The big picture
Luke 10 opens in verse 1 with “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 21 with “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven…”, and closes in verse 42 with “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken…” Repeated or prominent terms include certain, house, Jesus, Lord, city. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Luke · King James Version · 42Luke 10:1-7
1–7: After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them…
Luke 10:1–7 opens with “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his…” and reaches “And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on The seventy sent, the Good Samaritan caring for the wounded traveler, and Mary listening while Martha serves, with particular weight carried by house, harvest, peace.
Context that brings the passage to life
“After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Luke 10:1-7
King James Version1After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
2Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
3Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
4Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
5And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
6And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
7And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
Luke 10:8-14
8–14: Into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as…
Luke 10:8–14 opens with “And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:” and reaches “But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on The seventy sent, the Good Samaritan caring for the wounded traveler, and Mary listening while Martha serves, with particular weight carried by city, enter, kingdom.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:” The line’s distinctive content terms include city, enter, receive. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.
“And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
Luke 10:8-14
King James Version8And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
9And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
10But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
11Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
12But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
13Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
Luke 10:15-21
15–21: Thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to…
Luke 10:15–21 opens with “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.” and reaches “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on The seventy sent, the Good Samaritan caring for the wounded traveler, and Mary listening while Martha serves, with particular weight carried by despiseth, heaven, Father.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.” Naming Capernaum keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that…” The line’s distinctive content terms include despiseth, heareth. Its relationship to verses 15 and 17 shows what work it does in this passage.
Luke 10:15-21
King James Version15And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
16He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
17And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19Behold, 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.
20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
21In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
Luke 10:22-28
22–28: All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the…
Luke 10:22–28 opens with “All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father…” and reaches “And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on The seventy sent, the Good Samaritan caring for the wounded traveler, and Mary listening while Martha serves, with particular weight carried by Father, hear, answering.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is…” Naming Father and Son keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Luke 10:22-28
King James Version22All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
23And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
24For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
25And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Luke 10:29-35
29–35: He, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my…
Luke 10:29–35 opens with “But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?” and reaches “And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on The seventy sent, the Good Samaritan caring for the wounded traveler, and Mary listening while Martha serves, with particular weight carried by certain, care, departed.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
“And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped…” Naming Jericho and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Luke 10:29-35
King James Version29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Luke 10:36-42
36–42: Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that…
Luke 10:36–42 opens with “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?” and reaches “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on The seventy sent, the Good Samaritan caring for the wounded traveler, and Mary listening while Martha serves, with particular weight carried by Martha, Jesus, certain.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Luke 10:36-42
King James Version36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Luke 10:1 begins with “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would…”
Where the chapter turns
Luke 10:25 forms a natural hinge: “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
The final note
Luke 10:42 leaves the reader with “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words certain, house, Jesus, Lord, city, Father help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Why list the nations before introducing Abram?
The blessing promised through Abram will concern the families of the earth, not an isolated group.
What organizes the table?
Families, lands, nations and languages recur, linking people with place and relationship.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.