Luke 10:18-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 10:17-24

Christ sent forth the seventy disciples as he was going up to Jerusalem to the feast of tabernacles, when he went up, not openly, but as it were in secret (John 7:10), having sent abroad so great a part of his ordinary retinue; and Dr. Lightfoot thinks it was before his return from that feast, and while he was yet at Jerusalem, or Bethany, which was hard by (for there he was, Luke 10:38), that they, or at least some of them, returned to him. Now here we are told, 1. What account they gave him... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 10:17-20

10:17-20 The Seventy returned with joy. "Lord," they said, "at your name the demons are subject to us." He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Look you--I have given you authority to walk upon snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the Enemy. Nothing will hurt you. But do not rejoice in this--that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." When the Seventy returned they were radiant with the triumphs which they had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 10:18

And he said unto them ,.... In order to abate their surprise, and reduce their transport of mind: I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven ; meaning, that this was no news to him, nor any surprising event, that devils should be cast out of men, and be in a state of subjection; for as he existed as the eternal Son of God before his incarnation, he was present, and saw him and his angels fall from heaven, from their first estate, their habitation of bliss and glory, down to hell, upon... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 10:19

Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions ,.... Which may be literally understood, as in Mark 16:18 , or figuratively of the devil, and his principalities and powers, and all his emissaries, who, for their craft and cunning, and for their poisonous and hurtful nature and influence, may be compared to serpents and scorpions: and over all the power of the enemy ; of mankind in general, and of the seed of the woman, Christ and his people in particular, Christ has a power... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 10:20

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not ,.... That their power was enlarged, or that they had, the same as before: that the spirits , evil spirits, devils, are subject unto you; and come out of men at your command; rejoice not so much in this, or chiefly and principally; not but that it was matter of joy both with respect to the gift bestowed upon them, and the benefits men received by it, and the glory that was brought to Christ through it; but rather rejoice, because your names are... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 10:18

I beheld Satan - Or, Satan himself, τον Σαταναν , the very Satan, the supreme adversary, falling as lightning, with the utmost suddenness, as a flash of lightning falls from the clouds, and at the same time in the most observable manner. The fall was both very sudden and very apparent. Thus should the fall of the corrupt Jewish state be, and thus was the fall of idolatry in the Gentile world. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 10:19

To tread on serpents, etc. - It is possible that by serpents and scorpions our Lord means the scribes and Pharisees, whom he calls serpents and a brood of vipers, Matthew 23:33 , (see the note there), because, through the subtilty and venom of the old serpent, the devil, they opposed him and his doctrine; and, by trampling on these, it is likely that he means, they should get a complete victory over such: as it was an ancient custom to trample on the kings and generals who had been taken... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 10:20

Because your names are written in heaven - This form of speech is taken from the ancient custom of writing the names of all the citizens in a public register, that the several families might be known, and the inheritances properly preserved. This custom is still observed even in these kingdoms, though not particularly noticed. Every child that is born in the land is ordered to be registered, with the names of its parents, and the time when born, baptized, or registered; and this register is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 10:18

Verse 18 18.I beheld Satan From one instance Christ leads them to the whole class; for he commanded his Gospel to be published for the very purpose of overturning Satan’s kingdom. (52) So then, while the disciples rested solely on that demonstration which they had obtained from experience, Christ reminds them, that the power and efficacy of their doctrine extends farther, and that its tendency is to extirpate the tyranny which Satan exercises over the whole human race. We have now ascertained... read more

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

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