The Gospels · Chapter 10 of 24

Luke 10

Jesus sends seventy disciples ahead of him with instructions and warnings, and they return rejoicing over their authority. He rejoices in the Spirit and blesses their eyes. A lawyer's question about eternal life leads to the parable of the good Samaritan, redefining neighbor as the one who shows mercy. Finally, at Martha's house, Jesus commends Mary for choosing the one needful thing.

What happens in Luke 10

Jesus appoints seventy others and sends them two by two into every town he means to visit, telling them the harvest is great but the labourers few. They go as lambs among wolves, carrying little, offering peace, healing the sick, and announcing that the kingdom of God has come near. He warns unrepentant cities and says whoever hears them hears him. The seventy return thrilled that even demons submit, and Jesus tells them to rejoice rather that their names are written in heaven.

He thanks the Father for revealing these things to babes. When a lawyer asks what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus draws out the command to love God and neighbor, then answers who is my neighbor with the story of a Samaritan who cares for a beaten stranger the priest and Levite ignored. Go and do likewise, he says. At Martha's home, cumbered with serving, she is gently corrected while Mary sits and listens.

Luke 10 in context

Luke has set Jesus resolutely toward Jerusalem, and this chapter belongs to that journey. The mission of the seventy widens the earlier sending of the twelve, signaling a harvest beyond Israel. Samaritans, despised by many Jews, appear as unlikely heroes, and a woman is welcomed as a disciple at Jesus' feet.

Throughout, Jesus reorders what people assume about greatness, mercy, and the good part.

Main themes of Luke 10

Luke 10 (KJV)

1After 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. 2Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. 3Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 4Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 5And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 6And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 7And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 8And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 9And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 10But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 11Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 12But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. 13Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. 15And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. 16He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. 17And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 21In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. 22All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. 23And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 25And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 30And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. 38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Verses to carry from Luke 10

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”Luke 10:20

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,”Luke 10:33

“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”Luke 10:42

Reflection

It is easy to measure life by results, or to fence off who deserves our love, or to serve so anxiously we stop listening. This chapter gently unsettles all three. Where have you drawn a line around your compassion, or grown too busy to sit and hear? Rejoice first that you are known and named in heaven.

A prayer from Luke 10