Here’s how the study works: Read the chapter mentioned in the heading several times during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for a chapter creates the opportunity to reread it several times and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
v.34-35 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
The word here for "covered" is the same word Luke uses in 1:35 where the angel explains to Mary how she will become pregnant: “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you."
On the day of Pentecost we see the Holy Spirit again overshadowing his people and empowering them to do the impossible.
v.34-35 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
The word here for "covered" is the same word Luke uses in 1:35 where the angel explains to Mary how she will become pregnant: “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you."
On the day of Pentecost we see the Holy Spirit again overshadowing his people and empowering them to do the impossible.
v.45 But they (the disciples) did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
This was after Jesus told them, to “listen carefully” and that he would be delivered into "human hands". The disciples had no clues as to what Jesus meant. It was hidden from them because they couldn’t see how this could possibly happen. How could people kill God? They did not see the big picture of God's purposes so often we miss that too.
Also don’t be afraid to ask!
v.45 But they (the disciples) did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
This was after Jesus told them, to “listen carefully” and that he would be delivered into "human hands". The disciples had no clues as to what Jesus meant. It was hidden from them because they couldn’t see how this could possibly happen. How could people kill God? They did not see the big picture of God's purposes so often we miss that too.
Also don’t be afraid to ask!
v.24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
This is like the principle of delayed gratification. We ‘miss’ out now in order to receive something much better later on.
v.24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
This is like the principle of delayed gratification. We ‘miss’ out now in order to receive something much better later on.
v.27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
People understand this passage in several different ways. It was just before the transfiguration where they experienced just a ‘taste’ of the kingdom but when would they see the kingdom? Pentecost? Or at the second coming?
After Pentecost the disciples experienced death to their own ambitions which needed to die (v.46).
It can also be understood to mean that some will taste death before they see the kingdom, suggesting that the fullness of God’s kingdom was going to be delayed.
v.27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
People understand this passage in several different ways. It was just before the transfiguration where they experienced just a ‘taste’ of the kingdom but when would they see the kingdom? Pentecost? Or at the second coming?
After Pentecost the disciples experienced death to their own ambitions which needed to die (v.46).
It can also be understood to mean that some will taste death before they see the kingdom, suggesting that the fullness of God’s kingdom was going to be delayed.
v.29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed
Praying will also change us.
v.29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed
Praying will also change us.
v.33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
Perhaps Peter was thinking that the Kingdom had begun and remembered Zechariah 14:16 “Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.” Perhaps Peter thought it was time to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
v.33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
Perhaps Peter was thinking that the Kingdom had begun and remembered Zechariah 14:16 “Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.” Perhaps Peter thought it was time to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.
v.48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”
(From Constable’s Commentary) “A child was the least significant person in Jewish and in Greco-Roman culture.” And “The principle is that the disciple who is willing to sacrifice personal advancement to serve insignificant people, as the world views people, is truly great in God's estimation (cf. Matt. 25:35-40; Mark 9:41).”
v.48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”
(From Constable’s Commentary) “A child was the least significant person in Jewish and in Greco-Roman culture.” And “The principle is that the disciple who is willing to sacrifice personal advancement to serve insignificant people, as the world views people, is truly great in God's estimation (cf. Matt. 25:35-40; Mark 9:41).”
v. 54-55 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them.
Jesus accepted rejection without the need to retaliate.
v. 54-55 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them.
Jesus accepted rejection without the need to retaliate.