Luke 9:51

Verse 51. The days of his assumption, that is of his ascension into heaven. See the same Greek word. Mar. 16:19 and Acts 1:11.—He steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, or literally, he fixed [3] his countenance to go up to Jerusalem.—And (verse 53) because his face was of one going to Jerusalem. These expressions come from the style of the Hebrews. See 4 Kings 12:17. Jerem. 42:15. Ezekiel 4:3. The sense is, that the Samaritans perceived that he and his company were going up to adore in Jerusalem, at which they were displeased, having an antipathy against the Jews and their temple. Witham.—It is not here said, as some interpreters have believed, that his journey to Jerusalem was the last of his life, in which he was crucified. It appears from the context, that there were still many months before the death of Christ, and that this journey was probably for the feast of Pentecost. But that year was the last of the life of Jesus Christ and he already knew the dispositions of the Jews, and what was to befall him shortly. These words, he set his face, are often used in Scripture for obstinacy and hardness in evil. Proverbs 7:13. 21:29. Jeremy 42:15. and so forth But we may likewise take them to signify a strong resolution, and intrepid and inflexible firmness, to perform what you have resolved. Jesus Christ shewed by his air, by his conduct and discourse, that notwithstanding the malice of his enemies, he was determined to go to Jerusalem. Calmet.