Luke 10:1-42

Luke’s Good News

Luke

Hilda Bright

Chapter 10

Jesus sends out more *disciples 10:1-12

v1 After this, the *Lord chose 72 other *disciples and sent them out in pairs. He told them to go ahead of him. And he told them to go to every town that he himself was going to.

v2 Jesus said to them, ‘There is a large harvest, but there are few workers to gather it in. Pray to the *Lord who owns the harvest. Ask him to send more workers to gather his harvest’.

Verse 1 Luke realised that the number ‘72’ had an important meaning for the Christian church in the future. He would know that the *Greek translation of Genesis chapter 10 lists all the 72 nations in the days of Noah. The 72 *disciples would help Jesus in his present work among *Jews. The time would come when all nations would receive the good news about Jesus (Matthew 28:19). That included both *Jews and *Gentiles.

Jesus sent the 72 *disciples in pairs for two reasons. Two *disciples would help and encourage each other. But also, two witnesses together proved that the good news that they brought about Jesus was true (Deuteronomy 19:15).

Verse 2 There were many *Jews who were ready to hear the good news. They were waiting to come into the *kingdom. They were like a crop waiting for workers to harvest it.

There were few *disciples. They must pray to God and ask him to send more workers. They would bring people into God’s *kingdom.

v3 ‘I am sending you like young sheep among wolves (fierce animals). v4 You are not to take a purse, or bag, or extra shoes. Do not delay to greet anyone on the road. v5 Before you enter a house, say, “God *bless this house with peace”. v6 If people who love peace live there, your prayer for peace will *bless them. If not, your prayer will return to you. v7 Stay in the same house, and eat and drink whatever they provide. For a worker deserves his pay. Do not move from one house to another. v8 Where the people in a town give you a welcome, be content with the food that they give you. v9 *Heal the sick, and tell the people in that town, “The *kingdom of God has come near to you!” ’

Verse 3 Their task was dangerous, because they would find enemies. They would be like weak animals going among fierce ones.

Verse 4 They were to go with only what they had at that time. They had to trust God to provide for them. Nothing must delay their urgent work. Jesus ordered them not to greet anyone. This sounds as if they were not to be polite. But at that time, *Jewish greetings took a long time!

Verse 6 ‘Peace be with you’ was the usual *Jewish greeting. It meant, ‘May everything go well with you’. The *disciples must not leave a *blessing with someone who did not want to receive them.

Verse 7 The *disciples deserved to be guests because they were working to give the people good news. But they should not go to many different houses to find a better place to stay.

Verse 8 They were to eat whatever food people gave them. They should not worry whether the food obeyed the strict rules about what was ‘clean’ or ‘*unclean’ (1 Corinthians 10:27).

v10 ‘But whenever a town does not give you welcome, go into the streets. Say to the people, v11 “We are wiping off even the dust from your town that sticks to our feet. But remember that the *kingdom of God has come near to you!” v12 You may be sure that on the day of judgement God will punish Sodom less than that town!’

Verses 10-11 To wipe the dust from their feet in public showed that the *disciples had carried out their responsibility. The people of the town could blame only themselves for their fate. They had had the opportunity to become members of God’s *kingdom.

Verse 12 The people of Sodom were so wicked that God destroyed their city (Genesis 13:13; Genesis 19:24-25.) The people who refused to accept the good news of Jesus were even more guilty than the people of Sodom. They must expect a more severe punishment.

The warning to cities in Galilee 10:13-16

v13 ‘How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible it will be for you, Bethsaida! I performed *miracles in your cities. If I had performed *miracles in Tyre and Sidon, the people would have turned away from their *sins long ago. They would have sat down, worn *sackcloth, and put ashes on their heads. v14 God will show more *mercy on the day of judgement to Tyre and Sidon than to you. v15 Capernaum! Perhaps you wanted to be the most important town! God will destroy you’. v16 Jesus said to his *disciples, ‘He who listens to you, listens to me. Anybody who refuses to accept you refuses to accept me. The man who refuses to accept me is also refusing to accept God’s message’.

Verses 13-14 Tyre and Sidon were two important commercial ports. God had judged them for their selfish *pride and cruel acts (Ezekiel Chapter s 27-28).

Jesus said that they would have changed their behaviour long ago, if they had seen his powerful works.

‘*Sackcloth’ and ‘ashes’ were the usual ways that people showed that they were sorry for *sin. The cities in Galilee had seen Jesus’ *miracles, but they continued to refuse what he taught. Therefore, God’s judgement on them would be severe. The name ‘Chorazin’ does not appear in the record of Jesus’ work in Galilee, but is in Matthew 11:21.

Verse 15 The people of Capernaum were very proud. They said that their city ‘reached up to heaven’. Isaiah 14:13 uses the same words about the proud king of Babylon. Capernaum expected fame. Instead, it would go down to Hades, which was the world of dead people. Jesus had performed many *miracles in Capernaum. But the people had disappointed him. They did not accept what he taught. Jesus’ words about their fate came true, because Capernaum is a ruined city.

Verse 16 The *disciples had Jesus’ authority when they worked. Many people believed what the *disciples taught. This showed that those people also believed that God had sent Jesus. Anyone who refused to accept Jesus was therefore refusing to accept God’s message.

The 72 *disciples return 10:17-20

v17 The 72 *disciples returned with joy. They said, ‘*Lord, even the *demons obeyed us. With your authority, we ordered them to go out of people!’

v18 Jesus answered them, ‘I saw *Satan fall like lightning from heaven. v19 Listen! I have given you authority to walk on snakes and *scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy. Nothing will hurt you. v20 But do not be glad because evil spirits obey you. Rather, be glad because God has written your names in heaven’.

Verse 18 *Satan is the Enemy of God. He is the chief of all *demons. The 72 *disciples were successful when they threw out *demons. This was a sudden defeat for *Satan’s forces of evil. It was as sudden as a flash of lightning. The rule of Jesus the *Messiah had begun. His authority was destroying the power of *Satan.

Another explanation (Isaiah 14:12) is that, before Jesus came to earth, he had seen *Satan’s sudden fall from heaven.

Verse 19 Jesus reminded his *disciples that their authority came from him. It was authority over all the forces of evil. To ‘walk on’ means to have power over. Snakes and *scorpions both produce poison that can kill. (*Satan has the name of ‘snake’ in 2 Corinthians 11:3 and Revelation 12:9.) The *disciples would be able to stop *Satan. He would not be able to ‘poison’ people’s minds, so that they would not believe in Jesus. They would save people from *spiritual death. Nothing would hurt the *disciples.

Verse 20 The *disciples should remember that *Satan fell because he was proud. It was a warning to them so that they did not become proud in their success. The real cause for joy was that they already had *eternal life. The idea of God’s ‘book of life’ is in Philippians 4:3 and Revelation 3:5.

Jesus’ prayer 10:21

v21 At that time, the Holy Spirit filled Jesus with great joy. He said, ‘Father, you are *Lord of heaven and earth. I thank you because you have shown these things to simple people. You have hidden them from wise people and people who know a lot. Yes, Father, that is what your plan was’.

Verse 21 Jesus thanked God for what the 72 *disciples had been able to do. He may also have thought about all those who had accepted what he had taught. He spoke to God first as ‘Father’. This showed God’s loving relationship with Jesus. He also called God ‘*Lord of heaven and earth’. These words emphasise that God has power over all that he has created. God had not shown his truth to people who thought that they were wise and clever. He had shown his truth to simple people. These people did not have great education but they trusted him. God was pleased that this should happen. Paul later wrote that God chose to act like this (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). It was to prevent people from becoming proud.

Jesus and the Father 10:22

v22 ‘My Father has given me all things. The Father knows who the Son is. He is the only person who knows this. The Son knows who the Father is. He is the only person who knows this. No one will know the Father, unless the Son chooses to show the Father to him’.

Verse 22 These words show the close relationship between Jesus and God. God has given Jesus complete authority. Jesus knows God’s purpose. People will come to know God only through Jesus.

The *disciples’ *blessing 10:23-24

v23 Jesus turned to his *disciples and spoke to them in private. He said, ‘You are happy because you see the things that you see! v24 I tell you this. Many *prophets and kings wanted to see the things that you see. But they did not see them. They wanted to hear what you hear. But they did not hear it’.

Verse 24 Jesus told the *disciples that they have had a very special *blessing. They have seen the *Messiah and heard his words. Many *prophets and kings of *Israel had been expecting Jesus. But he did not come in their days. Now Jesus had made all the hopes of the *Jewish nation come true.

The *parable of the Good *Samaritan 10:25-37

v25 An expert in the *Jewish Law came to test Jesus. ‘Teacher’, he asked, ‘what must I do to receive *eternal life?’ v26 Jesus answered him, ‘What do the books of the Law say? What do you think that they mean?’ v27 The man answered, ‘Love the *Lord your God with all your heart, your *soul, your strength and your mind. Love your neighbour as you love yourself’. v28 ‘You are right’, Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live’. v29 But the teacher of the law wanted to defend himself. So he asked Jesus, ‘Who is my neighbour?’

v30 Jesus told the man a story as he answered him. ‘A man was going down the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Thieves attacked him, and took all that he had. They beat him and left him half dead. v31 By chance, a priest was going down that road. But when he saw the man, he walked past him on the other side of the road. v32 In the same way, a *Levite also came to the place. He went over and looked at the man. Then he walked past him on the other side of the road. v33 But a *Samaritan man was travelling on that road. He came across the man. When the *Samaritan saw him, he felt sorry for the man. v34 He went over to him. He poured oil and *wine on the man’s injuries and put a bandage on them. Then he put the man on his own animal and took him to an *inn. There he took care of him. v35 The next day he took out two silver coins. He gave them to the man who owned the *inn. He said to him, “Take care of him. On my way back, I will pay you whatever more you spend on him” ’. v36 Jesus ended, ‘Which of these three, do you think, acted like a neighbour to the man whom the thieves attacked?’ v37 The teacher of the law answered, ‘The one who was kind to him’. Jesus replied, ‘You go and do the same’.

Verse 25 ‘To test Jesus’ may mean that he wanted to discuss what the Law meant. However, the words can mean ‘to trap’ Jesus. That suggests that he was not sincere when he asked for Jesus’ opinion. Perhaps he wanted to make Jesus look foolish.

Verse 27 The teacher had used words in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 when he answered. People should put God first in their life. They should love him with the whole of their life. The *Jews believed that the word ‘neighbour’ referred only people who were *Jews.

Verse 29 He had given the answer to his own question. So, the expert in the law tried to make it appear that he was right to ask. So he asked Jesus what ‘neighbour’ meant. He wanted to show that he was innocent.

Verse 30 The road that goes from Jerusalem to Jericho descends through the desert below sea level. The road was dangerous. Thieves often hid in the caves in the cliffs near the road.

Verse 31 The priest was probably going home to Jericho from his duties in the *Temple in Jerusalem. He saw the man, but continued his journey. The man might be dead. Then the priest would become ‘*unclean’ if he touched the body.

Verse 32 *Levites helped in the services in the *Temple. We do not know which way this *Levite was walking. If he were going to the *Temple, he could have been thinking of his duties there. He thought that he did not have enough time to help the man. He did not want to make himself ‘*unclean’. He also might have been afraid that the thieves still might be near.

Verse 33 The *Samaritan belonged to the nation whom the *Jews hated (see the note on 9:52).

Verse 34 Oil would make his injuries less painful. Wine would clean them. People often used oil and wine for this purpose.

Verse 35 The money that he paid was two days’ wages. The *Samaritan even offered to pay more if the *inn owner needed it. This was a risk. The owner might cheat him.

Verse 36 Jesus asked, ‘Who acted like a neighbour?’

Verse 37 The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who was kind to him’. As a *Jew, he probably did not want to admit that it was the *Samaritan. However, he gave a true answer. The man who helped was a ‘neighbour’. Jesus told the expert in the law that he must do the same. He must be a neighbour to anyone who needed help. To act as a neighbour was different from trying to identify a neighbour. The *Samaritan helped a man. He did not think of the differences in their nations or religions. Anyone in trouble requires another person to help and love him or her.

Martha and Mary 10:38-42

v38 As Jesus and his *disciples went on their way, they came to a village. There a woman, whose name was Martha, welcomed him into her home. v39 She had a sister whose name was Mary. She sat at the *Lord’s feet. She listened to what he taught. v40 Martha was upset about all the work that she had to do. So she went to Jesus 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!’ v41 The *Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha! You are anxious and upset about many things. v42 Only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part and nobody will take it from her’.

Verse 38 Martha and Mary lived in Bethany, about two miles (3 kilometres) from Jerusalem (John 11:1; John 11:18).

Verse 39 Mary was sitting at the *Lord’s feet, as a *disciple. She wanted to learn from him.

Verse 40 Martha was rushing about and trying to prepare food. If some *disciples were there as well, she would have much work to do.

Verse 42 ‘Only one thing’ could mean that Martha was trying to prepare too many dishes of food. One would have been enough. Jesus also meant that to listen to him was more important than food.

This incident, which only Luke records, adds the other truth to the *parable of the Good *Samaritan. They are both examples of the Law in Deuteronomy and Leviticus (Luke 10:27). The Good *Samaritan story shows that a person needs to ‘love your neighbour as you love yourself’. Mary’s choice shows that to love God comes first.

This publication is written in EasyEnglish Level B (2800 words)

disciple ~ one who follows another and learns from him; a person who believes in Jesus; a person who follows the things that he teaches.
Lord ~ name for God in the Bible; name that we use for Jesus when we obey him.
Greek ~ language of the *New Testament. Many people spoke Greek in *New Testament times.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
Gentiles ~ people who are not Jews.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
kingdom ~ land that a king rules.'bless, blessing ~ to say or to do much good to a person; to call something holy; to ask God for good things to happen; to guard and to keep from evil things.
heal ~ cure; make completely well.
Jewish ~ a word that describes a Jew or anything to do with a Jew.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.'bless, blessing ~ to say or to do much good to a person; to call something holy; to ask God for good things to happen; to guard and to keep from evil things.
unclean ~ (1) not pure in a religious meaning. (2) dirty.
religious ~ leaders belonging to a religion.
miracle ~ an event that seems to be against the usual laws of nature.'sin/sinner ~ when people do things against God or other people.
sackcloth ~ rough material (made from old sacks). Jews wore it when very sad or sorry.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
mercy ~ be kind to and help a person who does wrong.
pride ~ to praise yourself. To think that you are very important.
sackcloth ~ rough material (made from old sacks). Jews wore it when very sad or sorry.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
demons ~ bad or evil spirits. They work for Satan, the chief demon.
Satan ~ chief evil spirit; the Devil.
Satan ~ chief evil spirit; the Devil.
scorpion ~ a dangerous insect that stings.'Christ/Messiah ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.

Messiah/Christ ~ the Jews’ word for the king whom God would send to rescue them.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
spiritual ~ belonging to the spirit.
spirit ~ the part of a person which is alive, which we cannot see. It can speak to other spirits and the soul.
soul ~ the part of a person that we cannot see, that is in us during our life on earth. It continues to live after the body dies.
eternal ~ without beginning or end.
prophet ~ one who tells God’s messages.'Israel, Israelites ~ all the people from the family of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
parable ~ a story with a moral meaning.
Samaritan ~ a person who comes from Samaria.
Samaria ~ country on north border of Judah; its capital has the same name.
soul ~ the part of a person that we cannot see, that is in us during our life on earth. It continues to live after the body dies.
Levite ~ priest’s helper in the Temple.
priest ~ a man that gave gifts and burned animals as a sacrifice to God for the Jews; a man that God chose to serve him.
Temple ~ special building in Jerusalem where Jews worshipped God.
sacrifice ~ a gift to God to ask him to forgive sins; or to thank him for something.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
worship ~ show honour and respect to God and praise him.
wine ~ a drink made from grapes.
grape ~ fruit of vine.
vine ~ plant that produces grapes.
inn ~ a place that provides food and shelter for travellers.
Temple ~ special building in Jerusalem where Jews worshipped God.
Jew ~ a person who was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children.
worship ~ show honour and respect to God and praise him.

Luke: The Man Christ Jesus

Jesus on his way from Galilee to Jerusalem

Luke 9:51-19

Ian Mackervoy

Chapter 10

Jesus sends 72 *disciples ahead of him – Luke 10:1-24

v1 After this, the *Lord chose another 72 *disciples and he sent them ahead of him. They went in teams of two to every town and place where Jesus intended to go. v2 He said to them, ‘There is a large harvest. But there are only a few workers to gather it. Therefore, ask the *Lord of the harvest to send workers that they may gather his harvest. v3 Go, I send you like young sheep among *wolves. v4 Do not take a purse, a bag or shoes with you. Do not stop to greet anyone on the way.

v5 When you enter a house, first say, ‘I pray that there will be *peace in this house.’ v6 If a *peaceful man lives there, your *peace will rest on him. If not, then your *peace will return to you. v7 Stay in that house. Eat the food that they give to you. And drink what they give to you. These are your wages and the worker deserves his wages. Do not move from house to house.

v8 You will go into towns where the people receive you. There eat the food that they give to you. v9 Cure the sick people who live there. Tell them, “The *kingdom of God is near to you.” v10 But you may go into a town where the people do not receive you. Go into the streets and say this to the people. v11 “Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. But know this: that the *kingdom of God has come near.” v12 I tell you, on that day it will be easier for Sodom than for that town.

v13 How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin. How terrible it will be for you, Bethsaida. I have done many *miracles in you. If I had done them in Tyre and Sidon, those people would have *repented long ago. They would have put on rough clothes and they would have sat in ashes. v14 It will be easier for Tyre and Sidon than for you on the day when God is the judge. v15 And you Capernaum, you have been almost up to heaven. But you will go down to hell.

v16 Whoever listens to you (the 72 *disciples), listens to me. Whoever refuses to accept you, refuses to accept me. And whoever refuses to accept me, refuses to accept God. He is the one who sent me.’

v17 The 72 *disciples came back very happy. They said, ‘*Lord, even the *demons obey us in your name.’

v18 Jesus said to them, ‘I saw *Satan fall like lightning from heaven. v19 Listen, I have given to you authority to walk on snakes and *scorpions. I have given to you authority to overcome all the power of the enemy. So, nothing will hurt you. v20 However, do not be happy because evil spirits obey you. Rather be happy because God has written your names in heaven.’

v21 In that hour, the *Holy Spirit filled Jesus with joy. He said, ‘Father, you are the *Lord of heaven and earth. I praise you because you hid all this from wise and intelligent people. But you showed it to little children. Yes, Father, that is what pleased you.’

v22 ‘My Father has given all things to me. Nobody knows who the Son is, except the Father. Nobody knows who the Father is, except the Son. But those people to whom the Son shows the Father, they will know him.’

v23 Jesus turned to his *disciples and he spoke to them in private. ‘God has *blessed you to see the things that you see. v24 Many *prophets and kings desired to see what you now see. I tell you that they did not see it. They desired to hear what you now hear. But they did not hear it.’

Verses 1-4 The *Lord Jesus sent a number of *disciples ahead of him on his journey to Jerusalem. It is difficult to say how many there were. Many Bibles have 70 rather than 72. The word ‘another’ may mean that these were in addition to the 12 *apostles. So the total could be as many as 84. But it is more likely that the 12 *apostles stayed with Jesus.

People have tried to interpret the number 72. The *Jews thought that there were 72 nations in the world. So, the good news is for the entire world. Other people have tried to interpret the number 70. The Sanhedrin had 70 members. The Sanhedrin was the government of the *Jews. The 70 leaders of the people ought to be ready for the *Christ to come. They should have prepared the people for the *Christ. Another idea is that there is a reference to the 70 leaders of Israel in Numbers 11:24-30. After the *Holy Spirit came upon them, they shared Moses’ work (Numbers 11:16-17).

Jesus spoke of a large harvest. There was a lot of work to do. But there were only a few workers to gather it. Once the harvest is ready, there must not be any delay. A delay could spoil the harvest. The harvest here means the people who need to hear the good news about the *kingdom of God. This is true in every age. People need to hear the good news about Jesus.

Jesus sent these teams ahead of him. But the need was for many more workers. So, Jesus told them to pray that God would send more workers to work for the *kingdom of God. This should be the prayer of Christians in all ages.

The work of the *kingdom of God is often dangerous. Jesus told these *disciples that they were like young sheep among *wolves. *Wolves are wild animals. They look like large dogs. *Wolves are natural enemies of sheep. *Wolves will scatter the sheep. And they kill those sheep that they catch. The people who follow Jesus will have many enemies. Many Christians have died because they belong to Jesus. The Bible tells us that we should expect to suffer on behalf of Jesus (Philippians 1:29).

These *disciples had to depend on God and the kindness of people for all that they needed. They did not take money, food or spare clothes for the journey.

It was the custom to stop and to talk with anyone whom you met on the way. This was not just to say hello. It could be a long conversation. These *disciples must not spend the time in unnecessary conversation. They had urgent work to do.

Verses 5-7 When the *disciples came to a town or village, they would find a place to stay. Then they would ask the *Lord to *bless that house and the people who live there. If their hosts have the right attitude, the *Lord will *bless them. He would show them kindness as they had shown kindness to his servants. But the *Lord will not *bless those people who refused to receive them.

While the *disciples were in that place, they should not move from house to house. They should stay in the house that they entered first. As the *Lord’s workers, they deserve the food and drink that the hosts give to them. These things are their wages.

Here is a right principle. Those people who work for the *Lord deserve their wages (1 Timothy 5:18).

Verses 8-12 The *disciples would go into towns or villages where people would receive them. There the *disciples should accept the kindness of the people. In a wealthy home, the food may be very good; elsewhere the food may be poor. But the *disciples should eat whatever the people give to them. In these places, the *disciples would have the power to cure sick people. And they should *preach the good news of the *kingdom of God.

The people in other towns and villages would not receive the *disciples. The *disciples should tell the people about the *kingdom of God. But the people in these places would not believe the *gospel. The *disciples must warn these people that God will punish them. To show this, the *disciples must wipe the dust of that place from their feet.

You can read about Sodom in Genesis 18:16-19. At the last day, God will punish Sodom. But these towns will receive worse punishment. There is no hope for anyone that refuses to accept the *Lord Jesus.

Verses 13-15 Then Jesus spoke about some towns where he had done many *miracles. These towns were at the north end of the Sea of Galilee.

This is the only reference to Chorazin (or Korazin) in the Bible. Bethsaida was the home of Peter, Andrew and Philip (John 1:44; John 12:21). It was on the north west side of the sea. Jesus made Capernaum his home while he was in Galilee (Matthew 4:13).

The people from these towns will suffer because they did not *repent. They opposed God as they refused to accept Jesus.

Jesus did many *miracles in all of these places. We read about only a few of them at Capernaum. He did many more powerful works in addition to the ones that the *New Testament mentions (John 21:25).

Tyre and Sidon were towns on the coast to the north of *Israel. Ezekiel Chapter s 26 to 28 describe how God would punish Tyre. If Jesus had done these *miracles there, the people would have *repented. Rough clothes and ashes were a sign of *repentance. The punishment for these people will be less severe than for the inhabitants of the towns in Galilee.

Verse 16 The *disciples must speak as from the *Lord Jesus. Jesus gave to them authority to speak on his behalf. So, people who listen to the words of the *disciples in effect listen to the words of Jesus. To refuse the *disciples is to refuse Jesus who sent them. To refuse Jesus is to refuse God. As God sent Jesus, so Jesus sent his *disciples.

Verses 17-20 The *disciples came back to Jesus. They gave to him an account of their experiences. They had done many things by the authority that Jesus had given to them. Even *demons had to obey them because of the power of the *Lord Jesus. Without that power, they could not have done these things.

Jesus saw *Satan fall like lightning from heaven. This seems to mean the defeat of *Satan. And that defeat was sudden, like lightning from the skies. The power of Jesus in his *disciples broke the power of *demons.

Jesus had given to the *disciples authority over the enemy. The enemy is *Satan and his power is like that of snakes and *scorpions. The bites of snakes and the sting of *scorpions could be poisonous. But even these could not hurt the *disciples. So, nothing that the enemy would do could hurt them. As they carried out this special task for Jesus, the *disciples had authority over the enemy.

A *scorpion has 8 feet, 8 eyes and a long tail. It is up to 4 inches (10 centimetres) in length. At the end of the tail is its sting. Its sting is extremely poisonous, and sometimes it can kill a person.

The *disciples were excited that they had sent *demons away. But they should be happier that God had accepted them. Their future was in heaven. It was the custom in each city to keep a register of all the citizens. So, the *disciples were citizens of heaven.

Verses 21-23 What Jesus had done by means of the *disciples excited him. The *Holy Spirit filled him with this joy. So, Jesus praised God his Father who is the *Lord of heaven and earth.

Jesus does not say what ‘all this’ is. It probably refers to what the *disciples learnt. God had shown the truth to these ordinary people. Without God’s help, even intelligent people with their wisdom and education cannot find the truth about God. But God can show it even to little children.

God the Father has given to Jesus power and authority over all things. Jesus is the Son of God. Nobody can really know who Jesus is. Only God the Father has a full knowledge of Jesus the Son. Nobody can know God the Father. But Jesus shows us who God is. It is by means of Jesus and only by means of Jesus that we can know God the Father.

Jesus told the *disciples how God had *blessed them. They had seen that Jesus is the *Christ. They had heard what he said. They had seen his *miracles. The *prophets and many of the kings in the *Old Testament wanted to see the *Christ. But they did not see him. They wanted to hear him but they did not hear him.

The good *Samaritan – Luke 10:25-37

v25 An expert in the *Jewish Law came to test Jesus. ‘Teacher’, he asked, ‘what must I do to receive *eternal life?’

v26 Jesus answered him, ‘What does the law say? What do you read in the law?’

v27 The man answered, ‘You must love the *Lord your God with all your heart. You must love him with all your *soul, with all your strength and with your entire mind. And you must love your neighbour as yourself.’

v28 Jesus said to him, ‘Your answer is right. Do this and you will live.’

v29 However, the man wanted to defend himself. So, he asked Jesus, ‘Who is my neighbour?’

v30 Jesus replied, ‘A man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way, thieves attacked him. They stripped him of his clothes and they hit him many times. Then they left him almost dead. v31 By chance, a priest came down that road. He saw the man but he went by on the other side of the road. v32 Then a *Levite came to that place. He saw the man. But he too went by on the other side of the road. v33 Then a *Samaritan came to the man as he travelled down that road. He saw the man and he pitied him. v34 He went over to the man and he cleaned his injuries with oil and wine. He covered those injuries with bandages. Then he put the man on his own animal. He took the man to a hotel where he took care of him. v35 The next day, the *Samaritan took out two silver coins and he gave them to the hotel manager. He said to the manager, “Take care of this man. I will come back. Then I will pay you any extra that you spend on his behalf.” ’

v36 Jesus then asked, ‘What do you think? Which of these three men was a neighbour to the man that the thieves had attacked?’

v37 The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who showed kindness to the man.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go. Do what he did.’

Verses 25-29 This man was an expert in the *Jewish religion. He came to test Jesus. This does not mean that he was against Jesus. He asked Jesus how he could earn *eternal life. Probably he wanted to find out what Jesus would say to this question. He did not ask it because he needed the answer for himself. But Jesus turned the question back to him.

Jesus asked the expert what the law said on this subject. He asked him what he understood from the law. The answer from the law is that a person must love the *Lord. That love must be with the whole person. And a person must love his neighbour as much as he loves himself. Jesus agreed with this answer. If a person could obey the whole law, he would have *eternal life. Jesus told the man to do it. But such a standard is not possible for us to achieve. We cannot save ourselves. We cannot obey the whole law (Romans 3:20).

The law expert tried to obey the law. He wanted people to think that he had succeeded in it. So, he asked Jesus, ‘Who is my neighbour?’ That was an important question. The *Jewish law clearly taught that *Jews had a duty to look after other *Jews (Leviticus 19:18). But people argued about whether they also had a duty to look after foreigners. Especially people would not want to consider the *Samaritans, who were often the enemies of the *Jews, as neighbours.

Verses 30-37 Jesus told the man a story to show him what a neighbour would do. Jesus made the expert decide who was the neighbour. The expert had to say that a *Samaritan was the true neighbour.

From Jerusalem to Jericho is a distance of about 17 miles (about 27 kilometres). Jericho is on a plain near the Jordan River. It is a few miles north of the Dead Sea. The road in those days was very steep. It went down about 3000 feet (900 metres) through rocks in which thieves could easily hide. It was dangerous to travel that road alone.

A man went from Jerusalem to go to Jericho. Jesus expected the expert to understand that the man was a *Jew. Thieves attacked the man and they almost killed him. They took all that he had, even his clothes. And they left the man there at the side of the road.

Priests and *Levites served in the *temple in Jerusalem. There were 24 groups of priests. Each group was on duty for a week. A large number of these priests and *Levites lived in Jericho. So there would often be priests and *Levites on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho.

In the story, a priest came down that road. He had finished his duties in the *temple. He was on his way home. He saw the man but he went by on the other side of the road. That was a terrible thing to do. A priest should be a holy man; he certainly should not neglect such an important duty. If the priest was going up to Jerusalem, he would have a special reason to be careful. If he touched a dead person, he could not serve in the *temple with his group. He would be unclean for 7 days (Numbers 19:16). However, that would not be a proper excuse. The duty to help someone in a desperate situation was more important even than the work in the *temple.

Then a *Levite came by. He came and he looked at the man. Then he passed by on the other side of the road. The same was true of the *Levite as with the priest. He had no proper excuse.

Jesus now says that a *Samaritan came down that road. The *Jews and the *Samaritans were often enemies. The *Samaritan came to the man and he pitied him. Jesus contrasted the attitude of the *Samaritan with that of the priest and the *Levite. They would not help another *Jew; but the *Samaritan helped an enemy.

The *Samaritan did what he could on behalf of the man. He cleaned the injuries with oil and wine. In those days, they used oil and wine as medicine to heal injuries. Then he covered the injuries with bandages. He put the man on his own animal and he took the man to a hotel. The *Samaritan took care of the man for the night. Then in the morning, he paid the hotel manager the money to take care of the man. Maybe the hotel would have to spend more. The *Samaritan promised to pay to them what they had spent.

The *Samaritan gave to the hotel manager two silver coins. These coins were probably enough to keep the man for perhaps a month in the hotel.

Jesus asked the expert in the *Jewish law which of the three persons was a neighbour to the man. The expert had to answer, ‘The one who helped the man.’ Perhaps his prejudice would not allow him to say, ‘The *Samaritan.’

The original question that the expert in the *Jewish law asked, was, ‘Who is my neighbour?’ The *Samaritan showed himself to be the neighbour to the man. Jesus did not say who was a neighbour to the expert. But the expert should be a neighbour. Now Jesus told the expert to do the same kind of thing. Show kindness to all whether they are friends or enemies.

Martha and Mary – Luke 10:38-42

v38 Jesus and his *disciples travelled to a certain village. There a woman called Martha took him into her home. v39 Martha had a sister. Her name was Mary. Mary. Mary sat by Jesus’ feet. She listened to what Jesus said. v40 Martha worried about all the work that she needed to do in order to serve her guests. Then she went to Jesus and she spoke to him. ‘*Lord, does it not bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and to help me.’

v41 The *Lord replied to her. ‘Martha, Martha, you worry and you bother about many things. v42 Only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is good. And nobody will take it away from her.’

Verses 38-42 Jesus and his *disciples went to Bethany village where Martha and Mary lived. Bethany was about two miles from Jerusalem. Martha invited them into her home. Martha lived there with her sister Mary.

With such a large group of guests, Martha was very busy. To provide for them all, there was a lot of work to do. And Martha was anxious about it. Probably she would rather have listened to Jesus but she was too busy. But Mary did not help her in her work. Mary just sat at the feet of Jesus to listen to what he said. It seems that she was eager to learn from Jesus. And Jesus encouraged her to learn from him. This was not usual in those times. Not many *Jewish teachers would teach a woman.

It upset Martha that Mary did not help her in the work. It upset her that Jesus did not seem to care about it. She asked Jesus to tell Mary that she should come to help her. Jesus understood what Martha felt. He was gentle in his reply to her. Martha was anxious because she was so busy in her work for Jesus. Mary had not joined in that work, but she was still doing something good. Only one thing is really necessary for us: to receive a right relationship with God. Mary had done that and Jesus would not stop her. Our work for God should be the result of that relationship.

We can be so busy that we fail to hear the *Lord. It is better to hear the *Lord first. Then we can do what is necessary.

disciple ~ a person who follows a leader, especially the 12 men that Jesus chose to be with him.
Lord ~ a title for God, or Jesus, to show that he is over all people and things. In the Old Testament, LORD was a special name for God.

Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
wolves ~ wild animals that look like large dogs.
peace ~ the calm and content attitude that is the result of a right relationship with God.
kingdom ~ the place or territory where a king rules. In the New Testament, this is nearly always the people over whom the king rules and not a territory on earth.

New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on earth.
miracle ~ a powerful deed that seems to be against the normal laws of nature. Miracles showed God’s power.'repent / repentance ~ to change one’s mind and heart. To turn away from sin and turn to God. To turn one’s mind and heart away from sin is to repent.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
demons ~ evil angels that serve the devil.
angel ~ a special servant of God from heaven. God made angels to serve him and to take his messages. So, angels are God’s servants from heaven. But there are evil angels who opposed God. These evil angels now serve the devil.
Satan ~ the name of the devil.
scorpion ~ A scorpion is an animal up to 4 inches (10 centimetres) in length. At the end of the tail is its sting. Its sting is extremely poisonous, and sometimes it can kill a person.'Holy Spirit ~ God’s Spirit whom Jesus sent to help his people. It is another name for God, also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ and the comforter. The Holy Spirit is a person but not human. He lives and works for God, he is God, equal with God the Father and with God the Son.
bless ~ to show kindness to someone.
prophet ~ person who speaks on behalf of God. A prophet can sometimes say what will happen in the future.
apostle ~ someone whom God sends; especially one of the 12 men whom Jesus chose to be his helpers.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
Christ ~ the Christ is the name for the person whom God would send to be the Saviour of his people. Jesus is the Christ and he was called Christ.
Saviour ~ a title for Jesus, who saves his people from their sins.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.
wolves ~ wild animals that look like large dogs.
preach ~ to speak out the message from God and to teach his word.
gospel ~ the good news that God saves people from sin because of Jesus Christ.
sin ~ sin is the wrong things that we do. To sin is to do wrong, bad or evil deeds and not to obey God.

'New Testament ~ the last part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after the life of Jesus on earth.
Israel ~ the country of the Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.'Old Testament ~ the first part of the Bible; the holy things that the writers wrote before Jesus’ birth.
Samaritan ~ Samaria was a region to the north of Judea. Samaritans are people from Samaria.
Jewish ~ people or things that are from the Jews.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
eternal ~ something that will always be and will never end.
soul ~ the part of a person that we cannot see. It is in us during our life. And it continues to live after we die. It is our inner life (not the body).
Levite ~ A person from the family of Levi. The Levites helped the priests in the temple.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God. The Jews had a temple in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God. But at other temples, people worshipped false gods.
worship ~ the act when someone gives honour to God. Someone who worships, praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.
temple ~ a special building for the worship of God. The Jews had a temple in Jerusalem for the worship of the real God. But at other temples, people worshipped false gods.
worship ~ the act when someone gives honour to God. Someone who worships, praises God. That person thanks God. And that person respects God.
Jews ~ people who were born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the families of their children.