Luke 10:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

NIV: Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

NASB: and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

CSB: Heal the sick who are there, and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near you.’

NLT: Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’

KJV: And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

NKJV: And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

Jesus is preparing seventy-two of His disciples to visit towns and prepare them for His arrival. To do so, they will heal the sick, cast out demons (Luke 10:17), and explain the approach of the kingdom of God (Luke 10:1, 9). The Greek verb tense used here implies God's kingdom "has" come near; the text indicates that it will continue and build in strength.

"The kingdom of God" is any environment or situation in which God's power and sovereignty are shown. It is specifically reflected in the saving power of Jesus. Jesus says it is "near," meaning it did not come fully at the point He sent out these seventy-two followers. In fact, the beginning of the kingdom of God, called its inauguration, arrived at the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Another significant marker was when Jesus saw Satan fall from heaven (Luke 10:18) and yet another was Pentecost, the birth of the church wherein the Holy Spirit indwelt Jesus' followers (Acts 2). The kingdom will not be completely manifest until Jesus returns to earth to rule (Revelation 20—22).

This view of the kingdom is called "now and not yet." The kingdom has been inaugurated but has not come to fulfillment. The blessing of the kingdom in the "now" in this text is healing, to include both physical ailments and those caused by demons (Luke 10:9, 17).

Luke 10:8–12 records Jesus' instructions to seventy-two of His followers as they prepare towns for His coming. He has explained they are to stay in the homes of those who respond in peace (Luke 10:5–7). Now, He explains how a town's reception will determine their experience of the coming of the kingdom of God. If they accept the message, they will see the healing power of the kingdom (Luke 10:8–9). If they reject the message, they will be warned of coming judgment (Luke 10:10–12). Next, Jesus mourns that Jewish cities will be more likely to reject His message than Gentile cities (Luke 10:13–16).

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.