Luke 10:1-12
1 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.
2 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 field.
3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5 When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’
6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.
7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
8 When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.
9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say,
11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’
12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
Luke 10:1-12: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 1: “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.”
Jesus appoints seventy-two disciples. He sends them in pairs. Their mission is to prepare the way for Jesus. This shows the importance of teamwork and preparation in ministry.
Verse 2: “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 field.’
Jesus uses the metaphor of a harvest. The harvest represents people ready to receive God’s message. There is a need for more workers to spread the Gospel. Prayer is essential to ask God for more workers.
Verse 3: “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.”
Jesus warns of the dangers they will face. They will be vulnerable like lambs among wolves. This emphasizes the need for reliance on God.
Verse 4: “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.”
Jesus instructs them to travel light. They must trust in God’s provision. Avoiding greetings on the road means staying focused on their mission.
Verse 5: “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’
They are to offer peace to each household. This is a blessing and a greeting. It sets a tone of goodwill and openness.
Verse 6: “If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.”
If the household is receptive, the blessing of peace will remain. If not, the peace will return to the disciples. This shows that the message of peace is conditional on acceptance.
Verse 7: “Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.”
They should accept hospitality without seeking better accommodations. This teaches contentment and gratitude. It also emphasizes that their work deserves support.
Verse 8: “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.”
They should accept the hospitality of the town. This includes eating what is provided. It shows respect and gratitude for the host’s generosity.
Verse 9: “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
They are to heal the sick as a sign of God’s power. The message is that God’s kingdom is near. This combines physical healing with spiritual proclamation.
Verse 10: “But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say,
If a town rejects them, they must make a public declaration. This is a form of protest and a warning.
Verse 11: ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’
Shaking off the dust is a symbolic act. It signifies rejection and moving on. Despite the rejection, the message remains: God’s kingdom is near.
Verse 12: “I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.”
Jesus warns of severe judgment for those who reject the message. Sodom, known for its wickedness, will fare better than the rejecting town. This underscores the seriousness of accepting or rejecting God’s message.