Luke 10:3 kjv
Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
Luke 10:3 nkjv
Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
Luke 10:3 niv
Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
Luke 10:3 esv
Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
Luke 10:3 nlt
Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.
Luke 10 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 10:16 | "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." | Parallel commission, shrewdness and innocence. |
| Matt 7:15 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves." | "Wolves" as dangerous deceivers. |
| Acts 20:29 | "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock." | Future threats to the church. |
| John 10:12 | "He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep..." | Wolf as danger to the flock. |
| Jer 5:6 | "Therefore a lion from the forest shall strike them down...a wolf from the desert shall devastate them..." | "Wolf" symbolizing divine judgment/predation. |
| Ez 22:27 | "Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood..." | Leaders as predatory "wolves." |
| Psa 23:4 | "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me..." | Divine protection in danger. |
| Isa 40:11 | "He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms..." | God's tender care for His flock. |
| John 1:29 | "...Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" | Jesus as the ultimate Lamb. |
| 1 Pet 1:19 | "...but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." | Christ's sacrifice as a Lamb. |
| 1 Pet 2:25 | "For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." | Believers as sheep under Christ's care. |
| Matt 24:9 | "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name." | Prediction of future persecution. |
| John 15:18-20 | "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you...A slave is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you..." | World's hatred towards disciples. |
| Acts 14:22 | "...and that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." | Entry into kingdom through suffering. |
| Phil 1:29 | "For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake," | Privilege of suffering for Christ. |
| Isa 6:8 | "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" | The divine "sending." |
| Rom 10:15 | "How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!'" | Importance of being "sent." |
| John 20:21 | "So Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.'" | Discipleship mirroring Christ's mission. |
| Lk 9:1-2 | "And He called the twelve together...and sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing." | Prior sending of the Twelve. |
| Lk 22:35 | "And He said to them, 'When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?' They said, 'No, nothing.'" | Jesus' later reflection on their earlier provision. |
Luke 10 verses
Luke 10 3 Meaning
This verse conveys Jesus' authoritative commission to His disciples for a specific mission, immediately followed by a stark warning. He declares that He is sending them into a world inherently hostile, comparing their vulnerability to that of "lambs" amidst aggressive "wolves." It signifies the perilous nature of their task and the opposition they will undoubtedly face, emphasizing their reliance on Him who sends them, rather than their own strength.
Luke 10 3 Context
Luke 10:3 immediately follows Jesus commissioning the seventy (or seventy-two, depending on the manuscript tradition) disciples to go ahead of Him into every town and place He was about to visit. This widespread mission is parallel to the earlier sending of the twelve apostles (Lk 9:1-6), but involves a larger number, hinting at a broader scope of evangelism. Jesus' instruction begins with practical details (carrying no purse, no bag, no sandals), indicating full reliance on God and the hospitality of those they minister to. This verse sets the expectation for their experience: a challenging environment where their message and presence will provoke opposition. It underscores the urgency and perilous nature of their task. The historical context reflects a time when Jesus' teachings were increasingly challenging the religious and political establishments, leading to growing hostility, foreshadowed here by the "wolves."
Luke 10 3 Word analysis
- Go your way (ὑπάγετε - hypagete): This is an imperative verb, a direct command, meaning "go," "depart," or "lead away." It indicates not merely movement but the initiation of an authorized journey or mission. It signifies an urgent directive to embark on the task Jesus is commissioning.
- behold (ἰδού - idou): An interjection, drawing attention to what follows. It highlights the solemnity, importance, and perhaps the startling nature of the declaration Jesus is about to make. It is a divine emphasis.
- I send you forth (ἐγὼ ἀποστέλλω ὑμᾶς - egō apostellō hymas):
- ἐγὼ (egō - I): Emphatic first-person pronoun, stressing Jesus' own authority as the sender. It highlights that this mission is His divine initiative.
- ἀποστέλλω (apostellō - send forth, commission): The verb from which the term "apostle" is derived. It means to send with a specific commission, authority, and purpose. It is more than just sending someone; it's delegating a task with inherent power and backing. This establishes their divine authorization.
- ὑμᾶς (hymas - you, plural): Refers to the seventy (or seventy-two) disciples. It is a direct, personal commission to each of them.
- as (ὡς - hōs): A comparative particle, introducing a simile. It shows that what follows describes the nature of their sending and the condition they will encounter.
- lambs (ἄρνας - arnas): Plural of "arnion," though derived from "amnos" (a lamb, sheep). This imagery conveys vulnerability, innocence, helplessness, and defenselessness. Lambs are natural prey animals. It highlights that the disciples' strength is not in themselves but in God.
- among (ἐν μέσῳ - en mesō): Literally "in the midst of." This preposition indicates direct, immediate proximity and being surrounded. The danger is not distant but pervasive and ever-present.
- wolves (λύκους - lykous): Plural of "lykos." Wolves are predatory, aggressive, cunning, and dangerous animals, notorious for attacking sheep. In biblical literature, "wolves" often symbolize false teachers, violent oppressors, or those actively hostile to God's people. This paints a clear picture of the spiritual and physical dangers the disciples will face.
- "Go your way; behold, I send you forth": This phrase combines command, authority, and divine commissioning. It is an urgent imperative for action based on Jesus' explicit instruction and power. The disciples are not self-sent; their mission stems from Christ's authority.
- "as lambs among wolves": This powerful and vivid simile defines the essential character of their mission. It communicates a paradox: innocent and defenseless agents being sent into a hostile environment populated by those who would devour them. It emphasizes vulnerability, anticipated suffering, and implicitly, the necessity of divine protection and faith. This group of words prepares the disciples for potential persecution and highlights their absolute dependence on Jesus for their safety and success.
Luke 10 3 Bonus section
- The mission of the seventy/seventy-two in Luke 10 is seen by some scholars as having eschatological and universal significance, perhaps mirroring the seventy nations listed in Genesis 10 or the number of the Sanhedrin members. This suggests that the scope of the Gospel's outreach, even at this early stage, extends beyond Israel to all nations.
- The emphasis on the disciples being "lambs" means they are to embody gentleness and peace, rather than adopting the aggressive tactics of the "wolves." Their victory is not through overpowering adversaries but through faithful proclamation of the kingdom, trusting in God's power.
- Despite the warning of danger, the disciples later return with joy, proclaiming their authority over demons (Lk 10:17-20). This highlights that while the mission is dangerous, the One who sends them provides both protection and power, confirming that God's power is manifest in their weakness.
Luke 10 3 Commentary
Luke 10:3 presents a stark reality check for Jesus' disciples embarking on their mission. It's not a suggestion but an emphatic commission by Jesus ("I send you forth"), underscoring His authority over their ministry. The imagery of "lambs among wolves" is both descriptive and prophetic. "Lambs" denote the disciples' essential nature: innocent, vulnerable, and non-threatening. They are not sent to be aggressive, retaliatory, or self-sufficient. "Wolves," conversely, symbolize the active, predatory, and often deceptive forces of opposition—whether human antagonists, false doctrines, or spiritual strongholds. This vivid metaphor serves to prepare the disciples psychologically for the inevitable rejection and persecution they will encounter. Their success is not predicated on their own cunning or might, but precisely because the all-powerful Shepherd is the one who sends His vulnerable flock. The verse implicitly teaches that divine protection accompanies divine commission, urging implicit trust in the sender despite overwhelming odds. It is a call to courageous faithfulness even in the face of imminent danger for the sake of the Gospel.