Luke 10:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He instructs the restoration of the ill within the cities so that the apostles can attract individuals to share the Gospel through their miraculous works. Notice what He states: ‘and say unto them, The kingdom of God is at hand unto you.’ When healing occurs first, followed by teaching, the proclamation will be effective, leading people to believe that the kingdom of God has approached them. Their healing would not have occurred without the intervention of divine power. Indeed, the kingdom of God comes near to those who are spiritually restored, as it is distant from those still under the dominion of sin.

A commendable quality is to remain steadfast and not easily change one’s residence; we ought to uphold the bonds of friendship with a gracious host. Upon entering a dwelling, we arrive as bearers of peace, bestowing a blessing upon our arrival. We should express gratitude for the nourishment and drink provided while boldly proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of heaven, keeping our faith unwavering. If anyone refuses to welcome us as guests in their town, we should shake the dust from our feet. See the interpretation of Luke 9:4-5.

The Lord refers to Himself as the kingdom of God, embodying both God and sovereign. He proclaims that it is near and has indeed come; therefore, strive to be deserving and ready to accept it.

To once again reach the people of Judaea with the message of the imminent kingdom of God, the Lord appointed 70 additional disciples. This number parallels the elders appointed by Moses, mirroring how the 12 apostles reflect the 12 leaders of the tribes. He sent these disciples ahead of Him to the towns He planned to visit. Those selected for this new community were to carry out the mission without hindrance or restraint. When one disciple requested to first bury his father and another wished to say goodbye to his family, the Lord did not grant their requests. As they prepared to leave, He reiterated many of the same directives given to the 12, but He elaborated with more clarity on the dangers they would face, particularly the trials awaiting the apostles in the future. He provided counsel and encouragement appropriate for their mission. Advising against misguided zeal, as illustrated in Luke 9:52-56, He warned of impending judgment that would befall the disobedient cities, soon to be revealed (Luke 10:13-15).

The guidance given to the seventy disciples closely mirrors the instructions that Christ provided to the twelve as He sent them forth to proclaim the Gospel (Matt. 9:37, 10:1, etc.). This parallelism in His addresses at different moments results from the context in which they were delivered. Nonetheless, there are significant distinctions between the two messages. In Christ's directive to the twelve, He instructs them to avoid the Gentiles and Samaritans, emphasizing that their mission should focus solely on the Israelites (Mt. 10:5-8). Conversely, in His message to the seventy, such limitations are absent. Instead, He commissions them to go ahead of Him into every town and place He intended to visit, which included the villages of Samaria where He was currently journeying.

In Matthew 10:10, Jesus addressed the seventy disciples, stating, "And if there be there a son of peace, your peace shall rest upon him." A son of peace is understood as an individual who is open to receiving and embraces the tranquility that comes from the teachings of Christ.

During this period, the Saviour selected an additional seventy disciples from His followers, who would alongside the twelve form a closer assembly of proclaimers of the gospel and heralds of the kingdom of God. He sent them out in pairs to prepare His path, providing them with guidance akin to what He had imparted to the twelve disciples (Luke 10:1-20). The instructions were more concise, reflecting their assignment's temporary nature, and lacked the earlier prohibitions regarding visiting Gentiles and Samaritans, which were no longer applicable. Yet, there was a notable solemnity in their message, reflecting the sorrow arising from the persistent rejections they would encounter. For further insights, refer to the parallel passages in Matthew 10 and Luke 9:1-6.

In that dwelling, refer to the commentary on Matthew 10:11. When considering the act of eating, it is conceivable that the Lord also sent seventy into Samaria to help His disciples overcome the aversion held by Jews towards Samaritans, particularly concerning shared meals and drinks (John 4:9). Such prejudices are unbefitting of genuine followers and heralds of the kingdom of peace and love.