Luke 9: The Twelve Apostles Are Sent Out to Preach

New Testament: Student Study guide, (2003), 61

Jesus ordained twelve Apostles to assist Him in the work and to carry it forward after His ascension into heaven. In order to accomplish this great task, the Apostles needed power, authority, experience, and knowledge but, as President Thomas S. Monson, a member of the First Presidency, reminded us, “Whom God calls, God qualifies” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1987, 54; or Ensign, May 1987, 44). As you read Luke 9, notice the ways Jesus helped the Twelve to qualify with necessary training and experience. We can feel confident that the Lord will help anyone who receives a calling. He wants us to succeed.

Other Accounts of What You Read in Luke 9

Luke 9:1–6—Matthew 10; Mark 6:7–13

Luke 9:7–9—Matthew 14:1–2; Mark 6:14–16

Luke 9:10–17—Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 9:10–17; John 6:1–14

Luke 9:18–50—Matthew 16:13–18:8; Mark 8:27–9:50

Luke 9:57–62—Matthew 8:19–22

Understanding the Scriptures

Luke 9

Scrip (v. 3)Traveling bag 
Tetrarch (v. 7)Ruler or governor of a region 
Victuals (v. 12)Food 
His countenance was altered (v. 29)His face and appearance was changed 
Decease (v. 31)Death 
It teareth him (v. 39)It throws him into convulsions 
Suffer (v. 41)Allow, endure 

Luke 9:5—“Shake Off the Very Dust from Your Feet”

When one of the Lord’s servants shakes the dust off his feet it is a testimony that those whom the Lord sent him to teach refused his fellowship and message. It signifies that he is not accountable for the judgments that follow upon those who rejected him. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said that “the performance of such a responsibility should not be done unless the Spirit of the Lord indicates that it should be done” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 4 vols. [1946–49], 1:115).

Studying the Scriptures

Do activity A as you study Luke 9.

Activity A iconFollowing Jesus

Based on what you have read in Luke 9:23–27, 57–62, write one or two paragraphs on what it means to truly follow Jesus and why a person would want to do so.