Luke Chapter 10:1-42
Memory verses
for this week: Mat 23:39 For I say unto
you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is
he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Introduction:
We continue our study of
the book of Luke this week as we continue in chapter 10. Last week,
we studied about Jesus being transfigured on the mountain as Peter,
James and John looked on. They saw Jesus in his glorified body
along with Moses and Elias. Jesus taught the disciples about his
upcoming death in Jerusalem, and later taught on the true meaning of
being a disciple. We begin this week with Jesus sending out the 70
to do the work.
I. The
Mission of the Seventy
Luke
10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and
sent them two and two before his face into every city and place,
whither he himself would come.
We understand
that these seventy did not have the same official standing as the
twelve disciples. Their commission was for a limited time only.
This was the period when they went from city to city before Christ
was finally rejected by the people of Galilee. Christ sent them
out two by two, and I think that is the best way still for us to
go. When we have another person with us, they can help in the work
and we encourage one another with our fellowship. Also, when one
falls, the other can help that one up whether it be physically or
spiritually. We can always use a little extra help.
Eccl
4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for
their labour.
Eccl
4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to
him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help
him up.
Luke
10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but
the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,
that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
As Christ looked
upon the vast multitudes, he recognized that they were as sheep
without a shepherd. When you and I look out today, it is true
still. The fields are white unto harvest. Jesus desired his
disciples to go out and to spread the message of the kingdom. He
said the harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few. God
still today does most of his work with a handful of people in many
churches. But the commission is not to a few, but to the whole
church.
J. Vernon McGee
pointed out how harvest follows the sowing of the word. We are to
be sowers of the seed every day. God will actually bring in the
harvest.
“But the Lord said that the harvest is great and the laborers few.”
We must remember where Jesus was when He made that statement.
He was on the other side of the cross at the time, and an age was
coming to an end. At the end of every age is judgment. The judgment
that ends an age is a harvest, and the age itself is for the sowing
of seed. I believe that we are sowing seed today, and that at the
end of this age there will be a harvest. In the parable of the tares
and wheat the Lord said, “Let both grow together until the harvest:
and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye
together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but
gather the wheat into my barn” (Matt. 13:30). My business is to sow
the seed which is the Word of God. That is the business of every
Christian.
[i]
Luke
10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
Luke
10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man
by the way.
Luke
10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to
this house.
Jesus gives
instructions to the 70 as they go out. He warns them that they are
being sent as lambs among wolves. These 70 were to go with simple
dependence upon Christ to sustain them. They could not take
provisions for a long journey, since it was to be short mission. He
says to carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes, and salute no man
by the way. If they were mistreated, they were not to retaliate for
the poor treatment. They were not to be picky about where they
stayed, but go into houses that desired to have them.
Luke
10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon
it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
Luke
10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things
as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from
house to house.
Luke
10:8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat
such things as are set before you:
Luke
10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The
kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
These seventy
were sent mainly to the people of Israel, God’s chosen nation. And
those being sent were also Jews. The nation of Israel was waiting
for the kingdom of God was expecting the Messiah to come in great
power and glory. One day, Jesus, when He comes in the second
coming, will come this way. But he came as a lowly servant the
first time. The seventy were to go and proclaim the near approach
of that kingdom. Jesus promises that they will be taken care of as
the ‘labourer is worthy of his hire.’ They went expecting to be
received well by their Jewish brothers and sisters as they came to
declare the presence of the King among them. As they came into the
houses, if the son of peace was there, they were to stay and their
peace was to be upon that home. And whatever was set before them,
they were to eat it with gladness.
Luke
10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not,
go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
Luke
10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do
wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the
kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Luke
10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that
day for Sodom, than for that city.
If the people
unto whom they declared the kingdom would not receive them, they
were given instructions as to how to handle it. They were to go
their way and wipe the dust from their feet. It says that those who
would not hear would face worse judgment than Sodom and Gomorrah
faced. The warning they were to give is ‘the kingdom of God is
come nigh unto you.’ And we still have to warn people today that
the kingdom of God is nearer now than ever before.
Matthew Henry
spoke of how they were commanded to tell them of the judgment they
faced if they would not hear the truth.
Tell them that you will not carry with you the dust of their city;
let them take it to themselves, for dust they are.’’ It shall
be a witness for Christ’s messengers that they had been there
according to their Master’s order; tender and refusal
were a discharge of their trust. But it shall be a witness against
the recusants that they would not give Christ’s messengers any
entertainment, no, not so much as water to wash their feet with, but
they were forced to wipe off the dust. "But tell them plainly, and
bid them be sure of it, The kingdom of God is come nigh to
you. Here is a fair offer made you; if you have not the benefit
of it, it is your own fault. The gospel is brought to your doors; if
you shut your doors against it, your blood is upon your own head.
Now that the kingdom of God is come nigh to you, if you will
not come up to it, and come into it, your sin will be inexcusable,
and your condemnation intolerable.’’ Note, The fairer offers we have
of grace and life by Christ, the more we shall have to answer for
another day, if we slight these offers: It shall be more
tolerable for Sodom than for that city, v. 12. The Sodomites
indeed rejected the warning given them by Lot; but rejecting the
gospel is a more heinous crime, and will be punished accordingly
in that day. He means the day of judgment (v. 14), but calls it,
by way of emphasis, that day, because it is the last and
great day, the day when we must account for all the days of time,
and have our state determined for the days of eternity.
[ii]
II. Jesus
Pronounces Judgment on the Cities
Luke
10:13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the
mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done
in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth
and ashes.
Luke
10:14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the
judgment, than for you.
Jesus speaks
first of Chorazin and Bethsaida. He declares that if the mighty
works that had been done in them had been done in Tyre and Sidon,
that they would have repented. Jesus declares that these cities
would face a more severe judgment than Tyre and Sidon.
Luke
10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be
thrust down to hell.
Luke
10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you
despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
Capernaum was a
city where our Lord preached some of his greatest sermons. This
city witnessed many great works done. This is where Jesus restored
Peter’s wife’s mother to health when she was sick of a fever. This
was the same city where He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead.
Luke
10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even
the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
Luke
10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from
heaven.
Luke
10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and
scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by
any means hurt you.
When the seventy
return from their mission, they rejoiced and said that even the
devils were subject to them through the name of Jesus. Jesus
looked forward in time to the hour when Satan will be finally cast
out of the heavens. He says “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from
heaven. He gave these men special apostolic powers where they
could tread on serpents and scorpions and not be hurt. Some today
handle snakes and believe they can drink any kind of poison and be
safe. We can’t emphasize enough that God gave special powers to
the early church in order to confirm Jesus Christ and His Word. But
now we have the complete Word of God and special powers are no
longer available to Christians like they were in those early days.
We no longer do things in part like they did in those early days.
We have the complete word of God which is finished and final.
1
Cor 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies,
they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether
there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1
Cor 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1
Cor 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which
is in part shall be done away.
1
Cor 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a
child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away
childish things.
1
Cor 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to
face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am
known.
Luke
10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are
subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written
in heaven.
Luke
10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank
thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these
things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes:
even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Luke
10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man
knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but
the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
Luke
10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately,
Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
Luke
10:24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to
see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear
those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
Jesus rejoiced
in Spirit and gave thanks to God. He was not dependent upon his
worldly conditions to bring him joy. So often we are easily cast
down and depressed when others do not want to hear the truth of
God’s Word. Many don’t have a heart for the things of God. Jesus
did not have many that wanted to hear the Word then, but it did not
bring him down. He rejoiced in those who were blessed to see the
truth, even if it was but a few. Those wise of this worlds’
knowledge have the things hidden to them. Jesus was content to
know that the purpose of God was being carried out in spite of man’s
rejection and enmity. He tells the disciples that they were
blessed to see things that many prophets and kings had desired to
see and hear. What a blessing to be taught by the Lord Jesus
Christ.
III. A Lawyer
Questions Jesus
Luke
10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him,
saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Luke
10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest
thou?
I guess that of
all professions that a person can have, a lawyer is one that tends
to bring a negative connotation to mind. Of course many lawyers
are honest upstanding citizens, but this man did not seem sincere in
his question. It was not like he was really asking how he could
inherit eternal life, but he was looking to draw Jesus into a
controversy as to the Law of Moses. Moses in the law had declared
that those who obeyed the precepts of the law would live, while
those who violated them should be accursed. The term lawyer in
Jesus’ day was not the same as we think of today. They were more
like Theologians of our day. They understood the law and were well
versed in Old Testament scriptures. Jesus asks him what is written
in the law?
Luke
10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and
with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Luke
10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and
thou shalt live.
Luke
10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who
is my neighbour?
After asking him
what he read in the law, the lawyer responds with a good answer.
He says “thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind;
and thy neighbor as thyself.” It truly is sad that the lawyer knew
the scriptures so well, but could not see his lost and undone
condition. We know that no one keeps all the law.
Rom
3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Rom
3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh
after God.
Rom
3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become
unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Gal
3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for
if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily
righteousness should have been by the law.
Gal
3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the
promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that
believe.
Gal
3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up
unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gal
3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto
Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal
3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a
schoolmaster.
Jesus commended
the lawyer and tell him if he would do this, he would live. It says
he wanted to justify himself, and asks Jesus “Who is my neighbour?”
The man was guilty of not following the first commandment which is
to love God first, above all. While asking who is my neighbor, he
had probably been better off asking “Who is my God?” If we aren’t
serving the true Jehovah God, our father is Satan. The reality is
that all men and women around us are our neighbors. We can’t
exclude some because they don’t agree with us or because they have a
different color of skin. Jesus really brings this home as He
answers the man well with the parable of the Good Samaritan.
IV. Parable of
the Good Samaritan
Luke
10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from
Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of
his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Luke
10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and
when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
This wounded,
half dead man represents us all in our physical, natural condition.
He was alive in the flesh, but he was dead spiritually.
Col
2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of
your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you
all trespasses;
Col
2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against
us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it
to his cross;
Col
2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show
of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
We see the first
man that comes along is a priest. He represent the spiritual side
of the legal covenant. He saw the afflicted man, but evidently he
feared he might defile himself by touching one so near to death and
polluted with blood. Priests lived under strict guidelines, and
perhaps he was just being obedient to the rules.
Lev
21:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons
of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the
dead among his people:
I see a lot of
people so hung up on following rules that they fail to see the
brother or sister in need. If you have an opportunity to help
someone and you drive on by to hurry to a church service, or we not
doing the same as this priest. Jesus would have us to help those
in need.
Luke
10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and
looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
The second one
to come by was a Levite. He did seem more interested because he
came over and looked at him before he passed on by. We know the
Levites were highly involved in the law and were the tribe of the
priests know as the Levitical order. This Levite represented the
inward aspect of the law. He saw, but saw no reason to make it part
of his duty to help someone in such a deplorable condition.
Luke
10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was:
and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
Luke
10:34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and
wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and
took care of him.
Luke
10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence,
and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and
whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Finally help
came to the man in distress from the most unlikely source. A
Samaritan, one who was despised and had nothing to do with the Jews,
comes by. Actually it was the other way around. The Jews had
nothing to do with the Samaritans. So this was the last man in the
world that the wounded man would expect to come and help him. We
know when the Jews in Chapter 8 of the book of John sought to
express contempt toward Jesus, they called him a Samaritan.
John
8:48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well
that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
Doing the best
the man knew how, the Samaritan did all he could to help him. He
was the one who was a ‘true neighbor’ to the man who was in need.
He not only bound up his wounds and gave him medicine, but carried
him to the inn on his own animal and paid the host for all they had
done for him. And he promises to come again and pay whatsoever thou
spendest more. This is a type pointing to how Jesus will come
again and reward all who have done good and been about the Father’s
business. The Samaritan was a type pointing to Christ. Christ
comes to where we are and helps those in need. Jesus then asks the
lawyer a question.
Luke
10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto
him that fell among the thieves?
Luke
10:37 And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus
unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Which now of
these three was neighbor to him that fell among thieves. The
lawyer again answers correctly, and Jesus tells him to go and do
likewise. Not only should the lawyer do this, but you and I should
each day let the spirit guide us in how we should help others. If
every Christian responded to all the opportunities we are given
daily to help those in need, I think the vast majority of needs
would be met all around the world. Where do we fit in among the
three men who came by? Are we too involved in religion to get
involved, or feel we are too important to be bothered? Or could we
be like the Samaritan… willing to go out of our way and maybe spend
some money to help those in need. With God’s help, we need to be
known as people who are ‘good Samaritans’.
In the King
James Study Bible, Jerry Falwell said this about the poor man who
was helped by the Samaritan.
Two Jews, a priest and a Levite, passed by but did nothing to help
the poor man. Then a Samaritan (see Jn 4:9) came along and aided the
robbed victim, even seeing to his full recovery by paying for his
stay at an inn. This Samaritan was a true neighbor. He had a
compassionate heart, a helping hand, and unlimited concern. He gave
up personal comfort, physical energy, and valuable time. As one
preacher expressed it, the robbers beat him up, the priest and
Levite passed him up, but the Samaritan picked him up. The thief
said, “What’s yours is mine, I’ll take it.” The priest and Levite
reasoned, “What’s mine is mine, I’ll keep it.” But the Samaritan
said, “What’s mine is yours, we’ll share it.” Let us heed Jesus’
final injunction to the lawyer, Go, and do thou likewise (vs.
37)
[iii]
V. Martha and
Mary (Service and Communion)
Luke
10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a
certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into
her house.
Luke
10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus'
feet, and heard his word.
Luke
10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him,
and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to
serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luke
10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou
art careful and troubled about many things:
Luke
10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good
part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Jesus many times
came to this village of Bethany. This is the home of the two
sisters, Mary and Martha, and their brother Lazarus. They always
welcomed the Lord into their home. How blessed is the home where
Christ is always welcome. These two were sisters, but one was very
concerned about taking care of things and preparing the meal
(Martha), while Mary was most concerned about sitting at Jesus’ feet
to learn about the Lord. Martha requests that Jesus tell her
sister to help her to prepare the meal and help with the serving,
but Jesus did not. He told her that she was troubled about many
things, but Mary had chosen the good part that shall not be taken
away. There is a lesson there for us. We should never be in a big
hurry to do things when we could be learning about our Lord. Wisdom
begins when we learn to fear the Lord.
Prov
9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the
knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Prov
9:11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy
life shall be increased.
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Prov
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Practice Random Acts of Kindness. Each act spreads, and many will
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[i]J. Vernon
McGee, Thru the Bible commentary [computer file],
electronic ed., Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas
Nelson) 1997, c1981 by J. Vernon McGee.
[ii]Henry,
Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible,
(Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) 1997.
[iii]Jerry
Falwell, executive editor; Edward E. Hinson and Michael
Kroll Woodrow, general editors, KJV Bible commentary
[computer file], electronic ed., Logos Library System,
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1994.