King James Version
What Does Luke 10:17 Mean?
“And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.”
Context
15
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
16
He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
17
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Topics in This Verse
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(17) **And the seventy returned again with joy.**—It is obvious from the immediate sequence of the two facts that the mission of the Seventy was, as stated above, confined within narrow limits of space and time.
**Lord, even the devils are subject unto us.**—Better, *the demons.* The tone in which the disciples speak is that of a joyful surprise. They had not looked for such great and immediate results. They had thought that the power to cast out demons had been confined to our Lord’s immediate action or to that of the Twelve, and they found that they too possessed the power to rescue the spirits of men from thraldom. With them, as with others, the consciousness of a new power was attended with a new pleasure, in this case, with that of high spiritual exultation.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Luke 10:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Luke 10:17
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge