:915). Jesus will likewise ascend into glory and pour out his Spirit upon his followers (Acts 1:8-9).
set his face to go:
Jesus now begins a long journey to Jerusalem. When he arrives, he will denounce the city for rejecting his message (13:22, 33; 17:11; 18:31; 19:11, 28). • Luke describes Jesus' resolution in terms that recall how Yahweh commissioned the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel to preach against Jerusalem for its corruption (Jer 21:10; Ezek 21:2). 
Back to text.