Luke 10:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.

NIV: If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.

NASB: And if a man of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him; but if not, it will return to you.

CSB: If a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.

NLT: If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you.

KJV: And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

NKJV: And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.

Jesus has appointed seventy-two of His disciples to go into different villages, preparing the people for Jesus' arrival. He indicates that God will take care of their physical needs (Luke 10:4). Under Jesus' authority, they will have the power to heal and cast out demons, giving credibility to their message that the kingdom of God is near (Luke 10:1, 9, 17).

When they enter a village, they are to go to one house and stay there for the duration of their visit (Luke 10:7). First, they are to offer a blessing of peace (Luke 10:5). "Peace" most literally means an absence of conflict. It also refers to a more general welfare. In Hebrew, the term is shalom, and in Greek it is eirēnē. Here, it largely means a friendly acceptance of the message the disciples are to share. If the people hear the ramifications of God's coming kingdom with acceptance and anticipation, they will experience the blessings of the kingdom. If they reject the message, they will face an even worse judgment than the pagan Gentiles who worship false gods but do not have the advantage of witnessing miracles to draw them to God (Luke 10:12–15).

The authority of the disciples to declare God's peace on people is a theme in the church. Jesus gave Peter authority to reveal how to enter the kingdom of God, which he did at Pentecost (Matthew 16:19; Acts 2). Jesus also gave the disciples, and later the church leaders, authority to discipline and excommunicate unrepentant sinners in their community (Matthew 18:15–20).

The criterion for godly fellowship has nothing to do with age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, financial status, social status, marital status, political party, language, region of origin, physical traits—nothing that humans use to categorize each other (Galatians 3:27–29). It is this: does the person accept and return the peace of God? Do they show shalom?

Luke 10:1–7 comes after Jesus sent out the Twelve apostles to heal, expel demons, and preach that the kingdom of God is near (Luke 9:1–6). Now, He commissions a larger number of disciples to prepare towns for His arrival. The instructions for the seventy-two are more detailed than for the Twelve (Luke 9:3–5). Jesus follows these instructions with a warning. The disciples will be rejected (Luke 10:10–12), implying judgment on those who do not listen (Luke 10:13–16). The disciples report back (Luke 10:17–20) and receive Jesus' blessing (Luke 10:21–24). Luke is the only Gospel writer who includes this story.

Jesus commissions seventy-two of His followers for a unique mission. They are sent into towns and villages, preparing people for Jesus' ministry. Those who accept the message will be blessed; those who reject it will be left behind. The disciples return celebrating what they have seen and accomplished. Jesus reminds them that salvation is the real victory. The parable of the good Samaritan explains that the obligation to love extends to anyone and everyone. A visit to the home of Martha and Mary offers a contrast between good things and the best things.

Luke 10 provides the bulk of the first section of what some refer to as Jesus' travelogue (Luke 9:51—19:27). In this extended description of travels and events, Jesus draws away from public ministry and theological debates. His focus is preparing His disciples for what will happen in Jerusalem, by teaching them about the kingdom of God. In Luke 9:51—11:13, the disciples gradually learn how to properly follow Jesus. Next, the Pharisees will reject Jesus (Luke 11:14–54) and Jesus will teach more about the kingdom (Luke 12:1—19:27). After the travelogue, Jesus will enter Jerusalem and face crucifixion.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.