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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 10:19

Verse 19 19.Lo, I give you power. This is said by way of admission. Christ does not affirm that the gift of which they now boast is not illustrious, but reminds them, that they ought to keep their eye chiefly on something loftier still, and not remain satisfied with outward miracles. He does not altogether condemn their joy, as if it were groundless, but shows it to be faulty in this respect, that they were immoderately delighted with a temporal favor, and did not elevate their minds higher. To... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 10:20

Verse 20 20.Your names are written. As it was the design of Christ to withdraw his disciples from a transitory joy, that they might glory in eternal life, he leads them to its origin and source, which is, that they were chosen by God and adopted as his children. He might indeed have commanded them to rejoice that they had been regenerated by the Spirit of God, (Titus 3:5,) and become new creatures in Christ, (2 Corinthians 5:17;) that they had been enlightened (Ephesians 1:18) in the hope of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 10:1-24

The mission of the seventy. The Lord ' s words to them of instruction and direction and warning. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 10:1-24

The mission of the seventy. Jesus, as we have seen, is now going up on his last journey to Jerusalem , and he is anxious that the places he is to visit for the last time, and some possibly for the first as well as last, should be ready to receive him. On this account he organizes the mission of the seventy in addition to that of the twelve already noticed. They are to be forerunners, going to announce his advent in the different cities and villages. Let us study the mission as here... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 10:16

The largeness of our life. Jesus Christ is sending his disciples, two and two, to prepare his way; it is certain that by some towns and villages they will be well received, and equally certain that by others they will be repelled. He tells them that those who received them would be doing more and better than barely receiving them ,— they would be entertaining him ; but those who rejected them would do more and worse than repulsing them,—they would be despising him , nay, even... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 10:17

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy Name . How wavering and hesitating the faith of the chosen followers of Jesus was, even at this late period of his public ministry, is clear from this frank confession of surprise at their powers. They were contrasting the present with what had lately happened at the foot of the Mount of Transfiguration, where the disciples were utterly unable to heal the possessed boy. What a contrast do... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 10:18

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. The Lord's words here were prophetic rather than descriptive of what had taken, or was then taking place. The seventy were telling him their feelings of joy at finding that his Name in their months enabled them to cast out evil spirits from the possessed. Their Master replied in an exalted and exultant strain—strange and rare sounds on the lips of the Man of sorrows—telling them how he had been looking—not on a few ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 10:19

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy . The older authorities read here, "I have given." The only recorded instance of a literal fulfilment of this promise was in the case of Paul at Melita, after the shipwreck ( Acts 24:3-5 ). A similar promise was made during the "forty days". It seems however, best, in the case of this peculiar promise, to interpret the Lord's words as referring to spiritual powers of evil, taking the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 10:20

But rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven . "After all," went on the wise and loving Master, "though you have made the glad discovery of the power you possess, if, as my servants, you use aright my Name, after all, your real reason for joy is, not the possession of a new, mighty power, but the fact of your name having been written in the book of life as one of my servants commissioned to do my work." Many commentators here cautiously point out that even this legitimate joy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 10:20

Better things. When Jesus said, "Rejoice not,… but rather rejoice," he did not mean to condemn the satisfaction which the seventy were expressing in their triumph ever the evil spirits. There was nothing wrong in such gratification. To exercise power, especially a newly acquired power, and more especially a power that is possessed by few,—this is simply natural; and to rejoice in the exercise of beneficent power is not only not wrong, but is distinctly and positively right and worthy. But... read more

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