10:1 [this event recorded only by Luke] After this the Lord appointed seventy-two [represents number of nations in the world (according to Gen. 10 / Septuagint); some manuscripts say 70 as per Heb. OT reading of Gen. 10; indication that one day all nations would hear message] others and sent [as official authoritative representatives or messengers of Jesus] them two by two [thirty-six teams of two] ahead of [sent “by” Jesus and “before” Him to prepare towns for His later visit; our task is to prepare the way for Jesus to come into lives and towns] him to every town and place [places Jesus had not yet been able to visit] where he was about to go.

10:2 He told them, “The harvest [the harvest does not wait; if it is not reaped it is ruined by weather or withering] is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask [part of every workers responsibility is to pray for more workers and helpers; laborers (not spectators) sense the urgency of praying for more laborers] the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers [every believer has a responsibility to share gospel; there is no unemployment in Christian service; no one has the luxury of sitting while others work] into his harvest field.

10:3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs [indicates vulnerability and the need to trust God; cf. Isa. 11:6; 65:25] among wolves [represent opposition; indicates the assignment had an element of danger; courage and discernment essential to survival and success].

Note: Jesus’ specific instructions to those going into the harvest fields.
• Go courageously.
• Be alert and discerning.

10:4 [instruction to travel light; put each person in a position to have to trust God] Do not [do not always carry] take a purse [moneybag] or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road [indicates that their task was urgent and they needed to stay focused on that task; cf. 2 Kings 4:29; does not mean that they were to be impolite or unfriendly, but rather that they were not to waste precious time in idle chit-chat or socializing because the harvest was ready].

Note: Jesus’ specific instructions to those going into the harvest fields.
• Go in faith, trusting God to provide for daily needs.
• Travel light and do not allow material things to weigh you down.
• Go with a sense of urgency.
• Do not allow lesser things to keep you from greater things.

10:5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace [shalom: a wish for the other person’s well being] to this house.’

Note: Jesus’ specific instructions to those going into the harvest fields.
• Be congenial.

10:6 If a man of peace [a person with a proper attitude toward God; one open to the gospel message] is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.

Note: According to Thom Wolf (Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary), a man (or woman) of peace can be identified by three R’s.
First: Receptive to the gospel.
Second: Reputation to gain attention for the gospel message among others (family and community).
Third: Refers gospel messengers to those who are receptive to gospel message.

10:7 Stay [settle in and concentrate on the appointed task, not on personal desire for better accommodations; the harvest is more important than living arrangements] in that house, eating and drinking whatever [messengers were relieved of the burdens and restrictions imposed by Jewish food laws] they give you, for the worker deserves his wages [cf. 1 Cor. 9:4-14; 1 Tim. 5:18]. Do not move [lest host be offended and think hospitality offered not good enough] around from house to house [as if looking for a better quarters and more congenial company].

Note: Jesus’ specific instructions to those going into the harvest fields.
• Go with gratitude and acceptance.

10:8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you [for the seventy-two, might include eating meals in non-Jewish homes].

10:9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God [the rule and reign of God in the hearts of people] is near [already here; soon to come] you [people could enter into God’s kingdom by receiving their message].’

Note: Jesus gave specific instructions to those going into the harvest fields.
• Go with clarity of purpose.
• Go out with the message of salvation.

Note: Jesus’ commission to us emphasizes the proclamation of the gospel rather than the performing of miracles (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49).

10:10 But when you enter a town and are not [indicates possibility of rejection in some places] welcomed [instead, people chose to take a road that leads away from the kingdom], go into its streets and say,

10:11 ‘Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you [vivid illustration of the kingdom demand for decision]. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’

Note: Jesus’ specific instructions to those going into the harvest fields.
• Go with the understanding that some will not accept the message.

10:12 I tell you, it will be more bearable [endurable] on that day for Sodom [cf. Gen. 19:1-29; a byword for evil and immorality] than for that town [the town that rejected the Messiah and His kingdom and the salvation He freely offered them].

Note: It is a serious thing to reject God’s messengers and God’s message.

10:13 “Woe to you, Korazin! 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 and ashes.

10:14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

10:15 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.

10:16 “He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy [because of what they had experienced] and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name [indicates they were able to perform exorcisms].”

10:18 He replied [note: some scholars connect these words with Isa. 14:12-17; others see Jesus’ words as referring to the defeat Satan suffered as the seventy-two cast out demons; others connect these words with Jn. 12:31-32], “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven [a place of power].

10:19 I have given you authority to trample on [figurative reference to authority over evil forces…] snakes [cf. Gen. 3:1-15; Rev. 12:9] and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing [should be understood in terms of spiritual warfare; they were still liable to physical injury] will harm you.

10:20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits [demonic hosts] submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven [indicates spiritual security].”

10:21 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. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

10:22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. 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.”

10:23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.

10:24 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.”

10:25 On one occasion an expert in the law [jurist, lawyer; one knowledgeable in the interpretation and application of Jewish religious law] stood up to test [perhaps to test Jesus’ insight and knowledge or perhaps to trick Jesus into making statements that could be used to discredit Him] Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life [means same thing as being saved; life that will never end; quality of life enjoyed as a result of a relationship with God; cf. Jn. 17:3 re: Jesus’ definition of eternal life; this question also asked by others: Matt. 19:16-22; Mk. 10:17; Lk. 18:18-23]?”

10:26 “What is written in the Law [OT Law]?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

10:27 [cf. Mk. 12:28-34] He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all [total being] your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength [determined and forceful effort] and with all your mind [expresses humanity’s relationship with God (sum up first four commandments); cf. Deut. 6:5]’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself [expresses humanity’s relationship to others (sum up last six commandments); cf. Lev. 19:18].’”

Note: Jesus taught that we must love God with more than emotions; we must love Him with intelligent minds (see also Matthew 22:37). Christians cannot afford to have flabby minds in a culture that is increasingly anti-Christian. We must be able to intelligently speak about what we believe. And, our behavior must demonstrate that we think like Christ rather than like our culture.

Here are a few ways you can make certain you are in the right mind.

R = Read your Bible daily. Discipline yourself to memorize Scripture. The only way to think like Jesus is to know what He said and how He lived.

I = Do not fear the criticisms of worldly thinking. Instead, investigate the anti-Christian views and philosophies that confront you and prepare a reasoned response.

G = Guard your mind against Satan’s influences. Do not pollute your mind with things that will cause your love for God to grow cold.

H = Pursue holiness. Do more than defend the faith — live the faith. Live a life that causes others to ask good questions about God.

T = Talk to others about Jesus and how wonderful He is. Make Him the focus of your life and conversations with others.

10:28 “You have answered correctly [right],” Jesus replied. “Do this [keep on doing this without fail (no one can in fact do this perfectly)] and you will live.”

10:29 But he wanted to justify [to declare righteous, to justify, to clear one’s self of a charge; perhaps wanted to justify personal behavior toward people he refused to consider as neighbors] himself, so he asked Jesus [perhaps an attempt to back Jesus into a theological corner], “And who is my neighbor [most Jews defined neighbor as fellow Jew (ethnic prejudice); others defined neighbor as Jew who strictly observed law]?”

10:30 In reply [to take up discussion; these words indicate that Jesus told parable to correct lawyer’s prejudicial attitudes] Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho [distance of about 17 miles; a downhill trek; countryside is barren, rocky, full of caves (ideal for robbers)], when he fell into the hands of [to be encompassed by] robbers [exhibited attitude: “What is your is mine; I’ll take it.”]. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

10:31 A priest [served God, but failed to serve man] happened [by chance or coincidence] to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side [perhaps to avoid ceremonial contamination with one who appeared to be dead (cf. Lev. 21:1-4); one may hold a sacred place and yet have a cold heart].

10:32 So too, a Levite [one of the helpers in the Temple], when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side [priest and Levite exhibited attitude: “What is mine is mine; I’ll keep it.”].

10:33 But a Samaritan [half-breeds hated by Jews (cf. Jn. 4:9)], as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity [compassion, from Latin compati: com (together) pati (suffer), thus “to suffer with another”; cf. Matt. 9:36] on him.

10:34 He [exhibited attitude: “What is mine is yours; I’ll give it.”] went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil [served as a soothing lotion / healing salve] and wine [served as a disinfectant: oil and wine were common household remedies for wounds]. Then he put the man on his own donkey [which meant the Samaritan had to walk], took him to an inn and took care of [perhaps redressed and cleaned the wounds] him.

10:35 The next day [implies the Samaritan stayed the night to care for the wounded man] he took out two silver coins [denarii; Roman coin worth about 18 cents; the workman’s average daily wage, thus the Samaritan gave two day’s wages] 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.’

10:36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor [Jesus expanded definition of neighbor] to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

10:37 The expert in the law replied, “The one [note that the lawyer did not say “the Samaritan”] who had mercy [compassion] on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise [make it a habit; in the sense of lifelong action].”

Note: What “valid” excuses might we give for not helping others? What risks might prevent us from helping? What kept the priest and Levite from helping?
• perhaps it was pride – “I am better than that man.”
• perhaps it was prejudice – “According to my interpretation of the law, that man is not my neighbor. We don’t help his kind.”
• perhaps it was principle – “If I touch the man I will become ceremonially unclean and unable to perform my duties at the Temple.”
• perhaps it was pressure – “I have urgent business to attend to. I don’t have time to stop.”
• perhaps it was prognosis – “This man is beyond hope of recovery, so why bother to help?”
• perhaps it was peril – “The robbers who beat this man might be close by and do the same to me if I linger.”
• perhaps it was possibility – “Maybe someone else will come along who is better equipped to render aid.”

10:38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.

10:39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

10:40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

10:41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,

10:42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”