Luke 10

Passage overview

John chapter 10 begins with Jesus describing himself as a good shepherd. Through the parable of the relationship between sheep and shepherd, this chapter shows the deep affection and responsibility Jesus has for his people. Connected to the events of the earlier chapter 9, these words continue in the context of revealing that, after the man born blind is cast out, Jesus is the true shepherd of the world.

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 Flow of the Main Content

  • The Parable of the Sheepfold Door (vv. 1-6): Jesus declares that he is the only door through which one enters the sheepfold. He said that anyone who comes in by another way is a thief and a robber.
  • The Parable of the Good Shepherd (vv. 7-18): He makes clear that he is the shepherd, emphasizing the love and responsibility in that the shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. It is explained in contrast to the hired hand. He also says that he will lead other sheep outside this sheepfold, hinting that all the sheep will be under one shepherd.
  • The Response of the People (vv. 19-21): After hearing Jesus’ words, people begin to argue among themselves, though some wonder who he is based on his miracles and teachings.
  • Oneness with God (vv. 22-39): Jesus says that he and the Father are one, clearly affirming his divinity and the authority of his mission. As a result, an even greater dispute arises, but Jesus confirms the safety of those who belong to his authority and to God (the sheep).
  • Jesus’ Ministry Beyond Galilee at the Jordan River (vv. 40-42): The chapter ends with a picture of many people coming to believe in Jesus.

The Meaning and Message of the Whole Chapter

The central message of this chapter is that Jesus is the true shepherd for the sheep, and the assurance that those under his guidance are secure. It is also a chapter where Jesus’ declaration of his identity (his divinity and mission) is clearly revealed. Just as sheep hear the shepherd’s voice and follow, the chapter emphasizes that those who hear Jesus’ words and believe receive the Lord’s protection and guidance.

Points for Reflection

  • Whose voice am I listening to today?
  • Do I trust in and follow Jesus as the shepherd of my life?
  • Who are the “other sheep” the Lord has prepared—those neighbors or people in a community whom I have not yet cared for?
  • Do I also look at whether I am learning and practicing Jesus’ “love that gives even his life”?

Try Applying It to Yourself

  • Living with an awareness of the guidance of the “good shepherd” in life: Even in confusing circumstances, I should keep my heart attentive to the Lord’s voice.
  • Love I can practice for people who feel excluded around me: Like Jesus’ sheep, let’s begin with small acts of serving and helping the neighbor beside me.

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