*Luke 10:1-24
Jesus commissions seventy-two disciples to spread his message, imparting instructions and insights along the way.
- Sending of the Seventy-Two:
- Jesus appoints seventy-two disciples and sends them in pairs to every town and place he plans to visit.
- He likens their mission to being lambs among wolves, instructing them to rely on hospitality and carry no extra provisions.
- Instructions for the Mission:
- They are to greet households with peace and stay where welcomed, eating and drinking what is offered.
- They should heal the sick and proclaim that the kingdom of God is near.
- In unwelcoming towns, they are to declare that even the dust of that town will be shaken off as a testimony against it, but still announce the nearness of God’s kingdom.
- Woes on Unrepentant Cities:
- Jesus condemns the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their lack of repentance despite witnessing many miracles.
- He compares them unfavorably to Tyre and Sidon, saying that these ancient cities would have repented had they seen the same miracles.
- He warns that those who reject his disciples are ultimately rejecting him and God the Father.
- Return and Rejoicing of the Seventy-Two:
- The disciples return joyfully, reporting that even demons submitted to them in Jesus’s name.
- Jesus says he saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven and assures them of authority over the enemy.
- He reminds them that the real cause for joy is that their names are written in heaven.
- Jesus’s Prayer of Thanksgiving:
- Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit and thanks the Father for revealing divine truths to the childlike rather than to the wise and learned.
- He affirms that all things have been handed to him by the Father and that only the Son fully knows the Father and can reveal him to others.
- Blessing on the Disciples:
- Jesus privately tells the disciples that they are blessed to witness these things.
- He points out that many prophets and kings longed to see and hear what they now experience but did not have the chance.
10:1 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.
10:2 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.
10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
10:7 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.
10:8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 10:11 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.
10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
10:13 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.
10:14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
10:19 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.
10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
10:21 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.
10:22 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.
10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 10:24 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.