Luke 9:1

KJV

¶ Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} he called {G4779} his {G846} twelve {G1427} disciples {G3101} together {G4779}, and {G2532} gave {G1325} them {G846} power {G1411} and authority {G1849} over {G1909} all {G3956} devils {G1140}, and {G2532} to cure {G2323} diseases {G3554}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Calling together the Twelve, Yeshua gave them power and authority to expel all the demons and to cure diseases;

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to cure diseases.

American Standard Version

And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 9:1 marks a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, detailing His formal commissioning of the twelve disciples. Having already chosen and trained them, Jesus now confers upon them a specific, supernatural authority and power to confront spiritual evil and alleviate human suffering, thereby extending His own kingdom work through His chosen emissaries. This act signifies their transition from learners to active participants in the divine mission, equipped to preach the Gospel with tangible demonstrations of God's power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 9:1 immediately follows a period of intense teaching and miraculous activity by Jesus. In the preceding chapters, Jesus has demonstrated His authority over nature, disease, and demons, establishing His divine identity and mission (e.g., [calming the storm](/luke/8-22-25 "Luke 8:22-25 - Jesus Calms the Storm"), [healing the Gerasene demoniac](/luke/8-26-39 "Luke 8:26-39 - Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac"), and [raising Jairus's daughter](/luke/8-40-56 "Luke 8:40-56 - Jesus Raises Jairus's Daughter")). This verse serves as a direct progression, indicating that the disciples, having witnessed and learned from Jesus' unparalleled power, are now prepared to participate in a similar ministry. Their prior selection as apostles is noted in [Luke 6:13](/luke/6-13 "Luke 6:13 - Jesus chooses the Twelve Apostles"), making this commissioning a logical next step in their training and the expansion of the kingdom message.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Jewish context of the first century, discipleship involved a close relationship between a rabbi and his students, who would often accompany him, observe his teachings, and eventually emulate his practices. However, Jesus' commissioning of His twelve disciples goes beyond typical rabbinic training. The granting of "power and authority" to cast out demons and cure diseases was an extraordinary act, signifying a unique divine mandate. In this era, illness and demonic possession were often intertwined in popular belief, seen as manifestations of evil or divine judgment. Jesus' ability to heal and exorcise was understood as a direct confrontation with the forces of evil and a clear sign of the Kingdom of God breaking into the world, fulfilling prophecies of a Messiah who would bring healing and deliverance.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Delegated Authority**, showing Jesus' intention to involve His followers in His redemptive work by sharing His own divine prerogative. This foreshadows the broader commission given to the disciples after His resurrection, as seen in [Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission"), where Jesus declares "all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" before sending them out. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Empowerment for Ministry**, underscoring that the disciples' effectiveness was not based on their inherent abilities but on the supernatural enablement provided by Jesus. This divine provision was essential for validating their message and overcoming spiritual and physical opposition, mirroring the similar empowerment described in [Matthew 10:1](/matthew/10-1 "Matthew 10:1 - Jesus Empowers the Twelve"). Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **Confronting Evil and Suffering**, demonstrating that the Kingdom of God actively opposes the dominion of Satan and brings holistic restoration to humanity. The specific mention of "devils" and "diseases" illustrates the comprehensive nature of Jesus' mission to defeat both spiritual oppression and physical affliction.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **power (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** This word refers to inherent ability, miraculous strength, or supernatural might. In the context of Luke 9:1, it signifies the raw, divine capacity given to the disciples to perform extraordinary feats, particularly miracles of healing and exorcism. It is the enablement to act with supernatural force.
* **authority (Greek, _exousía'_):** This term denotes privilege, the right, permission, or delegated influence to exercise power. Unlike _dýnamis_, which is the ability, _exousía_ is the legitimate right to wield that ability. Jesus, possessing all inherent authority, grants His disciples the specific warrant and commission to act on His behalf, making their ministry legitimate and effective.
* **devils (Greek, _daimónion'_):** This word refers to a demonic being or spirit. In the New Testament, these are malevolent spiritual entities under the dominion of Satan, actively opposing God's will and afflicting humanity. The authority given to the disciples "over all devils" signifies a direct confrontation with the forces of spiritual darkness, demonstrating the supremacy of God's kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then he called his twelve disciples together":** This opening phrase indicates a deliberate and intentional act by Jesus. The "twelve" signifies a foundational group, echoing the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the reconstitution of God's people. "Called together" implies a special convocation, setting this moment apart as a significant event for their formal commissioning and instruction before sending them out.
* **"and gave them power and authority over all devils":** This is the core of the delegation. Jesus, who Himself demonstrated supreme power over demonic forces, now transfers a measure of that divine capability to His disciples. The pairing of "power" (_dýnamis_) and "authority" (_exousía_) is crucial, indicating not just the ability to perform supernatural acts, but also the legitimate right and commission to do so, acting as His authorized representatives against spiritual evil. The phrase "all devils" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this delegated control.
* **"and to cure diseases":** Complementing the spiritual authority, Jesus also grants them the ability to heal physical ailments. This demonstrates the holistic nature of the Kingdom of God, which brings restoration not only to the spiritual realm but also to the physical. Healing was a tangible sign of God's compassion and a visible manifestation of His kingdom breaking into a world marred by suffering.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 9:1 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Delegated Authority**, which functions as a key thematic element, highlighting Jesus' sovereign right to empower others to participate in His divine mission. This act also serves as **Foreshadowing**, pointing to the future expansion of the Gospel through the apostles and, by extension, the Church. The specific mention of "power" (_dýnamis_) and "authority" (_exousía_) creates a **Semantic Distinction**, emphasizing that the disciples were not inherently powerful, but rather received both the capacity and the legitimate right to act from Christ. Furthermore, the pairing of "devils" and "diseases" illustrates **Parallelism**, showcasing the dual nature of the spiritual and physical brokenness that Jesus came to overcome, and equipping His disciples to address both.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 9:1 is profoundly significant for understanding the nature of Christian ministry and the ongoing work of God's kingdom. It establishes that genuine ministry is not self-initiated but divinely commissioned, flowing from the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ. The delegation of power and authority signifies that God chooses to work through human agents, equipping them supernaturally to confront the forces of evil and bring healing and restoration to a broken world. This verse underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the comprehensive scope of God's redemptive plan, which encompasses both spiritual liberation and physical well-being. It serves as a foundational text for the Church's understanding of its mission, reminding believers that they are called to participate in Christ's ongoing work, empowered by His Spirit.

* [Mark 3:14-15](/mark/3-14-15 "Mark 3:14-15 - Jesus Appoints the Twelve")
* [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power of the Holy Spirit for Witness")
* [John 14:12](/john/14-12 "John 14:12 - Greater Works Through Believers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 9:1 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that Christian service is fundamentally an extension of Christ's own ministry, enabled by His divine power. Just as Jesus equipped His first disciples for a specific mission, He continues to empower His followers today through the Holy Spirit to carry out His purposes in the world. While the specific manifestations of "power and authority" may differ across individuals and contexts, the underlying principle remains: we are not called to serve in our own strength, but in dependence on God's enablement. This verse encourages us to boldly engage with the spiritual and physical needs around us, trusting that God will provide the necessary resources and authority to accomplish His will, whether it's sharing the Gospel, advocating for justice, healing emotional wounds, or standing against spiritual oppression. It challenges us to recognize the spiritual dimensions of life and to rely on Christ's delegated authority to make a tangible difference for His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you feel a need for greater "power and authority" from God?**
* **How does understanding that Jesus "gave" this power and authority impact your view of your own capabilities and limitations in serving God?**
* **What "devils" (spiritual strongholds, oppressive systems, personal temptations) or "diseases" (physical ailments, emotional brokenness, societal ills) do you feel called to confront with Christ's delegated authority in your sphere of influence?**
* **How might you more intentionally seek and rely on the Holy Spirit's empowerment in your daily life and service?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Jesus giving "power" and "authority" separately?**

Answer: The distinction between "power" (_dýnamis_) and "authority" (_exousía_) is crucial. _Dýnamis_ refers to the raw ability, strength, or miraculous capacity to do something. It's the inherent might. _Exousía_, on the other hand, refers to the legitimate right, privilege, or delegated permission to exercise that power. Jesus, as God, possesses both inherent power and authority. By giving the disciples both, He was not making them inherently divine, but rather granting them the capacity (power) and the legitimate warrant (authority) to act as His representatives. Their ministry was thus not based on their own strength, but entirely on Christ's delegation and enablement, ensuring that the glory would always return to Him, the ultimate source of all power and authority, as seen in [John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - Jesus Does What the Father Does").

**Does this verse mean believers today can cast out demons and heal diseases?**

Answer: Luke 9:1 records a specific commissioning of the twelve apostles for a particular mission. While the direct, miraculous manifestations of casting out demons and healing diseases were prominent signs accompanying the early spread of the Gospel, the principle of divine empowerment for ministry remains. The New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit distributes various gifts to believers for the common good (e.g., [1 Corinthians 12:7-11](/1_corinthians/12-7-11 "1 Corinthians 12:7-11 - Gifts of the Spirit")). While not every believer may operate in the same way or with the same visible signs as the apostles, the Church is still called to confront spiritual evil and bring healing and restoration in various forms, relying on the power of Christ. The ultimate authority over all things belongs to Jesus ([Ephesians 1:20-23](/ephesians/1-20-23 "Ephesians 1:20-23 - Christ's Supremacy")), and He continues to equip His followers to participate in His ongoing work in the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 9:1 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the very source and embodiment of all power and authority. The disciples' ability to cast out demons and cure diseases was not an inherent capacity but a direct outflow of Christ's own sovereign dominion over all creation, sin, and death. He is the one by whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). The power given to the disciples foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over the "one who has the power of death, that is, the devil" ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ's Victory Over Death and the Devil")), and His complete triumph over sin and sickness through His atoning work on the cross and resurrection. The disciples' ministry, therefore, was a visible demonstration of the invading reign of Christ, who came to "destroy the works of the devil" ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Destroys the Works of the Devil")) and bring comprehensive healing and restoration to humanity. Their delegated authority was a temporary, localized manifestation of the universal and eternal authority that resides solely in Jesus, the Christ, who continues to empower His Church for the advancement of His kingdom until His glorious return.

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

John 14:12

¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

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.

Acts 4:30

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

Matthew 16:19

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mark 16:17

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

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.

Mark 6:7

¶ And he called [unto him] the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;