J. Vernon McGee Notes and Outlines

Chapter 9: | Darby | Geneva | Gill | Jamieson Faussett Brown | Johnson | Lightfoot | Matthew Henry | Matthew Henry Concise | McGarvey Pendleton | McGee | Wesley | Index | Bible Gateway |

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Luke 9
This chapter also records events found in Matthew and Mark. All three record the transfiguration. John does not record it, as the transfiguration sets forth the perfect humanity of Jesus rather than adding proof to His deity, and John emphasizes the deity of Jesus. Verse 29 may give the impression that the light was shining upon Him as a spotlight, but that is not Luke's intention. Mark 9:3 reads, "And his raiment became shining, exceedingly white like snow, as no fuller on earth can whiten them." The light came from within. This was probably the original condition of Adam and Eve. The word for transfigured is from the Greek metamorphoom. The English derivation is metamorphosis. Metamorphosis can be upward or downward:

1. Upward -- the ugly larva in the cocoon that became a beautiful butterfly,
2. Downward -- death.

In the transfiguration it is upward.

There are three steps in the life of Jesus:

1. Innocent and holy -- born without sin;
2. Holy in the sense that He met temptation and overcame it (Adam did not meet this test);
3. Transfigured -- this is the goal for humanity. In the transfiguration of Jesus we see the hope of humanity.

Dr. Luke alone elaborates upon this detail, as he does upon the contrasting condition -- the demon-possessed boy at the foot of the mountain (vv. 37-43). What a contrast!

Dr. Luke also gives much attention to demon possession. In chapter 8 he records Jesus' visit to Gadara and the man in the tombs possessed with demons. This man and the boy at the foot of the mount are extreme cases. He also records other cases, and from these we can draw certain conclusions:

• Casting out a demon is the first miracle recorded by Luke (4:31-35).
• Demons recognized Jesus (4:41).
• Demonism is distinguished from diseases (4:40-41).
• Demonism is a reality, as real as cancer or fever.
• Demons disturb men physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
• They destroy the lives of men and bring about inevitable external doom.
• Demonism is synonymous with unclean spirits.
• They control the lives of those whom they possess. Victims do not abide by rules and customs of society.
• A demon-possessed person cannot discipline himself -- the will is destroyed, leading to strange conduct (e.g., nudity).
• He is abnormal but not necessarily insane.
• The personality is degraded and debased. Ultimately he will be caused to do frightful and terrifying acts (8:27-29; 9:39, 42).
• Demons belong to the spiritual world, not the physical.
• They are behind false religion (1 Corinthians 10:20).
• Demons desire to inhabit persons. Many occupy one person.
• They dread the bottomless pit -- would rather go into pigs -- pigs would rather die.
• Only Christ can deliver from the power of demons, as it is the power of Satan (8:28; 9:42-43).

There is evidence of demon possession today. After World War II, with its bloodbath and atrocities in which the finer sensibilities of men had been degraded and deadened, demonism moved into this vacuum. Dr. Kurt Koch, who made a special study, gives many case histories.

Verse 51 is the turning point in the ministry of Jesus. He begins His march to Jerusalem and the cross.

A special thanks to Thru the Bible Radio Network for permission to create and post this version of Dr. J. Vernon McGee's Notes and Outlines. Visit Thru the Bible on the Web at www.ttb.org.

Chapter 9: | Darby | Geneva | Gill | Jamieson Faussett Brown | Johnson | Lightfoot | Matthew Henry | Matthew Henry Concise | McGarvey Pendleton | McGee | Wesley | Index | Bible Gateway |

Introduction   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   Mark   John

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