The New Testament Gospels meticulously document the foundational period of early Christian evangelism, highlighting pivotal moments when Jesus Christ commissioned His disciples to spread the message of the Kingdom of God. These missions were not merely training exercises but critical extensions of Jesus’ own ministry, demonstrating the nature of His authority and the universal scope of His message. Understanding these initial apostolic endeavors provides profound insights into the principles of evangelism, divine empowerment, and the early expansion of the Christian faith.
The Mission of the Twelve (Matthew 10:1-15; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6)
The commissioning of the twelve apostles marked a significant turning point in Jesus’ ministry. Having spent considerable time teaching and healing, Jesus now prepared to multiply His efforts by delegating authority and responsibility to His closest followers. This mission served as a prototype for future evangelical efforts, laying down core principles for proclaiming the Kingdom.
1. Context and Commissioning (Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1): Before sending them out, Jesus selected twelve specific individuals, whom He designated as “apostles” (Mark 6:30, Luke 9:10). These were not ordinary men but those who had been personally discipled by Him. Matthew’s account immediately highlights the conferral of power: “When Jesus had called the twelve disciples together, he gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness” (Matthew 10:1). Similarly, Mark notes, “Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits” (Mark 6:7), and Luke states, “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases” (Luke 9:1). This divine empowerment was crucial, as it authenticated their message and enabled them to perform signs consistent with the arrival of God’s Kingdom. Their initial task was primarily focused on the “lost sheep of Israel,” signifying the priority of the covenant people in God’s redemptive plan (Matthew 10:5-6).
2. Instructions for Travel and Conduct (Matthew 10:5-15; Mark 6:8-11; Luke 9:3-5): Jesus’ instructions were remarkably specific and designed to instill absolute reliance on God and the hospitality of those they encountered:
- Geographic and Demographic Focus: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 10:5-6). This initial restriction underscored the eschatological sequence of salvation history, beginning with Israel.
- Proclamation: Their primary message was “The kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 10:7). This was a declaration of current reality, not merely a future hope.
- Miraculous Validation: The message was to be accompanied by demonstrable power: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8). This command emphasized the gratuitous nature of God’s gifts and the generous spirit expected from His emissaries.
- Radical Dependence: They were forbidden from carrying provisions: “Take no gold or silver or copper in your belts; no bag for the journey or extra tunic or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep” (Matthew 10:9-10; cf. Mark 6:8-9, Luke 9:3). This instruction necessitated reliance on divine provision through the hospitality of their hosts, fostering humility and demonstrating their faith in God’s care.
- Seeking Worthy Hosts: “Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave” (Matthew 10:11). The concept of “worthiness” likely referred to receptiveness to their message and character.
- Practice of Peace: Upon entering a house, they were to offer a greeting of “Peace to this house” (Matthew 10:12). If the household was receptive, the peace would rest upon it; if not, it would return to the apostles, symbolizing the conditionality of blessing and judgment.
- Responding to Rejection: “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town” (Matthew 10:14-15; cf. Mark 6:11, Luke 9:5). This stark directive emphasized the gravity of rejecting God’s messengers and His Kingdom message, marking a clear division between those who accepted and those who refused.
3. Disciples’ Actions and Return (Mark 6:12-13; Luke 9:6, 10-16): The disciples promptly obeyed. Mark records, “They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them” (Mark 6:12-13). Luke similarly states, “So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere” (Luke 9:6). Their mission was a success, leading them to return to Jesus and recount their experiences (Luke 9:10), which immediately precedes the account of the feeding of the five thousand, suggesting a period of intense activity and the disciples’ growing understanding of Jesus’ power.
4. Theological Significance: The Mission of the Twelve established several enduring principles:
- Divine Empowerment: It demonstrated that the proclamation of the Kingdom is always accompanied by divine power, validating the message and demonstrating God’s presence.
- Radical Dependence: The instructions on provisions taught complete reliance on God and the generosity of others, underscoring humility and faith over human resourcefulness.
- Urgency of the Message: The severity of judgment for rejecting the message highlighted its critical importance.
- The Nature of Evangelism: It was a direct, personal, and authoritative declaration of God’s reign, backed by miraculous signs.
The Mission of the Seventy (Luke 10:1-24)
Following the initial success of the Twelve, Jesus expanded His missionary force, indicating the growing urgency and scope of the Kingdom message. The Mission of the Seventy (some manuscripts say seventy-two) represents an even broader commissioning, extending the reach of the Gospel beyond the immediate circle of apostles.
1. Context and Expanded Scope (Luke 10:1): “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go” (Luke 10:1). This expansion signifies Jesus’ intention to cover more ground and prepare more communities for His subsequent arrival. The number seventy or seventy-two is significant, often associated with the number of nations in the world according to Old Testament genealogies (Genesis 10), suggesting a deeper symbolism of a mission to all peoples. The sending “two by two” provided mutual support, accountability, and corroboration of their message.
2. Commissioning and Instructions (Luke 10:2-12): The instructions given to the Seventy largely mirrored those given to the Twelve, with some notable additions and distinct emphases:
- The Urgency of the Harvest: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out more workers into his harvest field” (Luke 10:2). This was a crucial call to prayer, emphasizing the vast spiritual need and the limited number of laborers. It remains a timeless prayer for the church.
- Peril and Dependence: “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:3). This stark warning highlighted the inherent dangers and vulnerability of their mission, further emphasizing the need for divine protection and reliance.
- Minimal Provisions (Again): “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road” (Luke 10:4). The prohibition on prolonged greetings (a common practice of the time) emphasized the urgency and focus required for the task at hand.
- Hospitality and Proclamation: Similar to the Twelve, they were to enter a house with “Peace to this house” (Luke 10:5). They were to accept whatever food was offered: “Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house” (Luke 10:7). This reinforced dependence and discouraged seeking more comfortable accommodations. Their core message remained: “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you'” (Luke 10:9).
- Response to Rejection: “But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom on that day than for that town” (Luke 10:10-12). The severity of judgment for rejecting the Kingdom message was re-emphasized.
3. Woes to Unrepentant Cities (Luke 10:13-16): Jesus then uttered strong condemnations against cities that had witnessed His mighty works but refused to repent: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes” (Luke 10:13). He concluded with a profound statement on the authority of His messengers: “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me” (Luke 10:16). This underscored the inseparable link between the messengers, their message, and God Himself.
4. Return of the Seventy (Luke 10:17-20): The Seventy returned with great joy: “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name” (Luke 10:17). Jesus’ response transcended their jubilation: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you” (Luke 10:18-19). This revealed the cosmic significance of their mission – a direct assault on the kingdom of darkness. However, Jesus immediately tempered their excitement: “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). He redirected their focus from temporary power to eternal salvation, emphasizing that true joy comes from their relationship with God, not merely miraculous ability.
5. Jesus’ Prayer and Revelation (Luke 10:21-24): In response to the Seventy’s return and the spiritual insights gained, Jesus “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do'” (Luke 10:21). This prayer revealed God’s sovereign choice to unveil His truth to the humble. He then asserted His unique relationship with the Father: “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Luke 10:22). This profound statement of divine intimacy and revelation cemented the essential role of Jesus in mediating knowledge of God.
6. Theological Significance: The Mission of the Seventy amplified the lessons from the Twelve:
- Urgency and Expansion: It highlighted the vast need for evangelism and the imperative to expand the missionary force.
- Empowerment of the Many: It demonstrated that divine authority for ministry was not limited to the inner circle of the Twelve but extended to a broader group of disciples, foreshadowing the Great Commission to all believers.
- Spiritual Warfare: Jesus’ words about Satan’s fall underscored the reality of a spiritual battle underlying their physical mission.
- Focus on Eternal Salvation: The redirection of joy from miraculous powers to having names written in heaven emphasized the ultimate priority of spiritual salvation over temporal signs.
- Humility and Divine Revelation: Jesus’ prayer underscored God’s preference for revealing truth to the humble, contrasting with the “wise and learned.”
Conclusion
The missions of the Twelve and the Seventy serve as foundational blueprints for Christian evangelism. They establish that the proclamation of the Kingdom of God is a divinely initiated, empowered, and urgent task. Both accounts underscore the necessity of radical dependence on God, the authority granted to His messengers, and the severe consequences of rejecting the divine message. While initially focused on Israel, these missions laid the groundwork for the global reach of the Gospel, culminating in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:47-49; Acts 1:8). They remind believers that proclaiming the Kingdom is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual endeavor, accompanied by God’s power and demanding a response from humanity, ultimately leading to eternal consequences. These historical accounts continue to inspire and instruct the church in its ongoing mission to declare that the Kingdom of God has indeed come near.
References:
- Matthew 10:1-15 (New International Version)
- Mark 6:7-13 (New International Version)
- Luke 9:1-16 (New International Version)
- Luke 10:1-24 (New International Version)
