The seventy[-two] returned rejoicing, and said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” 18 Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. 19 Behold, I have given you the power ‘to tread upon serpents’ and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
21 At that very moment he rejoiced [in] the holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
23 Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”
The seventy (or seventy-two) disciples return from their mission with joy. They report that even demons obey when they act “because of your name” (v. 17). “Name” in Scripture means the real presence and authority of the person. The disciples do not rely on skill or prestige. They act under Jesus’ authority, and God confirms the mission. Jesus sends, equips, and His name carries authority.
Jesus answers, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky” (v. 18). This image signals the overthrow of the devil’s influence. “Satan” means the accuser or adversary. “Lightning” points to sudden, decisive defeat. Jesus is not giving a timeline of Satan’s original fall. He announces what their mission reveals: the kingdom of God is breaking in and the enemy’s domain is collapsing. The disciples’ victories are signs that the stronger one has arrived.
Using the terms “Serpents and scorpions” (v. 19) is a concrete way of naming hostile forces and dangers. In the Bible, serpents often represent evil and deception; scorpions evoke pain and threat. Jesus promises protection for the mission. “Nothing will harm you” is not a guarantee of earthly comfort. It means that the enemy’s final purpose cannot succeed against those who belong to Christ. God’s plan stands.
Yet Jesus corrects the disciples’ focus: “Do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (v. 20). To have one’s “name written” is a stable image for belonging to God and sharing in his life. The deeper joy is not power over evil. The deeper joy is communion with God. The first line of the title captures this priority: rejoice first in heaven.
Then Jesus himself rejoices “in the Holy Spirit” and praises the Father (v. 21). Luke shows the heart of the Son turned to the Father in the power of the Spirit. This is simple and profound. Jesus’ joy is not rooted in displays of power but in the Father’s gracious will. God has “hidden these things from the wise and the learned” and “revealed them to the childlike” (v. 21). “Childlike” means humble, teachable, and trusting. It does not mean childish or naïve. God’s revelation is a gift. Human cleverness cannot produce it. The Spirit opens the heart to receive it.
Jesus then declares, “All things have been handed over to me by my Father” (v. 22). This affirms the unique authority of the Son. The mutual knowledge of Father and Son is complete and unique. “No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son.” This knowledge is personal communion, not mere facts. From that communion comes revelation. When Jesus says the Son “wishes” to reveal the Father (v. 22), this is not arbitrary. The Son’s will is one with the Father’s saving purpose. He offers the Father’s knowledge to all through His words and deeds and through the mission He gives the disciples (vv. 17-19, 23-24; cf. Mt 11:27; Jn 3:16). What limits reception is not God’s reluctance but human pride. That is why Jesus praises the Father for revealing these things to the “childlike” (v. 21): the humble receive what God freely gives, and they receive it in Christ. True knowledge of God is a gift of the Trinity.
Finally, Jesus turns privately to the disciples and says, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see” (v. 23). Prophets and kings longed for this day (v. 24). In the Old Testament, many looked forward to God’s saving action. Now, in Jesus, those hopes are present and visible. The disciples see God’s kingdom arriving in word and deed. They hear the Son’s voice and watch the devil’s works fall. This blessedness calls for gratitude and fidelity. The arrival of Jesus fulfills ancient hope.
Lord Jesus, fix my joy in you. Keep my heart humble and teachable. Let my name be written in heaven and kept there by your mercy. Grant me the Spirit’s joy and a steady praise of the Father. Amen.
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Sources and References:
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011).
- The Navarre Bible: Luke (Faculty of the University of Navarre, 2008), on Lk 10:17-24.
- The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. Chiu et al. (Paulist Press, 2018), Luke.
- The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, ed. Brown et al. (Prentice Hall, 1990), Luke.
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