1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. (Luke 9:1-6 KJV)
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
We see here the method Christ used to spread the gospel and bring light to others. He had personally traveled around preaching and healing, but since he could only be in one place at a time, he now sent out his twelve disciples. By this point, they were well enough instructed to teach others and pass on what they had learned from him.
They were to go in different directions, preaching about the kingdom of God, making people aware of its spiritual nature, and calling them to become part of it. To confirm their message—since it was new and unlike what they had learned from the scribes and Pharisees—he empowered them to perform miracles. He gave them authority over all demons and the ability to cure diseases (Luke 9:1-2). This would not only support their teaching but make them welcome wherever they went.
Christ gave them specific instructions for this mission, since it was to be brief and close by. They were not to try to impress people with their appearance. They were to go as they were, not changing clothes or putting on new shoes. They were to depend on God’s provision and the kindness of others, taking neither bread nor money with them, and trusting that their needs would be met. Though Paul later chose to support himself through manual labor rather than depend on others, at this time Christ taught his disciples to accept help freely.
They were not to move from house to house, as if uncertain of their welcome. “Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town” (Luke 9:4). This made it clear they were ready to serve their hosts and not ashamed of their mission. In places where they were not welcomed, they were to leave without forcing their way in and shake the dust from their feet as a testimony against those who rejected them (Luke 9:5). That act would serve as a witness in the day of judgment that they had been offered grace and rejected it.
The disciples went out as commanded (Luke 9:6). Though physically separated from Jesus, they had his spiritual presence, strength, and guidance with them. They traveled through the towns preaching the gospel and healing the sick, continuing Christ’s own work of bringing life and healing to both soul and body.