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Matthew Henry

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 10:19

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

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

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

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 10:19

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 10:19

To tread on serpents - Preservation from danger. If you tread on a poisonous reptile that would otherwise injure you, I will keep you from danger. If you go among bitter and malignant enemies that would seek your life, I will preserve you. See the notes at Mark 16:18.Scorpions - The scorpion is an animal with eight feet, eight eyes and a long jointed tail, ending in a pointed weapon or sting. It is found in tropical climates, and seldom exceeds 4 inches in length. Its sting is extremely... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 10:17-20

Luke 10:17-20. And the seventy returned The seventy disciples, having gone through the several parts of the country appointed them, returned and told their Master with great joy what they had done, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name We have not only cured diseases, according to the power thou wast pleased to give us, but, though thy commission did not directly express so much, yet even the devils themselves have been compelled to obey us, when in thy name ... read more

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