Luke 10
EasyEnglish Bible
Jesus sends out 72 disciples
10 After this, Jesus chose another 72 disciples. He sent them out two by two, to every town and village that he would visit soon. 2 Before they went, he said to them, ‘Many people are ready to believe God's message. They are like crops in a field at harvest time. But there are very few workers to bring in the crops. So pray to God to send out workers. The field and the plants belong to him.’[a]
3 Jesus then said, ‘I am sending you out, so go! But listen! You will be like young sheep among wild animals. 4 Do not carry a purse or a bag. Do not take extra shoes. When you meet other people on the road, do not stop to say “hello”.[b]
5 In each town, when you go into a house, first say to the people who live there, “We pray that all will be well with you!” 6 Someone in the house may accept what you say. If they do, God will bless them. But if nobody accepts your kind words, God will bless you instead of them. 7 Stay in the same house there until you leave that town. Accept the food and drink that the people in the house give to you. You are working to help them. So they should give you what you need to live. Do not visit different houses to get food. 8 The people may accept you well when you go into a town. Then eat the food that those people give to you. 9 Make the sick people well who are there. Give this message to all the people there: “The kingdom of God has now come near to you.” 10 Sometimes when you go into a town, the people will not accept you. You should then go into the streets of that town and you should say to the people, 11 “There is dirt from your town on our feet. We will clean it off to show that you have not accepted us. God is not happy with you. But listen! You should know that the kingdom of God has come very near.” 12 One day God will punish the people from that town. Yes, he will punish them more than the people who lived in Sodom long ago.’[c]
Some towns where people did not believe
13 Jesus then said, ‘You people in Chorazin, things will be bad for you! And things will be bad for you, people in Bethsaida. I have done great and powerful things in your cities. If I had done such great things in Tyre and in Sidon, the people there would have changed how they lived. They would have shown that they were sorry for their sins. They would have put on rough clothes. They would also have put ashes on their heads. 14 Yes, when God judges everyone, he will punish the people of Tyre and Sidon. But he will punish even more you people from Chorazin and Bethsaida. 15 And what will happen to you people in Capernaum? You think that God will lift you up to heaven, do you? No! He will throw you down to Hades, the place for dead people!’[d]
16 Jesus then said to his disciples, ‘Whoever listens to you is also listening to me. Whoever does not accept you does not accept me. And whoever does not accept me does not accept my Father God, who sent me.’
The 72 disciples return
17 Later, the 72 disciples that Jesus had sent out returned to him. They were very happy. ‘Master,’ they said, ‘even bad spirits obey us. When we use your name, they do what we say.’
18 Jesus replied, ‘I saw the Devil himself fall from heaven like lightning. 19 Listen! I have given power to you. You will even stand on dangerous snakes and insects and you will have authority over all the power of the Devil. Nothing will hurt you. 20 But do not be happy because you have authority over bad spirits. God has written your names in his book in heaven. That is why you should be happy.’
Jesus is very happy
21 At this moment, the Holy Spirit made Jesus very happy. He said, ‘Father, you rule over everything in heaven and on the earth! People that do not know many things now can understand your message. I thank you for this. But you have hidden these things from other people. Those people think that they understand everything. They think that they are wise. Yes, Father, this is how you wanted it to happen.’
22 Jesus then said, ‘My Father has given me authority over all things. Only the Father knows who I am, his Son. Only I know who the Father is, because I am his Son. I also choose to tell some people about him. Then they also know him.’
23 Then Jesus turned and he spoke only to his disciples. He said to them, ‘Be happy because of the things that you are now able to see and understand. 24 I tell you this: Many prophets and kings from a long time ago wanted to see these things. But they did not see the things that you are seeing. They wanted to hear the message that you are hearing. But they did not hear it.’
A story about a good man from Samaria
25 A teacher of God's Law stood up. He wanted to see how Jesus would answer his question. So he asked Jesus, ‘Teacher, what must I do so that I can live with God for ever?’
26 ‘What does God's Law say?’ Jesus asked. ‘What do you understand when you read it?’
27 The man replied, ‘It says that we must love the Lord our God with all our mind and with all our strength. We must love him with all that we are and in all that we think. It also says that we must love other people as much as we love ourselves.’[e]
28 ‘You have told me the right answer,’ Jesus said. ‘If you do this, you will have true life with God.’
29 But the man wanted to show that he had been right to ask a question. So he asked, ‘Who are the people near to me that I must love?’
30 Jesus answered him with a story: ‘A man was going down the road from Jerusalem to Jericho town. On the way, some men attacked him. They took away all his clothes and they hit him with sticks. He was almost dead when they left him. 31 But it happened that a priest from the temple was going down that road. He saw the man, who was lying there. But he walked past him on the other side of the road. 32 A Levite was also going down the road. He came to the place where the man was lying. He saw him. But he also walked past on the other side of the road.[f]
33 But then a man from Samaria was also travelling along the road. And he came to the place where the man was lying. When he saw him, he felt very sorry for him. 34 He went across to him. He poured oil and wine on the places where he was bleeding.[g] Then he tied those places with clean cloths. After that, he put the man on his own donkey to carry him. They arrived at a small hotel. He took the man in there and he was kind to him.[h]
35 The next day, the man from Samaria took out two silver coins from his purse.[i] He gave the money to the man that was taking care of the hotel. “Be kind to this man for me,” he said. “This money may not be enough. When I return, I will pay you for any more that you have spent on him.” ’
36 Then Jesus asked the teacher of God's Law a question. He said, ‘Three men saw the man that was lying on the road. Which of them showed love to him, like a real friend?’
37 The teacher answered, ‘It was the man who was kind to him.’
Then Jesus said to him, ‘Yes. So you should go and do the same for other people.’
Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary
38 Jesus and his disciples continued their journey. They arrived at a certain village. There, a woman called Martha asked Jesus to come into her home.[j] 39 Martha had a sister called Mary. Mary sat down near Jesus. She was listening to the things that he was teaching. 40 But Martha was thinking to herself, ‘I cannot do all this work alone.’ So she went to Jesus. She said, ‘Master, my sister is not helping me with the work. She has left me to do it alone. You surely do not think that this is right! Tell her that she should help me!’
41 The Lord Jesus replied, ‘Martha, Martha, you have troubles in your mind about many things. 42 But only one thing is really important. That is what Mary has chosen to do. Nobody will take it away from her.’[k]
Footnotes
- 10:2 Jesus is using a word picture to tell those that he was sending out about their job. Many people in the towns and villages are like the ripe seeds. They are ready to hear about how God rules. When they hear, they will believe in him. Then they will want him to rule their lives. There are not many people ready to go out and tell the good news about Jesus. We should ask God to send more people.
- 10:4 Jesus is telling them that their journey would be dangerous. God will give them everything that they need. They must believe that. And they must hurry.
- 10:12 We can read about the city of Sodom in Genesis 18—19.
- 10:15 One day, God will punish people who do wrong things. Jesus was telling this to those that followed him. God will punish some people more than other people. He will punish the people in Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum more than the people in Sodom. The people in Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum had heard Jesus speak and they had seen his power. But they did not believe him. The people in Sodom had never seen Jesus or heard his message. God will punish those people. But he will punish those people who refuse his message more.
- 10:27 See Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18.
- 10:32 A Levite was a man from the family of Levi. Levi was one of the sons of Jacob. We can read about this family in the books called Exodus and Leviticus, and in 1 Chronicles 23:28-32. Levites worked in the temple, but they were not priests.
- 10:34 The man from Samaria poured oil onto the man's body to make the pain less. He poured the wine on the parts of his body that were bleeding to clean them.
- 10:34 The Jews did not like people from Samaria. Jesus told this story to show them that they must love everyone. It was not important what country they came from.
- 10:35 A man would pay another man two silver coins if he worked for two days. This money would pay for the man to stay at the hotel for two months.
- 10:38 Mary and Martha lived in a village called Bethany. It is about three kilometres from Jerusalem.
- 10:42 Jesus was telling Martha about what was most important. It was important to listen to Jesus while he was there. It was not so important to do a lot of work in the house.
Luke 10
King James Version
10 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.
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.
3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
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.
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
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.
12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
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.
14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
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.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
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.
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.
23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
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.
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And 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.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And 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.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And 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.
35 And 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.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
38 Now 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.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
40 But 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.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Luke 10
English Standard Version
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two
10 After this the Lord appointed (A)seventy-two[a] others and (B)sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 (C)And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (D)Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; (E)behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 (F)Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and (G)greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, (H)‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, (I)it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for (J)the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, (K)‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 (L)‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that (M)the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, (N)it will be more bearable on (O)that day for Sodom than for that town.
Woe to Unrepentant Cities
13 (P)“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in (Q)Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 (R)But it will be more bearable in the judgment for (S)Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, (T)will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to (U)Hades.
16 (V)“The one who hears you hears me, and (W)the one who rejects you rejects me, and (X)the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
The Return of the Seventy-Two
17 (Y)The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, (Z)even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, (AA)“I saw Satan (AB)fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority (AC)to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of (AD)the enemy, and (AE)nothing shall hurt you. 20 (AF)Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that (AG)your names are written in heaven.”
Jesus Rejoices in the Father's Will
21 (AH)In that same hour (AI)he rejoiced (AJ)in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, (AK)Lord of heaven and earth, that (AL)you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and (AM)revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for (AN)such was your gracious will.[b] 22 (AO)All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is (AP)except the Father, or who the Father is (AQ)except the Son and anyone (AR)to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, (AS)“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! 24 For I tell you (AT)that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 (AU)And behold, a (AV)lawyer stood up to (AW)put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to (AX)inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, (AY)“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and (AZ)your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; (BA)do this, and you will live.”
29 But he, (BB)desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man (BC)was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a (BD)priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise (BE)a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a (BF)Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and (BG)bound up his wounds, pouring on (BH)oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two (BI)denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Martha and Mary
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[d] entered a village. And a woman named (BJ)Martha (BK)welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called (BL)Mary, who (BM)sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are (BN)anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[e] Mary has chosen (BO)the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Footnotes
- Luke 10:1 Some manuscripts seventy; also verse 17
- Luke 10:21 Or for so it pleased you well
- Luke 10:35 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
- Luke 10:38 Greek he
- Luke 10:42 Some manuscripts few things are necessary, or only one
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