In brief
The seventy disciples are a group whom Jesus appointed, in addition to the twelve apostles, and sent two by two ahead of him into every city where he was about to come (Luke 10:1). Only the Gospel of Luke tells of their mission. They were to heal the sick and announce that God's Kingdom had come near. They returned with joy, but Jesus called them to rejoice above all that their names were written in heaven. The Bible gives none of their names.
What does the name The Seventy Disciples mean?
The group takes its name from its number: Luke 10:1 speaks of seventy others, and Luke 10:17 reports their return. Some ancient manuscripts have seventy-two. This number recalls the seventy elders of Israel on whom God put some of the spirit that was on Moses (Numbers 11:16-25), but Luke does not make this connection himself.
The story of The Seventy Disciples
After the sending of the twelve
Luke 9:1-6Jesus had already sent the twelve to preach God's Kingdom and heal the sick, giving them power and authority over all demons. They went from village to village, proclaiming the good news. Later, when Jesus sets his face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51), he widens this mission to a larger group.
Seventy sent two by two
Luke 10:1-2The Lord appoints seventy others and sends them two by two ahead of him into every city and place where he was about to come. He tells them: “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest.” Even before leaving, they are called to pray.
Instructions for dependence
Luke 10:3-9Jesus sends them out as lambs among wolves. They are to carry no purse, no wallet, no sandals. In every house they announce peace; in every city that receives them, they heal the sick and say that God's Kingdom has come near. They live on the hospitality they receive, for the laborer is worthy of his wages.
Facing rejection
Luke 10:10-16If a city does not receive them, they are to wipe off against it the dust that clings to their feet, while declaring that God's Kingdom has come near. Jesus pronounces woes on Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. He declares: “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me.” His messengers speak in his name.
A return full of joy
Luke 10:17-19The seventy return with joy, saying: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” Jesus answers that he saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven, and that he has given them authority over all the power of the enemy. Their authority comes from him and is exercised in his name.
The true source of joy
Luke 10:20-24Jesus refocuses their joy: “Don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Then he rejoices in the Holy Spirit and thanks the Father for revealing these things to little children. He calls the disciples' eyes blessed, for they see what many prophets and kings longed to see.
Test your knowledge
What The Seventy Disciples teaches us
- The mission of Jesus is not reserved for a few: he also sends disciples whose names we do not know.
- Prayer for laborers comes before being sent into the harvest.
- Going two by two reminds us that service is lived in fellowship, not in isolation.
- Authority over evil is real, but it comes from Jesus and is exercised in his name.
- The disciple's greatest joy is not the success of ministry, but having his name written in heaven.
Key verses
Before sending the seventy, Jesus observes that the harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few. He asks them to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers.
Jesus confirms the authority he gave his messengers over all the power of the enemy. This authority is not theirs: it is received from him.
The verse that refocuses the disciples' joy: not to rejoice first that the spirits are subject to them, but that their names are written in heaven.
Bible verses to meditate on
Sermons about The Seventy Disciples
Frequently asked questions
Who were the seventy disciples?
They are disciples of Jesus, distinct from the twelve apostles, whom he sent two by two ahead of him to prepare his coming in the cities and places where he was about to go (Luke 10:1). The Bible gives none of their names. It reports their mission, their joyful return and the teaching Jesus gave them on that occasion.
Seventy or seventy-two disciples?
Many translations, such as the World English Bible, follow the manuscripts that read seventy, but other ancient manuscripts read seventy-two, and some translations keep that number. This difference does not change the meaning of the account: Jesus sends a group larger than the twelve to announce that God's Kingdom has come near.
Where is the story of the seventy disciples found in the Bible?
Their mission is reported only in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, verses 1 to 24. To compare, also read Luke 9:1-6, where Jesus first sends the twelve with similar instructions. The same chapter 10 then contains the parable of the good Samaritan and the visit to Martha and Mary.