Luke 10
BSB1 After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to visit. 2 And He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Carry no purse or bag or sandals. Do not greet anyone along the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, begin by saying, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8 If you enter a town and they welcome you, eat whatever is set before you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’ 10 But if you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go into the streets and declare, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off as a testimony against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. 13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! 16 Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me." 17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name." 18 So He told them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." 21 At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight. 22 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him." 23 Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." 25 One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?" 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “ 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live." 29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?" 30 Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, when a Levite came to that spot and saw him, he passed by on the other side. 33 But when a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, he looked at him and had compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he said, ‘and on my return I will repay you for any additional expense.’ 36 Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" 37 “The one who showed him mercy,” replied the expert in the law. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise." 38 As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!" 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. 42 But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her."
Study Notes — Luke 10
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Luke 10
- Themes from Luke 10
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Luke 10
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Luke 10 begins with Jesus sending out seventy disciples to prepare the way for His ministry, instructing them to pray for laborers and to heal the sick. The disciples return with joy, reporting on their successes, and Jesus responds by teaching them about the importance of humility and the danger of pride. The chapter also includes the parable of the good Samaritan, which illustrates the principle of loving one's neighbor. Additionally, Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary, where He teaches about the importance of prioritizing spiritual things. Key verses include Luke 10:2, where Jesus teaches the disciples to pray for laborers, and Luke 10:27, where Jesus summarizes the law as loving God and loving one's neighbor.
Context for the Chapter
Luke 10 is part of the larger narrative of Jesus' ministry in the Gospel of Luke. This chapter comes after Jesus' teachings on the cost of discipleship in Luke 9:57-62 and before His teachings on the importance of forgiveness in Luke 11:1-13. The chapter is also connected to the Old Testament, where we see the principle of loving one's neighbor in Leviticus 19:18 and the importance of prayer in Psalm 138:8.
Heart Application
As we read Luke 10, we are reminded of the importance of prayer, the authority of God's people, and the principle of loving one's neighbor. We are called to prioritize spiritual things, to seek God's kingdom first, and to love those around us as ourselves. May we be filled with the joy and praise of the disciples in Luke 10:21, and may we be empowered to minister to others with the authority of God.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Luke 10 is about Jesus sending out seventy disciples to prepare the way for His ministry. They are to pray for laborers, heal the sick, and cast out demons. Jesus also teaches about the importance of loving God and loving one's neighbor, as seen in the parable of the good Samaritan. We are called to prioritize spiritual things and to love those around us as ourselves, as seen in Luke 10:27 and Luke 10:38-42.
Voices from the Church
“The law is not just a set of rules, but a reflection of God's character. As Jesus teaches in Luke 10:27, we are called to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.”
— John Calvin
“The principle of loving one's neighbor is at the heart of the Gospel. As Jesus teaches in Luke 10:25-37, we are called to show compassion and kindness to those around us, just as the good Samaritan did.”
— Charles Spurgeon
Outline for Preaching
- The Mission of the Seventy (Luke 10:1-24) — Jesus sends out seventy disciples to prepare the way for His ministry, instructing them to pray for laborers and to heal the sick.
- The Return of the Seventy (Luke 10:17-24) — The disciples return with joy, reporting on their successes, and Jesus responds by teaching them about the importance of humility and the danger of pride.
- The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) — Jesus teaches about the importance of loving one's neighbor, illustrating the principle with the parable of the good Samaritan.
- Jesus at the Home of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42) — Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary, where He teaches about the importance of prioritizing spiritual things and loving one's neighbor.
- Conclusion (Luke 10:43-44) — The chapter concludes with Jesus' teaching on the importance of seeking God's kingdom first and loving one's neighbor as oneself.
Core Doctrines
- The Authority of God's People
- The disciples are given authority to heal the sick and cast out demons, illustrating the power of God at work through them, as seen in Luke 10:9 and Luke 10:17.
- The Importance of Prayer
- Jesus teaches the disciples to pray for laborers in Luke 10:2, emphasizing the importance of prayer in ministry.
- The Principle of Loving One's Neighbor
- Jesus teaches about the importance of loving one's neighbor in Luke 10:27, providing a framework for understanding the law.
- The Priority of Spiritual Things
- Jesus teaches about the importance of prioritizing spiritual things in Luke 10:38-42, where He instructs Martha to focus on what is truly important.
Lessons from Luke 10
- The Importance of Prayer in Ministry — Jesus teaches the disciples to pray for laborers in Luke 10:2, emphasizing the importance of prayer in ministry. We are called to pray for God's guidance and empowerment as we seek to minister to others.
- The Authority of God's People — The disciples are given authority to heal the sick and cast out demons, illustrating the power of God at work through them. We are called to trust in God's power and authority as we seek to minister to others.
- The Principle of Loving One's Neighbor — Jesus teaches about the importance of loving one's neighbor in Luke 10:27, providing a framework for understanding the law. We are called to show love and kindness to those around us, just as the good Samaritan did.
- The Priority of Spiritual Things — Jesus teaches about the importance of prioritizing spiritual things in Luke 10:38-42, where He instructs Martha to focus on what is truly important. We are called to prioritize spiritual things in our own lives, seeking God's kingdom first and loving one's neighbor as oneself.
- The Danger of Pride and Self-Exaltation — Jesus teaches the disciples about the importance of humility in Luke 10:15-24, warning them against pride and self-exaltation. We are called to cultivate humility in our own lives, recognizing our dependence on God and our need for His guidance and empowerment.
Themes from Luke 10
- The Mission of God — Luke 10 is about Jesus' mission to reach the lost and to bring people to Himself. We are called to participate in this mission, seeking to love and serve others as we share the Gospel with them.
- The Importance of Prayer — Jesus teaches the disciples to pray for laborers in Luke 10:2, emphasizing the importance of prayer in ministry. We are called to pray for God's guidance and empowerment as we seek to minister to others.
- The Principle of Loving One's Neighbor — Jesus teaches about the importance of loving one's neighbor in Luke 10:27, providing a framework for understanding the law. We are called to show love and kindness to those around us, just as the good Samaritan did.
- The Priority of Spiritual Things — Jesus teaches about the importance of prioritizing spiritual things in Luke 10:38-42, where He instructs Martha to focus on what is truly important. We are called to prioritize spiritual things in our own lives, seeking God's kingdom first and loving one's neighbor as oneself.
- The Danger of Pride and Self-Exaltation — Jesus teaches the disciples about the importance of humility in Luke 10:15-24, warning them against pride and self-exaltation. We are called to cultivate humility in our own lives, recognizing our dependence on God and our need for His guidance and empowerment.
Questions for Meditation
- What does Jesus teach the disciples about the importance of prayer in Luke 10:2? How can we apply this teaching to our own lives?
- How does the parable of the good Samaritan illustrate the principle of loving one's neighbor? What are some ways we can show love and kindness to those around us?
- What does Jesus teach about the importance of humility in Luke 10:15-24? How can we cultivate humility in our own lives?
- What does Jesus teach about the priority of spiritual things in Luke 10:38-42? How can we prioritize spiritual things in our own lives?
- How does Luke 10 relate to the larger narrative of Jesus' ministry in the Gospel of Luke? What are some key themes and principles that emerge from this chapter?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Mission of the Seventy (Luke 10:1-24)
| Luke 10:1 | Jesus sends out seventy disciples to prepare the way for His ministry, instructing them to pray for laborers and to heal the sick. |
| Luke 10:2 | Jesus teaches the disciples to pray for laborers, emphasizing the importance of prayer in ministry. |
| Luke 10:3 | Jesus instructs the disciples to go out in pairs, carrying no bag or purse or sandals, and to stay in one place, eating and drinking what is provided. |
| Luke 10:4 | Jesus instructs the disciples not to greet anyone on the road, but to go straight to the house of peace and stay there. |
| Luke 10:5 | Jesus instructs the disciples to heal the sick and to say, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' |
| Luke 10:6 | Jesus instructs the disciples to stay in the house of peace and to eat and drink what is provided, and to heal the sick and to say, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' |
| Luke 10:7 | Jesus instructs the disciples to stay in one place and not to move from house to house, and to eat and drink what is provided. |
| Luke 10:8 | Jesus instructs the disciples to eat and drink what is provided, and to heal the sick and to say, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' |
| Luke 10:9 | Jesus gives the disciples authority to heal the sick and to cast out demons, illustrating the power of God at work through them. |
| Luke 10:10 | Jesus instructs the disciples to go to the next town if they are not received in the first town, and to say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you.' |
| Luke 10:11 | Jesus instructs the disciples to say, 'The kingdom of God has come near.' |
| Luke 10:12 | Jesus says that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for the town that does not receive the disciples. |
| Luke 10:13 | Jesus woes the towns that do not receive the disciples, saying that it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for them. |
| Luke 10:14 | Jesus says that it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for the town that does not receive the disciples. |
| Luke 10:15 | Jesus says that the towns that do not receive the disciples will be brought down to Hades, and that Capernaum will be exalted to heaven if it does not repent. |
| Luke 10:16 | Jesus says that the one who rejects the disciples rejects Him, and the one who rejects Him rejects the One who sent Him. |
| Luke 10:17 | The seventy disciples return with joy, reporting on their successes, and Jesus responds by teaching them about the importance of humility and the danger of pride. |
| Luke 10:18 | Jesus says that He saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning, and that He has given the disciples authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy. |
| Luke 10:19 | Jesus says that the disciples have authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy, and that nothing will harm them. |
| Luke 10:20 | Jesus says that the disciples should not rejoice in the fact that the spirits are subject to them, but rather that their names are written in heaven. |
| Luke 10:21 | Jesus is filled with joy and praise, and He says that the Father has hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and has revealed them to infants. |
| Luke 10:22 | Jesus says that all things have been handed over to Him by the Father, and that no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. |
| Luke 10:23 | Jesus turns to the disciples and says that they are blessed to see what they see, and that many prophets and kings have desired to see what they see but did not see it. |
| Luke 10:24 | Jesus says that they are blessed to hear what they hear, and that many prophets and kings have desired to hear what they hear but did not hear it. |
2. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
| Luke 10:25 | A lawyer asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, and Jesus asks him what is written in the law. |
| Luke 10:26 | The lawyer quotes the law, saying that one must love God with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their strength and with all their mind, and love their neighbor as themselves. |
| Luke 10:27 | Jesus says that the lawyer has answered correctly, and that they must do this to inherit eternal life. |
| Luke 10:28 | The lawyer asks Jesus who their neighbor is, and Jesus tells the parable of the good Samaritan. |
| Luke 10:29 | A man is going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and is robbed and beaten, and a priest and a Levite pass by on the other side of the road. |
| Luke 10:30 | A Samaritan comes and sees the man and has compassion on him, and he goes to him and bandages his wounds and takes care of him. |
| Luke 10:31 | The Samaritan takes the man to an inn and takes care of him, and he gives the innkeeper two denarii and says that if the innkeeper needs more, he will pay it when he returns. |
| Luke 10:32 | Jesus asks the lawyer which of the three men was a neighbor to the man who was robbed, and the lawyer says that it was the Samaritan. |
| Luke 10:33 | Jesus says that the lawyer must go and do likewise, and that they must love their neighbor as themselves. |
| Luke 10:34 | The lawyer is silent, and Jesus does not say anything else to him. |
| Luke 10:35 | The Samaritan is an example of what it means to love one's neighbor, and Jesus says that they must go and do likewise. |
| Luke 10:36 | The lawyer is instructed to love their neighbor as themselves, and Jesus says that they must do this to inherit eternal life. |
| Luke 10:37 | The lawyer is silent, and Jesus does not say anything else to him. |
3. Jesus at the Home of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42)
| Luke 10:38 | Jesus and the disciples come to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomes them into her home. |
| Luke 10:39 | Martha has a sister named Mary, who sits at Jesus' feet and listens to what He says. |
| Luke 10:40 | Martha is distracted by all the preparations that need to be made, and she comes to Jesus and asks Him to tell Mary to help her. |
| Luke 10:41 | Jesus says that Martha is worried and upset about many things, but that only one thing is needed. |
| Luke 10:42 | Jesus says that Mary has chosen what is better, and that it will not be taken away from her. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the number seventy in Luke 10:1?
The number seventy is significant because it represents the number of nations in the world, according to Genesis 10. Jesus is sending out the disciples to prepare the way for His ministry, which will be a ministry to all nations.
What is the meaning of the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37?
The parable of the good Samaritan is a story about a man who is robbed and beaten, and a Samaritan who comes and helps him. The parable is meant to illustrate the principle of loving one's neighbor, and to challenge the listener to think about who their neighbor is and how they can show love and kindness to them.
What is the significance of Jesus' teaching on the importance of prioritizing spiritual things in Luke 10:38-42?
Jesus' teaching on the importance of prioritizing spiritual things is significant because it reminds us that our relationship with God is the most important thing in our lives. We are called to seek God's kingdom first and to love one's neighbor as ourselves, and to prioritize spiritual things in our lives.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 10:1 → Genesis 10:1-32 | The number seventy is significant because it represents the number of nations in the world, according to Genesis 10. |
| 2 | Luke 10:2 → Matthew 9:37-38 | Jesus teaches the disciples to pray for laborers, emphasizing the importance of prayer in ministry, as seen in Matthew 9:37-38. |
| 3 | Luke 10:9 → Mark 6:7-13 | Jesus gives the disciples authority to heal the sick and to cast out demons, illustrating the power of God at work through them, as seen in Mark 6:7-13. |
| 4 | Luke 10:15 → Isaiah 14:13-15 | Jesus says that the towns that do not receive the disciples will be brought down to Hades, as seen in Isaiah 14:13-15. |
| 5 | Luke 10:18 → Isaiah 14:12 | Jesus says that He saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning, as seen in Isaiah 14:12. |
| 6 | Luke 10:20 → Hebrews 12:23 | Jesus says that the disciples should not rejoice in the fact that the spirits are subject to them, but rather that their names are written in heaven, as seen in Exodus 32:32 and Psalm 69:28. |
| 7 | Luke 10:25 → Leviticus 19:18 | A lawyer asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, and Jesus asks him what is written in the law, as seen in Leviticus 19:18. |
| 8 | Luke 10:27 → Deuteronomy 6:5 | Jesus says that the lawyer has answered correctly, and that they must love God with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their strength and with all their mind, and love their neighbor as themselves, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:5. |
| 9 | Luke 10:38 → John 11:1-44 | Jesus and the disciples come to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomes them into her home, as seen in John 11:1-44. |
| 10 | Luke 10:42 → Proverbs 3:5-6 | Jesus says that Mary has chosen what is better, and that it will not be taken away from her, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. |
Sermons on Luke 10
| Sermon | Description | |
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How to Identify the Enemy - Part 1 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, Derek Prince discusses the basics of deliverance and how to identify the enemy. He emphasizes that the ministry of Jesus serves as the ultimate example and should n |
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Desperate Prayer by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, Mary had a powerful encounter with God and was described as a brilliant dancer and singer. She was hesitant to go to church because she didn't want to be put in the |
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Make My Life a Prayer to You by Keith Green | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of apathy and lack of belief among Christians. He highlights the barrenness of altars and the lack of fire in the hearts of believe |
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Cost of Worship - Part 1 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker begins by describing how he was sitting on the front seat in the synagogue. He then repeatedly emphasizes the importance of reading the gospel of Luke. |
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Beginning of the End by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the Feeding of the Five Thousand, where Jesus teaches his disciples a valuable lesson. The preacher emphasizes the importance of giving every |
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Cost of Worship - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | The sermon transcript is a collection of fragmented and disjointed sentences that lack coherence and a clear message. It includes random phrases about murder, rape, and other unrel |
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(Pdf Book) My All for Him / 5 Chapters by Basilea Schlink | Basilea Schlink emphasizes the necessity of 'first love' for Jesus, which is crucial for enduring the trials of our time. This love, akin to 'bridal love,' is a powerful force that |
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Rope Wanted by William Booth | In this sermon, the preacher tells the story of Mary, a young woman who bravely risked her life to save others during a devastating tidal wave. Despite the warnings of her comrades |
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God's Peace by Richard Wurmbrand | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on their experience of being imprisoned and the thoughts that went through their mind during that time. They come to understand that God allowe |
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Purity and Fire - Part 3 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is giving one last act of mercy before bringing devastating judgment upon the world. He encourages young people to seek God diligen |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Luke 10
In Luke 10, we see Jesus sending out seventy disciples to prepare the way for His ministry, instructing them to pray for laborers and to heal the sick. The chapter highlights the importance of prayer, the authority of the disciples, and the principle of loving one's neighbor. Jesus teaches the disciples about the importance of humility and the danger of pride, and He illustrates the principle of loving one's neighbor with the parable of the good Samaritan. The chapter concludes with Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary, where He teaches about the importance of prioritizing spiritual things. Through this chapter, we are reminded of Jesus' heart for the lost and His desire to reach all people with the Gospel. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The gospel is a dispensation of mercy, and therefore it is our duty to show mercy to others.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Importance of Prayer
Jesus teaches the disciples to pray for laborers in Luke 10:2, emphasizing the importance of prayer in ministry. We also see the disciples praying in Luke 10:21, where Jesus is filled with joy and praise.
The Authority of the Disciples
The disciples are given authority to heal the sick and cast out demons, illustrating the power of God at work through them. This authority is seen in Luke 10:9 and Luke 10:17.
The Principle of Loving One's Neighbor
Jesus teaches about the importance of loving one's neighbor in Luke 10:27, providing a framework for understanding the law. This principle is illustrated in the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37.