Commentary on the Gospel of Luke: Part II, Chapters 9 - 16

LUKE 9

LUKE 9 Luke 9:1–11:13 THE SENDING FORTH OF THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND AND HOW THEY SHOULD PREACH 1. Then having summoned the Twelve, Jesus,1 etc. In the previous three main sections of this part of the Gospel the Evangelist dealt with the teaching of Jesus Christ. Through this teaching the disciples themselves had been inspired in what they should believe, encouraged in the things they should imitate, and instructed in what they should understand. Now follows the fourth section which concerns the sending forth of those who understand and how they should preach. Now the order of this section is sufficiently clear in itself. For some preachers are of higher status, but others are of lower status. So this section has two parts. The first deals 1 On p. 216 n. 8 QuarEd rightly mention that the Vulgate does not have Iesus (“Jesus”). See Bonaventure’s Commentary on Luke 4:1 for his outline of Luke’s Gospel. ST. BONAVENTURE’S COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 798 with the mission of the Apostles. The second with the mission of the seventy disciples, where Luke 10:1 below reads: Now the Lord appointed seventy others, etc. Luke 9:1–62 THE MISSION OF THE APOSTLES The present chapter itself forms the first part and has three sections, according to the three things that the Evangelist considers necessary for Apostles and prelates2 who have been sent forth to preach. The first is the form to be used in preaching. The second concerns the way to be used in making progress, which the Evangelist explains in verse 18: And it came to pass as he was praying in private. Third is the norm to be used in presiding, which is described in verse 46: Now a discussion arose among them which of them was the greatest. Luke 9:1–17 THE FORM TO BE USED IN PREACHING Now he explains the form to be used in preaching in a twofold way. First, a divine precept stands behind it. Second, it has a divine example where Luke 9:10 reads: And the Apostles on their return announced3 to him. 2 The main point behind Apostle and prelate is “having been sent by one in authority.” 3 On p. 216, n. 11 QuarEd correctly indicate that the Vulgate has narraverunt (“told”) whereas Bonaventure reads nuntiaverunt (“announced ”). CHAPTER NINE 799 Luke 9:1–9 THE FORMATION OF PREACHERS THROUGH DIVINE PRECEPT Now relative to the formation of preachers through divine precept the Evangelist introduces three points, namely, the authority committed to them, the integrity enjoined upon them, and the benefit attached to their work. Authority is given first place as the leader. Integrity is present on the way, as 9:3 says: And he said to them: Take nothing for your journey. In third place he adds benefit as the consequence of the mission where 9:6 reads: And going forth, they went about ... preaching the gospel and working cures everywhere. – Now words, no matter how genuine their preacher may be, are ineffectual unless divine testimony backs them up. And such are the divine miracles. So in this first part there is first an explication of the granting of power to perform miracles and then the commissioning with the authority needed to preach the mysteries. For the first paves the way for the second. 2. (Verse 1). So with regard to the granting of power to perform miracles the text says: Then Jesus, having summoned the twelve apostles, that is, as the primary prelates, chosen from all others, according to what is said in Luke 6:13 above: “Jesus summoned his disciples. And from these he chose twelve, whom he also named Apostles.” Therefore, these had been summoned, that is, called together into unity to commend unity, for which the Holy Spirit is given, according to what is said in Acts 2:1: “And when the days of Pentecost were drawing to a close, all the disciples4 were together in one place.” Thus Numbers 11:16–17 has: “The Lord said to Moses: Gather unto me seventy men ... at the door of the tab4 The Vulgate does not read discipuli (“the disciples”). ST. BONAVENTURE’S COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 800 ernacle of the covenant.... And I will take of your spirit and give it to them.” – That is the way it is now. So the text adds: He...