Luke 10 Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two

1 Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-two
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.

2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’

6 If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.

7 Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you.

9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’

10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say,

11 ‘Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’

12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

13 “Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

15 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.

16 “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.

24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

25 The Parable of the Good Samaritan
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.

32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.

35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

38 At the Home of Martha and Mary
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.

39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,

42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

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Analysis of Luke Chapter 10

Luke Chapter 10 is a rich chapter within the Gospel of Luke, encapsulating the teachings, instructions, and the miraculous events orchestrated by Jesus. This chapter is significant in that it lays out the mission of the seventy-two disciples, presents the parable of the Good Samaritan, and emphasizes the priority of spiritual attentiveness through the story of Mary and Martha. The chapter is profound in its didactic nature, weaving themes of discipleship, mercy, and the essence of spiritual focus. Below is a systematic and interpretative analysis of this pivotal chapter in the book of Luke.

Sending Out the Seventy-Two (Luke 10:1-24)

The chapter begins with Jesus appointing seventy-two others and sending them in pairs to every town and place where He was about to go (Luke 10:1). This action follows the precedent set in Luke 9 where the twelve apostles were sent out. Here, the expansion to seventy-two indicates the inclusive and expansive nature of Jesus’ mission. The number seventy-two is itself symbolically significant, often representing a universal mission—potentially mirroring the seventy-two nations in Genesis 10.

Jesus instructs them that “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Luke 10:2), urging them to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers. This metaphor of harvest emphasizes the readiness of people to receive God’s message contrasted with the limited number of messengers. Hence, Jesus’ sending of the seventy-two is a direct response to this need.

He equips them with specific instructions (Luke 10:3-12). Notable are:

Travel light: “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals” (Luke 10:4). This emphasizes reliance on God’s provision and the urgency of their mission.
Promote peace: Greet homes with peace (Luke 10:5-6). Peace here can be seen as a blessing and a mark of the Kingdom’s presence.
Accept hospitality: Eat and drink what is offered (Luke 10:7-8), indicating respect for the providers’ generosity and a sense of community.
Heal and declare: Heal the sick and proclaim, “The kingdom of God has come near to you” (Luke 10:9). These acts demonstrate the tangible arrival of God’s Kingdom.

Jesus also speaks on the consequences of rejection (Luke 10:10-16), indicating that rejecting the messengers is equivalent to rejecting Him and, consequently, God. This underscores the gravity of receiving or rejecting the gospel message.

Upon the return of the seventy-two, they report their success with joy, noting even the submission of demons in Jesus’ name (Luke 10:17). Jesus responds affirmatively, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18), a declaration that signals a significant spiritual victory. He adds that their true joy should stem from their names being written in heaven, thus highlighting the eternal perspective over the temporal (Luke 10:20).

In verses 21-24, Jesus offers a prayer of thanksgiving, rejoicing in the revelation given to the “little children” instead of the wise and learned (Luke 10:21). This indicates God’s favor on the humble and the meek, who accept and understand divine truths willingly, showing the inclusivity of God’s kingdom. Jesus also elucidates the unique relationship between the Father and the Son, cementing His divine authority and identity (Luke 10:22).

The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most well-known stories Jesus tells and it addresses themes of love, mercy, and prejudice directly. The encounter begins with a lawyer’s question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus points him to the Law, leading the lawyer to correctly state, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

Seeking to justify himself, the lawyer asks, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). Jesus responds with this profound parable:

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’”

Jesus then asks, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The lawyer correctly responds, “The one who had mercy on him” (Luke 10:37).

This parable eloquently challenges the prevalent social and religious norms of the time. By choosing a Samaritan as the hero—someone despised by the Jewish audience of the time—Jesus illustrates that neighborly love transcends ethnic and religious boundaries. The priest and Levite, who would have been expected to help, fail to do so, revealing that religious status without compassionate action is empty. Conversely, the Samaritan’s actions embody true mercy and neighborly love.

Ultimately, Jesus concludes with the command, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37), reinforcing the call to actionable love and mercy.

Jesus at the Home of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42)

This section transitions to a more intimate setting. Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary. Martha becomes engrossed in the preparations while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to His teaching (Luke 10:39). Martha, feeling overwhelmed and possibly a bit annoyed, asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her (Luke 10:40).

Jesus gently rebukes Martha, saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

This episode highlights the tension between service and devotion. Martha’s service, while not dismissed, is shown to be inferior to the priority of attentiveness to Jesus’ words. Mary’s choice to focus on Jesus’ teaching is honored as “better,” underscoring the primacy of spiritual nourishment and relationship with God over the busyness of service.

The narrative gently critiques the distractions that can arise even in well-intended service, calling believers to prioritize their spiritual lives and seek the presence of Jesus above all.

Conclusion

Luke Chapter 10 offers a comprehensive vision of the Christian life encompassing mission, compassionate neighborliness, and attentiveness to the divine. It balances the outward acts of service and mission with the inward orientation of one’s heart towards God.

The sending of the seventy-two highlights the urgency and expansiveness of God’s mission, encouraging believers to be active participants in God’s work while relying on His provision and authority.

Through the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus redefines neighborly love, urging an expansive, mercy-filled love that crosses social and religious boundaries, embodying the ethos of God’s kingdom.

Finally, the narrative of Martha and Mary places ultimate value on spiritual attentiveness to Jesus’ teaching, inviting believers to prioritize their relationship with God amidst the demands of life.

Thus, Luke 10 intricately weaves together themes of mission, mercy, and meticulous spiritual focus, offering a holistic picture of discipleship that remains profoundly relevant to contemporary faith experiences.

Understanding the Key Messages in Luke 10: Insights and Explanation

In Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples to proclaim the kingdom of God. He gives them instructions for their mission and warns of the challenges they may face. The disciples return with joy, reporting their success in driving out demons. Jesus encourages them to rejoice in the privileges they have as witnesses of his power and authority over the enemy. He also teaches about the greatest commandment and the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Notes

Luke 10 provides important teachings on discipleship, love for others, and the importance of sharing the message of the kingdom of God.