Luke 10:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

NIV: He replied, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

NASB: And He said to them, 'I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning.

CSB: He said to them, "I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning.

NLT: Yes,' he told them, 'I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!

KJV: And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

NKJV: And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Jesus sent out seventy-two of His larger group of disciples to prepare towns for His coming. Their arrival was a test of the city's openness to the gospel: would the townspeople welcome emissaries from a poor rabbi who ate with sinners and associated with disreputable women? If so, the messengers were to declare that God's kingdom was near. As a sign, they provided restoration with healing and exorcisms (Luke 10:1–12).

The exorcisms are what surprise the disciples the most. When they return, they exclaim, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" (Luke 10:17). This suggests the disciples don't quite understand that using Jesus' authority to cast out demons means using the power of God. And God has ensured that Satan is already defeated. The act of casting out demons is testament to this. Healing, casting out demons, and encouraging others to repent are all attacks against Satan's power and steps toward restoration.

The circumstances of Satan falling from heaven are vague. We know Satan had access to heaven at the time of Job (Job 1:6). Isaiah recounts the fall of the king of Babylon which many think also refers to Satan (Isaiah 14:12). Satan's fall is described in Revelation 12:7–12, but the dating is unclear. Early in the week leading to His execution, Jesus speaks of His crucifixion as the point of Satan's fall (John 12:31).

In the context of Luke 10:1–24, Jesus is continuing the motif of judgment against those who refuse the coming kingdom of God. The people of towns like Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, who have personally witnessed God's power and yet reject His message, will be judged severely (Luke 10:12–15). Satan will face an even greater judgment since he has seen God's majesty first-hand.

Jesus continues the thematic wrap-up by reminding the disciples why they are safe. It is because God has made them so (Luke 10:3–4, 19). He then transitions to the real blessing: not safety from spiritual forces or healing from physical maladies but a place in God's coming kingdom (Luke 10:20–24).

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.