Luke Chapter 10
Opening Prayer
Father, we come before You with open hearts as we turn to Luke Chapter 10. Thank You for the privilege of gathering around Your Word and for the grace that draws us near.
As Jesus sent out the seventy-two, send us, too, with the good news of Your kingdom. Teach us to go in faith, trusting that the harvest is ready and that You go before us. Open our eyes to the people You place in our path—those who need the compassion of the Good Samaritan. Soften our hearts so we do not pass by, but stop, serve, and love our neighbor as ourselves.
Lord, we confess how easily we become distracted and busy, like Martha, anxious about many things. Help us choose the better portion today—to sit at Jesus’ feet, listen to His voice, and treasure His words above all else. Quiet our minds, settle our spirits, and let nothing steal our attention from You.
Holy Spirit, illuminate this chapter. Speak to each of us personally. Show us where we are called to go, whom we are called to love, and how we are called to rest in Your presence. May Your Word take deep root in us and bear fruit that glorifies You.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Looking Back
In Luke 9, Jesus sends out the Twelve with power and authority, feeds the five thousand, and is confessed by Peter as “the Christ of God.” He then foretells His suffering and death, is transfigured on the mountain, heals a demon-possessed boy, and repeatedly calls His disciples to take up their cross, deny themselves, and follow Him without looking back. As the chapter closes, Jesus resolutely sets His face toward Jerusalem, marking a decisive turn in His journey to the cross.
Luke 10 continues that journey by sending out seventy-two more messengers and teaching what it means to love God and neighbor while sitting at His feet.
Scripture NKJV
Luke 10
The Seventy Sent Out
1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’ 12 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.
Woe to the Impenitent Cities
13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. 16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”
The Seventy Return with Joy
17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Jesus Rejoices in the Spirit
21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
23 Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; 24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.”
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” 29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Mary and Martha Worship and Serve
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Breaking it all Down
Luke Chapter 10 Breakdown and Explanation
Luke 10 continues Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem (begun in Luke 9:51) and focuses on the nature of true discipleship, mission, mercy, and devotion.
1. Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two (Luke 10:1–24)
Jesus appoints and sends out seventy-two (or seventy, depending on the manuscript) disciples ahead of Him in pairs into the towns He was about to visit. He tells them the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, and He instructs them to travel light, accept hospitality where offered, heal the sick, and proclaim, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.”
When towns reject them, they are to shake the dust off their feet as a testimony. Jesus then pronounces woes on Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their unrepentance, saying that if the miracles done in them had been done in Tyre, Sidon, or Sodom, those cities would have repented. He declares that whoever listens to the messengers listens to Him, and whoever rejects them rejects the One who sent Him.
When the seventy-two return with joy, reporting that even demons submitted to them in Jesus’ name, He rejoices but redirects their focus: “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” He then prays a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father, declaring that the secrets of the kingdom are revealed to “little children” (the humble) rather than the wise and learned. He privately tells the disciples that many prophets and kings longed to see what they are seeing.
Key teaching: Disciples are sent as laborers into a ripe harvest. Success is not measured by spectacular results but by belonging to the Father. Authority over the enemy is real, yet the greater joy is eternal security in Christ. The kingdom is revealed to the humble.
2. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37)
A lawyer tests Jesus by asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus points him to the Law: love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. The lawyer, seeking to justify himself, asks, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus responds with the parable of a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho who is attacked, stripped, beaten, and left half dead. A priest and a Levite both see him and pass by on the other side. A Samaritan (despised by Jews) stops, has compassion, treats his wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays for his care. Jesus asks which of the three was a neighbor to the man, and the lawyer answers, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus concludes, “Go and do likewise.”
Key teaching: Love of neighbor is not limited by ethnicity, religion, or convenience. True neighbor-love is active, costly mercy that crosses barriers. Jesus redefines “neighbor” as anyone in need, and He calls His followers to show the same compassion.
3. At the Home of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38–42)
Jesus enters a village and is welcomed by Martha. Her sister Mary sits at the Lord’s feet listening to His teaching. Martha, distracted by all the preparations, becomes frustrated and asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus gently answers, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Key teaching: Service is good, but it is not the highest priority. Sitting at Jesus’ feet and hearing His word is the “better” and necessary portion. Busyness and anxiety can distract even devoted followers from the one thing that truly matters—abiding in His presence.
Overall Themes in Luke 10
Mission and the Kingdom: Disciples are sent to announce and demonstrate that the kingdom of God has come near.
Joy in Belonging: True joy is not in power or results, but in having one’s name written in heaven.
Mercy Without Limits: Love for neighbor requires practical compassion that crosses social and ethnic boundaries.
The Priority of Presence: Listening to Jesus is more essential than activity for Him.
Humility and Revelation: The Father reveals the kingdom to the humble, not the self-sufficient.
Luke 10 calls believers to go, to show mercy, and above all to sit at the feet of Jesus.
Main Topic of Luke 10
The main topic is true discipleship: being sent by Jesus to proclaim the kingdom, showing active mercy to others, and choosing to sit at His feet and listen to His word above busyness.
Audience
Primarily Jesus’ disciples (the seventy-two and the Twelve).
A lawyer who tests Jesus.
Martha and Mary in their home.
By extension, the crowds following Jesus and all readers of Luke’s Gospel.
Lesson Being Taught
Jesus teaches that disciples are laborers sent into a ripe harvest with a message of the kingdom, yet their deepest joy is not power or results but having their names written in heaven. Love for neighbor means costly, barrier-crossing mercy (the Good Samaritan), and the highest priority is not activity for Jesus but abiding in His presence and hearing His word (Mary’s choice). The kingdom is revealed to the humble, and following Jesus requires both going and sitting at His feet.
What God Wants You to Know from Luke 10
God wants you to know that you are sent, that your name is written in heaven, that love is shown through costly mercy, and that the one thing that cannot be taken from you is sitting at Jesus’ feet.
He is not asking you to prove yourself through nonstop activity or perfect results. He is inviting you to trust that the harvest is His, the authority is His, and the deepest joy is simply belonging to Him. He wants you to see the people around you—especially those who are hurting or overlooked—as neighbors worthy of compassion. And He wants you to know that when life feels full of “many things,” He still offers you the better portion: His presence and His word.
What It Means for Your Life Today
Today this means you can release the pressure to fix everything or keep everything running. You are already His. Your security is not in how much you accomplish or how well others respond; it is in the fact that your name is written in heaven.
It also means looking for one opportunity to show mercy. It may be small—a listening ear, a practical act of help, a refusal to pass by someone in need. The Good Samaritan stopped. You can stop too, even if it costs you time or convenience.
Most of all, it means protecting space to sit at Jesus’ feet. Martha’s busyness is easy to recognize in our own lives. Mary’s choice is still available. Before the day fills with serving, ministry, family, or responsibilities, choose the one thing that will not be taken away: time to listen to Him.
Luke 10 is an invitation to go with His authority, love with His compassion, and rest in His presence—today.
Being a good Samaritan Today
What It Looks Like to Be a Good Samaritan Today According to the Bible
According to Luke 10:25–37, being a Good Samaritan is not about grand gestures or public recognition. It is active, costly mercy shown to someone in need—especially when it is inconvenient or crosses social boundaries.
The Pattern from the Parable
Jesus describes the Samaritan as someone who:
Saw the person in need and did not look away
Had compassion (moved with pity in his heart)
Stopped instead of passing by on the other side
Acted practically: bandaged wounds, poured on oil and wine, lifted the man onto his own animal
Sacrificed: gave his time, money, safety, and convenience
Followed through: took him to an inn, paid for his care, and promised to return and cover any additional cost
Jesus then says, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).
What This Looks Like Today
Being a Good Samaritan today means responding to real need with practical love, even when it costs you. Biblically, this includes:
Noticing and stopping: Seeing a neighbor, coworker, family member, or stranger who is hurting, isolated, or in crisis and choosing not to keep walking.
Showing mercy across barriers: Helping someone you might normally avoid—different background, political view, lifestyle, or status—because love of neighbor is not limited by affinity (Luke 10:33; cf. Luke 6:27–36).
Meeting practical needs: Providing food, transportation, medical help, financial assistance, childcare, a place to stay, or simply showing up in person (James 2:15–16; 1 John 3:17–18).
Bearing the cost: Giving time, money, energy, or reputation without expecting repayment or recognition.
Following through: Not just a one-time act, but ensuring the person receives ongoing care when possible.
It is not about solving every problem or becoming everyone’s rescuer. It is about the specific person God places in your path and the mercy you are able to give in that moment.
Biblical Boundaries and Motivation
The command is rooted in loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27). It flows from the mercy you have already received from God, not from a desire to earn approval. Scripture also calls for wisdom—discernment about safety, stewardship, and not enabling sin—while never using wisdom as an excuse to withhold compassion when it is truly needed (Galatians 6:10; Proverbs 3:27).
In short, a Good Samaritan today is someone who sees a need, feels compassion, stops, and acts with practical, sacrificial love—then continues on the journey Jesus has given them. That is what “Go and do likewise” looks like.
Affirmations
Luke 10:2 “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. I ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field.” Today I am not overwhelmed by the needs around me. I ask the Lord of the harvest to send me and others, and I trust Him with the results.
Luke 10:9 “I heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” Today I carry the presence of the kingdom. I speak and act as one who brings the nearness of God to the people I meet.
Luke 10:20 “I do not rejoice that the spirits submit to me, but I rejoice that my name is written in heaven.” Today my joy is not in what I accomplish or overcome. My joy is secure because my name is written in heaven.
Luke 10:27 “I love the Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength and with all my mind; and I love my neighbor as myself.” Today I give God my whole self, and from that love I choose to treat the people around me with the same care I want for myself.
Luke 10:33 “When I see someone in need, I take pity on them.” Today I will not look away. When I see a need, I let compassion move me to stop and help.
Luke 10:37 “I go and do likewise.” Today I do not just hear about mercy—I practice it. I go and show the same practical, costly love Jesus described.
Luke 10:42 “I have chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from me.” Today I choose to sit at Jesus’ feet. In the middle of many responsibilities, I protect time to listen to Him, and that choice cannot be taken from me.
Closing Summary
Luke 10 – Summary of Today’s Reading
Thank you to everyone who joined us today for the reading of Luke Chapter 10. It is a gift to open God’s Word together, and I’m grateful you took the time to be here.
In Luke 10, Jesus continues His journey toward Jerusalem and teaches us what true discipleship looks like. He sends out seventy-two disciples to proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near, reminding them that the harvest is plentiful and that their deepest joy is not in the authority they exercise, but in knowing their names are written in heaven. Through the parable of the Good Samaritan, He shows us that loving our neighbor means stopping for the one who is hurting, crossing barriers, and showing costly, practical mercy. Then, in the home of Martha and Mary, He gently corrects the busyness that can distract even devoted hearts and affirms that Mary has chosen the better portion—sitting at His feet and listening to His word.
Being a Good Samaritan today means we do not pass by the needs God places in front of us. We see, we have compassion, and we act. At the same time, Jesus makes it clear that it is more important to listen to what He is saying than to stay so busy that we miss His message. Service matters, but sitting at His feet comes first. When we listen, we are better equipped to love well and to go in the strength He provides.
I love you all and am thankful we can walk through Scripture together. If you have comments, thoughts, or suggestions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below. I’d love to hear from you.
Blessings,
Special thanks are given to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, for the gift of writing and the privilege of sharing this Bible Study. His guidance and blessings have made this work possible, and it is with a grateful heart that can share my study with you. I hope you find it informational and helpful in your spiritual journey. I am asking that you open your hearts and minds to accept the word of Christ into your hearts and accept His word to transform your life in positive ways. This is the first part of my online Christian Bookstore Fellowship and I do accept donations that will further my mission to have a Bookstore in our community, a place where we can sit down face to face and enjoy this Bible Study over open and honest conversation. I will continue this online Study as well to complete the entire year. Thank you for following The Mustard Seed Christian Bookstore Fellowship & Café online Bible Study.
This Bible study is written with inspiration and wisdom from the Holy Spirit, Scripture from the Holy Bible (NIV), NKJV Life Application Study Bible, analytical support and help in organizing and presentation from Grok AI (which examines multiple sources online) and writing assistance with drafting and editing from Microsoft Co-Pilot.
