WHO IS THIS I HEAR SUCH THINGS ABOUT?

Introduction: Herod Antipas, in accord with the terms of Herod the Great’s final will and as confirmed by the emperor Augustus, ruled over Galilee and Perea from 4 b.c. to a.d. 29. Luke mentions only the former territory. … The title “tetrarch” (lit., “ruler of a fourth part”) was used in the NT period more generally for petty princes.

Herod asked the question, “Who is this,” and Luke spends some time answering it. The disciples had asked the same question back in Luke 8.25. Three answers are in our text for today.

I. A man who was concerned about His followers vs. 10-11>>Luke 9.10-11

A. ὑποχωρέω: to move away from a location, implying a considerable distance; to withdraw, to retire, to go off, to go away.

B. κατ̓ ἰδίαν: (an idiom, literally ‘according to that which is private’) pertaining to what occurs in a private context or setting, in the sense of not being made known publicly; privately. Depending therefore upon the context, one may render κατʼ ἰδίαν by such expressions as ‘without others knowing’ or ‘without other people being present.’

C. Jesus knew the Twelve would be tired and needing refreshment

D. Jesus handled the crowd while the Twelve rested

II. A man able to replicate food vs. 12-17>>Luke 9.12-17

A. Matthew 14 and Mark 6 say Jesus had compassion on the crowd

B. A miracle worker

C. Luke 24.30-31

D. We are reminded of who Jesus is in the taking of the Lord’s Supper

E. The focus is on what Jesus can enable them to do. We recognize who Jesus is through what he makes possible in our midst.

F. The apostles accepted hospitality when they went out teaching and healing; now Jesus helps them extend hospitality to the crowd.

III. The Messiah of God vs. 18-20>>Luke 9.18-20

A. No time or place is given for vs. 18; Luke has arranged this section, not chronologically, but to establish who Jesus is

B. The crowds were saying the same thing that Herod was thinking vs. 19

C. The title christos, “Christ,” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew masiah, “Messiah,” “anointed one.” Among certain groups in first-century Palestinian Judaism, the title was applied to an expected royal leader from the line of David who would restore the kingdom to Israel (see Acts 1:6). The political overtones of the title are played down in Luke and instead the Messiah of the Lord (Luke 2:26) or the Lord’s anointed is the one who now brings salvation to all humanity, Jew and Gentile (Luke 2:29–32).

D. Isaiah 45.1

1. Man of God’s choice

2. Appointed to accomplish a redemptive purpose towards God’s people

3. Given dominion over the nations

4. In all his activities the real agent is Yahweh himself

5. Judge the foes of God’s people

E. In the Dead Sea Scrolls the Messiah is described, less like David the King, and more like a High Priest. God revealed to Peter (maybe all Twelve) that Jesus was the Messiah. But we have no idea of how Peter understood the idea.

Conclusion: We can’t be the Messiah and we can’t do miracles, but we can copy Jesus’ lifestyle as we acknowledge Him as King and Priest.