Bible Study series: Luke 10:17-24. Their mission trip was a success. Demons were subjected to them in Jesus’s name
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In the next link to the original chapter, I comment more and offer the Greek text. At the bottom you will find a “Summary and Conclusion” section geared toward discipleship. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Luke 10:17-24
17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 He said to them, “I saw Satan like lightning falling from heaven. 19 Watch! I have given you authority to walk on snakes and scorpions and upon all the power of the enemy, and nothing will in no way harm you. 20 But do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names have been written in heaven.”
21 At that very time, he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden this from the wise and intelligent and revealed it to children. Yes, Father, because this way is your good will in your presence. 22 Everything has been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son and to whomever the Son wills to reveal him.” 23 And he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you are seeing, 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you are seeing but have not seen it, and to hear what you are hearing, but have not heard it.” (Luke 10:17-24)
Comments:
17:
It is always joyful when people are set free from demonic power. You too have power and authority over demons. In Jesus’s name they are subjected to you too. They do not have to harass you or friends or church goers in Christ. Satan is defeated already. Now walk in Jesus’s victory for you.
“joy”: See my word study about the word:
“subjected”: it literally means to be “appointed or arranged under.” Demons have to submit to you. Never forget that.
See my posts about Satan in the area of systematic theology:
Bible Basics about Satan and Demons and Victory Over Them
Bible Basics about Deliverance
Magic, Witchcraft, Sorcery, and Fortunetelling
18:
“saw”: the verb means, depending on the context, “see, look at, observe, perceive, view, catch sight of, notice, experience.” Here I just chose the simplest translation, but you can choose any of the other ones, preferably the first four.
So what does this verse mean? Here are some two optional interpretations:
(1) Satan originally fell from heaven when he was defeated and thrown out, alluding to Is. 14:12: “Look how you have fallen from the sky, O shining one, son of heaven!” (NET). No, it is not a lesson about humility to the seventy-two. Jesus is simply telling how Satan was defeated in the long-ago past.
(2) Satan is pictured as defeated by these demon expulsions done by Jesus and his followers, though Satan’s final defeat will happen completely and finally when Jesus returns (or if you believe in a literal thousand-year reign, then afterwards he will be released from his prison and suffer final defeat, in Rev. 20:7-10). Jesus ignited the fall of Satan.
Both interpretations can be true at different times.
Garland:
Jesus, therefore, can put his followers’ success in a heavenly perspective that is hidden from them. He projects the limited defeat of demons onto the broader screen of the cosmic conflict between God and the forces of evil. What is happening is not simply the expulsion of random demons that they might come across in their travels but the beginning of the complete overthrow of Satan’s rule. The disciples only see the battle picture from the limited perspective of hand-to-hand combat in the trenches. They have charged into the line of demons and routed them in various skirmishes. Jesus sees the whole war map. Satan has been knocked off his throne in “heaven,” representing “the summit of his power,” and is in full retreat. He is still kicking and will unleash woes, but he will assuredly be vanquished. His final defeat will be consummated at the end of time.” (comment on 10:18)
5 The Kingdom of God: Already Here, But Not Yet Fully
We have authority to trample on snakes and scorpion because we are victorious in Christ. It may reflect Gen. 3:15, which says that Eve will crush the head of the snake (Satan). This phrase does not say pick up and handle snakes and scorpions. So the Appalachian snake-handlers—God loves them!—must stop now because they are misinterpreting Scripture. They are testing God, just as Jesus said not to do, during his temptation, when Satan tried to lure him to jump off the high place at the temple (Luke 4:9-12). God will not allow his hand of protection to be forced by foolishness.
19:
“Watch”: this is an updated translation of “behold!” See v. 3 for more comments.
“I have given”: it is in the perfect tense and so “extends throughout the mission. They have the right to overcome hostile creation as represented by serpents and scorpions, as well as over the enemy’s power, an allusion to Satan (Rev. 12:9) … Acts 28:3-6 will show Paul surviving a snake bite in Malta. The point is not so much that such beings can be handled safely, as much as that such forces and what they represent can be opposed and crushed. The disciples are secure in God’s hands. Nothing can really hurt them” (Bock, pp. 1007-08)
“authority”: it is the noun exousia (pronounced ex-oo-see-ah), and it means, depending on the context: “right to act,” “freedom of choice,” “power, capability, might, power, authority, absolute power”; “power or authority exercised by rulers by virtue of their offices; official power; domain or jurisdiction, spiritual powers.”
The difference between authority and power is parallel to a policeman’s badge and his gun. The badge symbolizes his right to exercise his power through his gun, if necessary. The gun backs up his authority with power. But the distinction should not be pressed too hard, because exousia can also mean “power.” In any case, God through Jesus can distribute authority to his followers (Matt. 10:1; Luke 10:19; John 1:12).
So do we have the same power and authority that the seventy-two have in this passage, or are they a special case? Restrictive interpreters say they are special cases with unique callings, while freer interpreters say we too, as disciples of Jesus, can have the same authority. As noted, I come down on the freer interpretation.
Jesus will give us authority even over the nations, if we overcome trials and persecution (Rev. 2:26). And he is about to distribute his power in Acts 2. Never forget that you have his authority and power to live a victorious life over your personal flaws and sins and Satan. They no longer have power and authority over you; you have power and authority over them.
“power”: it is the noun dunamis (pronounced doo-nah-meese or doo-nah-miss), and see vv. 13-15 for more comments.
For nearly all the references of that word and a developed theology, please click on:
What Are Signs and Wonders and Miracles?
“walk”: it could be translated as “tread” or “trample,” but I like the idea of being relaxed and authoritative about it. Walk on Satan with power and authority in Jesus’s name. Don’t spend time stomping on him. Just walk on him and past him.
“snakes and scorpions”: here they can mean demons. Or the phrase could mean that creation is wild and dangerous, but it cannot harm you. Don’t pick up snakes and scorpions, literally! That is tempting God and forcing his hand (Luke 4:9-12). He won’t be forced when we do stupid stuff.
“enemy”: Here it means Satan.
“in no way”: the negation in Greek is intense (tripled up), so Satan and his hordes can’t harm you, certainly not spiritually, for those who know their authority and power over them and the believers’ identity in Christ.
“harm”: it means, depending on the context, “do wrong, be in the wrong, do wrong to someone, treat someone unjustly, injure, harm, damage, spoil, loss.” Satan and his hordes can do none of those things to those who are in Christ and know and use their authority and power in Christ and submit to God through Christ (Jas. 4:7). And if Satan takes a strong shot at you, then you still have victory, because God will redeem and restore the damage and loss. So he won’t harm you in the final analysis, at the end of the hard day.
Bock cites references to God’s protection over wilderness snakes and scorpions in Deut. 8:15; over the lion and cobra (Ps. 91:13; Num. 21:6-9; 1 Kings 12:11, 14; Isa. 11:8; Rom. 16:20). Recall that Gen. 3:15 says the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent. “The picture is crushing these creatures and the hostility they represent. The disciples are reasserting humanity’s vice-regent role in creation. When it comes to evil, the disciples can overcome anything that opposes them, for Christ’s authority overcomes the enemies’ power” (Bock, p. 1008).
“But Jesus is using these [trampling serpents and scorpions] as metaphors for God’s divine protection (Deut. 8:15) and for crushing evil; “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Rom 16:20). Jesus is not giving clearance to handle snakes (Mark 10:18) to prove one’s invulnerability. The point is that a ‘powerful and resourceful enemy,’ including the forces of nature, will not be able to stop the success of the Christian mission” (Garland, comment on 10:19).
He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. (Deut. 8:15, NIV)
20:
“Do not rejoice”: this is a limited negative, meaning that Jesus is not saying never–at any time–should a disciple rejoice when someone is delivered. He is simply saying that one thing is preferred or more important than the other thing. Rejoicing that your name is written in the book of life is more important than deliverance. That is, Jesus turns the perspectives of the seventy-two towards the main thing: who they are in Christ, their union with him. Everything else flows out of this union, all authority and power to tread or trample on demons and healing the sick.
When they have that perspective, then they can rejoice in the good results of their ministry.
21:
Neh. 8:10: “the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
“rejoiced”: the verb can mean “to exult and rejoice exceedingly” in some contexts and forms of the verb.
“Holy Spirit”: he is the third person of the Trinity, and the Spirit came upon Jesus when he was baptized (Luke 3:21-22). This is what “anointed” means. The Spirit comes on you powerfully. Here it is the wonderful image of the Spirit and Jesus celebrating the unexpected way of God.
“Father”: he is the first person of the Trinity, and so in this one verse we see the communion of the three persons, and it is a wonderful “family photo.”
What was unexpected about God’s way?
Here are some of my posts on a more formal doctrine of the Spirit (systematic theology and practical theology):
The Spirit’s Deity and Divine Attributes
The Spirit in the Life of Christ
The Spirit in the Church and Believers
“praise”: It means, depending on the context, in the active voice: “promise, consent”; middle voice: “confess, admit, acknowledge, praise.” Here it is in the middle voice, so it means either of the latter two terms. One translation suggests “I acknowledge.” Speak out your praise.
The next part of the prayer and praise is the Great Reversal, foretold in Luke 1:51-53, where Mary says that the powerful and people of high status are brought low, while the humble and those of low status are raised up. It also fulfills the reversal in 2:34, where Simeon prophesied that Jesus was appointed for the rising and falling of many. It is the Upside-Down Kingdom. If you start low in the world’s society, you will rise, when the kingdom of God reaches you. If you start high in the world’s society, you may fall, when the kingdom reaches you. Here the nonintellectual types or children perceive—just a glimpse—of what the Father’s kingdom is about, while the wise and intelligent about the things of the visible realm do not perceive the kingdom and the Father. That’s what is unexpected. It’s a reversal.
“wisdom”: Let’s define it broadly and biblically. BDAG is considered the authoritative Greek lexicon, and it translates the noun sophia (pronounced soh-fee-ah and used 51 times) as “the capacity to understand and function accordingly—wisdom.”
So biblical wisdom is very practical. It is not like the wisdom of the Greek philosophers, which was very abstract. But let’s not make too much of the differences. In the classical Greek lexicon, sophia can also mean: “skill in handcraft and art … knowledge of, acquaintance with a thing … sound judgment, intelligence, practical wisdom.” In a bad sense it can mean “cunning, shrewdness, craft” (Liddell and Scott).
“intelligent”: It means “intelligent, wise, with good sense” (Mark 11:25; Luke 10:21; Acts 13:7; 1 Cor. 1:19). We need a lot more people in the NT church who have those mental attributes.
Verses 21-22 remind me of the last chapter in Luke, when Cleopas and his friend met the resurrected Jesus: “Then he entered and stayed with them. 30 And then it happened. As he was reclining at table with them, he took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him” (Luke 24:29-31).
22:
This is a powerful statement by Jesus. It shows he knew who sent him. (Imagine you or I making that statement for the first time! No.). All things have been handed over to him. All things means everything, but it takes time for his power and authority to be revealed and take over everything. It is better than the D-Day landing. Victory was not assured when they landed, but we can be assured that Christ has defeated the devil. But it takes time for the victory to be fully manifest in our lives and on earth.
Outsiders don’t know who the Father is, but the seventy-two just caught a glimpse of who he is because the Son revealed the Father to them, while they were getting to know the Son by spending time with him.
“wills”: the verb means, depending on the context, “wish, be willing, want, desire.” You got to be hungry and actively seeking God, and then you can get to know the Father more intimately. Salvation takes no work from you, because Jesus did all work in your place, but knowing him more deeply does take time and effort.
Let’s look at the unique relationship the Son has with the Father in systematic theology. Jesus was the Son of the Father eternally, before creation. The Son has no beginning. He and the Father always were, together. The relationship is portrayed in this Father-Son way so we can understand who God is more clearly. Now he relates to us as his sons and daughters. On our repentance and salvation and union with Christ, we are brought into his eternal family.
6. Titles of Jesus: The Son of God
When Did Jesus “Become” the Son of God?
The Father reveals the Son, and the Son reveals the Father. The little children are the humble disciples who are predisposed to welcome these wonderful truths. God does not harden the individual heart which is hungry. He does not hide them from the seekers.
Paul writes in 1 Cor. 1:18-25:
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[c]
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Cor. 1:18-25, NIV)
Any wisdom we have comes from the Spirit–or should come from him.
23:
“disciples”: BDAG, a thick Greek lexicon, says of the noun that it means (1) “one who engages in learning through instruction from another, pupil, apprentice”; (2) “one who is rather constantly associated with someone who has a pedagogical reputation or a particular set of views, disciple, adherent.”
“blessed”: The more common adjective, which appears here in v. 23, is makarios (pronounced mah-kah-ree-oss) and is used 50 times. It has an extensive meaning: “happy” or “fortunate” or “privileged” (Mounce, pp. 67-71).
Do I Really Know God? He Is Blessed
24:
Their eyes are blessed—and eyes stand in for their minds and perception—because Jesus is in their midst. He is the Messiah. They see him face to face. Many verses speak of people or angels looking for or looking into the life of the Messiah (John 8:56; Acts 2:30-32; Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 1:10-12).
People of Jesus’s generation are blessed because they witness the fulfillment of the desires oof kings and prophets. The time of OT fulfillment is now here.
GrowApp for Luke 10:17-24
1. What do you think of your name being written in heaven?
2. How do you come to know the Father more intimately?
RELATED
11. Eyewitness Testimony in Luke’s Gospel
3. Church Fathers and Luke’s Gospel
2. Archaeology and the Synoptic Gospels
1. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Introduction to Series
SOURCES
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