§151. The Seventy Commissioned(Luke 10:1–12)

Introduction

1. The purpose of this mission was twofold: first, to cover Israel with the gospel; and second, serve as a shadow the preaching of the gospel to the world.

2. In Like 9:1–6 the 12 disciples were sent out on a mission to preach the kingdom, but now a larger group is sent.

Exposition

10:1.

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.

1. Seventy:
   1. Sanhedrin that rejected Jesus had also the 70 members. Num 11:16. So the LORD said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel ...that they may stand there with you.
   2. The number of nations listed in Gen 10 is also 70. Ge 10:1. Now this is the genealogy of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And sons were born to them after the flood. 2 The sons of Japheth were ...everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations. 20 These were the sons of Ham, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands and in their nations. ...31 These were the sons of Shem, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands, according to their nations.

   3. Children of Jacob went to Egypt are also 70. Ge 46:27. And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two persons. All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy.

   4. Israel’s twelve tribes were separated into seventy clans according to Numbers 26. God clearly subdivided His nation into the same number of divisions as there were nations in the world. Deut 32:8. When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, When He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the children of Israel.

2. Every City: Lord's meticulous planning of ministry is seen here. They went to prepare the way.

10:2.

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.

1. Harvest is great: Lord's assessment of the need and the work. Shows the sovereignty of the Lord who has kept the harvest ready.

2. More laborers are possible when those who hear the gospel will in turn become labourers.

3. We need not manipulate or coerce laborers but rather prayer.

10:3.

Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

1. Lambs among wolves: Warning given by the Lord. His disciples are innocent and vulnerable like a lamp. Enemies are shrewd and strong. Be humble, even if they were sent by God. It is not a threat, but a promise of His protection. Wolves may be referring to Scribes and Pharisees.

2. Go your way" There is risk in ministry, that should not deter us from serving the Lord. This not an excuse to withdraw from serving the Lord.

10:4.

Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.

1. The mission is urgent and short. Lord has only about 6 more months before crucifixion.

2. Greet no on: There is no time for socializing which will distract them from the mission.

3. Lord offers provision for his ministry. The Lord reminds them of this at time of Lord's Table Luke 22:35. And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.”

10:5.

But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’

1. Message is peace to those who accept. Lord offers the kingdom in peace, not by threatening them.

10:6.

And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.

1. There is an inherent offense in the gospel even if we offered in peace and with sensitivity. Disciples need to preach and pray and the result is from the Lord.

10:7.

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.

1. Laborer: All who work for the Lord will receive the reward.

2. Eating and drinking such as they give: One shoudld not be choosy with foods (Not to be foody). Urgency of the mission shold not be compramised with pleasures of life.

10:8.

Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.

1. Such things set before you: Comforts of life.

10:9.

And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

1. Healing as a gift means it will happen with complete success. This healing is different from it as an answer to the prayer made trusting in the sovereignity of God.

2. The focus of healing is annouce the unique message that the King is coming and hence receive him to be part of this kingdom.

10:10.

But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say,

1. Message is judgement to those who reject.

10:11.

‘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.’

1. This disciples represented Jesus and rejecting them amounts to rejecting the one who sent them.

2. The symbolic act of departing the city, including leaving its dust behind, shows that the city stands alone before God and must given answer for its actions.

3. The cities that reject the message are warned that the kingdom came near, but opportunity was missed. Only accountability remains.

10:12.

But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.

1. Sodom was probably the most wicked city in the OT and rejecting Christ receives more serious punishment.

Application

1. Time available for us to fulfill the great commission given to us is of short duration, and hence niceties of life should not hinder it. There should be detachment from the affairs of the earth (attached-detachment).

2. Praying for harvesters is absolutely necessary for those involved in the harvest. Mission happens in the context of prayer and God’s sovereignty. Success of the mission is workers are raised by the ministry.

3. The laborer is worthy of his wages; in this context that wage was the necessities of life, and that was all.

4. In spite of the rejection of the people, Lord shows compassion to the nation of Israel by sending his disciples with the gospel. We should likewise reach out in spite of rejection.

About this document ...

Compiled by tfrdn7@gmail.com on 2026-09-13 22:28 for the glory of the Lord