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. 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. 3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
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. 8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 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. 12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. (Luke 10:1-12 KJV)
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two
We have here the sending forth of seventy disciples, two by two, into different parts of the country to preach the gospel and work miracles in the places Christ himself intended to visit, to prepare the way for him. This event isn’t mentioned by the other evangelists, but the instructions given are similar to those given to the twelve.
Their number was seventy. As the twelve apostles corresponded to the twelve patriarchs and tribes of Israel, these seventy seem to reflect the seventy elders of Israel who accompanied Moses and Aaron to the mount and were chosen later to help govern (Exodus 24:1, 9; Numbers 11:24-25). The twelve wells and seventy palm trees at Elim symbolized the apostles and disciples (Exodus 15:27). Seventy elders also worked on the Septuagint translation, and the Jewish Sanhedrin consisted of seventy members.
We’re glad to see Christ had so many suitable followers to send out, despite opposition. His influence grew, and his followers multiplied like Israel in Egypt. These disciples, though not as close as the twelve, were constant hearers of his teachings, witnesses to his miracles, and believers. Peter refers to them in Acts 1:15, 21. Many companions of the apostles mentioned in Acts and the Epistles may have come from this group. There was also work enough for so many ministers, and hearers ready for them—the mustard seed beginning to grow and leaven spreading through the meal.
Jesus sent them two by two to support and encourage one another. If one fell, the other could help him up. They weren’t sent to all of Israel, like the twelve, but only to cities where Jesus planned to go (Luke 10:1), preparing the way for him. Though not recorded, Christ likely visited all the towns they went to, even briefly. Their tasks were to heal the sick (Luke 10:9), which would stir interest in Jesus, and to announce, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” People needed to recognize and act on their opportunity. When the kingdom draws near, we should respond.
He instructed them to begin with prayer (Luke 10:2), being aware of the spiritual need around them. The harvest was great, and people longed for the Messiah and his kingdom, but there weren’t enough laborers. Many Jewish teachers existed, but they didn’t bring souls into God’s kingdom. True ministers want more true ministers to join them in the work. They were to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send laborers, themselves included, hoping for divine support and success—like Isaiah’s “Here I am, send me” (Isaiah 6:8).
They were to expect trouble: “I send you out as lambs among wolves.” Their enemies would be fierce and threatening, but they must remain peaceable and patient. Christ’s spirit would give them the courage needed.
They were not to burden themselves with extra provisions but depend on God and hospitality for their needs. “Carry no purse, bag, or sandals, and greet no one on the road.” This was not to make them rude, but urgent and focused. They had a mission and were to avoid distractions or delay, keeping their minds on heavenly business. Like mourners during their first seven days, they were to skip customary greetings to reflect the seriousness of their task.
Wherever they entered, they were to say, “Peace be to this house” (Luke 10:5-6). This wasn’t to be a casual greeting, but a real offer of Christ’s peace. If they found a “son of peace,” someone ready to receive the gospel, that peace would rest on them. If not, the blessing would return to the speaker. Even if rejected, they could be comforted that they had done their duty and could share that peace with others.
They were to accept the hospitality of those who welcomed them (Luke 10:7-8). Those who received the message would care for the messengers. They were to eat and drink what was offered, not being picky or demanding. Ministers deserved support—not as charity, but as fair reward for their work (1 Corinthians 9:14). Christ’s disciples weren’t to crave delicacies or be caught up in Pharisaic food traditions, but to eat without fuss and with gratitude.
If a city rejected them and their message, they were to leave and shake off the dust as a warning (Luke 10:10-11). They were not to accept hospitality from the unwilling, but solemnly declare that the kingdom of God had come near. If rejected, it wasn’t their fault. People bore their own responsibility for refusing the gospel. The more gracious the offer, the greater the guilt if rejected. “It will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that city” (Luke 10:12). The final judgment would reveal all.