Luke 10:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Additionally, he instructed them ‘not to offer holiness to dogs, nor cast pearls before swine,’ which signifies the importance of sharing their message only with those who are deserving, namely those who align with the faith and heed their teaching. To seek close fellowship with those who resisted the majesty of Christ and bore the weight of sin would be highly inappropriate. ‘For what partnership has a believer with an unbeliever?’ How could individuals who had not even taken the time to consider the truth of their message, yet turned their wise counsel into a source of mockery, possibly recognize it as worthy of honor? In Athens, for instance, some derided the apostle Paul.

The apostle also proclaims this peace, stating, "Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us: We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). To be reconciled to Him signifies achieving harmony with Him. The Lord Jesus Christ speaks of this harmony to His disciples, saying, "Whenever you enter a house, first say, 'Peace be to this house.' And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him; but if not, it will return to you" (Luke 10:5-6).

Another principle is the importance of not easily moving from one home to another; we should remain steadfast and honor the friendships that we have forged with a gracious host. Upon entering a dwelling, we arrive with a message of peace, signifying our presence with a blessing. We ought to be satisfied with the hospitality we receive and proclaim the good news of the kingdom of heaven without compromising our faith. And if there are those who choose not to welcome us as visitors of the town, let us brush off the dust from our feet! See the interpretation of Luke 9:4-5.

In the passage referenced, Matthew refers to this act as a kiss (Matthew 10:12). Such a gesture signifies affection, indicating that amiable and welcoming individuals have come.

Blessed are those who do not trust in their own efforts as if they could earn God’s favor, feeling unworthy to stand before Him at the judgment. They have mourned their inability to fully fulfill God’s will as He intends. Such individuals have truly discovered profound consolation. When the heavenly beings bear witness that they have triumphed over the forces of darkness, their legacy will join the ranks of the celestial hosts. Yet, in the midst of spiritual warfare, humanity often experiences fear and trepidation; one may achieve triumph today only to face defeat tomorrow. Consequently, the burden of striving in battle weighs heavily on the heart, and passion can be overwhelming. The one who is free from passion has received his reward and is untroubled.

The tranquility conveyed by the preacher either finds a home there if a person of peace resides, or it comes back to the preacher. This occurs because someone may be destined for eternal life and embrace the heavenly message they receive. Alternatively, if no one is receptive, the preacher will still see the fruits of his efforts. Peace returns to him, for the Lord bestows a reward for the labor he has undertaken.

To reach the people of Judea once more with the message of the coming Kingdom of God, the Lord appointed seventy additional disciples, reflecting the elders from the time of Moses, mirroring how the twelve apostles represent the twelve leaders of the tribes. He sent these disciples ahead of Him to the towns He planned to visit. Those selected to join this new fellowship were not to be discouraged or constrained in fulfilling their mission. When one disciple requested to first bury his father and another sought to say goodbye to his family, the Lord did not allow them to delay.

The guidance given to the seventy disciples closely resembles that which Christ imparted to the twelve apostles during His commission to them for preaching (Matt. 9:37, 10:1, etc.). This resemblance indicates that both addresses occurred in similar contexts; however, noteworthy distinctions exist between them. In the address to the twelve, Christ directs them not to engage with Gentiles or Samaritans, focusing solely on the Israelites (Mt. 10:5-8). In contrast, the message to the seventy does not impose such limitations. Instead, Christ sends them ahead to every city and place He intends to visit, including towns and villages in Samaria where He would soon travel.

In Matthew 10:10, Jesus spoke to the Seventy, saying that if a peaceful person is present, their peace will settle upon him. A son of peace refers to someone who is open to receiving and embraces the tranquility that comes from Christ’s teachings.

During this period, the Saviour appointed seventy additional disciples from among His followers to join the twelve, creating a second inner circle of the most devoted proclaimers of the gospel and stewards of God's kingdom. He dispatched them in pairs to prepare the way for His ministry, providing them with guidance similar to that given to the twelve disciples (Luke 10:1-20). Their instructions were briefer, reflecting the temporary nature of their mission, and they excluded the previous limitations on visiting Gentiles and Samaritans which were no longer applicable. However, their message carried a more somber tone, clearly influenced by the weight of ongoing rejection. For further insight, refer to the parallel accounts in Matthew 10 and Luke 9:1-6.