FocusMission and rejoicing
Connection to the wholeThe mission instructions and return focus the disciples' joy beyond exercised authority toward their relationship with God and received revelation.
interpretation Luke 10:7
KJVAnd 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.
Read it in context
The seventy are sent and return
Start reading at Luke 10:1 (Luke 10:1 to Luke 10:24).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The mission instructions and return focus the disciples' joy beyond exercised authority toward their relationship with God and received revelation.
- 10:1 After 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.
- 10:2 Therefore 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.
- 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
- 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
- 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
- 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
- 10:7 And 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.
- 10:8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
- 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
- 10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
- 10:11 Even 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.
- 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
- 10:13 Woe 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.
- 10:14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
- 10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
- 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
- 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
- 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
- 10:19 Behold, 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.
- 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
- 10:21 In 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.
- 10:22 All 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.
- 10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
- 10:24 For 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 10:1–10:42): Jesus commissions the seventy and addresses them on their return. A lawyer questions Him; afterward Martha and Mary receive Him at their home. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The seventy are sent and return. Read Luke 10:1 through Luke 10:24 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The mission instructions and return focus the disciples' joy beyond exercised authority toward their relationship with God and received revelation. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account connects events with named rulers and begins before Jesus' birth, continuing through His resurrection and ascension. Those narrative dates do not themselves date composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Judea and Galilee and gives sustained attention to the journey toward Jerusalem. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The seventy are sent and return (Luke 10:1 to Luke 10:24). Start reading at Luke 10:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Luke presents Jesus as the Saviour and records His explanation that the Scriptures concern His suffering and glory. Keep this broad claim alongside the particular passages He and the narrator actually connect. See Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Attend to repentance, mercy, prayer, and faithful response. Identify who is being addressed in a parable or rebuke before applying it to someone else. interpretation
Cited: Luke 10:1, Luke 10:24, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of Paul
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name.
Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Related passages
- in Luke 9:4 Matt 10:11 Mark 6:10 Acts 16:15,34,40
- for Deut 12:12,18-19 Matt 10:10 1 Cor 9:4-15 Gal 6:6 Phil 4:17-18 1 Tim 5:17-18 2 Tim 2:6 3 John 1:5-8
- Go 1 Tim 5:13
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 10
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The neighbour question
Luke 10:25–37FocusMercy in action
Connection to the wholeThe account of the Samaritan answers an attempt to limit responsibility by showing mercy to the person in need.
interpretation Martha and Mary
Luke 10:38–42FocusReceiving Jesus' word
Connection to the wholeThe household scene brings attention to hearing Jesus, complementing the preceding call to practical mercy without reducing discipleship to distraction.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The births and early years
Luke 1:1–2:52FocusPromise, praise, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
interpretation The ministry prepared
Luke 3:1–4:13FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeJohn's call to repentance, Jesus' baptism, the genealogy, and the temptation prepare the public ministry.
interpretation Ministry and discipleship
Luke 4:14–9:50FocusAuthority, mercy, and recognition
Connection to the wholeTeaching and mighty works reveal Jesus' identity while He forms disciples and begins to explain His coming suffering.
interpretation FocusFollowing Jesus on the way
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
interpretation Jerusalem and the temple
Luke 19:28–21:38FocusVisitation, conflict, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe entry and temple ministry bring confrontation and teaching about Jerusalem's distress and the need to watch.
interpretation Passion, resurrection, and commission
Luke 22:1–24:53FocusScripture fulfilled and witness prepared
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.