Luke
Summary
Jesus expands His ministry beyond the twelve apostles by commissioning and sending out seventy other disciples: providing specific instructions regarding their urgent and transformative mission as ambassadors of the Kingdom. Their successful return, marked by their authority over demonic spirits, prompts Jesus to rejoice in the Spirit and express gratitude for the revelation of God’s purposes to the humble. In response to a lawyer’s question regarding eternal life, Jesus delivers the Parable of the Good Samaritan: which redefines "neighbour" as anyone in need (regardless of their social or religious background) and illustrates the supreme standard of impartial mercy. The chapter concludes with a poignant contrast between the sisters Mary and Martha in Bethany: as Jesus identifies Mary’s attentive listening as the "one thing" that is most vital for true discipleship.
After these things the LORD appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.
Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest."
"Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves."
Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
And into whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
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.
And into whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
And heal the sick that are therein, and say to them, The kingdom of God is come nigh to you.
But into whatever city you enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
Even the very dust of your city, who cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be you sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh to you.
But I say to you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
Woe to you, Chorazin! woe to you, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, who have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down to hell.
"He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me."
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us through your name.
And he said to them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, LORD of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight."
All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knows who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
And he turned him to his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see:
For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them.
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
He said to him, What is written in the law? how readest you?
So he answered and said, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbour as yourself.'"
And he said to him, you have answered right: this do, and you will live.
But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead."
And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion."
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.
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said to him, Take care of him; and whatever you spendest more, when I come again, I will repay you.
Which now of these three, thinkest you, was neighbour to him that fell among the thieves?
...Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
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.
And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things."
"But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."