Luke — Chapter 10

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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.

1Now after these things the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come.

2And he said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.

3Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.

4Carry no purse, no wallet, no shoes; and salute no man on the way.

5And into whatsoever house ye shall enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house.

6And if a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it shall turn to you again.

7And in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer 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 shall enter, and they receive you not, go out into the streets thereof and say,

11Even the dust from your city, that cleaveth to our feet, we wipe off against you: nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh.

12I say unto you, 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 were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment, than for you.

15And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt be brought down unto Hades.

16He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me.

17And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name.

18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven.

19Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.

20Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

21In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: yea, Father; for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.

22All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth who the Son is, save the Father; and who the Father is, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal [him].

23And turning to the disciples, he said privately, Blessed [are] the eyes which see the things that ye see:

24for I say unto you, that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which ye see, and saw them not; and to hear the things which ye hear, and heard them not.

25And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and made trial of him, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26And he 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 neighbor as thyself.

28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

29But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

30Jesus made answer and said, A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31And by chance a certain priest was going down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion,

34and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on [them] oil and wine; and he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35And on the morrow he took out two shillings, and gave them to the host, and said, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repay thee.

36Which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among the robbers?

37And he said, He that showed mercy on him. And Jesus said unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

38Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord`s feet, and heard his word.

40But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things:

42but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him two by two into every town and place where he himself was about to go.

2He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.

3Go! I am sending you out like lambs surrounded by wolves.

4Do not carry a money bag, a traveler’s bag, or sandals, and greet no one on the road.

5Whenever you enter a house, first say, ‘May peace be on this house!’

6And if a peace-loving person is there, your peace will remain on him, but if not, it will return to you.

7Stay in that same house, eating and drinking what they give you, for the worker deserves his pay. Do not move around from house to house.

8Whenever you enter a town and the people welcome you, eat what is set before you.

9Heal the sick in that town and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come upon you!’

10But whenever you enter a town and the people do not welcome you, go into its streets and say,

11‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this: The kingdom of God has come.’

12I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town!

13“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you!

15And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be thrown down to Hades!

16“The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

17Then the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name!”

18So he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

19Look, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and on the full force of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you.

20Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names stand written in heaven.”

21On that same occasion Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will.

22All things have been given to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides to reveal him.”

23Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!

24For I tell you that many prophets and kings longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

25Now an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you understand it?”

27The expert answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

28Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29But the expert, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him up, and went off, leaving him half dead.

31Now by chance a priest was going down that road, but when he saw the injured man, he passed by on the other side.

32So too a Levite, when he came up to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33But a Samaritan who was traveling came to where the injured man was, and when he saw him, he felt compassion for him.

34He went up to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring olive oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever else you spend, I will repay you when I come back this way.’

36Which of these three do you think became a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”

37The expert in religious law said, “The one who showed mercy to him.” So Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

38Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest.

39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said.

40But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.”

41But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things,

42but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.”

1Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place, where he was about to come.

2Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.

3Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

4Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.

5Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’

6If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.

7Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house.

8Into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you.

9Heal the sick who are therein, and tell them, ‘God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’

10But into whatever city you enter, and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say,

11‘Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’

12I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.

13“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.

15You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.

16Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

17The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”

18He said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven.

19Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.

20Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

21In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.”

22Turning to the disciples, he said, “All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is, except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son, and he to whomever the Son desires to reveal him.”

23Turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see,

24for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.”

25Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

26He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”

27He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”

28He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”

29But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”

30Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion,

34came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’

36Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?”

37He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

38As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

40But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”

41Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

42but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Jesus sends seventy-two disciples ahead, pronounces woe on unrepentant cities, rejoices that truth is revealed to babes, tells the parable of the Good Samaritan, and visits Mary and Martha — affirming that sitting at His feet is the "one thing needful."

Authorship & Background

Author: Luke (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 10 contains three of the most beloved passages in Luke's Gospel: the sending of the seventy (vv.1-24), the Parable of the Good Samaritan (vv.25-37), and the story of Mary and Martha (vv.38-42). All three are unique to Luke.
The Seventy: Jesus sends 70 (or 72, depending on manuscripts) disciples ahead of Him in pairs. This expands the mission beyond the twelve — signaling that the Gospel work is not limited to a small inner circle. The number 70 may echo the 70 nations of Genesis 10 or the 70 elders of Israel (Numbers 11:16).
The Good Samaritan: One of the most famous parables in the world. A lawyer asks "Who is my neighbour?" — trying to limit his obligation. Jesus' answer demolishes every boundary: your neighbor is anyone in need, regardless of race, religion, or social status. The hero of the story is a Samaritan — the most despised outsider in Jewish eyes.
Mary and Martha: A contrast between busyness and devotion. Martha was "cumbered about much serving" (v.40) — distracted by good things. Mary "sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word" (v.39) — choosing the "one thing needful." Jesus doesn't condemn service but establishes priority: relationship with Him comes before activity for Him.

Map & Geography

  • The road from Jerusalem to Jericho (v.30): A notoriously dangerous 17-mile road descending ~3,500 feet through rocky, barren terrain. Robbers hid among the rocks — the setting of the Good Samaritan parable.
  • Samaria (v.33): The Samaritan was an outsider — from the despised region between Judea and Galilee. Jesus deliberately made the hero a Samaritan.
  • Bethany (v.38): The village of Mary and Martha, about 2 miles east of Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the sending of the seventy, the woes on unrepentant cities, the Good Samaritan's radical message, and the Mary/Martha contrast.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The Good Samaritan" on vv.30-37 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 571) "The priest passed by. The Levite passed by. The religious men — the men who should have helped — passed by. And a Samaritan — the despised outsider — stopped. Jesus is asking: which one are you? The one who knows the right answer, or the one who does the right thing?" Sermon: "The One Thing Needful" on v.42 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1304) "Martha was not doing a bad thing — she was serving. But she was doing a good thing at the expense of the best thing. Activity for Christ can become a substitute for intimacy with Christ. Mary chose the better part — and it would not be taken from her."

Reflection

  • 1. "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few" (v.2). The need is enormous; the workers are insufficient. Are you a laborer in the harvest, or are you sitting on the sidelines? What would it look like to step into the harvest field in your specific context?
  • 2. "Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven" (v.20). Jesus redirects the disciples' joy from spiritual power to eternal security. What is the foundation of your joy — your accomplishments for God, or your relationship with God?
  • 3. The Good Samaritan didn't ask "Is this person my neighbor?" — he simply acted with compassion. Who has God placed in your path who needs mercy? Are you walking past them like the priest and Levite, or stopping like the Samaritan?
  • 4. Martha was serving Jesus but missing Jesus (v.40). Activity for Christ can become a substitute for intimacy with Christ. Is your busyness — even religious busyness — crowding out time at His feet?
  • 5. The priest and Levite "passed by on the other side" (vv.31-32). They had reasons — ritual purity, schedule, fear. What reasons do you use to justify passing by people in need?
  • 6. Jesus asked "Which of these three was neighbour?" (v.36). He reframes the question from "Who deserves my help?" to "Am I being a neighbor?" How does this reframing change how you approach people who are different from you?
  • 7. Mary sat at Jesus' feet — the posture of a disciple (v.39). In that culture, women were not typically taught by rabbis. Jesus welcomed her. What barriers — cultural, personal, or self-imposed — keep you from sitting at Jesus' feet?
  • 8. Jesus said Martha was "careful and troubled about many things" (v.41). What are the "many things" that trouble and distract you? What would it look like to simplify your life around the "one thing needful"?
  • 9. The seventy returned with joy because demons submitted to them (v.17). Jesus said "don't rejoice in that — rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (v.20). Where are you finding your identity in what you do for God rather than in who you are to God?