Luke 10:17-20 17And the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19Look, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing can harm you. 20Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
One of the greatest ways to learn something is to actually go out and do it. Deep impressions are made in one’s memory and important skills are learned. The seventy-two disciples whom Jesus sent out on a mission of preparation and proclamation came back with such a learning experience. They came back with joy because of their positive experience. The implied sequence is that faithful obedience led to a successful mission that resulted in a joyful feeling. They had a sense of accomplishment at having done well and the positive results of their efforts. These feelings are natural to anyone after people positively respond to our message.
They were pleasantly surprised that even the demons had to obey them because they used Jesus’ name. They learned the important lesson that there is power in Jesus’ name, not in any magical way or by simply invoking it, but because they went out with his blessing and were guided by his directions. They were not on this mission for their own glory or satisfaction. Otherwise, they would have met failure, like the disciples earlier in 9:40. The power to heal and cast out demons did not come from themselves or anything about them but from Jesus.
Jesus makes this point clear in verse 19 with the key phrase I have given you authority. Authority (exousian) can also mean the power and ability to do something. The power and authority to do the mission, cast out demons, and be protected from things that can hurt, like snakes and scorpions, comes from Jesus and not anything within ourselves. The seventy-two needed to learn this important lesson lest they begin to think there was something special about themselves. Anytime a disciple begins to think there is something special about him or herself, pride will begin to grow, and faith in Jesus will weaken.
Verse 18 implies Jesus’ authority. This verse has two major interpretations. One idea possibility is that this verse refers to the story of Satan’s rebellion against God mentioned in Isaiah 14:12. Jesus, as the Son of God, was present at the event. A second option is that Jesus saw the activity of the disciples and how they were successfully beating Satan in the battle for people’s souls and minds. In support of this, the verb for I saw (etheōroun) is in the imperfect tense, which is often uses for narrative and repeated action in the past, meaning here “I was watching.” Either option makes Jesus’ sovereignty and control of the whole situation clear.
Jesus gives a gentle rebuke about their misplaced joy in verse 20. What really mattered most was having their names written in heaven. Reference to names being written in a book in heaven is made in Daniel 7:10; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 20:15. It is a reference to the assurance of eternal life. God knows and watches over us, and we can be assured of our salvation when we trust in Jesus. This large group of disciples should have rejoice in that knowledge, not in their ability to cast out demons. Thinking we are special because of successful ministry will bring the temptation of pride and self-exaltation. We should not boast in what we do for God but in God’s mighty power to save people from sin and evil (1 Corinthians 1:31).
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