Luke 9:51
As the day of His ascension approached, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
As the day of His ascension approached
This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the Gospel of Luke, indicating a shift in Jesus' ministry. The Greek word for "ascension" is "ἀναλήψεως" (analēpseōs), which means "taking up" or "ascension." This term not only refers to Jesus' physical ascension into heaven but also signifies the culmination of His earthly mission. Historically, this moment is a turning point where Jesus begins His final journey to Jerusalem, fully aware of the suffering and sacrifice that await Him. The phrase underscores the divine timetable and the fulfillment of prophecy, as Jesus' ascension is a key event in God's redemptive plan.

Jesus resolutely set out
The Greek word for "resolutely" is "ἐστήρισεν" (estērisen), which conveys a sense of steadfastness and determination. This word choice highlights Jesus' unwavering commitment to His mission, despite knowing the trials and crucifixion that lie ahead. It reflects His obedience to the Father's will and His love for humanity. The phrase "set out" indicates a deliberate and purposeful action, emphasizing that Jesus' journey to Jerusalem was not accidental but a fulfillment of His divine purpose. This determination serves as an inspirational model for believers, encouraging them to pursue God's will with courage and resolve.

for Jerusalem
Jerusalem holds profound significance in biblical history and prophecy. It is the city where the temple stood, the center of Jewish worship, and the place where many prophets were martyred. In the context of Jesus' ministry, Jerusalem is the city where He will face His crucifixion, resurrection, and ultimately, His ascension. The mention of Jerusalem here is laden with theological meaning, as it represents both the rejection and redemption of God's people. Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and a testament to His role as the Messiah. For believers, Jerusalem symbolizes the place of sacrifice and salvation, where Jesus' love and obedience to the Father are most profoundly demonstrated.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is preparing for His final journey to Jerusalem, where He will fulfill His mission through His death, resurrection, and ascension.

2. Jerusalem
The city where Jesus is heading, significant as the center of Jewish worship and the place where He will complete His earthly mission.

3. Ascension
Refers to the event of Jesus being taken up to heaven, marking the completion of His earthly ministry and the beginning of His exaltation.
Teaching Points
Resolute Purpose
Jesus' determination to go to Jerusalem despite knowing the suffering that awaited Him teaches us about the importance of steadfastness in fulfilling God's will.

Obedience to God's Plan
Jesus' journey to Jerusalem was in obedience to the Father's plan. We are called to follow God's will, even when it leads us into difficult situations.

Focus on the Eternal
Jesus' focus was on the ultimate goal of His mission—our salvation and His glorification. We should keep our eyes on eternal rewards rather than temporary challenges.

Courage in the Face of Adversity
Jesus' courage in facing His impending suffering encourages us to face our own trials with faith and trust in God's plan.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does Jesus' determination to go to Jerusalem teach us about facing challenges in our own lives?

2. How can we apply the concept of "setting our face like flint" in our daily walk with Christ?

3. In what ways does Jesus' journey to Jerusalem reflect His obedience to the Father's will, and how can we emulate this obedience?

4. How does understanding Jesus' focus on His ascension and ultimate glorification help us prioritize our spiritual goals?

5. What other biblical examples of resolute faith can we draw inspiration from, and how do they encourage us in our personal faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 50:7
This verse speaks of the servant of the Lord setting his face like flint, indicating determination and resolve, similar to Jesus' resolute journey to Jerusalem.

Hebrews 12:2
This passage encourages believers to fix their eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him, paralleling His determination in Luke 9:51.

Acts 1:9-11
Describes the ascension of Jesus, providing the fulfillment of the journey He began in Luke 9:51.
The Secret of Successful WorkR.M. Edgar Luke 9:37-62
Wisdom, Duty, DangerW. Clarkson Luke 9:51-55
A Visit from ChristJohn James.Luke 9:51-56
Boldness of the Decided ManPaxton Hood.Luke 9:51-56
Christ a SaviourA. Macfarlane.Luke 9:51-56
Christ Hastening to the CrossA. Maclaren, D. D.Luke 9:51-56
Christ, the Saviour of Human LifeH. Melvill, B. D.Luke 9:51-56
Christ's MissionW. D. Horwood.Luke 9:51-56
False ZealArchbishop Tillotson.Luke 9:51-56
Intolerance RebukedW. H. Lewis, D. D.Luke 9:51-56
Misdirected EnthusiasmProf. Momerie, M. A. , D. Sc.Luke 9:51-56
On PersecutionP. Doddridge, D. D.Luke 9:51-56
Our Lord and the SamaritansJ. Foote, M. A.Luke 9:51-56
Our Lord's Treatment of Erroneous ZealB. Beddome, M. A.Luke 9:51-56
Peace and War -- from a Christian StandpointDawson Burns, M. A.Luke 9:51-56
Religious RepulsionsH. W. Beecher.Luke 9:51-56
Steadfastnes in the Path of DutyT. L. Cuyler, D. D.Luke 9:51-56
The Battle-FaceSunday School TimesLuke 9:51-56
The Face Toward JerusalemLuke 9:51-56
The Son of Man the Saviour of LifeW. Walters.Luke 9:51-56
The Spirit of Christ and of ElijahJ. Vaughan, B. A.Luke 9:51-56
The Story of the Sons of ThunderCanon Luckock.Luke 9:51-56
The Vindictive Spirit RebukedJ. Parker, D. D.Luke 9:51-56
This is the Inn of a Traveller on His Way to JerusalemT. L. Cuyler, D. D.Luke 9:51-56
Ungodly Nature of RevengeLuke 9:51-56
Why Did Christ Go Up to Jerusalem?A. Maclaren, D. D.Luke 9:51-56
People
Elias, Elijah, Herod, James, Jesus, John, Peter
Places
Bethsaida, Galilee, Jerusalem, Road to Jerusalem
Topics
Approaching, Ascension, Completing, Determined, Drew, Face, Fixed, Fulfilled, Heaven, Intently, Jerusalem, Messengers, Pass, Proceeded, Purpose, Received, Receiving, Resolutely, Steadfastly, Stedfastly, Towards, Well-nigh
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 9:51

     2054   Christ, mind of
     4971   seasons, of life
     5150   face
     5833   diligence
     8225   devotion

Luke 9:51-53

     7525   exclusiveness

Luke 9:51-56

     5357   journey
     5496   revenge, examples
     7560   Samaritans, the

Library
Self-Denial Versus Self-Assertion.
"If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.--LUKE ix. 23. We might naturally have thought that if there was one thing in the life of the LORD JESUS CHRIST which belonged to Him alone, it was His cross-bearing. To guard against so natural a mistake, the HOLY GHOST has taken care in gospel and in epistle to draw our special attention to the oneness of the believer with CHRIST in cross-bearing; and also to prevent misunderstanding as to the character
J. Hudson Taylor—A Ribband of Blue

January 30 Morning
Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.--HEB. 12:1,2. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.--Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.--Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness. Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 1 Evening
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.--LUKE 9:23. By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report.--All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.--The offence of the cross. If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye: but let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 15 Evening
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.--JAS. 1:8. No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.--Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.--What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

October 26 Evening
Take heed to your spirit.--MAL. 2:15. 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. Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he . . . rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. And Joshua the son of Nun . . . answered and said, My
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

May 11. "Whosoever Will Save his Life Shall Lose It" (Luke ix. 24).
"Whosoever will save his life shall lose it" (Luke ix. 24). First and foremost Christ teaches resurrection and life. The power of Christianity is life. It brings us not merely law, duty, example, with high and holy teaching and admonition. It brings us the power to follow the higher ideal and the life that spontaneously does the things commanded. But it is not only life, but resurrection life. And it begins with a real crisis, a definite transaction, a point of time as clear as the morning dawn.
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

January 20. "Ye Know not what Manner of Spirit Ye are Of" (Luke ix. 55).
"Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of" (Luke ix. 55). Some one has said that the most spiritual people are the easiest to get along with. When one has a little of the Holy Ghost it is like "a little learning, a dangerous thing"; but a full baptism of the Holy Spirit, and a really disciplined, stablished and tested spiritual life, makes one simple, tender, tolerant, considerate of others, and like a little child. James and John, in their early zeal, wanted to call down fire from heaven on the
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Lord that Healeth Thee'
'He healed them that had need of healing.'--Luke ix. 11. Jesus was seeking a little quiet and rest for Himself and His followers. For that purpose He took one of the fishermen's boats to cross to the other side of the sea. But the crowd, inconsiderate and selfish, like all crowds, saw the course of the boat, and hurried, as they could easily do, on foot round the head of the lake, to be ready for Him wherever He might land. So when He touched the shore, there they all were, open-mouthed and mostly
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Prayer and Transfiguration
'And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered.'--LUKE ix. 29. This Evangelist is especially careful to record the instances of our Lord's prayers. That is in accordance with the emphasis which he places on Christ's manhood. In this narrative of the Transfiguration it is to Luke that we owe our knowledge of the connection between our Lord's prayer and the radiance of His face. It may be a question how far such transfiguration was the constant accompaniment of our Lord's devotion. It
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Christ Hastening to the Cross
'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.'--LUKE ix. 51. There are some difficulties, with which I need not trouble you here, as to bringing the section of this Gospel to which these words are the introduction, into its proper chronological place in relation to the narratives; but, putting these on one side for the present, there seems no doubt that the Evangelist's intention here is to represent the beginning of our
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Bread from Heaven
'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. 11. 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. 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,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Christ's Cross and Ours
'And it came to pass, as He was alone praying, His disciples were with Him; and He asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am I 19. They answering, said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. 20. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering, said, The Christ of God. 21. And He straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing; 22. Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

'In the Holy Mount'
'And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31. Who appeared in glory, and spake of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.'--LUKE ix. 30, 31. The mysterious incident which is commonly called the Transfiguration contained three distinct portions, each having its own special significance and lesson. The first was that supernatural change in the face and garments of our Lord from which the whole incident derives its name. The second was the appearance by His
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Following "Whithersoever"
One day as Jesus was passing along the highway, a man said to him, "I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest" (Luke 9: 57). This man no doubt was greatly impressed by the wonderful works and noble character of Christ. He thought that companionship with such a man would be full of blessing and richness. Just to see and hear would be worth any man's time and effort--to hear the gracious words that came from His lips would enrich mind and heart; to see the mighty works done would inspire. To him
Charles Wesley Naylor—Heart Talks

Gethsemane: the Strange, Lone Struggle. Matthew 26:36-46. Mark 14:32-42. Luke 22:39-46. Hebrews 5:7.
The Pathway in: messengers ahead--Jesus felt the cross drawing near--the look of His face, Luke 9:51-55.--His disciples afraid, Mark 10:32.--indignation against sin, John 11:33, 38. marginal reading American Revision.--the Greeks, John 12:20-28. The Climax of Suffering: the darkest shadow--why the struggle is strange--shock of extremes--His purpose in yielding--separation from the Father--Matthew 27:46. Mark 15:34 margin.--the superlative degree of suffering. Alone: a full evening, Matthew
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke ix. 57, Etc. , Where the Case of the Three Persons is Treated Of, of whom one Said, "I Will
1. Give ye ear to that which the Lord hath given me to speak on the lesson of the Gospel. For we have read, that the Lord Jesus acted differently, when one man offered himself to follow Him, and was disallowed; another did not dare this, and was aroused; a third put off, and was blamed. For the words, "Lord, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest," [3246] what is so prompt, what so active, what so ready, and what so fitly disposed to so great a good, as this "following the Lord whithersoever
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

Self-Denial
"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." Luke 9:23 1. It has been frequently imagined, that the direction here given related chiefly, if not wholly, to the Apostles; at least, to the Christians of the first ages, or those in a state of persecution. But this is a grievous mistake; For although our blessed Lord is here directing his discourse more immediately to his Apostles, and those other disciples who attended him
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The Comer's Conflict with Satan
There are four points for our consideration this morning. That you may easily remember them I have made them alliterative: the devil's doings, designs, discovery, and defeat. I. First, THE DEVIL'S DOINGS. When this child came to Christ to be healed, the devil threw him down and tare him. Now this is an illustration of what Satan does with most, if not all sinners, when they come to Jesus to seek light and life through him; he throws them down and tears them. Allow me to point out how it is that the
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

The Broken Column
"Lord, I will follow thee: but--." How remarkably does Scripture prove to us that the mental characteristics of mankind are the same now as in the Saviour's day! We occasionally hear stories of old skeletons being dug up which are greater in stature than men of these times. Some credit the story, some do not, for there be many who maintain that the physical conformation of man is at this day just what it always was. Certainly, however, there can be no dispute whatever among observant men as to the
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

Heb. 4:14 Our Profession
"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."--Heb. 4:14. A CAREFUL reader of the Epistle to the Hebrews can hardly fail to observe that the words "let us" are found no less than four times in the fourth chapter. In the first verse you will read, "let us fear,"--in the eleventh verse, "let us labour,"--in the fourteenth verse, "let us hold fast,"--and in the sixteenth verse, "let us come boldly to the throne
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Self-Denial.
And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.'--St. Luke ix. 23, 24. Christ is the way out, and the way in; the way from slavery, conscious or unconscious, into liberty; the way from the unhomeliness of things to the home we desire but do not know; the way from the stormy skirts of the Father's garments
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

The Transfiguration.
"And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, He took Peter and John and James and went up into the mountain to pray."--LUKE ix. 28-36. The public life or our Lord falls into two parts; and the incident here recorded is the turning point between them. In order that He might leave behind Him when He died a sure foundation for His Church, it was necessary that His intimate companions should at all events know that He was the Christ, and that the Christ must enter into glory by suffering
Marcus Dods—How to become like Christ

Alone with God.
This life of ours will never be all that it should be unless we are much alone with God. Only those who are oft alone with him know the benefit that is derived therefrom. You can not be like God unless you are much with him, and you can not live like him unless you are like him. The Scriptures tell us that Jesus departed into the mountain to be alone with the Father and that he was often "alone praying." When Jesus had anything of great importance to say to his disciples, he always took them aside
C. E. Orr—How to Live a Holy Life

Links
Luke 9:51 NIV
Luke 9:51 NLT
Luke 9:51 ESV
Luke 9:51 NASB
Luke 9:51 KJV

Luke 9:51 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Luke 9:50
Top of Page
Top of Page