Luke 10:17

Luke 10:17, in plain English

The seventy-two came back overjoyed: 'Lord, even the demons obey us when we use Your name!' They were amazed at the power they experienced.

Why it's here

They went out as nervous lambs among wolves and came back amazed at what happened. God's power through them was greater than they imagined. That is what happens when you step out in faith.

Who's speaking

The seventy-two return and report to Jesus.

Where it sits in the story

The missionaries came back electric with excitement: it worked! Even demons submitted to us in Your name! They had stepped out in faith and experienced God's power firsthand.

The scholarly reading

The seventy-two return meta charas ('with joy') reporting kyrie, kai ta daimonia hypotassetai hēmin en tō onomati sou ('Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name'). The present tense hypotassetai indicates ongoing, repeated success. Their surprise at demonic submission suggests it exceeded their expectations.

Language and setting

The joyful return contrasts with the challenging commissioning and confirms the effectiveness of delegated authority. The 'even' (kai) reveals that demonic submission was an unexpected bonus beyond their primary mission of preaching and healing.

Voice

The seventy-two report to Jesus with excited testimony.

Significance

The seventy-two returned from their mission overflowing with joy, reporting that even demons obeyed them when they used Jesus' name. Their success exceeded their wildest expectations.

15And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades!

16Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.”

18So He told them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

19Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.

Read all of Luke 10 — A lawyer asks how to inherit eternal life and gets an answer he doesn't expect. The hero of the story is the one everyone despises.