Luke 10 – Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Luke 10:1-7: Jesus sends out the 72   

A. Find Out:    

1. What did Jesus do and why? v.1
   • After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.
2. What did he say about the harvest? v.2
   • He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.
3. How did he describe them? v.3
   • Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
4. What two things did he tell them NOT to do? v.4
   • Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
5. What did he say about bringing a greeting to a house? v.5,6
   • ‘When you enter a house, first say, “Peace to this house.” 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.
6. What did he say about staying in homes? v.7
   • Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

B. Think:

1. What do these verses say about the need in the world?
2. What do verses 3 & 4 indicate about our approach?
3. What do you think was the purpose of their greeting?

C. Comment:

Jesus is preparing a wider band of disciples to go out and continue his ministry. In these verses we see the need for them to go, the way in which they go and the way they are to receive support.

First, the NEED. Jesus says the harvest is plentiful – there are plenty of people ready to receive the blessing of God – but the trouble is that there are few who are ready to go to bring that blessing. So, he says, pray and ask God to send out workers and, oh, by the way, go yourselves. A simple lesson here: pray but also be prepared to be the answer to your prayers.

Second, the WAY in which they are to go – weak, vulnerable and with little human resources. That is verse 3 & 4! They are to go out, not big, bold and strong but weak and vulnerable like lambs among wolves. That is a powerful picture and it tells us that we are not to go as the world goes, but go in the weakness of faith and trust that the strength and power and protection of God will be there for us!

Third, the way to receive SUPPORT. Approach people and bring God’s blessing (of peace) to them. If they are open they will receive your blessing and in turn will open their lives (and homes) to you. Use that person as a base from which to work, let them be the source of practical supply for you. They will be God’s provision for you.

D. Application:

1. Prayer Strategy:  When I pray seeing a need, am I prepared sometimes to be the answer to my prayers?
2. Provision: When we go it is to be with HIS strength, support and protection. Do I know those things from the Lord?

Passage: Luke 10:8-15: Instructions on how to go   

A. Find Out:

1. How were they to act when they were welcomed in a town? v.8
   • ‘When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.
2. What were they to do? v.9
   • Heal those there who are ill and tell them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”
3. How were they to act when they were not welcomed? v.10,11
   • But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 “Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God has come near.”
4. To what town does he compare that place? v.12
   • I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
5. What other towns does he chide? v13,15
   • Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! …And you, Capernaum
6. To whom does he compare them? v.13,14
   • For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

B. Think:

1. How is a town that receives Jesus’ disciples to be blessed?
2. What does Jesus say about a town that rejects them?
3. What towns had already done that?

C. Comment:

As Jesus continues to instruct his disciples, as he prepares them to be sent out to minister, he tells them how to respond when they are either welcomed or rejected.

First of all, when they were welcomed, they should receive the welcome and eat and fellowship with the people there. Where there is an openness to them, then they should bring the blessing of God on that place and heal the sick that are there, telling the people that this is the expression of God’s ruling presence with them.

Second, he speaks about the town that does not welcome them, he tells them to separate themselves from that place and warn that place about what they have just done.

Having done that he then tells his disciples that such a town WILL be accountable to God and such a place WILL be judged. He cites the judgement that fell on Sodom (Gen 19) and says it will be even worse for this present town. Why is that? He goes on to explain. He denounces Korazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum where he had already been and been largely rejected, even though he did miracles there. He compares them to two Gentile towns and implied they were more believing, and thus in the judgment they will fair better than these unbelieving Jewish towns! It is a strong denunciation.

D. Application:

1. Receiving Jesus? Would we be a welcoming town or a rejecting one? Do I receive what Jesus says and does?
2. Handling Rejection: When we are rejected, can I handle it gracefully but truthfully?

Passage: Luke 10:16-20: Their glorious return

A. Find Out:

1. What did Jesus say about their responders? v.16
   • ‘Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.’
2. How did the disciples return afterwards? v.17
   • The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’
3. What did Jesus say he saw? v.18
   • He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
4. What authority had Jesus given them? v.19
   •  I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
5. What were they not to rejoice in? v.20a
   • However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you
6. What were they to rejoice in? v.20b
   • but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’

B. Think:

1. In your own words, why were the disciples rejoicing?
2. What did Jesus say was a better cause of rejoicing?
3. Why do you think he said this?

C. Comment:

As Jesus concludes his instructions to the seventy two before they go out, he tells them that any rejection they may experience is in fact rejection of him and thus of God. That is how serious this is, but it also takes away the sting of personal rejection. If we are seeking to bring the love of God to people and they reject us, they are actually rejecting God Himself and that is their problem, not ours! They will be answerable for that, so don’t feel bad about their refusal.

Then we come to an interesting interchange. The disciples come back rejoicing over the authority and power that they had experienced while ministering in Jesus’ name. Jesus response could mean one of two things: a) that he saw Satan’s power pulled down as they ministered, or b) he saw Satan fall originally from pride and is gently warning them against similar pride. The latter possibility is reinforced by his following words.

He acknowledges that that had been given power but that wasn’t the main thing to be excited about. That had simply been an additional gift from God to do the task given to them. No, the big thing is that they are accepted in heaven. That is the big miracle, that God can accept us sinful human beings and give us Sonship and a place with Him in eternity. THAT is a cause for thanksgiving! That brings a right perspective and deals with any possible pride!

D. Application:

1. Cause for praise: My salvation is my greatest cause for praise and thankfulness. Am I aware of the wonder of it and does thatevoke praise in me?
2. Gifting: My gifts are from God, and are not MY abilities, but God’s. Do I thank him for what He enables me to do?

Passage: Luke 10:21-24: Rejoicing   

A. Find Out:

1. What was Jesus feeling and why? v.21a
   •  At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit
2. For what was he praising his Father? v.21b
   • said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
3. What did he say about their relationship? v.22
   • ‘All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’
4. What did he say about his disciples? v.23
   • Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
5. Who had wanted what? v.24
   • For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.’

B. Think:

1. What had happened to cause Jesus to rejoice?
2. How was he obviously viewing the disciples?
3. Why did he say they were especially blessed?

C. Comment:

The disciples come back from their ministry trip like a bunch of excited school children. Their reasons for excitement are slightly questionable but that doesn’t matter. As Jesus looks at them, the Holy Spirit within him wells up and he’s just full of the joy of heaven.

These disciples have gone out and simply done the will of his Father and many lives were changed as a result. Great! Yes, his Father had been there for them and His power had been expressed through them, as childlike as they were. But then that’s the way the Father does things: He reveals good things to the humble and childlike, and He hides it from those who think they are something! Jesus knows this because it’s the fruit of his relationship with his Father, an intimate relationship that means only the Father really knows who the Son is and vice-versa. The result of that is that people will only know the Father once they know the Son.

This is really amazing stuff, and Jesus can’t help expressing this to his disciples. “Guys, you’re really blessed, do you know that?” is really what he’s saying. “You’re seeing and doing stuff that prophets and kings in God’s kingdom longed to see and do. You’re a privileged generation, seeing and doing all this!”

That is the truth, but it is easy for us to become so familiar with these Scriptures that we lose the wonder of them, of what was actually happening.

D. Application:

1. Familiarity: Does familiarity dull the wonder of what God has done in us? Have I known Him so long that it has dulled the wonder of it? Ask the Lord to show you the wonder of it all again.
2. Familiarity: Has my knowing the Lord become an ordinary thing? Ask the Lord to revive the sense of wonder about Him in you.

Passage: Luke 10:25-29: The lawyer comes to test Jesus      

A. Find Out:

1. Who, on one occasion, came to do what? v.25a
   • On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.
2. What did he ask? v.25b
   • ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’
3. What question did Jesus ask in return? v.26
   • ‘What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ‘How do you read it?’
4. What answer did the man give? v.27
   • He answered, ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind”; and, “Love your neighbour as yourself.”’
5. So how did Jesus respond to him? v.28
   • ‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.’
6. So what final question did the man ask and why? v.29
   • But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’

B. Think:

1. How was the man first in attacking mode and then on the defensive?
2. How did Jesus bat the problem back to the man?
3. What did the man show about himself?

C. Comment:

In these verses we have an interesting interchange between Jesus and a man who is described as an “expert” in the law. This man is moving on familiar ground and so comes to “test” Jesus. We aren’t told if he was sent, or why he is testing Jesus. He may have had good motivation, (but he’s risking showing Jesus up in public, which is not a worthy thing to do!) but whatever the background he’s about to learn that you don’t bandy words with the all-wise Son of God!

He acknowledges that Jesus is a teacher. He’s come to see how good a teacher Jesus is, so he asks a good theological question: how can one have life acceptable to God that brings us eternity?  Jesus invites the man to give an answer from the Law, so he does: it’s to love God totally and your neighbour as yourself. Great, says Jesus, do that and you’ll have life. The man feels Jesus has ducked out of his test and the man himself has been tested. On the defensive he asks, so who is my neighbour?

This was more tricky, because different groups believed different things about this. Some believed it meant love your neighbour and hate your enemy. Others believed your neighbour meant only Jews. Particular groups thought it meant only them. The question gives opportunity for Jesus to tell the so-called Parable of the Good Samaritan which we’ll consider next.

D. Application:

1. Questioning God: If I ask questions of God, do I ask as a learner who wants to learn or am I simply expressing a bad heart?
2. Testing God: Do I realise it is always me at test, not God? When I seek to test God, do I realise that it is actually me who is under scrutiny?

Passage: Luke 10:30-37: Parable of the Good Samaritan

A. Find Out:

1. In the story what happened to the man? v.30
   •  In reply Jesus said: ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half-dead.
2. Who first came by and what did he do? v.31
   •  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
3. Who next came by and what did he do? v.32
   • So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
4. Who next came along and what did he feel? v.33
   • But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
5. What did he do for the man? v.34,35
   • He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said, “and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”
6. What did Jesus ask and instruct? v.36,37
   • ‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ 37 The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

B. Think:

1. What scenario of need does Jesus build up?
2. What was the extent of the Samaritan’s help?
3. What was the point Jesus was making?

C. Comment:

The true thrust of this story is missed if we don’t understand the strength of feeling of the Jews against the Samaritans. History had meant that the Samaritans were the ‘untouchables’ in the eyes of the Jews. So when Jesus tells this story of need, he is pushing someone to the front of the story as the hero, who the Jews, naturally, would have had very negative feelings about. Yet at the end of it, the expert of the Law had to concede that it was the man (note, he doesn’t say, “the Samaritan”) who had shown mercy to the robber’s victim.

The use of a priest and a Levite may not have been particularly negative against those two groups (although they were not known for their mercy and grace!), it may just be to highlight the depth of the plight of the wounded man. If they wouldn’t get involved, who would? It was a situation that was dangerous, for the robbers might attack them too if they stopped, and the man clearly needed a lot of attention – hence the (full) extent of what the Samaritan did for him.

But this puts the emphasis, the wrong way round. The emphasis should be on what the Samaritan felt. He could have felt totally negative about the Jew, but the man was in need and that overcame any historical prejudice. His neighbour therefore? Anyone, regardless, who was in need. That is the teaching.

D. Application:

1. Prejudice: Do I have groups of ‘untouchables’ in my mind? It’s not Jesus’ mind!
2. Crises pull down barriers: Need overcomes barriers. When a national crisis occurs, people pull together. Do I need a crisis to overcome my prejudices?
3. Need:  Am I alert to the needs of people around me, including those who aren’t part of my ‘social class’?

Passage: Luke 10:38-42: Mary and Martha      

A. Find Out:

1. To where did Jesus go next? v.38
   • As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
2. What was Mary doing? v.39
   • She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
3. What was Martha doing? v.40a
   • But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.
4. What did she complain to Jesus? v.40b
   • She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’
5. What did he say about Martha? v.41
   • ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things,
6. What did he say about Mary? v.42
   • but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’

B. Think:

1. What were Martha’s intentions, do you think, when Jesus came there?
2. What were Mary’s intentions?
3. How is this a picture of spiritual reality?

C. Comment:

Jesus draws near and Martha invites him to her home. When he accepts and comes in, her immediate desire is to be the good hostess. There is food to be prepared and clearing up to be done, and she gets on with it. Her sister Mary seems completely impervious to the need to look after Jesus and that annoys Martha to the point where she actually speaks to Jesus about it.

What is the difference between these two women? Martha is a giver and Mary is a taker – from Jesus. Martha is squandering a lifetime opportunity so that she can appear the good hostess. Mary doesn’t care about that, only that she has Jesus in the home and she has an opportunity to listen to what he has to say.

In the Song of Songs (5:2-7) Solomon gives us a picture of the lover (Jesus) coming to his beloved and she is more concerned with what she looks like and so misses him. Today’s reading is the New Testament equivalent of that Old Testament warning. When God draws near are we more concerned with how things look, or are we just hungry and thirsty to hear what he has to say? When God draws near, as He does on occasion, is our primary goal “to sit at his feet” and listen to all He wants to say to us? Have we got our priorities right? Activity or the voice of God when He speaks?

D. Application:

1. Looking Good: Work is good and right – in its place. Have I got it in its right place?  Do I realise there are times to put work aside and sit at Jesus’ feet?
2. Listening to God: When God draws near, do I listen? In the church service when the presence of the Lord draws near, am I anxious to move on, to get home and prepare the lunch, or do I savour the time with the Saviour?