To preach the kingdom of God - For an explication of this phrase, see on Matthew 3:1 (note).

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God,.... The Gospel, which gives an account of the kingdom of the Messiah; of his kingly office and power; of his church, which is his kingdom, and of the government of it, by the ministration of the word, and the administration of ordinances; of the kingdom of grace in the hearts of Christ's subjects, and the nature of it; and of the kingdom of glory, and what is the saints' meetness for it, and right unto it:

and to heal the sick; of every disease of body, and thereby confirm their mission and commission from Christ, to preach the Gospel; and recommend it to men.

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

9:1-6 The Transfiguration

SUMMARY OF LUKE 9:

The Twelve Apostles Sent Forth. Herod's Wonder About Jesus. The Five Thousand Fed. Peter's Confession of Faith. Saving and Losing Life. The Transfiguration. The Child Healed. Who Shall Be Greatest? James and John and the Samaritan Village. Excuses for Not Following Christ.

He called his twelve disciples together. This Commission of the Apostles is given in Mt 10:1-42 Mr 6:7-13. Matthew's account is the fullest, on which see notes.

9:1-9 Christ sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were able to teach others what they had received from the Lord. They must not be anxious to commend themselves to people's esteem by outward appearance. They must go as they were. The Lord Jesus is the fountain of power and authority, to whom all creatures must, in one way or another, be subject; and if he goes with the word of his ministers in power, to deliver sinners from Satan's bondage, they may be sure that he will care for their wants. When truth and love thus go together, and yet the message of God is rejected and despised, it leaves men without excuse, and turns to a testimony against them. Herod's guilty conscience was ready to conclude that John was risen from the dead. He desired to see Jesus; and why did he not go and see him? Probably, because he thought it below him, or because he wished not to have any more reprovers of sin. Delaying it now, his heart was hardened, and when he did see Jesus, he was as much prejudiced against him as others, Lu 23:11.