The Second Wave of Sending Out

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting April 7 to study Luke 10:1-24.  In this passage Jesus sends out 70 (or 72...) to go and minister.  It sounds a lot like and lot different from the previous sending out of twelve in 9:1-10.  You may want to review that passage as we look at this one.  The parallels in Matthew and Mark are really for the sending of the twelve, but some of the comments and instructions are found in the sending of the seventy rather than the twelve.

Read through the passage several times.  Jot down notes and questions as you read.  Use different translations to get a better sense of the passage.  After you have your own notes and questions, refer to commentaries.  Revise your questions and notes as you see fit.

After you've gone through the passage yourself, go back through with the questions below:

• The question about 70 or 72 really is an early textual issue, 70 is more likely what Luke wrote.  Seventy would be like the Scriptures Luke's audience used (the Septuagint, Latin for 70 is what the Greek OT was called).  Seventy-two is more Jewish, like the leading council, the Sanhedrin which had 72 members.  Which makes more sense to you as to the number Jesus sent out?
• Where Jesus sent the 70 is much like where He sent the 12.  Why do you think He would do this again?
• In verse 2, we have a quote paralleled in Matthew, but given a different context.  So which context makes more sense to you, in the midst of Jesus' ministering, or in the context of 70 followers being sent out to minister?
• The pairs are sent out as "lambs among wolves".  How do you think Jesus meant this?
• They are, again, to travel light, but here they are told to "greet no one along the way."  Why do you think Jesus gave this instruction?  Look at Acts 8:26-40.  Do you think Philip followed this command or did it apply to him?
• The instructions on hospitality are like the earlier ones, but what about the response to rejection?  What do you think about the response to villages who reject them?
• The instruction to bring peace to a house is different as is the instructions on eating.  What do you think about the instruction to bring peace to a house?
• Why are the seventy "workmen worthy of wages"?  What do you think this means for ministry today?
• There are two instructions about eating whatever is provided. Why do you think Jesus is repeating Himself?
• They are to do in each village essentially what the twelve did before. Why do you think Luke connects all of those together?  Why don't we? Or do we?
• Instructions about responding to rejection are different or at least more detailed. Why do you think these instructions included a verbal element?
• Why do you think Jesus would pronounce such "woes" on these cities?  What had they witnessed that these Gentile and cursed places had not?
• The rest of this passage is all out of order with the other Gospels.  Why do you think that may be?  Why do you think the Gospel writers would arrange their accounts differently?
• Jesus says that listening or not to those sent out is the same as listening or not to Jesus Himself.  What application can be made of that today?
• Jesus also connects listening to accepting, and not listening to rejecting; not only of those sent out, but of Him.  What application can you make of this today?
• We have no account here of what happened to the seventy, only that they returned with joy.  That sounds positive, but it also sounds different from just previously where a demon wasn't subject to them.  So what do you think changed?
• Commentators disagree a lot about whether Jesus refers to Satan falling from heaven then or before when he rebelled.  If you've read stuff which do you think is a more likely reference?  What do you think of the possibility Jesus is referring to something Satan does not that he did?  Like he rushes back because he realizes he left the garage door open?
• Jesus then refers to the authority to tread on snakes (the colonies used that one for a flag if I'm not mistaken), scorpions, and "over all the power of the enemy".  What do you think of this claim by Jesus?  Is this a promise we can claim?
• How does Jesus' statement that they should be more happy their names are recorded in heaven?  How does that help you apply and make use of these things Jesus has said?
• Jesus praises God.  Can you think of and find another place it specifically says Jesus "rejoiced" and "praised" God?
• Jesus calls the seventy all excited and rejoicing "infants" as opposed to the "wise" and "intelligent".  How do you think this was not an insult?  How do you think they took it?
•  Jesus claims that all things had been handed over to Him by the Father.  Read Philippians 2:9-11.  Do you think this has happened already when Jesus speaks, or does it happen later after the resurrection? (yes, this is a trick question, sort of)
• Jesus then tells the disciples only that they are seeing what prophets and kings wanted to see but didn't.  What do you think that meant to the disciples right then?  What do you think it meant to them later?

That should keep us busy for our time together.  Remember to be looking for application as you read, what these things mean to you, what you may need to do different in response, how this affects your life and behavior.

Remember to bring your notes and questions Thursday!