Big Idea: The disciples show that they have not yet absorbed the message and values of the kingdom of God.

Understanding the Text

Luke 9:51 marks the end of the Galilean ministry and the beginning of the long “journey section” of the Gospel, which lasts until Jesus reaches Jerusalem in chapter 19. This is not a tightly organized travel narrative (indeed, the occasional geographical indications do not fit into a coherent sequence), but rather a collection of varied incidents and (mainly) teaching, including many of Luke’s parables, loosely set within the journey motif. Overshadowing it all is the declaration in 9:22, now echoed in 9:44, of the coming rejection and suffering of the Son of Man. Much of the material in this journey section is found only in Luke; parallels in Mark are very fe…