Christian Quest
Study 23
Luke on the Mission of the Seventy Disciples

Reading:
Luke chapters 10 and 11

Commentary

We begin now a series of chapters in the book of Luke in which this synoptic writer reports things about Jesus' ministry not given in the other accounts. For example, only in the book of Luke (chapter 10) do we learn that Jesus sent a mission of seventy disciples traveling in pairs to preach the kingdom message. It is in Luke that we have the parable of "Good Samaritan." Also, in chapter 11, we learn of Jesus encounter with Pharisees and Lawyers when he is invited for a lunch meal.

In this study, it is well to realize the distinction between the Torah (Law of Moses - five books) and the rest of the scriptures of the old testament such as the books of the prophets as well as the codes and traditions of the Jews as taught by the party of the Pharisees. The distinction is revealing about the difference between the Sadducees and the Pharisees, Essenes, and other Jewish sects in Jesus' time.

Sadducees
The Sadducees were from upper-class priestly families with political clout. They revered only the first five books of the old testament (the Torah). They would not accept many of the traditions that had developed in the Jewish tradition of the time. As such, they rejected belief in resurrection, angels and demons and did not believe predictions about end times. Their focus was on temple sacrifices and the presige of the priesthood.

Pharisees
Pharisees were a much larger group than the Sadducees and more popular with the ordinary people. It is estimated that there may have been about 6000 Pharisees in Jesus' time. Some were full-time students of the Scriptures while others had part-time secular jobs. While they were devoted to the Torah, they also held to other books of the Scriptures that were rejected by the Sadducees. They accepted the "oral law" ("tradition of the elders") which had developed about the Mosaic Law. They believed in angels and resurrection and the apocalyptic foretellings of a coming kingdom. The word Pharisee means 'separated one'. Their goal was to keep the rules of God and separate themselves from any uncleanness which might come from breaking the ritual and moral laws. They were against rebelling against Roman rule.

Samaritans
When the ten tribes of Israel seceded from Judean rule after King Solomon died, they were later captured by Assyria. They were taken away and Assyrians and Babylonians and others occupied the land of the northern tribes. When the Israelites returned and settled, they were known to mingle with the foreigners and there was some intermarriage. They had rejected the Temple and throne in Jerusalem and set up their own in the city of Samaria. Following the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple by the Babylonians and their exile, when the Jews returned to rebuild the temple, the Samaritans offered to help. But the Samaritans were despised by the pure-blood Jews who regarded them as a half-caste breed, a mix of Israelites and the nations sent in by the Assyrians to repopulate the land, who had not even kept the religion pure.
The Samaritans however believed that they were true followers of Moses and the Law, and when their offer to help was rejected they did everything they could to hinder the work. Rivalry and tension grew between Jews and Samaritans stemming from this time and was still prevalent in the first century. In New Testament times the Samaritans' territory lay between Judea (south) and the Upper Galilee (north) where Jesus and his disciples taught. In making their pilgrimages south for the feasts in Jerusalem, Jews from the Upper Galilee would make a lengthy detour around rather than travel through Samaritan territory. The animosity was bitter and extreme.

Synopsis

Luke chapter 10
Luke 10:1-24 - the mission of the seventy disciples.
Jesus appointed seventy additional disciples and sent them by twos into all the cities around. Here is where Jesus said, "the harvest is great but the workers are few." He gave instruction on how disciples should conduct themselves as missionary guests in the homes of people. They were invariably told to convey the nearness of the Kingdom. When the seventy returned from their mission and were exuberant for they had been able to even cast out demons in Jesus' name (v.17). Yet, Jesus told them to not to value their power over demons as highly as their record in heaven, and he gave the praise to his Father. To them he said that the prophets and kings had desired to see and know the things revealed to them.

Luke 10:25-28 - How to inherit eternal life
Jesus here confirms the value of the ten primary commandments given to Moses and "carved in stone."

Luke 10:29-37 - Parable of the "Good Samaritan"

Luke 10:38-42 - Mary and Martha hosting Jesus

Luke chapter 11
Luke 11:1-4 - A recap of the "Lord's Prayer"

Luke 11:5-10 - Parable of the "Persistent Friend"

Luke 11:11-13 - Parable of the "Good Father" (Also was recorded at Matt. 7:7-11)

Luke 11:14 - Jesus heals a demonic.

Luke 11:15-28 - Jesus' power not from Satan. (Also recorded at Matt. 12:25-45 and Mark 3:22-27)

Luke 11:29-32 - Only the sign of Jonah

Luke 11:33-36 - Parable of the "Lighted Lamp"

Luke 11:37-44 - Woes on the Pharisees

Luke 11:45-54 - Woes on the Lawyers

Optional research:

• Why might Jesus have compared "this generation" with Tyre and Sidon?

Review questions:

• What was the mission of the seventy?
• Why were the seventy jubilant when they returned from their mission?
• What did Jesus say they should rejoice about?
• How did Jesus say one can inherit eternal life?
• What made a Samaritan a good comparison with the priest and Pharisee in Jesus' parable, and what was the point he was making?
• What was the point in the parable of the "Persistent Friend"?
• Explain the nonsense of claiming that Jesus' power of healing was from Satan as claimed by many of the people who witnessed his miracles.
• What was the "sign of Jonah"?
• What was the occasion of Jesus pronouncing woes on Pharisees and Lawyers, and what effect did this have?
• Did you learn something special in this study for your life and personal ministry?

Optional discussion:

How should we apply the lessons learned from this study to our own life?