Luk 10:1-7 | Clarke | STEP | Christ appoints seventy disciples to go before him, two by two, to preach, heal, etc., . Pronounces woes on Chorazin and Capernaum, . The seventy return, and give account of their mission, . Christ rejoices that the things which were hidden from the wise and prudent had been revealed unto babes, and shows the great privileges of the Gospel, . A lawyer inquires how he shall inherit eternal life, and is answered, . The story of the good Samaritan, . The account of Martha and Mary, . Verse 1 The Lord appointed other seventy - Rather, seventy others, not other seventy, as our translation has it, which seems to intimate that he had appointed seventy before this time, though, probably, the word other has a reference to the twelve chosen first: he not only chose twelve disciples to be constantly with him; but he chose seventy others to go before him. Our blessed Lord formed every thing in his Church on the model of the Jewish Church; and why? Because it was the pattern shown by God himself, the Divine form, which pointed out the heavenly substance which now began to be established in its place. As he before had chosen twelve apostles, in reference to the twelve patriarchs, who were the chiefs of the twelve tribes, and the heads of the Jewish Church, he now publicly appointed (for so the word ανεδειξεν means) seventy others, as Moses did the seventy elders whom he associated with himself to assist him in the government of the people. ; . These Christ sent by two and two: 1. To teach them the necessity of concord among the ministers of righteousness. 2. That in the mouths of two witnesses every thing might be established. And, 3. That they might comfort and support each other in their difficult labor. See on (note). Several MSS. and versions have seventy-two. Sometimes the Jews chose six out of each tribe: this was the number of the great Sanhedrin. The names of these seventy disciples are found in the margin of some ancient MSS., but this authority is questionable.

Luke 10:1-7

Introduction

Christ appoints seventy disciples to go before him, two by two, to preach, heal, etc., Luk 10:1-12. Pronounces woes on Chorazin and Capernaum, Luk 10:13-16. The seventy return, and give account of their mission, Luk 10:17-20. Christ rejoices that the things which were hidden from the wise and prudent had been revealed unto babes, and shows the great privileges of the Gospel, Luk 10:21-24. A lawyer inquires how he shall inherit eternal life, and is answered, Luk 10:25-29. The story of the good Samaritan, Luk 10:30-37. The account of Martha and Mary, Luk 10:38-42.

Verse 1

The Lord appointed other seventy - Rather, seventy others, not other seventy, as our translation has it, which seems to intimate that he had appointed seventy before this time, though, probably, the word other has a reference to the twelve chosen first: he not only chose twelve disciples to be constantly with him; but he chose seventy others to go before him. Our blessed Lord formed every thing in his Church on the model of the Jewish Church; and why? Because it was the pattern shown by God himself, the Divine form, which pointed out the heavenly substance which now began to be established in its place. As he before had chosen twelve apostles, in reference to the twelve patriarchs, who were the chiefs of the twelve tribes, and the heads of the Jewish Church, he now publicly appointed (for so the word ανεδειξεν means) seventy others, as Moses did the seventy elders whom he associated with himself to assist him in the government of the people. Exo 18:19; Exo 24:1-9. These Christ sent by two and two:

1. To teach them the necessity of concord among the ministers of righteousness.

2. That in the mouths of two witnesses every thing might be established. And,

3. That they might comfort and support each other in their difficult labor. See on Mar 6:7 (note).

Several MSS. and versions have seventy-two. Sometimes the Jews chose six out of each tribe: this was the number of the great Sanhedrin. The names of these seventy disciples are found in the margin of some ancient MSS., but this authority is questionable. Verse 2

That he would send forth - Εκβαλῃ. There seems to be an allusion here to the case of reapers, who, though the harvest was perfectly ripe, yet were in no hurry to cut it down. News of this is brought to the Lord of the harvest the farmer, and he is entreated to exert his authority, and hurry them out; and this he does because the harvest is spoiling for want of being reaped and gathered in. See the notes on Mat 9:37, Mat 9:38. Verse 3

Lambs among wolves - See on Mat 10:16 (note). Verse 4

Carry neither purse nor scrip - See on Mat 10:9 (note), etc., and Mar 6:8 (note), etc.

Salute no man by the way - According to a canon of the Jews, a man who was about any sacred work was exempted from all civil obligations for the time; forasmuch as obedience to God was of infinitely greater consequence than the cultivation of private friendships, or the returning of civil compliments. Verse 5

Peace be to this house - See on Mat 10:12 (note). Verse 6

The son of peace - In the Jewish style, a man who has any good or bad quality is called the son of it. Thus, wise men are called the children of wisdom, Mat 11:19; Luk 7:35. So, likewise, what a man is doomed to, he is called the son of, as in Eph 2:3, wicked men are styled the children of wrath: so Judas is called the son of perdition, Joh 17:12; and a man who deserves to die is called, 2Sam 12:5, a son of death. Son of peace in the text not only means a peaceable, quiet man, but one also of good report for his uprightness and benevolence. It would have been a dishonor to this mission, had the missionaries taken up their lodgings with those who had not a good report among them who were without. Verse 7

The laborer is worthy - See on Mat 10:8, Mat 10:12 (note).

Go not from house to house - See on Mat 10:11 (note). It would be a great offense among the Hindoos if a guest, after being made welcome at a house, were to leave it and go to another.