Luke 10

The Lord

Lord (Greek Kyrios) — master, owner; in the Greek Old Testament the word that stands for Jehovah

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 come. Luke 10:1

Luke calls Jesus 'the Lord,' the same word the Greek Old Testament used for Jehovah. Like Moses with the seventy elders, He calls and sends Seventy ahead of Him to prepare people for His coming.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Numbers 11:16-17 — the LORD tells Moses to gather seventy elders to bear the burden with him
• alluded to by D&C 107:25 — The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles

Lord of the Harvest

Lord of the Harvest — the owner who sends the reapers

Therefore 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. Luke 10:2

The harvest belongs to the Lord, who sends missionaries to gather souls. In this very verse Jesus is doing the sending, and in latter-day revelation Christ calls laborers into His field that is white already to harvest.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 9:37-38 — the same saying in Matthew
• alluded to by D&C 4:4 — the field is white already to harvest

Sent of the Father

He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. Luke 10:16

Jesus teaches that His authorized servants speak for Him, and He speaks for the Father who sent Him. Hearing His servants is hearing Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by D&C 1:38 — whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same
• the same title in John 5:23 — He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him

Power in His Name

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. Luke 10:17

The Seventy discover that devils obey when they act in Jesus' name. His name carries His authority to all He sends.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by Mark 16:17 — In my name shall they cast out devils
• the same title in Luke 9:49 — casting out devils in thy name

Witness of Satan's Fall

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Luke 10:18

Jesus testifies that He saw Satan cast out of heaven. Latter-day scripture teaches that in the premortal Council, Christ was chosen and Lucifer, who rebelled, was cast down.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 14:12 — How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning
• the same event in Revelation 12:9 — the great dragon was cast out... into the earth
• the same event in Moses 4:3 — by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down
• the same event in D&C 76:25-26 — Lucifer, a son of the morning, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son

Power to Tread on the Serpent

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. Luke 10:19–20

Jesus shares with His disciples His power over the enemy, pictured as treading on serpents. It echoes the first promise that the Seed of the woman would bruise the serpent's head.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Genesis 3:15 — it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel
• alludes to Psalm 91:13 — the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet

The Son Who Reveals the Father

In 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 10:21–22

Jesus rejoices and thanks His Father, then declares that the Father has given all things to Him and that only the Son can reveal the Father. He and the Father are two distinct beings who know each other perfectly.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 11:25-27 — Matthew's account of the same prayer and declaration
• the same title in John 14:9 — he that hath seen me hath seen the Father
• alludes to Matthew 28:18 — All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth

The Messiah the Prophets Longed to See

Messiah — the Anointed One

And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: Luke 10:23–24

Jesus tells His disciples they are blessed to see and hear Him, the Messiah whom ancient prophets and kings longed to see. What the prophets foretold is standing in front of them.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by 1 Peter 1:10-11 — the prophets inquired and searched... the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow
• the same title in John 8:56 — Abraham rejoiced to see my day
• a parallel account in Matthew 13:16-17 — the same blessing in Matthew

The Lord Thy God

Lord — here quoting Deuteronomy, where it renders the covenant name Jehovah

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Luke 10:25–28

The lawyer quotes the great commandment of Deuteronomy, where 'the LORD thy God' is Jehovah, the premortal Christ. He is quoting it to Jesus Himself, who then teaches how to live it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 — thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart
• quotes Leviticus 19:18 — thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD

The Good Samaritan

And 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. Luke 10:30–37

Jesus teaches us to be neighbors, and many Christians from early times (and Latter-day Saint teachers) have also seen Him in the Samaritan: the despised outsider who finds us wounded, heals us with oil and wine, pays our cost at the inn, and promises to come again. The priest and Levite (the law alone) pass by; the Savior stops.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 8:48 — Jesus' enemies call Him a Samaritan
• alludes to Isaiah 1:6 — wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment
• alludes to Isaiah 53:5 — with his stripes we are healed

At Jesus' Feet

Now 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. Luke 10:38–42

Mary sits at the Lord's feet to learn from Him, and Jesus says this is the one needful thing. Time spent with the Savior and His word is the good part that cannot be taken away.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 11:1-5 — Martha and Mary of Bethany, whom Jesus loved