51 When the days were approaching for His ascension , He was determined to go to Jerusalem ; 52 and He sent messengers on ahead e of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem . 54 When His disciples James and John saw this, they said , "Lord , do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?" 55 But He turned and rebuked them, [and said , "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; 56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives , but to save them."] And they went on to another village .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 9:51-56
Commentary on Luke 9:51-56
(Read Luke 9:51-56)
The disciples did not consider that the conduct of the Samaritans was rather the effect of national prejudices and bigotry, than of enmity to the word and worship of God; and through they refused to receive Christ and his disciples, they did not ill use or injure them, so that the case was widely different from that of Ahaziah and Elijah. Nor were they aware that the gospel dispensation was to be marked by miracles of mercy. But above all, they were ignorant of the prevailing motives of their own hearts, which were pride and carnal ambition. Of this our Lord warned them. It is easy for us to say, Come, see our zeal for the Lord! and to think we are very faithful in his cause, when we are seeking our own objects, and even doing harm instead of good to others.