# Overview Luke Chapter 10 begins with the sending out of the seventy-two disciples by [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], an act that signifies the expansion of his ministry beyond the immediate circle of the twelve apostles. Jesus instructs them to go ahead of him to every town and place he is about to visit, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the mission. He appoints them to heal the sick and announce that the Kingdom of #God is near, illustrating the powerful authority given to them through Jesus. The chapter underscores the theme of harvest, urging the disciples to pray for more laborers to gather the abundant harvest, symbolizing the readiness of people to receive the gospel message. Additionally, Jesus warns the disciples about impending rejection similar to that which he himself faces, advising them to shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against towns that do not welcome them, echoing the earlier instructions to his apostles in #Matthew 10. The chapter proceeds to recount the well-known parable of the #GoodSamaritan, a response to a lawyer's question about inheriting eternal life. Through this parable, Jesus expands the definition of "neighbor" to include even those traditionally viewed as enemies, illustrating the profound and inclusive nature of divine love and compassion. This teaching challenges social and religious boundaries, highlighting #mercy as a central tenet of the Kingdom of God. The chapter concludes with the account of Jesus visiting the home of #Martha and #Mary, illustrating the importance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment over the busyness of life. Mary, who chooses to sit at Jesus' feet and listen, is commended for seeking what is most essential, while Martha is gently reminded to focus on what truly matters. This segment of the chapter emphasizes the balance between service and devotion in the life of a believer. ## Theological Insights Luke 10 is rich with theological significance, emphasizing themes of #discipleship, the #KingdomOfGod, and the nature of true #neighborliness. 1. **Discipleship and Mission**: The chapter begins with the sending of the seventy-two disciples, highlighting the communal and expansive nature of the #Gospel mission. Jesus instructs them to proclaim, "The Kingdom of God has come near to you" (Luke 10:9), underscoring the imminent and present reality of God’s reign, a core theme in Jesus' ministry. This mission reflects the universal call to spread the message of salvation and the reliance on God’s provision, as seen in the directive to carry no purse or sandals. 2. **Rejection and Judgment**: Jesus warns of severe consequences for those cities that reject the message of the Kingdom, mentioning #Chorazin, #Bethsaida, and #Capernaum. This reflects a recurring biblical theme of accountability and judgment, resonating with prophetic warnings in the #OldTestament. The comparison to [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 19|Sodom]] serves to emphasize the gravity of rejecting God's revelation. 3. **The Joy of Revelation**: The return of the seventy-two with joy over the submission of demons (Luke 10:17) leads to Jesus' praise of the Father for revealing truths to "little children" (Luke 10:21). This passage highlights the divine prerogative in revelation and the joy that accompanies service in God's Kingdom. It echoes the notion that God’s wisdom is often hidden from the wise and revealed to the humble, a truth seen throughout Scripture. 4. **The Parable of the Good Samaritan**: Perhaps one of the most well-known teachings of Jesus, this parable (Luke 10:25-37) expands the understanding of what it means to love one's neighbor. By choosing a #Samaritan, traditionally despised by Jews, as the hero, Jesus challenges societal norms and prejudices, illustrating the boundless nature of agape love. This story connects to the broader biblical theme of mercy and justice, as seen in passages like [[Micah/Micah Chapter 6|Micah 6:8]]. 5. **Martha and Mary**: The account of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42) presents a theological reflection on the priorities of a disciple. While Martha is "distracted by many things," Mary chooses the "better part" by sitting at Jesus' feet, symbolizing the importance of communion with Christ over mere service. This narrative invites believers to consider the balance between action and contemplation, a theme echoed in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 27|Psalm 27:4]]. In summary, Luke 10 calls believers to a holistic understanding of the Kingdom of God, where proclamation, service, love, and devotion are intricately connected in the life of a disciple. The chapter challenges the faithful to live out the radical implications of the Gospel in everyday interactions and priorities. ## Thematic Connections ### The Mission of the Seventy-Two In Luke 10, the sending of the seventy-two disciples by [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] echoes the theme of spreading the #Gospel and expanding God’s kingdom. This mission reflects the early stages of the Great Commission, paralleling Jesus’s final instructions to His disciples in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 28|Matthew 28:19-20]]. The directive given to these disciples resonates with the prior sending of the twelve apostles in [[Luke/Luke Chapter 9|Luke 9]], highlighting the continuous nature of evangelistic work. ### The Harvest and the Laborers Jesus’ statement, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few," in verse 2, draws a thematic connection to the urgency and necessity of evangelism. This imagery of harvest is also found in [[John/John Chapter 4|John 4:35-38]], where Jesus speaks of fields ready for harvest, indicating the readiness of people's hearts to receive the Gospel. The theme underscores the pressing need for workers in God's mission field. ### Authority Over Demons The authority given to the seventy-two to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19) connects with Jesus’ earlier demonstration of authority over demonic forces in [[Mark/Mark Chapter 1|Mark 1:23-27]] and [[Luke/Luke Chapter 8|Luke 8:26-39]]. This theme emphasizes the divine power vested in Jesus' followers to overcome spiritual adversaries, reinforcing the victory over evil through God’s power. ### Joy in the Spirit The joyful return of the seventy-two and Jesus’ subsequent rejoicing in the Holy Spirit (verses 17 and 21) highlight the theme of joy in witnessing the impact of God’s work through His people. This joy mirrors the celebration in heaven over one sinner who repents, as seen in [[Luke/Luke Chapter 15|Luke 15:7]], illustrating the heavenly significance of earthly ministry. ### The Revelation to the Humble Jesus praises the Father for revealing truths to "little children" rather than the wise and learned (verse 21), a theme that resonates with God’s preference for the humble in spirit. This is paralleled in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 11|Matthew 11:25-26]] and [[1 Corinthians/1 Corinthians Chapter 1|1 Corinthians 1:26-29]], where God’s wisdom is shown to be accessible to the humble, emphasizing the inclusivity of God’s revelation to those who are open-hearted. ### The Parable of the Good Samaritan The parable of the #GoodSamaritan (verses 25-37) introduces the theme of neighborly love and compassion, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries. It echoes the commandment to love one’s neighbor as oneself from [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 19|Leviticus 19:18]] and reinforces Jesus’ teaching on love in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 22|Matthew 22:39-40]]. The parable challenges societal norms and calls for a broader understanding of community and service. ### The Priority of Listening to Jesus The account of #Mary and #Martha (verses 38-42) emphasizes the theme of prioritizing spiritual devotion and listening to Jesus. Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus’ feet parallels the call to seek first the kingdom of God, as stated in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 6|Matthew 6:33]]. This theme underscores the importance of placing spiritual nourishment above worldly concerns. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Sending of the Seventy-Two In Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples in pairs to every town and place he was about to visit, which echoes the prophetic vision of spreading God’s word and establishing His kingdom. This act aligns with the prophecy of the spread of God’s knowledge and salvation to all nations as foretold in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 49|Isaiah 49:6]], where it is said that the Servant of the Lord will be a light to the nations, bringing salvation to the ends of the earth. The mission of the seventy-two prefigures the global mission of the church to proclaim the #Gospel. ### The Fall of Satan Jesus’ statement in Luke 10:18, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven," resonates with prophetic imagery from [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 14|Isaiah 14:12-15]] and [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 28|Ezekiel 28:14-17]], which describe the fall of a proud figure from heaven. This vision underscores Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm and the defeat of #Satan, fulfilling prophecies about the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom over evil forces. ### The Revelation to Little Children Luke 10:21 highlights Jesus’ praise to the Father for revealing divine truths to “little children,” a fulfillment of the prophecy in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 29|Isaiah 29:14]] where God promises to confound the wisdom of the wise and reveal Himself to those with childlike faith. This aligns with the prophetic theme that God’s wisdom and salvation are accessible to the humble and pure-hearted, contrasting with the proud and self-reliant. ### The Parable of the Good Samaritan The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37, while not a direct fulfillment of a specific prophecy, embodies the prophetic call for justice and mercy seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in [[Micah/Micah Chapter 6|Micah 6:8]], where God requires His people to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. The actions of the Samaritan reflect the prophetic ideals of compassion and neighborly love, central to God’s covenantal instructions. ### The Blessing of the Disciples In Luke 10:23-24, Jesus blesses His disciples, affirming that they see and hear what many prophets and kings longed to see and hear. This statement reflects the fulfillment of prophecies regarding the coming of the #Messiah, such as those in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 61|Isaiah 61:1-2]], where the anointed one brings good news. The disciples’ experiences confirm the realization of these long-awaited messianic promises in Jesus’ ministry. ## Verses - **Luke 10:1** - "The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit." - Note: See also [[Luke/Luke Chapter 9]] where Jesus sends out the Twelve. - **Luke 10:2** - "These were his instructions to them: 'The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.'" - Note: This is an echo of Jesus' words in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 9]]. - **Luke 10:3** - "Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves." - Note: See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 10]]. - **Luke 10:4** - "Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road." - Note: Similar instructions are given in [[Mark/Mark Chapter 6]]. - **Luke 10:5** - "Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’" - **Luke 10:6** - "If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you." - **Luke 10:7** - "Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay." - Note: Compare with Paul's teaching in [[1 Timothy/1 Timothy Chapter 5]]. - **Luke 10:8** - "If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you." - **Luke 10:9** - "Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’" - **Luke 10:10** - "But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say," - **Luke 10:11** - "‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’" - **Luke 10:12** - "I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day." - **Luke 10:13** - "What sorrow awaits you, Chorazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse." - Note: Refer to [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 23]] for the prophecy against Tyre. - **Luke 10:14** - "Yes, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you." - **Luke 10:15** - "And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead." - Note: See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 11]]. - **Luke 10:16** - "Then he said to the disciples, 'Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.'" - **Luke 10:17** - "When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, 'Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!'" - **Luke 10:18** - "'Yes,' he told them, 'I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!'" - Note: Refer to [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 12]]. - **Luke 10:19** - "Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you." - **Luke 10:20** - "But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven." - Note: This is similar to the assurance given in [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 4]]. - **Luke 10:21** - "At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, 'O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.'" - **Luke 10:22** - "'My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.'" - Note: See [[John/John Chapter 1]] for the relationship between the Father and the Son. - **Luke 10:23** - "Then when they were alone, he turned to the disciples and said, 'Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen.'" - **Luke 10:24** - "I tell you, many prophets and kings longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it." - **Luke 10:25** - "One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: 'Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?'" - **Luke 10:26** - "Jesus replied, 'What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?'" - **Luke 10:27** - "The man answered, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And, Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Note: Refer to [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 6]] and [[Leviticus/Leviticus Chapter 19]]. - **Luke 10:28** - "'Right!' Jesus told him. 'Do this and you will live!'" - **Luke 10:29** - "The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'" - **Luke 10:30** - "Jesus replied with a story: 'A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.'" - **Luke 10:31** - "'By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.'" - **Luke 10:32** - "'A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.'" - **Luke 10:33** - "'Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.'" - Note: Consider the historical enmity between Jews and Samaritans as seen in [[John/John Chapter 4]]. - **Luke 10:34** - "Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him." - **Luke 10:35** - "The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’" - **Luke 10:36** - "'Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?' Jesus asked." - **Luke 10:37** - "The man replied, 'The one who showed him mercy.' Then Jesus said, 'Yes, now go and do the same.'" - **Luke 10:38** - "As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home." - Note: Martha and her sister Mary are mentioned again in [[John/John Chapter 11]]. - **Luke 10:39** - "Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught." - **Luke 10:40** - "But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, 'Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.'" - **Luke 10:41** - "But the Lord said to her, 'My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!'" - **Luke 10:42** - "There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."