Luke 9:1 kjv

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

Luke 9:1 nkjv

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

Luke 9:1 niv

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,

Luke 9:1 esv

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,

Luke 9:1 nlt

One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases.

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 1 Meaning

Luke 9:1 marks a pivotal moment where Jesus empowers His core group of twelve disciples. Having discipled them through teaching and miraculous demonstrations, He now bestows upon them extraordinary spiritual and physical authority. This authority includes the "power" (inherent ability, dynamis) and "authority" (the right to exercise that power, exousia) over all demonic forces, enabling them to cast out demons and to heal various diseases. This commission signifies their transition from mere followers to active participants in His mission, specifically equipped for confronting spiritual evil and alleviating human suffering, thereby extending the visible reach of the Kingdom of God.

Luke 9 1 Context

Luke 9:1 stands as a crucial transition point in Jesus' ministry within Luke's Gospel. Preceding this verse, Luke 8 highlights Jesus' authoritative teaching through parables (sower, lamp), demonstrating His control over creation (calming the storm), healing power (Gerasene demoniac, Jairus's daughter, woman with a flow of blood), and ultimate authority over death. These events showcase Jesus' unique power and sovereignty, which He now purposes to share with His chosen disciples. This act of delegation is not merely for their personal edification but serves to expand the reach of the Kingdom' message and power. Historically, healing and exorcism were widely sought services, but Jesus’ approach, particularly the delegation of such power, was unique. By commissioning the twelve, Jesus signals a broader strategy for evangelism, moving beyond His immediate physical presence to His authorized representatives. It also foreshadows the future mission of the church after His ascension, establishing a precedent for evangelism accompanied by demonstrations of God's power over spiritual and physical brokenness.

Luke 9 1 Word analysis

• Then (δὲ - de) He (αὐτοὺς - autous) called (προσκαλεσάμενος - proskalesamenos)

  • Then (de): A conjunctive particle, often translated "and" or "but," here functions as a narrative transition, indicating the sequence of events. It connects this action to the preceding displays of Jesus' power.
  • He: Refers implicitly to Jesus, underscoring His initiative and sovereign decision in calling and commissioning.
  • called (proskalesamenos): (from proskaleō) A compound verb meaning "to call to oneself" or "to summon." It implies a purposeful, authoritative summoning, not merely an invitation. It highlights Jesus' direct and personal action in gathering this specific group for a distinct purpose.

• His (αὐτοῦ - autou) twelve (δώδεκα - dōdeka) disciples (μαθητὰς - mathētas) together (συνήγαγεν - synēgagen)

  • His twelve: Emphasizes ownership and specific selection. "Twelve" holds deep theological significance, referencing the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the formation of a new, spiritual Israel—the church—through Jesus' ministry.
  • disciples (mathētas): (from manthanō - to learn) Literally "learners" or "pupils." They had been closely observing and learning from Jesus. This act moves them beyond mere learning to active participation.
  • together (synēgagen): (from synagō) Implies a collective gathering, assembling them as a unified body for a shared mission. It denotes organization and a unified purpose.

• and gave (ἔδωκεν - edōken) them (αὐτοῖς - autois) power (δύναμιν - dynamis) and (καὶ - kai) authority (ἐξουσίαν - exousia)

  • gave (edōken): (from didōmi) Conveys the idea of bestowing, granting, or entrusting. It clearly indicates a transfer of something that Jesus possesses to His disciples; it is not inherent in them.
  • power (dynamis): Refers to inherent strength, ability, miraculous power. It's the might to perform extraordinary acts, the raw force.
  • authority (exousia): Refers to the right, permission, or legitimate warrant to exercise that power. It's the legal and moral right to act, the delegated dominion. Jesus gives them both the ability and the right to use that ability. The combination is crucial: dynamis without exousia could be chaotic, and exousia without dynamis is impotent.

• over (ἐπὶ - epi) all (πάντα - panta) demons (δαιμόνια - daimonia)

  • over (epi): Implies control or dominion.
  • all (panta): Denotes comprehensiveness; their authority extends to every type or manifestation of demonic spirit. This shows Jesus' supreme victory over Satan and his forces.
  • demons (daimonia): Malignant spiritual beings, instruments of evil and sickness, fallen angels who oppose God's rule.

• and (καὶ - kai) to cure (ἰᾶσθαι - iasthai) diseases (νόσους - nosous)

  • to cure (iasthai): (from iaomai) Refers to healing, making whole, restoring health.
  • diseases (nosous): Refers to various forms of sickness, infirmity, or illness, covering both physical and perhaps psychosomatic conditions often linked to spiritual oppression in the ancient world.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then He called His twelve disciples together": This phrase signifies the intentional and specific summoning of Jesus' inner circle for a special purpose. The "twelve" underscores the foundational, corporate nature of this group, mirroring the tribes of Israel, hinting at a new covenant community. It’s an act of assembly and preparation.
• "and gave them power and authority": This phrase highlights the nature of the bestowal. Jesus delegates power and the right to wield it. It's not something the disciples earned or possessed inherently, but a gift from Jesus' supreme dominion. This two-fold emphasis (dynamis and exousia) is vital; one is ability, the other is legitimate warrant.
• "over all demons, and to cure diseases": This specifies the dual scope of their mission: spiritual warfare and physical healing. It underscores Jesus' mission to combat both spiritual evil and the tangible suffering it causes in the world. It directly connects the Kingdom's advance to confronting the effects of the Fall—spiritual oppression and bodily illness. The "all" reinforces the comprehensive nature of this delegated control.

Luke 9 1 Bonus section

The specific choice of "twelve" (δώδεκα - dōdeka) in this context carries profound covenantal and eschatological significance beyond merely a practical number for ministry. It resonates deeply with the twelve tribes of Israel, suggesting the restoration and reconstitution of God's people around Jesus. By establishing this group, Jesus is not just sending out messengers but establishing the foundational apostles of a renewed Israel, signifying the dawn of a new era of salvation history.

Furthermore, this commissioning happens before significant personal trials and revelations for the disciples, such as Peter's confession or the Transfiguration (Luke 9:18-36). This shows Jesus' pedagogical method: he trains them both through teaching and through hands-on, active participation in the Kingdom's work. It builds their faith and practical experience before they fully grasp the implications of His messianic identity and the necessity of His suffering. The dynamis and exousia are directly linked to Jesus' own divine identity and presence; the disciples are mere channels for His power.

Luke 9 1 Commentary

Luke 9:1 encapsulates the essence of Jesus' missional strategy and the empowerment of His disciples. Having demonstrated unparalleled authority throughout Luke 8, Jesus now extends this same, albeit delegated, authority to His chosen twelve. This act reveals several profound truths:

1. Divine Source of Power: The authority is explicitly "given" by Jesus, underscoring that their power is not innate but derivative, a gift from the Son of God who holds "all authority" (Matt 28:18). This prevents self-glorification and keeps their focus on the One who commissioned them.
2. Scope of Kingdom Authority: The dual mandate to cast out demons and cure diseases reveals the holistic nature of the Kingdom of God's arrival. Jesus' ministry consistently linked spiritual liberation (from demonic bondage) with physical restoration (from sickness), showcasing His triumph over all forms of brokenness caused by sin and evil. The term "all demons" implies comprehensive dominion over the forces of darkness.
3. Preparation for Future Mission: This limited-term mission serves as a training ground and an initial public demonstration of the Kingdom's advance. It prepares the disciples for their much broader, Holy Spirit-empowered mission after Jesus' ascension (Acts 1:8). They learn to rely on God's power, experience the reality of spiritual opposition, and witness the transformative impact of their actions.
4. Verification of the Message: The miraculous signs accompanying their preaching serve as a divine attestation, confirming the authenticity of the messengers and the truth of the message they proclaimed. They were not merely speaking words, but demonstrating the active presence and power of God's Kingdom.

This verse therefore serves as a prototype for the ongoing mission of the Church: to confront the powers of darkness and alleviate human suffering through the authority bestowed by Christ, relying on His enabling power. It reminds believers that engagement with evil and compassion for the sick are integral components of proclaiming the Kingdom of God.

• Examples:
  • A minister empowered to cast out a generational curse from a family.
  • A missionary team praying for the sick in a remote village, and people are healed.
  • A pastor exercising spiritual authority to bring freedom from spiritual oppression to an individual.