Luke 10:19

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 10:19 is a profound declaration by Jesus to His disciples, affirming the extraordinary spiritual authority and divine protection He bestows upon them for the successful execution of their mission. This verse assures believers of their inherent spiritual superiority over the forces of darkness and promises complete immunity from harm by the enemy as they faithfully serve God's kingdom. It serves as both an empowerment and a promise, foundational for understanding the believer's position in spiritual warfare.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the triumphant return of the seventy (or seventy-two) disciples whom Jesus had [sent out two by two](/luke/10-1 "Luke 10:1 - Jesus Sends Out the Seventy") into every town and place He intended to visit. They returned with immense joy, exclaiming, "[Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name!](/luke/10-17 "Luke 10:17 - Disciples Rejoice Over Demonic Submission")" Jesus' statement in [Luke 10:18](/luke/10-18 "Luke 10:18 - Jesus Sees Satan Fall") about seeing Satan fall like lightning sets the stage, confirming the cosmic significance of their localized victories. Verse 19 then serves as Jesus' direct affirmation and expansion of the authority they had just experienced, clarifying its source, scope, and the accompanying divine protection. The subsequent verse, [Luke 10:20](/luke/10-20 "Luke 10:20 - Rejoice That Your Names Are Written in Heaven"), provides a crucial corrective, redirecting their ultimate joy from the exercise of power to the eternal truth of their salvation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The sending out of the seventy was a significant moment in Jesus' ministry, expanding the reach of His message beyond the twelve apostles. In the ancient world, serpents and scorpions were common threats, symbolizing danger, evil, and destructive forces. The imagery of "treading on" such creatures evoked a sense of complete subjugation and victory, reminiscent of Old Testament prophecies and expressions of divine triumph over enemies. For the Jewish audience, this imagery would also recall [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium"), where the seed of the woman would bruise the serpent's head, foreshadowing ultimate victory over evil. The "power of the enemy" would have been understood in terms of both human opposition and, more significantly, the spiritual forces of evil, particularly Satan and his demonic host, who were believed to exert significant influence in the world.

* **Key Themes:** [Luke 10:19](/luke/10-19 "Luke 10:19 - Authority Over Evil") contributes significantly to several major themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. **Delegated Authority** is central, as Jesus explicitly grants power that is not inherent to the disciples but flows directly from His own supreme authority, a theme echoed in His post-resurrection commission in [Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission"). This verse also underscores the theme of **Spiritual Warfare and Victory**, portraying the mission of God's people as a direct confrontation with the forces of evil. The imagery of treading on serpents and scorpions vividly symbolizes the triumph over demonic influence and the destructive schemes of the enemy. Furthermore, the promise of **Divine Protection** is a key component, assuring God's servants that as they engage in His work, they will be safeguarded from ultimate harm by the adversary, reinforcing God's faithfulness to His mission and His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **power (Greek, _exousía'_):** This word signifies authority, delegated right, privilege, or jurisdiction. It emphasizes the right to act, which is bestowed upon someone by a higher authority. In this verse, Jesus grants His disciples the legitimate right or warrant to operate with divine backing against spiritual adversaries. It is not an inherent strength but a conferred prerogative.
* **power (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** This term refers to inherent force, ability, strength, or miraculous power. When used in relation to the "power of the enemy," it denotes the intrinsic might, capability, or active strength that the enemy possesses. Jesus gives His disciples the *authority* (_exousía_) to overcome the *inherent strength* (_dýnamis_) of the enemy, highlighting the qualitative difference between their Christ-given right and the enemy's natural might.
* **enemy (Greek, _echthrós'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to hate," this word describes someone who is hateful or hostile. As a noun, it refers to an adversary, specifically Satan. In this context, "the enemy" encompasses all forces that oppose God and His kingdom, including demonic entities and their destructive influence, with Satan as the ultimate adversary.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, I give unto you power":** The exclamation "Behold" (G2400, _idoú_) draws immediate attention to a significant declaration. Jesus, as the one with ultimate authority, declares that He is actively bestowing a gift—"power" (G1849, _exousía_)—upon His disciples. This power is not something they earned or possessed inherently, but a divine endowment, a delegated authority, for a specific purpose.
* **"to tread on serpents and scorpions":** This clause describes the immediate, tangible manifestation of the delegated authority. "Treading on" (G3961, _patéō_) implies complete subjugation, dominance, and victory. "Serpents" (G3789, _óphis_) and "scorpions" (G4651, _skorpíos_) are symbolic representations of evil, danger, and demonic forces, particularly Satan himself (cf. [Revelation 12:9](/revelation/12-9 "Revelation 12:9 - The Great Dragon, That Old Serpent")). This imagery signifies the disciples' ability to overcome and neutralize these spiritual threats.
* **"and over all the power of the enemy":** This expands the scope of the authority beyond specific symbolic creatures to encompass the totality of the adversary's might. "All" (G3956, _pâs_) emphasizes comprehensiveness, indicating that no aspect of the enemy's "power" (G1411, _dýnamis_ — inherent strength or ability) is outside the disciples' delegated authority. This includes all forms of spiritual opposition, temptation, and destructive influence.
* **"and nothing shall by any means hurt you.":** This is a powerful promise of divine protection. The double negative "nothing...by any means" (G3762, _oudeís_ and G3364, _ou mḗ_) provides an emphatic denial, ensuring absolute certainty that no harm (G91, _adikéō_ — to be unjust, do wrong, injure) from the enemy's efforts will ultimately prevail against them in the course of their mission. This protection is not necessarily from physical suffering or persecution, but from any spiritual harm that would thwart God's ultimate purpose or separate them from His love.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 10:19 employs several potent literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent, with "serpents and scorpions" serving as powerful symbols for evil, demonic forces, and the destructive schemes of Satan. This imagery is deeply rooted in biblical tradition, evoking the serpent in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Man") and the protective promises of [Psalm 91:13](/psalms/91-13 "Psalm 91:13 - Treading on the Lion and Adder"). The phrase "tread on" itself functions as a **Metaphor** for complete victory and subjugation. Furthermore, the declaration "nothing shall by any means hurt you" contains an element of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the absolute nature of God's protection in the spiritual realm, not necessarily guaranteeing immunity from all physical suffering, but assuring ultimate spiritual safety and the inability of the enemy to thwart God's ultimate plan for His servants. The contrast between the two Greek words for "power" (exousía and dynamis) also demonstrates a subtle but significant **Wordplay** or semantic distinction, highlighting the nature of Christ's delegated authority versus the enemy's inherent strength.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 10:19 reveals a profound theological truth about the nature of spiritual authority in the New Covenant. Jesus, as the victorious Son of God, possesses all authority in heaven and on earth, and He graciously shares this authority with His followers for the advancement of His kingdom. This is not a power inherent in humanity, but a divine enablement that allows believers to actively participate in the ongoing spiritual war against the forces of darkness. The promise of protection underscores God's commitment to His mission and His people, ensuring that while the battle is real, the ultimate victory and safety of His servants are guaranteed under His sovereign hand. This verse encourages a bold, confident, yet humble engagement in spiritual ministry, knowing that the power is from Christ and the protection is from God.

* [Mark 16:17-18](/mark/16-17-18 "Mark 16:17-18 - Signs Following Believers")
* [Romans 16:20](/romans/16-20 "Romans 16:20 - God Will Crush Satan Under Your Feet")
* [Ephesians 6:10-12](/ephesians/6-10-12 "Ephesians 6:10-12 - The Armor of God and Spiritual Warfare")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 10:19 offers immense encouragement and practical guidance for believers today. It reminds us that our Christian walk is not passive but involves active participation in spiritual warfare, armed with the authority Christ has bestowed. This verse empowers us to confront the schemes of the enemy—whether they manifest as temptation, fear, spiritual oppression, or destructive ideologies—with the confidence that we operate under a divine mandate. It calls us to recognize that the "power" we possess is not our own strength, but a delegated "authority" from the victorious Christ. Consequently, our focus should be on walking in obedience to His commands and relying on His presence, rather than on our own abilities. The promise of protection assures us that as we faithfully engage in His work, no spiritual attack can ultimately separate us from His love or thwart His divine purpose for our lives. This instills a courageous faith, knowing that our ultimate security rests in God's sovereign care, enabling us to live boldly and serve fearlessly.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that Jesus "gives" this power change your perception of your own spiritual authority?**
* **In what areas of your life do you feel the "power of the enemy" is most active, and how can you apply the truth of this verse to those situations?**
* **How can the promise that "nothing shall by any means hurt you" encourage you to step out in faith and boldness in your service to God?**

### FAQ
**Does Luke 10:19 guarantee that believers will never experience physical harm or suffering?**

Answer: No, Luke 10:19 does not guarantee immunity from all physical harm, suffering, or persecution. The promise "nothing shall by any means hurt you" is best understood in its spiritual and ultimate context. It assures that no power of the enemy can ultimately thwart God's purpose for His people, separate them from His love, or inflict spiritual harm that would undermine their salvation or mission. Throughout the New Testament, apostles and believers faced intense persecution, imprisonment, and even martyrdom (e.g., [Acts 7:54-60](/acts/7-54-60 "Acts 7:54-60 - The Stoning of Stephen"), [Acts 12:1-2](/acts/12-1-2 "Acts 12:1-2 - James Martyred")). Jesus Himself warned His disciples that they would face tribulation ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Overcoming the World")) and persecution ([Matthew 10:16-25](/matthew/10-16-25 "Matthew 10:16-25 - Persecution Predicted")). Therefore, the "hurt" referred to in [Luke 10:19](/luke/10-19 "Luke 10:19 - Authority and Protection") is not physical injury or death, but rather ultimate spiritual defeat or the nullification of their God-given mission. It is a promise of ultimate victory and spiritual invincibility against the schemes of the adversary.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 10:19 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' own victory over Satan and His subsequent delegation of that authority to His church. The "power" (exousía) Jesus gives is a direct outflow of the "all authority" He possesses in heaven and on earth, as declared in [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus") after His resurrection. His death and resurrection constituted the decisive triumph over the "power of the enemy," crushing the head of the serpent as prophesied in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium"). The imagery of "treading on serpents and scorpions" is a vivid portrayal of Christ's victory over sin, death, and the devil, which He then shares with those who are united to Him by faith. Through His atoning work, Jesus disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers")). Therefore, the authority granted to believers in [Luke 10:19](/luke/10-19 "Luke 10:19 - Authority Over Evil") is not merely a historical anecdote for the seventy, but a continuing reality for the church, enabling us to participate in the ongoing outworking of Christ's cosmic victory over evil, knowing that the "God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet" ([Romans 16:20](/romans/16-20 "Romans 16:20 - God Will Crush Satan Under Your Feet")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.