Luke10

Jesus commissions seventy disciples, sending them to preach, heal, and declare the Kingdom of God, warning of judgment for those who reject their message. Upon their joyful return, Jesus redirects their focus to rejoicing in their salvation rather than their power over spirits. He then teaches a lawyer about inheriting eternal life through the parable of the Good Samaritan, emphasizing active mercy. The chapter concludes with Jesus commending Mary for prioritizing spiritual devotion over Martha's worldly anxieties.

Jesus Commissions the Seventy

Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place, where he was about to come.

Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.

Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.

Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’

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

Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house.

Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you.

Heal the sick who are therein, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you.’

But into whatever city you enter, and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say,

‘Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the Kingdom of God has come near to you.’

I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.

Woes to Unrepentant Cities

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.

You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Sheol.

Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

The Seventy Return with Joy

The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”

He said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven.

Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.

Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

In that same hour Yeshua rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.”

Turning to the disciples, he said, “All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is, except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son, and he to whomever the Son desires to reveal him.”

Turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see,

for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.”

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Behold, a certain Torah scholar stood up and tested him, saying, “Rabbi, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

He said to him, “What is written in the Torah? How do you read it?”

He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”

But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Yeshua, “Who is my neighbor?”

Yeshua answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.

But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion,

came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’

Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?”

He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Yeshua said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

She had a sister called Miriam, who also sat at Yeshua’s feet, and heard his word.

But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”

Yeshua answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

but one thing is needed. Miriam has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Study Notes for Luke 10

Verse 1

The appointment of the seventy (or seventy-two in some manuscripts) highlights the expanding scope of Jesus’ ministry beyond the initial twelve apostles. The number 70 often symbolized the nations of the world (Gen. 10), suggesting a mission to all peoples.

Verse 2

This verse underscores the urgency of the mission. The 'harvest' refers to the multitude of people ready to hear the message of the Kingdom, contrasting sharply with the limited number of available workers.

Verse 4

The instruction to travel without provisions (purse, bag, sandals) emphasizes radical reliance on God and the hospitality of those they minister to, signifying urgency and complete dependence on the mission.

Verse 5

'Peace' (Shalom) is more than a greeting; it is the comprehensive offer of God's well-being and the establishment of the Kingdom's presence in that home.

Verse 7

This establishes the principle that those dedicated entirely to preaching the Gospel are worthy of sustenance from the community they serve, allowing them to focus fully on their calling.

Verse 9

The ministry combined healing (demonstrating God's power) with the proclamation that 'the kingdom of God is come nigh,' signaling that Jesus’ rule was actively breaking into the present world.

Verse 11

Wiping the dust off their feet was a symbolic, dramatic gesture used by Jews when leaving Gentile territory, indicating complete separation and absolving themselves of responsibility for the city’s rejection.

Verse 12

Sodom represents the epitome of historical wickedness (Gen. 19). Jesus judges the rejection of the Kingdom’s message, delivered by his messengers, as a greater sin than that of Sodom, due to the light they had received.

Verse 13

Chorazin and Bethsaida were Galilean towns where Jesus performed many miracles. Their condemnation is based on the principle of accountability: greater spiritual privilege brings greater judgment when rejected.

Verse 15

Capernaum, Jesus' home base during his Galilean ministry, is condemned for its spiritual pride and ultimate rejection of the Messiah, despite being highly favored with his presence and works.

Verse 16

This verse grants the disciples divine authority. To receive or reject the messenger is to receive or reject the one who sent them (Jesus), and ultimately, the Father.

Verse 17

The disciples’ joy stems primarily from the manifestation of spiritual power, specifically the ability to overcome demonic forces through Jesus’ authority.

Verse 18

This statement is interpreted as Jesus witnessing the spiritual consequence of the disciples’ ministry—the active defeat and collapse of Satan’s dominion as the Gospel advanced.

Verse 19

Serpents and scorpions are metaphors for dangerous earthly and demonic powers. Jesus grants them authority over 'all the power of the enemy,' assuring them of protection in their spiritual warfare.

Verse 20

Jesus refocuses their joy from miraculous spiritual power (which is temporary) to eternal security. Salvation and adoption into God's family are the true and permanent cause for rejoicing.

Verse 21

Jesus thanks the Father for revealing divine truth not to the self-proclaimed intellectual elite ('wise and prudent'), but to the humble and receptive ('babes').

Verse 22

This high Christological claim asserts Jesus’ unique and exclusive knowledge of the Father, establishing him as the sole mediator of divine revelation.

Verse 24

The disciples are blessed because they are living in the fulfillment of promises sought by Old Testament figures. They are witnessing the Messiah and the dawning of the Kingdom firsthand.

Verse 25

A 'lawyer' (nomikos) was an expert in Mosaic Law. He 'tempted' (tested) Jesus, likely seeking to challenge his theological authority or to limit the scope of his teaching.

Verse 27

The lawyer correctly summarizes the two greatest commandments (Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18), confirming that eternal life requires holistic love for God and active love for humanity.

Verse 29

The lawyer seeks to 'justify himself' by defining his neighbor narrowly, hoping to set boundaries on his responsibility and exclude those he did not wish to serve.

Verse 30

The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was notoriously dangerous, dropping 3,300 feet over 17 miles, making it a common route for robbery.

Verse 31

The priest and the Levite avoided the wounded man, perhaps fearing ritual defilement if the man was dead (Num. 19:11-13), prioritizing religious duty over immediate human need.

Verse 33

Samaritans were despised half-breeds to the Jews. Jesus deliberately makes the most hated social outsider the moral hero, shattering the lawyer’s ethnic and religious prejudice.

Verse 34

Oil and wine were common ancient remedies: oil soothed wounds, and wine served as an antiseptic. The Samaritan provides medical care, transport, and financial security.

Verse 37

Jesus reframes the question: the focus shifts from defining *who* one is obligated to love, to demonstrating the active mercy that makes one a neighbor to anyone in need. The lawyer cannot even bring himself to say 'Samaritan.'

Verse 38

This brief account follows the teaching on love and obedience, providing a practical example of prioritizing devotion to Christ within the demanding realities of daily life.

Verse 39

By sitting at Jesus' feet, Mary assumes the posture of a disciple (a student of a rabbi), a role typically reserved for men in first-century Jewish culture.

Verse 40

Martha represents the temptation to let necessary service and hospitality ('much serving') distract from the central focus of devotion and spiritual instruction.

Verse 42

Jesus affirms Mary's choice. While service is important, hearing and absorbing the Word of God is the 'one thing needful,' the superior and enduring priority that cannot be taken away.

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Luke10

Jesus Commissions the Seventy

Woes to Unrepentant Cities

The Seventy Return with Joy

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

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