Luke 10
Luke 10 includes the work of Jesus sending out His disciples, the dialogue with a teacher of the Law, and the story of Martha and Mary in Bethany. This chapter presents, from various angles, Jesus’ ministry and teachings, as well as the attitude His disciples should have.
1verseNow 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.
2verseThen 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.
3verseGo your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.
4verseCarry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.
5verseInto whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’
6verseIf a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.
7verseRemain 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.
8verseInto whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you.
9verseHeal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’
10verseBut into whatever city you enter and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say,
11verse‘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.’
12verseI tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.
13verse“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.
14verseBut it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.
15verseYou, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.
16verseWhoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
17verseThe seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
18verseHe said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven.
19verseBehold, 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.
20verseNevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
21verseIn 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.”
22verseTurning 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.”
23verseTurning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see,
24versefor 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.”
25verseBehold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26verseHe said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”
27verseHe 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.”
28verseHe said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”
29verseBut he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”
30verseJesus 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.
31verseBy chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32verseIn the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33verseBut a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion,
34versecame to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35verseOn the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, 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.’
36verseNow which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?”
37verseHe said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
38verseAs they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39verseShe had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word.
40verseBut 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.”
41verseJesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
42versebut one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
The Sending of the Disciples (Verses 1-24)
Jesus sends out disciples—70 (or 72) of them—in advance to each town to proclaim the gospel and to announce that the kingdom of God is near. In this process, He speaks about suffering, sharing, peace, hospitality, and accountability for the outcome. The disciples experience the joy of ministry, but Jesus says they should be even more glad that their names are written in heaven than for any power of ministry.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Verses 25-37)
When a teacher of the Law tests Jesus by asking, “And who is my neighbor?”, Jesus explains the true spirit of loving one’s neighbor by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan. He emphasizes that knowing how to show mercy beyond traditional prejudice is the true standard of what it means to be “a neighbor.”
Martha and Mary (Verses 38-42)
When Jesus visited the home of Martha and Mary, Martha serves busily, while Mary focuses on listening to Jesus’ words. Jesus says, “Mary has chosen the better portion,” and teaches what is most essential in life.
Points for Reflection
- When we carry out the mission entrusted to us, think about what we should prioritize.
- As you practice loving your neighbor, reflect on whether you are showing true compassion beyond mere formal boundaries.
- Amid a busy daily life, ask yourself whether you are choosing the “better portion” by listening to God’s word and keeping it in your heart.
Applying It to Me
- What mission must I carry out in my everyday life?
- Are you reaching out actively to neighbors who need help nearby?
- Above all, even in a life that is busy, check whether you are prioritizing time for fellowship with God and for meditating on His word.