17The seventy-two returned with joy, saying: "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name." [10:18] He said to them: "I was beholding Satan fall like lightning from heaven. [10:19] Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will harm you at all. [10:20] Yet do not rejoice in this — that the spirits are subject to you — but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
LUK 10:17-20
The Joyful Return
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, the belief in spiritual forces——was pervasive. These beings were understood as intermediaries between gods and humans, often associated with both benevolent and malevolent influences. The seventy-two disciples’ report that demons were subject to them through Jesus’ name would have been striking, as it signaled a transfer of divine authority typically reserved for gods or their emissaries. Jesus’ response, claiming to have seen Satan fall like lightning, evokes apocalyptic imagery familiar to Jewish audiences, where Satan’s downfall signifies the inbreaking of God’s kingdom. The authority to tread on serpents and scorpions echoes Psalm 91:13, symbolizing victory over evil powers. Yet, Jesus redirects their joy from their power over spirits to the assurance that their names are written in heaven—a metaphor for eternal inclusion in God’s covenant community, a concept deeply rooted in Jewish eschatology. This shift underscores the priority of divine favor over earthly power.
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How other translations render this
LUK 10:17
- KJV
- And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
- BSB
- The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.”
- Koinōnos
- The seventy-two returned with joy, saying: "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name.
LUK 10:18
- KJV
- And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
- BSB
- So He told them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
- Koinōnos
- He said to them: "I was beholding Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
LUK 10:19
- KJV
- Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
- BSB
- Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.
- Koinōnos
- Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will harm you at all.
LUK 10:20
- KJV
- Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
- BSB
- Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
- Koinōnos
- Yet do not rejoice in this — that the spirits are subject to you — but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 10:17
- demons:The word translated 'demons' here referred to lesser divine beings or spirits, often associated with misfortune or illness, rather than purely evil entities as the English word might suggest.
LUK 10:18
- I was beholding:The phrase 'I was beholding' implies a continuous, sustained observation or witnessing of an event as it unfolded, not just a fleeting glance.
LUK 10:19
- authority:The word translated 'authority' refers to the right or permission to act, often granted by a higher power, rather than inherent strength or ability.
- power:The word translated 'power' denotes inherent ability, strength, or capability to perform something, often miraculous, as opposed to delegated right or permission.