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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 10:20

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 10:20

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 10:20

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 10:20

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 10:20

Rather rejoice ... - Though it was an honor to work miracles, though it is an honor to be endowed with talents, and influence, and learning, yet it is a subject of “chief” joy that we are numbered among the people of God, and have a title to everlasting life.Names are written in heaven - The names of citizens of a city or state were accustomed to be written in a book or register, from which they were blotted out when they became unworthy, or forfeited the favor of their country. Compare Psalms... read more

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