Luke 9:51Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What is meant by the phrase, "When the days of His capture were at hand"? It signifies that the moment had arrived for Him to endure suffering on our behalf and subsequently rise to heaven to be at the right hand of God the Father. When the moment for His passion and departure from this world approached, He chose not to wander about but to journey directly to Jerusalem. The phrase "He wanted to go" (in Church Slavonic - set His face) indicates that He resolutely made the decision to proceed to Jerusalem.

Those who possess great riches and take pride in their abundance often gather influential individuals for lavish feasts, laying out a table filled with a variety of exquisite dishes and sauces that delight the palate beyond mere hunger. However, this indulgence does more harm than good to those who partake in it. For the excess of pleasure beyond fulfilling one's hunger is detrimental. In contrast, those who hold spiritual wealth, who understand sacred teachings and are enlightened by divine truth, nurture their spirits through meaningful discussions. This enables them to be fruitful for God's glory and to grow in the journey of all virtues, diligently engaging in the deeds that lead to a blessed outcome.

Rushing towards Jerusalem, where the moment of its redemption from the world would finally arrive to commemorate the Passover, He expressed His deep desire, stating, “I longed to eat this Passover with you before my suffering” (Luke 22:15). He prepared to partake of the cup, affirming, "Why should I not drink the cup which the Father has given Me?" (John 18:11). His teachings would be affirmed through the cross, in alignment with the scripture, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to Myself” (John 12:32). The Lord steadfastly set His face toward Jerusalem. For one who eagerly embraces suffering requires steadfastness and bravery. Similarly, to Ezekiel, God instructed, “Son of man, thou shalt also dwell with the scorpions; thou shalt not be afraid of them” (Ezek.

As the time approached for His ascension, He resolutely set His sights on Jerusalem. The period referred to as His ascension signifies the appointed moment for His departure from the earth to the heavens. His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension were imminent. The phrase 'set His face' denotes His unwavering determination to go to Jerusalem, fully focused on the suffering that lay ahead. It is written in the Psalms, 'I will set My eyes upon thee,' which implies a commitment to gaze intently, without turning away.

Departing from Galilee with the purpose of becoming a sacrificial offering for the people in Jerusalem, the Lord drew closer each day to this monumental act. Throughout His journey, He continuously focused on preparing the establishment of His kingdom, which was to be inaugurated with His death. He extended a fresh invitation to those who had not been privileged to hear the initial call, graciously embracing all who repented. He admonished the proud and obstinate, guided the apostles in their identities and conduct, gradually revealing to them the future and making it evident that He willingly journeyed to Jerusalem to confront His adversaries.

As the time for His ascension drew near, Jesus expressed His intention to travel to Jerusalem. This marks the beginning of the account in the Gospel of Luke regarding His journey through Samaria. The term συμμπληροῦσθαι indicates a progression or an approach. The term 'Αναλήψίς appears in Luke’s account to refer specifically to the ascension of Jesus into heaven. This suggests that, after spending a considerable amount of time in Galilee—where He had been avoiding Judea due to threats on His life—Jesus, recognizing that the time for His departure from earth to heaven was approaching, no longer sought to remain hidden from those who opposed Him and chose to confront them directly. Typically, travelers from Galilee would make their way to Jerusalem via either Perea or Samaria.

The time had arrived for the conclusion of Jesus' ministry. He needed to journey to Jerusalem where He would endure suffering at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, ultimately leading to His death. However, on the third day, He would rise again, as He had consistently communicated to His apostles (Matthew 16:21).

The SAVIOR, engaged in proclaiming the Gospel and performing acts of benevolence, spent around a year and a half in the northern region of Palestine following His last trip to Jerusalem. His adversaries had prevented Him from attending the significant feasts of the year. Yet, the time for the culmination of His ministry was drawing near; the fulfillment of the ages was imminent. Recognizing that His preparatory teachings were complete, the Savior boldly embarked on His redemptive mission and journeyed to Jerusalem once more. There, He aimed to declare His divine authority and offer the leading figures of the community—who had persistently approached Him with skepticism and hostility—the chance for repentance and recognition of Him as the promised Messiah to achieve their intended purpose.

Only Luke narrates the commencement of the Lord's journey through Samaria en route to Jerusalem, highlighting the episode in the Samaritan village. The phrase "The days of His capture were at hand" signifies the onset of His suffering and crucifixion. This term is often employed when referring to the death of Christ, as seen in Acts 1:11, 22; Mark 16:19; and 1 Timothy 3:16. Through this phrase, the Evangelist emphasizes the gravity of the moment.

As the time approached for the Lord to depart from the earth, He resolved to journey to Jerusalem, opting not for the typical route taken by the Galileans, which avoided the unfriendly territory of the Samaritans, but instead choosing the most direct path through Samaria.