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The Mission of All the Disciples

Chapter 10

The Mission of the Seventy-Two[a] After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them: “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers for his harvest.

“Go on your way. Behold, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag or sack and wear no sandals. Greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, let your first words be, ‘Peace to this house!’ If a man of peace lives there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.

“Remain in the same house, and eat and drink whatever is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat whatever is set before you. Cure the sick who are there, and say, ‘The kingdom of God has come unto you.’

10 “But whenever you enter a town and the people do not welcome you, go out into the streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to us we wipe off our feet as a sign against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God is at hand.’ 12 I tell you, on that day[b] it will be more bearable for Sodom than for that town.

13 Woe to the Cities of Galilee.[c]“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the mighty deeds performed in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have come to repentance long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But at the judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15 And as for you, Capernaum:

Will you be exalted to heaven?
You will be brought down to the netherworld.[d]

16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

17 Joy of the Missionaries.[e] The seventy-two returned rejoicing, and they said, “Lord, in your name even the demons are subject to us.” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 Behold, I have given you the power to tread upon snakes and scorpions and all the forces of the enemy, and nothing will ever harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in the knowledge that the spirits are subject to you. Rejoice rather that your names are inscribed in heaven.”

21 Joy of Jesus.[f]At that very hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned and have revealed them to children. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.

22 “All things have been entrusted to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

23 The Privilege of Discipleship. Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 I tell you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

25 The Greatest Commandment.[g]And behold, a lawyer came forward to test Jesus by asking, “Teacher, what must I do to gain eternal life?” 26 Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “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 your neighbor as yourself.” 28 Jesus then said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.”

29 The Parable of the Good Samaritan. But because the man wished to justify himself, he asked, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down[h] from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him and beat him, and then went off leaving him half-dead. 31 A priest happened to be traveling along that same road, but when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 A Levite[i] likewise came to that spot and saw him, but he too passed by on the other side.

33 “But a Samaritan who was traveling along that road came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34 He went up to him and bandaged his wounds after having poured oil and wine on them. Then he brought him upon his own animal to an inn and looked after him.

35 “The next day, he took out two denarii[j] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Look after him, and when I return I will repay you for anything more you might spend.’

36 “Which of those three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He answered, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”[k]

38 Martha and Mary.[l] In the course of their journey, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.

40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks. So she came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 The Lord answered her: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and upset about many things, 42 when only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 10:1 The number of those sent suggests universality, since the ancient leaders of Israel traditionally numbered seventy-two (see Num 11:24-29), and seventy-two pagan nations were listed (see Gen 10). In this passage, Luke brings together various recommendations of Jesus in order to draw up a program for the missionaries.
  2. Luke 10:12 That day: the day of judgment.
  3. Luke 10:13 See note on Mt 11:20-24.
  4. Luke 10:15 The netherworld: the place of the dead, i.e., the underworld (as in Acts 2:27, 31).
  5. Luke 10:17 In the joy of the disciples, Jesus sees the beginning of the defeat of the forces of evil inflamed against human beings, and of their leader Satan (see Lk 11:20). Jesus shares their joy; but he invites them to rejoice most of all that they are the elect of the Father, a happiness that radically surpasses all missionary success.
  6. Luke 10:21 In this inspired prayer, Jesus lays bare the profound movement of his heart and the very mystery of his person. He is gripped by the revelation made to the poor (i.e., children); he lives, in an inexpressible fashion, in unity with the Father in the Spirit. The expectation of kings and prophets, i.e., of the Old Testament, is now accomplished, for Jesus is here and shares with human beings God’s mysterious presence. The Church knows that by herself she is nothing in this world, but she is astounded to bring forth for all people this great revelation of God. This text constantly brings her back home to the heart of the Gospel.
  7. Luke 10:25 Jesus gives pride of place in his teaching to the commandment of love, which sums up the entire Law (see Mt 22:40); but love of God and love of neighbor are henceforth joined inseparably.
  8. Luke 10:30 Going down: Jericho lies in the deepest depression on earth, at 800 feet below sea level.
  9. Luke 10:32 Levite: a minister of the temple.
  10. Luke 10:35 Denarii: plural for denarius, a laborer’s daily wage.
  11. Luke 10:37 The scribe had asked who was his neighbor. Jesus responds with the example of the Samaritan who, without regard for national rancors and religious disputes, recognizes the neighbor in an unknown person who is in need of help. Hence, the person who loves will know immediately how to individualize who his neighbor is. It is not necessarily—as the Jews thought—a person of the same nation, race, or religion.
  12. Luke 10:38 The incident is intended to teach that the disciples of Jesus must not allow secondary things to take precedence over essentials, namely, the hearing of the Word of God in order to feed on it and put it into practice (see Lk 6:47; 8:21; 11:28; Acts 6:2). The village in which the two sisters lived was Bethany. Like the preceding parable, this thoughtful incident is told only in Luke.

The Seventy Sent Out

10 After these things the Lord appointed [a]seventy others also, and (A)sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, (B)“The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore (C)pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; (D)behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. (E)Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and (F)greet no one along the road. (G)But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. (H)And remain in the same house, (I)eating and drinking such things as they give, for (J)the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. (K)And heal the sick there, and say to them, (L)‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 (M)‘The very dust of your city which clings to [b]us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ 12 [c]But I say to you that (N)it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.

Woe to the Impenitent Cities(O)

13 (P)“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! (Q)For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 (R)And you, Capernaum, [d]who are (S)exalted to heaven, (T)will be brought down to Hades. 16 (U)He who hears you hears Me, (V)he who rejects you rejects Me, and (W)he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

The Seventy Return with Joy

17 Then (X)the [e]seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

18 And He said to them, (Y)“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, (Z)I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but [f]rather rejoice because (AA)your names are written in heaven.”

Jesus Rejoices in the Spirit(AB)

21 (AC)In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 22 (AD)All[g] things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and (AE)no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, (AF)“Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; 24 for I tell you (AG)that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan(AH)

25 And behold, a certain [h]lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, (AI)“Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?

27 So he answered and said, (AJ)‘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 (AK)‘your neighbor as yourself.’

28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and (AL)you will live.”

29 But he, wanting to (AM)justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among [i]thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, (AN)he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain (AO)Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had (AP)compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, [j]when he departed, he took out two (AQ)denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, (AR)“Go and do likewise.”

Mary and Martha Worship and Serve

38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named (AS)Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, (AT)who also (AU)sat at [k]Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

41 And [l]Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But (AV)one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 10:1 NU seventy-two others
  2. Luke 10:11 NU our feet
  3. Luke 10:12 NU, M omit But
  4. Luke 10:15 NU will you be exalted to heaven? You will be thrust down to Hades!
  5. Luke 10:17 NU seventy-two
  6. Luke 10:20 NU, M omit rather
  7. Luke 10:22 M And turning to the disciples He said, “All
  8. Luke 10:25 expert in the law
  9. Luke 10:30 robbers
  10. Luke 10:35 NU omits when he departed
  11. Luke 10:39 NU the Lord’s
  12. Luke 10:41 NU the Lord

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two(A)(B)(C)

10 After this the Lord(D) appointed seventy-two[a] others(E) and sent them two by two(F) ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.(G) 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.(H) Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.(I) Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages.(J) Do not move around from house to house.

“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.(K) Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God(L) 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.(M) Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’(N) 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom(O) than for that town.(P)

13 “Woe to you,(Q) Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth(R) and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum,(S) will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.[b]

16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”(T)

17 The seventy-two(U) returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”(V)

18 He replied, “I saw Satan(W) fall like lightning from heaven.(X) 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes(Y) and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”(Z)

21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.(AA) Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father.(AB) No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”(AC)

23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”(AD)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan(AE)

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”(AF)

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[c];(AG) and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d](AH)

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”(AI)

29 But he wanted to justify himself,(AJ) so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.(AK) 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan,(AL) as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

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

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha(AM) opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary,(AN) who sat at the Lord’s feet(AO) listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care(AP) that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried(AQ) and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f](AR) Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 10:1 Some manuscripts seventy; also in verse 17
  2. Luke 10:15 That is, the realm of the dead
  3. Luke 10:27 Deut. 6:5
  4. Luke 10:27 Lev. 19:18
  5. Luke 10:35 A denarius was the usual daily wage of a day laborer (see Matt. 20:2).
  6. Luke 10:42 Some manuscripts but only one thing is needed

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. (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. Go your way; (E)behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. (F)Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and (G)greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, (H)‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, (I)it will return to you. 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. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 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

  1. Luke 10:1 Some manuscripts seventy; also verse 17
  2. Luke 10:21 Or for so it pleased you well
  3. Luke 10:35 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer
  4. Luke 10:38 Greek he
  5. Luke 10:42 Some manuscripts few things are necessary, or only one