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LUKE 9:51 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Luke 9:50Luke 9:52
“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,”
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set his face to go to Jerusalem — the pivotal verse of Luke: the time approached (symplēroōsthai, being fulfilled) for him to be taken up to heaven (the ascension anticipates the passion and its resolution). Resolutely set his face (to prosōpon estērizen, he set/hardened his face) toward Jerusalem: the prophetic determination of Isaiah 50:7 (I set my face like flint). The journey to Jerusalem that will occupy chapters 9:51–19:44 begins here.

Church Fathers on Luke 9:51

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.

Cyril of Alexandria · 5th century

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

TITUS BOST ·

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 steadfast face, that is, with resolute and undaunted mind, the spot where He was to be crucified.

Bede · 8th century
Read all 15 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Luke 9:51 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy