After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Luke 10 presents a crucial section of Jesus' journey toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51—19:27), often referred to as "The Travelogue." This isn't merely a travel diary; it's a period where Jesus shifts His focus from broad public ministry to intensive discipleship, preparing His followers for the kingdom of God and the events awaiting Him in Jerusalem. Luke 10 highlights the importance of prioritizing blessings, demonstrating love in action, and choosing what truly matters in following Christ. Let's delve into the key themes and lessons within this chapter.
The Sending of the Seventy-Two (Luke 10:1-12)
Jesus commissions seventy-two disciples, sending them ahead in pairs to prepare towns for His arrival. This echoes the earlier mission of the Twelve (Luke 9:1-6) but expands the scope. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Luke 10:2). This underscores the urgent need for kingdom workers.
He instructs them to heal the sick and proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near (Luke 10:9). Miracles serve as validation of their message. They are to accept hospitality where offered, focusing on their calling without unnecessary distractions (Luke 10:4). This mission required haste and complete focus on their calling. Living God's kingdom agenda isn't easy, but because the King is sovereign, the outcome is sure. Even rejection is met with a declaration of the kingdom's nearness, followed by a symbolic act of shaking the dust off their feet (Luke 10:10-11) as a warning.
Woe to the Unrepentant Cities (Luke 10:13-16)
Jesus pronounces judgment on Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their rejection of His ministry and miracles. These cities witnessed His power firsthand, yet remained hardened in their hearts. He contrasts them with Tyre and Sidon, Gentile cities that would have repented if given the same opportunities (Luke 10:13-14). This underscores a vital principle: the greater the revelation, the greater the judgment for rejecting that revelation. Capernaum, in particular, had witnessed many of Jesus's miraculous works (Luke 4:31-41; 7:1-10), yet the majority of its inhabitants rejected him.
Jesus emphasizes the connection between rejecting His disciples and rejecting Him, and ultimately, rejecting God the Father (Luke 10:16). This chain reaction of rejection will lead to eternal damnation. When Christ's disciples speak his Word, the listeners hear Christ.
The Joyful Return and Jesus's Rejoicing (Luke 10:17-24)
The seventy-two return with joy, marveling at their ability to cast out demons in Jesus' name (Luke 10:17). Jesus redirects their focus, reminding them that their true cause for rejoicing is that their names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20). While spiritual authority is significant, eternal life and a relationship with God is our supreme source of joy. Everything else is a bonus. He affirms that He saw Satan fall like lightning (Luke 10:18), a reference to Satan's judgment and expulsion from heaven (see Isaiah 14:12-14).
Jesus then rejoices in the Holy Spirit, praising the Father for revealing truth to the humble and childlike, rather than the wise and learned (Luke 10:21-22). He highlights the unique and intimate relationship He shares with the Father, emphasizing His role as the exclusive revealer of God. Jesus tells His disciples that they are blessed because they have seen what many Old Testament saints longed to see: the coming of the Messiah and his kingdom (Luke 10:23-24).
The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
A lawyer tests Jesus, asking how to inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25). Jesus directs him to the Law: to love God with all one's being and to love one's neighbor as oneself (Luke 10:27). The lawyer, seeking to justify himself, then asks, "And who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29).
Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan. A man is robbed, beaten, and left for dead. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping. A Samaritan, a member of a despised group, stops, bandages the man's wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays for his care (Luke 10:30-35).
Jesus then asks the lawyer which of the three proved to be a neighbor to the injured man (Luke 10:36). The lawyer is forced to acknowledge the Samaritan's compassion. Jesus instructs him, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37).
This parable powerfully illustrates that love transcends social barriers and requires action. Your neighbor is the person whose need you see, feel, and are able to meet. Mercy is compassion to a person in need. Love is not abstract and theoretical; it is concrete and requires action toward those who are hurting. Our devotion to God must be seen through our love to others.
Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)
Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is busy with preparations, while Mary sits at Jesus' feet, listening to His teaching (Luke 10:39). Martha complains that Mary has left her to serve alone. Jesus gently rebukes Martha, saying that Mary has chosen the "good portion," which will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:41-42).
This passage highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment and relationship with Jesus over worldly tasks. Mary loved Jesus and wanted to absorb everything he had to say. God wants you to serve him, but not at the expense of your relationship with him. If lately you are doing more for God but are colder toward God, if you are working harder but praying less, you need to do a spiritual reassessment.
Luke 10 offers profound insights into the nature of discipleship, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the kingdom of God, demonstrating love in practical ways, and choosing to focus on what truly matters—a relationship with Jesus. It's a call to action, urging us to be compassionate neighbors and attentive listeners to the Word, ensuring that our service flows from a heart deeply connected to Christ.
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Luke 10 presents a crucial section of Jesus' journey toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51—19:27), often referred to as "The Travelogue." This isn't merely a travel diary; it's a period where Jesus shifts His focus from broad public ministry to intensive discipleship, preparing His followers for the kingdom of God and the events awaiting Him in Jerusalem. Luke 10 highlights the importance of prioritizing blessings, demonstrating love in action, and choosing what truly matters in following Christ. Let's delve into the key themes and lessons within this chapter.
The Sending of the Seventy-Two (Luke 10:1-12)
Jesus commissions seventy-two disciples, sending them ahead in pairs to prepare towns for His arrival. This echoes the earlier mission of the Twelve (Luke 9:1-6) but expands the scope. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Luke 10:2). This underscores the urgent need for kingdom workers.
He instructs them to heal the sick and proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near (Luke 10:9). Miracles serve as validation of their message. They are to accept hospitality where offered, focusing on their calling without unnecessary distractions (Luke 10:4). This mission required haste and complete focus on their calling. Living God's kingdom agenda isn't easy, but because the King is sovereign, the outcome is sure. Even rejection is met with a declaration of the kingdom's nearness, followed by a symbolic act of shaking the dust off their feet (Luke 10:10-11) as a warning.
Woe to the Unrepentant Cities (Luke 10:13-16)
Jesus pronounces judgment on Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their rejection of His ministry and miracles. These cities witnessed His power firsthand, yet remained hardened in their hearts. He contrasts them with Tyre and Sidon, Gentile cities that would have repented if given the same opportunities (Luke 10:13-14). This underscores a vital principle: the greater the revelation, the greater the judgment for rejecting that revelation. Capernaum, in particular, had witnessed many of Jesus's miraculous works (Luke 4:31-41; 7:1-10), yet the majority of its inhabitants rejected him.
Jesus emphasizes the connection between rejecting His disciples and rejecting Him, and ultimately, rejecting God the Father (Luke 10:16). This chain reaction of rejection will lead to eternal damnation. When Christ's disciples speak his Word, the listeners hear Christ.
The Joyful Return and Jesus's Rejoicing (Luke 10:17-24)
The seventy-two return with joy, marveling at their ability to cast out demons in Jesus' name (Luke 10:17). Jesus redirects their focus, reminding them that their true cause for rejoicing is that their names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20). While spiritual authority is significant, eternal life and a relationship with God is our supreme source of joy. Everything else is a bonus. He affirms that He saw Satan fall like lightning (Luke 10:18), a reference to Satan's judgment and expulsion from heaven (see Isaiah 14:12-14).
Jesus then rejoices in the Holy Spirit, praising the Father for revealing truth to the humble and childlike, rather than the wise and learned (Luke 10:21-22). He highlights the unique and intimate relationship He shares with the Father, emphasizing His role as the exclusive revealer of God. Jesus tells His disciples that they are blessed because they have seen what many Old Testament saints longed to see: the coming of the Messiah and his kingdom (Luke 10:23-24).
The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
A lawyer tests Jesus, asking how to inherit eternal life (Luke 10:25). Jesus directs him to the Law: to love God with all one's being and to love one's neighbor as oneself (Luke 10:27). The lawyer, seeking to justify himself, then asks, "And who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29).
Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan. A man is robbed, beaten, and left for dead. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping. A Samaritan, a member of a despised group, stops, bandages the man's wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays for his care (Luke 10:30-35).
Jesus then asks the lawyer which of the three proved to be a neighbor to the injured man (Luke 10:36). The lawyer is forced to acknowledge the Samaritan's compassion. Jesus instructs him, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37).
This parable powerfully illustrates that love transcends social barriers and requires action. Your neighbor is the person whose need you see, feel, and are able to meet. Mercy is compassion to a person in need. Love is not abstract and theoretical; it is concrete and requires action toward those who are hurting. Our devotion to God must be seen through our love to others.
Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42)
Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is busy with preparations, while Mary sits at Jesus' feet, listening to His teaching (Luke 10:39). Martha complains that Mary has left her to serve alone. Jesus gently rebukes Martha, saying that Mary has chosen the "good portion," which will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:41-42).
This passage highlights the importance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment and relationship with Jesus over worldly tasks. Mary loved Jesus and wanted to absorb everything he had to say. God wants you to serve him, but not at the expense of your relationship with him. If lately you are doing more for God but are colder toward God, if you are working harder but praying less, you need to do a spiritual reassessment.
Luke 10 offers profound insights into the nature of discipleship, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the kingdom of God, demonstrating love in practical ways, and choosing to focus on what truly matters—a relationship with Jesus. It's a call to action, urging us to be compassionate neighbors and attentive listeners to the Word, ensuring that our service flows from a heart deeply connected to Christ.