Morning Bible Study: Luke 9:51-56

The Journey to Jerusalem

51 When the days were coming to a close for Him to be taken up, He determined to journey to Jerusalem. 

52 He sent messengers ahead of Himself, and on the way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make preparations for Him. 

53 But they did not welcome Him, because He determined to journey to Jerusalem. 

54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”

55 But He turned and rebuked them, 

56 and they went to another village.

Commentary

(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, 1706 -- www.christianity.com)

"The disciples did not consider that the conduct of the Samaritans was rather the effect of national prejudices and bigotry, than of enmity to the word and worship of God; and through they refused to receive Christ and his disciples, they did not ill use or injure them. 

Nor were they [the disciples] aware that the gospel dispensation was to be marked by miracles of mercy. But above all, they were ignorant of the prevailing motives of their own hearts, which were pride and carnal ambition. Of this our Lord warned them. 

It is easy for us to say, Come, see our zeal for the Lord! and to think we are very faithful in his cause, when we are seeking our own objects, and even doing harm instead of good to others."