Luke 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.

Behold {G2400}, I give {G1325} unto you {G5213} power {G1849} to tread {G3961} on {G1883} serpents {G3789} and {G2532} scorpions {G4651}, and {G2532} over {G1909} all {G3956} the power {G1411} of the enemy {G2190}: and {G2532} nothing {G3762} shall {G91} by any means {G3364} hurt {G91}{G91} you {G5209}.

Remember, I have given you authority; so you can trample down snakes and scorpions, indeed, all the Enemy’s forces; and you will remain completely unharmed.

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.

Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.

Luke 10:19 is a powerful declaration from Jesus to His disciples, affirming the authority and protection He bestows upon them as they carry out His mission. This verse assures believers of their spiritual superiority over hostile forces and divine immunity from harm in the course of their service.

Context

This verse comes immediately after the return of the seventy (or seventy-two) disciples whom Jesus had sent out two by two to every town and place He was about to visit. They returned with great joy, reporting, "Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name." Jesus' response in verse 19 is a confirmation and expansion of the authority they experienced, emphasizing that their power was not merely over demons but extended to all the power of the enemy, coupled with a promise of divine protection.

Key Themes

  • Delegated Authority: Jesus explicitly states, "I give unto you power," indicating that this authority is not inherent to the disciples but is a gift from Him. This authority flows directly from Christ's supreme power.
  • Spiritual Warfare and Victory: The imagery of "treading on serpents and scorpions" is symbolic of overcoming spiritual evil and demonic influence. It signifies complete victory over the forces that oppose God and His kingdom. This spiritual power is crucial for believers engaging in spiritual warfare against unseen forces.
  • Divine Protection: The promise "nothing shall by any means hurt you" underscores God's commitment to protect His servants as they fulfill His will. This does not necessarily guarantee immunity from all physical harm or persecution, but it assures ultimate spiritual safety and that no enemy power can thwart God's ultimate purpose for His people.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "power" twice in this verse, but the original Greek uses two distinct words:

  • The first "power" (exousia) refers to authority or delegated right. It's the right to act, given by a higher authority.
  • The second "power" (dynamis) refers to the inherent ability or strength of the enemy. So, Jesus gives His disciples the authority (exousia) to overcome all the ability (dynamis) of the enemy. This distinction highlights that the believer's authority comes from Christ, enabling them to overpower the devil's inherent strength.
The phrase "tread on serpents and scorpions" echoes Old Testament imagery of victory over enemies, notably in Psalm 91:13, where the righteous "shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet."

Related Scriptures

  • Mark 16:18 offers a parallel promise regarding believers taking up serpents and being unharmed by deadly things.
  • James 4:7 encourages believers to "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you," highlighting the active role in exercising this given authority.
  • While emphasizing power, Jesus immediately clarifies in Luke 10:20 that the greater joy should be that their names are written in heaven, not merely in the exercise of spiritual power.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 10:19 is a profound reminder of the spiritual authority granted through Christ. It teaches us that:

  • We are not powerless: In Christ, we have authority over the forces of darkness, sin, and temptation.
  • Protection is promised: As we walk in obedience and fulfill God's purposes, we can trust in His divine protection against the enemy's schemes. This speaks to God's ultimate protection and victory for those in Christ, ensuring that no spiritual attack can ultimately separate us from His love or thwart His plan.
  • Focus on the Giver, not the gift: While the power is real, the ultimate joy and focus should remain on our relationship with God and the eternal salvation He offers, as Jesus clarifies in the subsequent verse.
This verse encourages confidence in Christ's victory and empowers believers to live boldly, knowing they are equipped to overcome spiritual opposition.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 91:13

    Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

  • Mark 16:18

    They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

  • Romans 16:20

    And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you. Amen.

  • Acts 28:5

    And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

  • Revelation 11:5

    And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

  • Luke 21:17

    And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake.

  • Luke 21:18

    But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

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