The Sending of the Seventy-Two is a significant event in the New Testament, recorded exclusively in the Gospel of Luke. This event highlights Jesus' strategic approach to spreading His message and preparing the way for His own ministry. It underscores themes of mission, discipleship, and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God.

Biblical Account

The account of the Sending of the Seventy-Two is found in Luke 10:1-24. According to the Berean Standard Bible , the passage begins: "After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to visit" (Luke 10:1). This mission was a preparatory one, intended to announce the coming of Jesus and to prepare the hearts of the people for His teachings.

Purpose and Instructions

Jesus' instructions to the seventy-two were clear and purposeful. He emphasized the urgency and importance of their mission, saying, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest" (Luke 10:2). This metaphor of the harvest illustrates the readiness of people to receive the Gospel and the need for laborers to gather them into the Kingdom.

The seventy-two were sent out with specific instructions: "Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone along the road" (Luke 10:4). This directive underscored their reliance on God's provision and the urgency of their mission. They were to focus on their task without distraction, trusting in God's care and the hospitality of those they would encounter.

Reception and Authority

Upon entering a house, the seventy-two were to offer peace, and if a person of peace was present, their peace would rest on that house (Luke 10:5-6). They were to heal the sick and proclaim, "The kingdom of God has come near to you" (Luke 10:9). This message was central to their mission, emphasizing the nearness and availability of God's reign.

Jesus also granted them authority over demonic forces, a sign of the power of the Kingdom they proclaimed. He instructed them, "He who listens to you listens to Me; he who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me" (Luke 10:16). This statement highlights the representative role of the seventy-two as ambassadors of Christ and the seriousness of accepting or rejecting their message.

Return and Rejoicing

The seventy-two returned with joy, reporting, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name" (Luke 10:17). Jesus responded by affirming their authority and the defeat of Satan, saying, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven" (Luke 10:18). He reminded them, however, that their true joy should be in their salvation: "Rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20).

Theological Significance

The Sending of the Seventy-Two is a profound demonstration of the expansion of Jesus' ministry beyond His immediate circle of disciples. It illustrates the participatory nature of the Christian mission, where followers of Christ are called to actively engage in spreading the Gospel. The event also foreshadows the Great Commission, where Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).

This passage emphasizes the authority given to believers in Jesus' name and the power of the Gospel to transform lives. It also highlights the importance of prayer, reliance on God, and the joy of participating in God's redemptive work. Through the Sending of the Seventy-Two, Jesus models a mission strategy that combines proclamation, healing, and the demonstration of God's Kingdom on earth.