v1-4: As the Lord's journey to Jerusalem is about to begin; the beginning of Jesus' final months of ministry; He makes clear statements about hypocrisy, about false doctrine, about real commitment.
The Pharisees, seeking a sign (as in 12.38-42), do not understand the signs of the times (contrast Esth 1.13), and have no real knowledge of the truth of God. Jesus describes these people as "wicked and adulterous," disloyal towards God.
Jesus "left them;" He doesn't want to spend fruitless hours arguing with those who have no interest in following Him. He does not cast pearls before swine. He feared no man, but sometimes avoided needless controversy.
v5: The incident of the disciples forgetting to bring bread is turned into an opportunity for teaching.
Life is spiritual, for we are spiritual people, and we can constantly learn the ways of Christ.
v6: Beware of false doctrine, believed and promoted by the religious leaders.
v7-8: As in 15.16, the disciples lack faith and understanding. We need a real knowledge of spiritual truth, and a real faith that obeys that truth.
v9-10: Jesus could provide bread for them; which is the simple lesson of the feeding of 5000 and then 4000. Jesus is not speaking about bread.
v11-12: Jesus is teaching them about false teaching from the Pharisees and the Sadducees. This is "yeast," something that may be in small measure, but will leaven (or poison) the whole loaf. A little false doctrine goes a long way.
Andew Wilson makes the point that, whenever there is discussion about the meaning of Scripture, Christ always states that the problem is with the people misunderstanding, not with the lack of clarity in the Bible (Unbreakable, chapter 8).
v13-28: Aspects of discipleship;
v13-20:; who Jesus is, Luke 9.18-20;
v21-23:; what Jesus came to do, Luke 9.22;
v24-28:; commitment to Jesus, Luke 9.23-27.
v13: Unless we have a proper understanding and appreciation of the person of Jesus Christ, any service will be without value.
v14: Mixed opinions, which is what we expect.
v15: What really matters; "But what about you?" Contrast John 21.25.
v16: The right confession.
v17: The truth about Jesus Christ is revealed by God, see 11.27; 1 Cor 2.9-10. Having received the truth about Christ we are blessed indeed.
v18: While Jesus speaks of Himself, He introduces "my church," a crucial new development. Jewish disciples are to become "Christians," followers of Jesus Christ. Further, Gentiles are to share the blessings with Jews, Eph 3.6. Tim Keller comments: 'Every great new thing is unprecedented - until it happens' (Reach the West).
This new development has Christ's blessing and promise upon it; the very worst that the enemy throws at the church will not overcome it. The true church of Jesus Christ cannot be destroyed, compare Dan 2.44 (which refers to a future world-wide kingdom, rather than the church itself). ‘Church is the movement of Jesus on earth’ (Matthew Frost, Tearfund Chief Executive). David Devenish adds that almost all reference to spiritual warfare is found in the context of the Church. (Demolishing Strongholds, chapter 17).
It could be mentioned that Peter is nowhere referred to as the founder of the church at Rome. The view that Peter instituted the office of Pope finds no NT support. Nothing in Acts or the epistles suggests this.
v19: The keys to the kingdom of heaven, something distinct from the church; compare John 20.23, where Jesus gives authority to the Twelve. Here too the Lord is 'ordaining' His disciples to serve after Him, using phrases common to Rabbis; "whatever you bind ... whatever you loose..." The Rabbis allowed and forbade different practices; Jesus uses those words here and also in 18.17-18 concerning Church discipline.
As far as the church is concerned, the ‘keys’ are the proclamation of the gospel of Christ; through that message the eternal destiny of men and women is determined; see 28.18-20. The gospel of Christ unleashes the power of Christ, as Paul says (Rom 1.16).
v20: The Lord has revealed much in a few words, but these things are not to be declared yet, see 17.9. After the resurrection and, especially, Pentecost, the message of Christ is to be declared.
v21: See 17.22-23; 20.17-19. "From that time," see Luke 9.51, as the journey to Jerusalem begins. Christ explains the truths about Himself, 13.18, 36; Mark 4.34; He does not just say them.
The key facts about His crucifixion and resurrection, without which there is no gospel; but through these events is real suffering for the Son of Man. Following Pentecost, this message is proclaimed.
Jesus journeys towards Jerusalem, see 19.1; 20.17, 29; 21.1, a shorter version of Luke's closing chapters (Luke 9-19), but He has to die in Jerusalem, Luke 13.33.
v22: The Twelve struggle to grasp the things Jesus says; see Acts 1.6. They have a different expectation of the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. The rebuke that Peter earns here contrast sharply with his confession in v16-17; we see how fickle and changeable the human heart is.
v23: We must have the mind of Christ, in understanding as well as in attitude. The alternative to having the mind of Christ is to think like mere men, 1 Cor 3.3; human wisdom is opposite to the mind of Christ.
R C Sproul comments that, whilst Satan had not taken over Peter, he had incited him to speak as he did, in rebuking and trying to correct Jesus. Earlier Satan had left Jesus (Luke 4.13), and now was ‘an opportune time’ to attack again. (Mighty Christ)
v24-25: The mind of Christ is the attitude of self-sacrifice; this is to do with choice; for we take us the cross and follow Him. Luke 14.27 ("bear" AV) means the same.
v26: The folly of taking another option; even the greatest that the world can give is as nothing compared with knowing Christ, and living for Him.
v27: The promise of reward; Christ the coming king, bringing His reward with Him, Is 40.10.
v28: The Son of Man has tasted death for us; through faith in His we escape death; for the Jewish believer there is the promise of seeing Christ in His kingdom. The promises of Dan 2.44, and the expectation of Acts 1.6 will be fulfilled.