Luke 10:1 kjv
After these things the LORD appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Luke 10:1 nkjv
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.
Luke 10:1 niv
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.
Luke 10:1 esv
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.
Luke 10:1 nlt
The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit.
Luke 10 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 9:37-38 | "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" | The need for more laborers for the spiritual harvest. |
| Mk 6:7 | "Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two..." | Earlier sending of the Twelve in pairs. |
| Matt 10:5 | "These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions..." | Jesus empowering and sending out His disciples. |
| Jn 15:16 | "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you..." | Divine initiative in choosing and appointing workers. |
| Gen 10:32 | "...from whom the nations spread out over the earth after the flood." | Traditional number of nations in the world (70/72). |
| Num 11:16-17 | "Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders... that they may share the burden..." | God's appointment of 70 elders to assist Moses. |
| Deut 19:15 | "One witness is not enough to convict anyone... on the testimony of two or three." | Legal principle of requiring two witnesses. |
| Mal 3:1 | "I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me." | A messenger preparing the Lord's way. |
| Isa 40:3 | "A voice of one calling: 'In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord...'" | Prophecy of John the Baptist preparing for Jesus. |
| Luke 9:2 | "He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." | Instructions to the Twelve, similar mission. |
| Luke 9:51 | "As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem." | Jesus' focus on Jerusalem and mission's urgency. |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth." | Mandate for global witness, expanding the mission. |
| Acts 6:7 | "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly..." | Growth of the early church's outreach and disciples. |
| Rom 10:14-15 | "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? ...how can anyone preach unless they are sent?" | Importance of being sent to preach. |
| 1 Cor 9:19-23 | "...I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." | Missionaries adapting to reach people effectively. |
| Phil 2:20-22 | "I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare." | Working alongside faithful, concerned individuals. |
| Jn 3:17 | "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." | Jesus' own mission as "sent one." |
| Mt 28:18-20 | "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them..." | The Great Commission for all believers. |
| Acts 13:47 | "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles...'" | Extending salvation's light to Gentiles. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets... to equip his people for works of service..." | Christ empowering believers for ministry. |
Luke 10 verses
Luke 10 1 Meaning
Luke 10:1 details Jesus' deliberate commission of an additional large group of disciples beyond the Twelve Apostles. These seventy-two individuals were sent in pairs, preceding Him into towns and regions where He intended to minister, tasked with preparing the way for His direct arrival and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. This act signifies an expansion of the Lord's redemptive work, extending the reach of His mission across diverse communities as His journey toward Jerusalem progressed.
Luke 10 1 Context
Luke 10:1 opens a new section in Luke’s Gospel, immediately following Jesus’ determination to journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). The preceding chapter recounts various aspects of discipleship, including challenges and demands, and illustrates both the urgency and difficulties of following Jesus. The appointment of the seventy-two follows Jesus' lament over the "plentiful harvest but few laborers" (Luke 10:2, echoing Matt 9:37-38), underscoring a strategic need to expand His Kingdom work. Historically and culturally, travel in ancient Judea was often done in groups for safety and mutual support. Missionaries relied heavily on local hospitality. The number of those sent carries potential symbolic significance within Jewish thought, hinting at a mission encompassing broader humanity beyond just Israel, consistent with Luke’s emphasis on the universality of God’s salvation.
Luke 10 1 Word analysis
- "After this" (Gk. Μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα - Meta de tauta): This temporal connector indicates a shift or progression in Jesus' ministry. It marks a new phase of outreach, building upon His earlier teaching and the commissioning of the Twelve.
- "the Lord" (Gk. ὁ Κύριος - ho Kyrios): Using "the Lord" rather than "Jesus" emphasizes His divine authority, sovereignty, and specific role as master or head over His appointed workers. It highlights His position as the one initiating and directing the mission.
- "appointed" (Gk. ἀνέδειξεν - anedeixen): This verb means "designated," "appointed," or "showed forth." It implies a deliberate and authoritative selection and commission, not just a casual gathering. It signifies a divine authorization for their specific task.
- "seventy-two" (Gk. ἑβδομήκοντα δύο - hebdomēkonta duo): A crucial numerical detail. This specific number holds deep symbolic weight within ancient Jewish tradition, possibly referencing the 70 (or 72, as in some Septuagint variants) nations listed in Genesis 10, or the 70 elders appointed by Moses (Num 11:16-17). In Luke’s Gospel, which often highlights the universality of salvation, this number strongly suggests a mission to all peoples, extending beyond just Israel. (Note: Some ancient manuscripts read "seventy" (70) instead of "seventy-two," but modern textual criticism largely favors "seventy-two.")
- "others" (Gk. καὶ ἑτέρους - kai heterous): This word distinguishes them from the initial Twelve Apostles already commissioned in Luke 9. It shows that the scope of active ministry and the body of commissioned workers were expanding beyond Jesus’ immediate inner circle.
- "and sent them" (Gk. καὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτοὺς - kai apesteilen autous): The verb apesteilen (from apostellō) means "to send out with a specific commission." It implies they are agents or messengers, analogous to "apostles" (though not given that specific title here), carrying Jesus' authority and message.
- "two by two" (Gk. δύο δύο - dyo dyo): This practical instruction served several purposes: mutual support and encouragement, ensuring credibility through the legal principle of two witnesses (Deut 19:15), and promoting fellowship. It also amplified their outreach, allowing two teams to cover twice as much ground simultaneously.
- "ahead of him" (Gk. πρὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ - pro prosopou autou - lit. "before His face"): They were scouts or pioneers, preparing the hearts and homes in the localities for Jesus' subsequent arrival. This demonstrates Jesus' organized and systematic approach to evangelism, mirroring the role of John the Baptist.
- "to every town and place" (Gk. εἰς πᾶσαν πόλιν καὶ τόπον - eis pasan polin kai topon): This phrase highlights the comprehensive nature of the mission. It wasn't limited to large cities but extended to every type of inhabited settlement, showing Jesus’ intention to reach as wide an audience as possible.
- "where he was about to go" (Gk. οὗ ἔμελλεν αὐτὸς ἔρχεσθαι - hou emellen autos erchesthai): This clause emphasizes Jesus' strategic planning and methodical approach to ministry. He systematically covered areas, using these disciples to ready the ground for His direct teachings and miracles. It underscores the urgency and precision of His overall journey.
Luke 10 1 Bonus section
The textual variant concerning "seventy" (70) or "seventy-two" (72) is noteworthy. While most modern critical editions favor "seventy-two" based on early and reliable Greek manuscripts (like Papyrus 75, Codex Vaticanus, and Sinaiticus), "seventy" is found in other respected traditions. Both numbers hold profound symbolic significance in Jewish tradition related to the nations of the world or elders/leaders. The selection of either number consistently reinforces Luke's overarching theme of the universality of God's redemptive plan. Regardless of the precise number, the key theological point remains: Jesus commissioned a larger group beyond the Twelve, signifying an extended, perhaps even universal, missionary mandate. This episode also serves as a crucial prototype for future evangelism, where the mission extends through empowered followers preparing the way for Christ's presence in hearts and communities.
Luke 10 1 Commentary
Luke 10:1 marks a significant expansion of Jesus' public ministry and the training of His disciples. It showcases His intentional, organized approach to spreading the Kingdom message, involving more than just the inner circle of the Twelve. The commissioning of the seventy-two underscores a strategic preparation for His continuing journey to Jerusalem and the broader, universal scope of salvation. By sending them out ahead, Jesus not only prepped the geographical locations but also spiritually prepared the inhabitants to receive Him. This act lays a foundation for the widespread mission that would characterize the early church after Jesus’ ascension, highlighting the shared responsibility of believers in proclaiming the Good News. It exemplifies a collaborative effort, with Jesus empowering others to participate in the "harvest."