Luke 9:56Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But if one understands that they did not receive Him for this reason, because He had determined to go to Jerusalem, an excuse is found for them, who did not receive Him. But we must say, that in the words of the Evangelist, And they did not receive him, is implied that He did not go into Samaria, but afterwards as if some one had asked St. Luke, he explained in these words, why they did not receive Him. And He went not to them, i. e. not that He was unable, but that He did not wish to go there, but rather to Jerusalem.

When the time was near at hand in which it behoved our Lord to accomplish His life-giving Passion, and ascend up to heaven, He determines to go up to Jerusalem, as it is said, And it came to pass, &c.

The Lord, who came not to condemn but to redeem, approached not with might but with meekness, not amid the splendor of the Father but in the lowliness of humanity, admonished them for neglecting His teachings and the goodness of the Gospel. He instructed: If someone slaps you on your right cheek, offer him the other also (Matt. 5:39); and also to love your adversaries (Luke 6:27).

Mark that He was unwilling to be received by those who He knew had not turned to Him with a simple heart. For if He had wished, He might have made them devout, who were undevout. But God calls those whom He thinks worthy, and whom He wills He makes religious. But why they did not receive Him the Evangelist mentions, saying, Because his face was as if he would go to Jerusalem.

When the disciples, James and John, observed this, they inquired, 'Lord, would you like us to call down fire from heaven to consume them, as Elijah did?' However, He turned to them and instructed them not to do so. They believed they were justified in their anger at the disrespect shown to the Master, questioning whether it was necessary to respond to those who rejected Him with the fervor of the zealous Elijah. Yet Christ admonished them gently, showing no anger and teaching them to endure the indignity suffered at the hands of the disobedient. He understood that the Samaritans would not accept Him, so He sent His disciples knowing full well their refusal would incite frustration. Through this, He aimed to correct them and impart the lesson not to speak ill of those who scorn.

Because it was necessary that the true Lamb should there be offered, where the typical lamb was sacrificed; but it is said, he stedfastly set his face, that is, He went not here and there traversing the villages and towns, but kept on His way straight towards Jerusalem.

Let then the Heathen cease to mock the Crucified, as if He were a man, who it is plain, as God, both foresaw the time of His crucifixion, and going voluntarily to be crucified, sought with stedfast face, that is, with resolute and undaunted mind, the spot where He was to be crucified.

As the Lord departed from Galilee to complete His journey to Jerusalem, He sought to revisit Samaria, a place He had previously been after His first Passover in ministry. However, this time He was not welcomed as before. On His prior journey to Jerusalem, He experienced acceptance, but returning now stirred up existing hostilities and bias among the people. Two of His disciples, eager to exact divine retribution on the unwelcoming townsfolk, suggested calling down fire from heaven, reminiscent of Elijah. Yet, the Lord, having instructed them on the distinction between Elijah's era and the present time along with its prevailing spirit, restrained their fiery enthusiasm. This moment underscored the compassionate nature of the Divine Shepherd, who seemed to purposefully guide the unfolding events leading to the death of the God-Man.

As Jesus embarked on His mission, He dispatched messengers ahead of Him, including some of His disciples, to announce His coming and prepare the communities they would visit for a warm reception. This was particularly important due to the historical animosity between the Samaritans and the Galileans during pilgrimages to Jerusalem for the festivals. Jesus was passing through rather than remaining in a Samaritan village, as He was perceived to be journeying to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. In a moment of zeal for their Master’s honor, James and John grew furious at the unwelcoming village and sought the Lord's approval to call down fire from heaven upon those who had wronged them, reminiscent of Elijah’s judgment (4 Kings 1:9-12).

In His teachings on this matter, Jesus empowered the apostles to carry out miraculous works, which they undoubtedly accomplished. Only those who had witnessed the efficacy of their declarations could assert with such assurance that fire would descend from heaven at their command. However, in this instance, the "sons of thunder," the zealous brothers James and John, overlooked the fact that this divine authority was bestowed upon them for the purpose of good, not malevolence. Their Master had instructed them to extend forgiveness to their adversaries rather than seek retribution.

Christ admonished them, indicating that the divine heavens have a greater intention than merely issuing forth bolts of lightning. "You do not know," He told them, "what spirit you possess. The Son of Man has come to redeem, not to destroy, and anyone who hears His message but does not believe will not face condemnation" (John 3:17, John 12:47). Thus, with no trace of anger, He proceeded to another village. The Apostle John, who understood the true nature of the spirit he possessed by the time he penned his Gospel, surely recalled these words of Christ when he accompanied Peter to Samaria to affirm the newly converted and bestow upon them the Holy Spirit.

"Let us journey to another town" likely implies that it was not the Samaritan settlement. After experiencing such a welcome, it is probable that the Lord returned to Galilee and took a different route to Judea, traveling through Perea along the eastern side of the Jordan River, where a significant caravan route existed that typically directed travelers and worshippers from the north towards Jerusalem. Later accounts in the Gospel of Luke indicate that the Lord was also present in Galilee and Perea subsequently, and then eventually entered Judea.