Luke 10

In Luke 10, Jesus expands His ministry by sending out seventy disciples in pairs to towns He planned to visit. The chapter includes Jesus’ instructions to these disciples, the parable of the Good Samaritan, and an account of Jesus’ visit to the home of Mary and Martha. Through these events, Luke emphasizes the importance of discipleship, compassion, and choosing devotion to God above all else.

Luke 10:1-2 (NKJV)
1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.
2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Jesus commissions seventy disciples to prepare towns for His arrival. By sending them in pairs, He emphasizes teamwork and mutual support. His words about the plentiful harvest highlight the urgency of spreading the gospel, underscoring the need for more workers in God’s mission. Jesus calls His disciples to pray for more laborers, emphasizing that evangelistic work is both urgent and divinely guided.

Luke 10:3-4 (NKJV)
3 “Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.”

Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges they will face, likening them to “lambs among wolves” to warn them of potential hostility. He instructs them to travel light, relying on God’s provision rather than personal resources. This directive encourages faith and dependence on God rather than earthly possessions, teaching them the value of single-minded dedication to their mission.

Luke 10:5-7 (NKJV)
5 “But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’
6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.
7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.”

Jesus instructs His disciples to bless each household they enter with peace, showing respect for their hosts. If the household is receptive, the blessing remains; if not, it returns to the disciple, indicating God’s sovereignty over responses. By staying in one place, they avoid the appearance of favoritism or greed. This approach allows them to build deeper connections and reflects the principle that those who serve God are worthy of support.

Luke 10:8-9 (NKJV)
8 “Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.
9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”

Jesus instructs His disciples to accept hospitality without being selective about food, teaching humility and gratitude. He also empowers them to heal the sick, providing a tangible demonstration of God’s kingdom. Their message, “The kingdom of God has come near,” proclaims God’s presence and the hope of salvation, urging people to recognize the significance of Jesus’ ministry.

Luke 10:10-12 (NKJV)
10 “But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say,
11 ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’
12 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.”

Jesus instructs His disciples on handling rejection by shaking off the dust, symbolizing separation and a warning of accountability. Despite rejection, the message remains: “the kingdom of God has come near.” Jesus warns that those who reject this message will face judgment, emphasizing the serious consequences of refusing God’s offer of salvation.

Luke 10:13-15 (NKJV)
13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.
15 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.”

Jesus pronounces judgment on cities that witnessed His miracles yet failed to repent. By comparing them to pagan cities like Tyre and Sidon, He underscores their spiritual hard-heartedness. Despite their access to His teachings and miracles, their refusal to respond makes them more accountable. This serves as a sobering reminder of the responsibility that comes with greater revelation.

Luke 10:16 (NKJV)
16 “He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

Jesus clarifies that the disciples represent Him and, by extension, God the Father. Acceptance or rejection of the disciples equates to acceptance or rejection of Jesus and His message. This relationship underscores the divine authority of their mission and the serious nature of people’s responses.

Luke 10:17-20 (NKJV)
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

The seventy return excited by their success, particularly over demons. Jesus acknowledges their power over spiritual forces, likening it to Satan’s defeat. Yet, He redirects their focus, advising them to rejoice in their salvation rather than the power they wield. This distinction reminds them that their ultimate blessing is eternal life with God, not earthly authority.

Luke 10:21-24 (NKJV)
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see;
24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”

Jesus praises God for revealing His truths to the humble rather than the “wise,” showing that God values simple faith over intellectual pride. He emphasizes His unique relationship with the Father and the privilege of knowing Him through divine revelation. He reminds the disciples of their blessedness, as they witness the fulfillment of prophecies long-awaited by others.

Luke 10:25-29 (NKJV)
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
27 So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

A lawyer approaches Jesus, testing Him with a question about eternal life. Jesus responds by directing him to the law, encouraging self-reflection on Scripture. The lawyer correctly cites love for God and neighbor as essential, aligning with God’s commandments. However, seeking to justify himself, he asks, “Who is my neighbor?” This question sets the stage for Jesus to clarify the true nature of neighborly love through the parable that follows.

Luke 10:30-35 (NKJV)
30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.
34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’”

In this parable, a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked and left for dead. Both a priest and a Levite, respected figures in Jewish society, see him but choose to ignore his plight. Surprisingly, a Samaritan—a group despised by Jews—shows compassion. He not only tends to the man’s wounds but also takes him to an inn, covering his expenses and promising further support if needed. This act of mercy transcends social boundaries, demonstrating that true neighborly love involves compassionate action toward anyone in need, regardless of background.

Luke 10:36-37 (NKJV)
36 “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Jesus concludes by asking the lawyer which of the three men was a true neighbor to the injured man. The lawyer answers, “He who showed mercy,” recognizing that compassion defines neighborly love. Jesus then instructs him to follow this example, emphasizing that love for one’s neighbor is shown through merciful actions rather than mere words or social status.

Luke 10:38-42 (NKJV)
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

In the final scene of this chapter, Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary. Martha busily serves, while Mary sits attentively at Jesus’ feet, absorbing His teaching. Frustrated, Martha asks Jesus to instruct Mary to help her, but Jesus gently corrects her, highlighting that Mary has chosen the “good part”—devotion to God. Jesus’ response underscores that while service is valuable, time spent in spiritual focus is even more essential. Through Mary’s example, Jesus invites His followers to prioritize relationship with God over tasks and worries.