Jesus Sends Out the Seventy Two

Bible Study: From the Twelve to the Seventy-Two

Christ's Progressive Model of Disciple Multiplication

Primary Texts: Luke 9:1–17 and Luke 10:1–24

Central Theme:

Jesus intentionally developed His disciples through a progressive process of observation, participation, evaluation, and multiplication. Luke 9 and Luke 10 reveal that discipleship was never intended to stop with the Twelve—it was designed to multiply into an expanding movement.

Key Principle: Discipleship is not information transfer—it is intentional multiplication.

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Historical & Cultural Background

Author

Luke, a Gentile physician and companion of Paul (Colossians 4:14).

Date

Written approximately AD 60–62.

Audience

Primarily written to Theophilus and a broader Gentile audience.

Luke consistently emphasizes:

• Jesus' compassion

• The work of the Holy Spirit

• Prayer

• Evangelism

• The inclusion of outsiders

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Where We Are in Jesus' Ministry

Luke 9:1–2 “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” marks the beginning of Jesus preparing His followers to continue His mission.

Until now:

• The disciples watched.

• They listened.

• They asked questions.

• They witnessed miracles.

Now...

Jesus begins transferring responsibility, the training wheels begin coming off.

his transition occurs roughly six months before the crucifixion.

The disciples must become disciple-makers.

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The Timeline

Phase 1

Observation

Luke 4–8

The disciples mostly watched Jesus.

They observed:

• Teaching

• Healing

• Casting out demons

• Prayer

• Compassion

• Conflict with religious leaders

Jesus modeled ministry.

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Phase 2

Participation

Luke 9

Jesus sends the Twelve.

Small team.

High supervision.

Specific instructions.

Limited mission.

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Why 12?

The number was symbolic.

It represented the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus was restoring God's covenant people through a new spiritual Israel.

The apostles become the foundation of the Church.

(Ephesians 2:20 “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,” )

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Phase 3

Multiplication

Luke 10

Jesus sends seventy-two.

Larger workforce.

Less supervision.

Same mission.

The Kingdom begins multiplying.

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Why 72?

Many scholars connect this number with Genesis 10:1 “These are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood.” (Septuagint), where approximately 72 nations are listed.

Luke intentionally signals something profound.

The mission has expanded.

Not merely Israel...

Now all nations.

This anticipates: Matthew 28

Acts 1:8

The Great Commission.

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Obedience matters more than comfort.

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Between Luke 9 and Luke 10

What Changed?

Many significant events occur.

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1. Feeding the Five Thousand

Luke 9:10–11 “On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.”

Luke 9:12–17 “Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” And they did so, and had them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.”

The disciples returned excited.

Immediately...

Jesus gave them an impossible assignment.

"You give them something to eat."

Lesson:

Kingdom ministry requires trusting God's provision.

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2. Peter's Confession

Luke 9:18–20 “Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.””

"You are the Messiah."

The disciples now understand WHO Jesus is.

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3. Jesus Predicts His Death

Luke 9:21–22 “And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

The disciples now learn WHY Jesus came.

Not merely to heal.

But to die.

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4. Cost of Discipleship

Luke 9:23 “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

"Take up your cross daily."

Discipleship now becomes sacrificial.

Not simply exciting.

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Greek

ἀπαρνησάσθω (aparnēsasthō)

"Let him deny himself."

Not improve yourself.

Not express yourself.

Deny yourself.

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5. The Transfiguration

Luke 9:28–31 “Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.”

Peter, James, and John see Christ's glory.

Their confidence deepens.

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6. Failure to Cast Out the Demon

Luke 9:37–43 “On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples,”

A humbling moment.

They discover:

Power without dependence produces failure.

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7. Humility Lessons

Who is greatest?

Luke 9:46–48 “An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.””

Jesus places a child among them.

Kingdom greatness equals humility.

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8. Samaritan Rejection

Luke 9:51–56 “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village.”

Historical Background: Why Jews and Samaritans Hated Each Other

The hostility stretched back nearly 700 years.

1. The Division of Israel

After Solomon's reign (c. 930 BC), Israel split into:

Northern Kingdom (Israel) – capital: Samaria

Southern Kingdom (Judah) – capital: Jerusalem

The northern kingdom established rival places of worship rather than directing people to the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 12).

2. The Assyrian Conquest

In 722 BC, the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom.

They deported many Israelites and settled foreigners in the land (2 Kings 17).

These new settlers intermarried with the remaining Israelites.

The Jews of Judah viewed the Samaritans as religiously compromised and ethnically mixed.

3. Different Scriptures

The Samaritans accepted only the first five books of Moses (the Pentateuch).

They rejected:

the Prophets

the Writings

much of Israel's later history this produced significant theological differences.

4. Rival Temples

The Jews worshiped at the Temple in Jerusalem.

The Samaritans built their own temple on Mount Gerizim.

Even after that temple was destroyed by the Jews around 128 BC, Mount Gerizim remained the center of Samaritan worship.

This disagreement appears in Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman:

"Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." (John 4:20)

Why This Particular Village Rejected Jesus

Luke tells us:

They refused Him because He was traveling to Jerusalem.

To the Samaritans, Jesus' destination signaled allegiance to the Jerusalem temple.

Receiving Him could be interpreted as supporting the Jewish claim that Jerusalem—not Mount Gerizim—was the rightful place of worship.

Their rejection reflected longstanding religious loyalties rather than ignorance of Jesus' identity alone.

Jesus Was Testing and Teaching His Disciples

This event became another lesson in discipleship.

The disciples had just learned:

humility (Luke 9:46–48)

acceptance of other believers (Luke 9:49–50)

Now they encountered rejection.

James and John's Response

Luke 9:54

"Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?"

Why did they say this?

Elijah's Example

James and John were likely thinking of 2 Kings 1, where the prophet Elijah called down fire from heaven upon soldiers sent by King Ahaziah.

Since many Samaritans lived in the region where Elijah ministered, they may have thought they were defending God's honor in the same way.

Why Jesus Rebuked Them

Jesus' mission at this stage was not judgment but salvation.

Compare two passages:

John 3:17

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

Luke 19:10

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

James and John wanted immediate justice Jesus extended mercy.

A Lesson Before Luke 10

Immediately afterward, Jesus teaches about the cost of following Him (Luke 9:57–62).

Then He sends the Seventy-Two in Luke 10.

What had the disciples just learned?

People will reject the gospel.

Rejection is not a reason for retaliation.

God's servants respond with grace.

The mission continues despite opposition.

This explains Jesus' later instructions to the Seventy-Two:

"If people do not welcome you... shake the dust off your feet..." (Luke 10:10–11)

Notice the difference:

James wanted to call down fire.

Jesus told them simply to move on.

The Kingdom advances through faithful witness, not coercion.

The Irony

One of the greatest ironies in Luke's Gospel is that the Samaritans who rejected Jesus here were not beyond God's grace.

Later, in Luke 10:25–37, Jesus makes a Samaritan the hero of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, overturning Jewish prejudice.

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After Jesus' resurrection, the gospel reaches Samaria:

Acts 1:8 – Jesus commands the disciples to be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 8:5–25 – Philip preaches in Samaria, many believe, and Peter and John—the very disciple who once wanted to call down fire—travel there to pray for the new Samaritan believers to receive the Holy Spirit.

This is a remarkable transformation. John moved from wanting to destroy a Samaritan villages to helping establish Samaritan churches.

Discipleship Application

This episode teaches several enduring principles:

Faithfulness does not guarantee acceptance. Even Jesus experienced rejection.

The messenger must not confuse rejection with failure. Not every heart is ready to receive the message.

God's response to rejection is often patience rather than immediate judgment. He desires repentance and salvation.

Disciples are called to persevere in mission. When one place rejects the gospel, the mission continues elsewhere.

Jesus' rejection in Samaria was not an obstacle to His mission—it was part of preparing His disciples for the realities of gospel ministry. They would soon carry this lesson into Luke 10, and eventually into the world through the Great Commission.

James and John wanted judgment.

Jesus wanted mercy.

Disciples must reflect Christ's character.

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9. Cost of Following Jesus

Luke 9:57–62

Jesus teaches:

No divided loyalty.

Discipleship costs everything.

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Luke 10 — Jesus Sends the Seventy-Two

Now Jesus expands the mission.

This is multiplication.

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Luke 10:1

"The Lord appointed seventy-two others..."

Notice:

Not apostles.

Ordinary disciples.

This is significant.

Kingdom work was never limited to professional leaders.

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Differences Between Luke 9 and Luke 10

Luke 9 Luke 10

Twelve Seventy-two

National focus Broader regional mission

Leadership development Multiplication

Training phase Reproduction phase

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Why Two by Two?

Greek:

δύο δύο (dyo dyo)

Reasons:

• accountability

• encouragement

• protection

• witness (Deuteronomy 19:15)

Ministry was never intended to be isolated.

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The Harvest

Luke 10:2

"The harvest is plentiful..."

Notice:

The problem isn't the harvest.

The problem is workers.

This remains true today.

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Greek

θερισμός (therismos)

Harvest.

A ripe crop waiting to be gathered.

Jesus says people are spiritually ready.

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Lambs Among Wolves

Luke 10:3

Jesus never promised comfort.

Only purpose.

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Stay in One House

Avoid seeking better accommodations.

Avoid appearance of greed.

Be content.

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Heal Then Preach

Luke 10:9

Heal first.

Then proclaim.

Compassion often opens doors for truth.

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Rejection

Shake the dust off.

Move on.

Not everyone will receive Christ.

Faithfulness matters more than results.

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The Return

Luke 10:17

"The seventy-two returned with joy..."

Even demons submitted.

Jesus reminds them:

Do not rejoice in power.

Rejoice because your names are written in heaven.

Identity before ministry.

Relationship before results.

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Jesus' Discipleship Model

Stage 1

"I do."

Observe.

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Stage 2

"I do—you watch."

Learn.

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Stage 3

"You do—I help."

Luke 9

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Stage 4

"You do—I evaluate."

Luke 9 return.

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Stage 5

"You train others."

Luke 10

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Stage 6

"They train others.

Acts

Church multiplication begins.

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Connection to the Great Commission

Matthew 28:19–20

"Go therefore and make disciples..."

Jesus had already demonstrated how.

Luke 9 was the prototype.

Luke 10 was the expansion.

Acts became the continuation.

The Church today is the ongoing multiplication.

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Application for Today

Jesus' pattern remains the model for disciple-making:

1. Observe Christ through Scripture, prayer, and obedience.

2. Serve under guidance, allowing experienced believers to coach and correct.

3. Accept responsibility for ministry rather than remaining only a learner.

4. Invest in others, intentionally mentoring newer believers.

5. Multiply disciples, not merely church attendees or ministry volunteers.

Healthy churches grow not simply by attracting crowds, but by reproducing mature disciples who make more disciples.

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Discussion Questions

1. Why did Jesus send the Twelve before sending the Seventy-Two?

2. What lessons did the disciples need to learn between Luke 9 and Luke 10?

3. Why is dependence on God emphasized before ministry effectiveness?

4. What is the significance of Jesus expanding the mission beyond the Twelve?

5. How can we apply Jesus' "observe, participate, multiply" model in our church today?

6. Are you currently in a season of learning, serving, or multiplying? What is your next faithful step?

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Memory Verse

Luke 10:2 (NIV)

"He told them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"

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Discipleship Takeaway

Jesus never intended for His followers to remain perpetual students. His pattern was revelation - preparation - participation - multiplication. The Twelve were trained so they could become trainers. The Seventy-Two proved that ordinary disciples, empowered by Christ and dependent on the Holy Spirit, could extend the Kingdom. This same pattern continues in the church today: every mature disciple is called to equip others, fulfilling Paul's instruction in 2 Timothy 2:2 and carrying forward the mission begun by Christ.