Luke 10:9

And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

And {G2532} heal {G2323} the sick {G772} that are therein {G1722}{G846}, and {G2532} say {G3004} unto them {G846}, The kingdom {G932} of God {G2316} is come nigh {G1448} unto {G1909} you {G5209}.

Heal the sick there, and tell them, โ€˜The Kingdom of God is near you.โ€™

Heal the sick who are there and tell them, โ€˜The kingdom of God is near you.โ€™

and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

Commentary

Luke 10:9 is a pivotal instruction given by Jesus to the seventy (or seventy-two) disciples He sent out ahead of Him. This verse encapsulates a core aspect of their mission: to demonstrate the immediate presence and power of God's reign through acts of compassion and authoritative proclamation. It highlights the inseparable link between physical healing and the spiritual message of the Gospel, serving as a powerful sign that the divine Kingdom was breaking into the world.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' specific commission to the seventy disciples, detailed at the beginning of Luke chapter 10. Following His instructions regarding their conduct and reliance on divine provision (Luke 10:4), Jesus outlines their primary tasks upon entering any town. Their role was to prepare the way for His own arrival, not just spiritually but also physically. The healing acts were not merely humanitarian gestures but served as undeniable evidence of the authority given to these messengers and the truth of their message, setting the stage for the crucial declaration that follows.

Key Themes

  • The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God: The central message the disciples were to deliver was that "the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." This signifies that God's sovereign rule was no longer a distant hope but an immediate reality, accessible through Jesus. It's a present reality that manifests in power and grace.
  • Healing as a Sign of the Kingdom: The command to "heal the sick" demonstrates that the Kingdom of God is not just a theological concept but has tangible, transformative power. The physical restoration serves as a visible, undeniable witness to the spiritual truth being proclaimed, authenticating the disciples' message and validating their divine commission. This shows a holistic approach to ministry, addressing both physical and spiritual needs.
  • Divine Authority and Empowerment: Jesus endowed His disciples with authority to perform these acts. Their ability to heal was not inherent but a manifestation of God's power working through them, underscoring the divine source of the Kingdom's advance. This echoes the authority Jesus Himself demonstrated throughout His ministry (Luke 4:40).

Linguistic Insights

  • "Kingdom of God" (Greek: basileia tou theou): This phrase, central to Jesus' teaching, refers not merely to a geographical territory but to the active, sovereign reign or rule of God. It implies God's kingship being exercised and recognized.
  • "Come nigh" (Greek: ฤ“ngiken): This verb is critical. It doesn't just mean 'approaching' but rather 'has drawn near' or 'has arrived' in a sense of being present and accessible. It emphasizes the immediacy and tangible reality of the Kingdom's advent through Jesus and His representatives.

Practical Application

Luke 10:9 offers timeless principles for believers today. The Church's mission remains to both proclaim the good news of God's Kingdom and demonstrate its reality through acts of love, compassion, and power. This verse challenges us to consider:

  • Holistic Ministry: Our witness should encompass both evangelism (proclaiming the Kingdom) and practical service (healing, helping, caring). The two are intimately connected, as acts of compassion can open hearts to the spiritual message.
  • Bold Proclamation: We are called to declare the truth that God's reign is accessible and active, not just a future hope. This requires faith and courage to speak the truth of the Gospel.
  • Reliance on God's Power: Just as the seventy relied on Jesus' authority, believers today are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses. Our effectiveness comes not from our own strength but from God working through us, as seen in Acts 1:8.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that wherever believers go, the Kingdom of God has the potential to draw near, bringing with it healing, hope, and transformation.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 3:2

    And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

  • John 3:5

    Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

  • Acts 28:7

    In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

  • Acts 28:10

    Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded [us] with such things as were necessary.

  • Luke 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.

  • Matthew 10:7

    And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

  • Matthew 10:8

    Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
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