Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
The apostles sent forth. (1–9)
The multitude miraculously fed. (10–17)
Peter's testimony to Christ, Self-denial (18–27)
enjoined.
The transfiguration. (28–36)
An evil spirit cast out. (37–42)
Christ checks the ambition of his disciples. (43–50)
He reproves their mistaken zeal. (51–56)
Every thing to be given up for Christ. (57–62)Verses 1–9
Christ sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were able to teach others what they
had received from the Lord. They must not be anxious to commend themselves to people's esteem
by outward appearance. They must go as they were. The Lord Jesus is the fountain of power and
authority, to whom all creatures must, in one way or another, be subject; and if he goes with the
word of his ministers in power, to deliver sinners from Satan's bondage, they may be sure that he
will care for their wants. When truth and love thus go together, and yet the message of God is
rejected and despised, it leaves men without excuse, and turns to a testimony against them. Herod's
guilty conscience was ready to conclude that John was risen from the dead. He desired to see Jesus;
and why did he not go and see him? Probably, because he thought it below him, or because he
wished not to have any more reprovers of sin. Delaying it now, his heart was hardened, and when
he did see Jesus, he was as much prejudiced against him as others, Lu 23:11.
Verses 10–17
The people followed Jesus, and though they came unseasonably, yet he gave them what they
came for. He spake unto them of the kingdom of God. He healed those who had need of healing.
And with five loaves of bread and two fishes, Christ fed five thousand men. He will not see those
that fear him, and serve him faithfully, want any good thing. When we receive creature-comforts,
we must acknowledge that we receive them from God, and that we are unworthy to receive them;
that we owe them all, and all the comfort we have in them, to the mediation of Christ, by whom
the curse is taken away. The blessing of Christ will make a little go a great way. He fills every
hungry soul, abundantly satisfies it with the goodness of his house. Here were fragments taken up:
in our Father's house there is bread enough, and to spare. We are not straitened, nor stinted in Christ.
Verses 18–27