What does Jesus mean by “the harvest is great, but the labourers are few”?

When Jesus says the harvest is great but the labourers are few, he is talking about the many people who are ready to hear about God’s kingdom, compared with the small number of workers going out to share that message. The “harvest” is people whose hearts are ready to turn to God. The “labourers” are those sent to preach, heal, and call people to repentance and faith. Jesus tells his followers to pray for more workers, showing that this work is God’s, and that he is the one who sends and equips people for it.

Why did Jesus send the seventy disciples out as lambs among wolves?

Jesus calls the seventy “lambs among wolves” to prepare them for a hard mission. Lambs are weak and gentle, while wolves are dangerous. He is warning that they will meet opposition, hatred, and even danger as they preach and heal in his name. Yet he still sends them, showing that his followers are to act with peace and trust, not violence or revenge. Their safety rests on God’s care, not on their own strength or weapons. The picture teaches both honesty about trouble and confidence in God’s protection.

What is the meaning of the greeting, “Peace be to this house”?

When the disciples enter a house and say, “Peace be to this house,” they are not just giving a polite greeting. They are speaking God’s peace, the wholeness and blessing that comes with his kingdom. If there is a “son of peace” there, someone ready to receive God’s message, that peace rests on them. If not, it returns to the speakers. This shows that the message of peace is real, and it either finds a home in believing hearts or is refused. It also reminds us that God notices how people receive his word.

Why does Jesus say it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for some cities?

Jesus says it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for cities like Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum because those later cities saw his mighty works and still did not repent. Sodom was very wicked, but it did not have the same light and clear proof of God’s presence. The point is that those who hear and see more of God’s truth are more accountable when they refuse it. This is a sober warning that hearing about Jesus is a serious gift, and turning away from him is not a small thing in God’s sight.

What does “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven” mean here?

When Jesus says he saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven, he is speaking about the defeat of Satan’s power as the good news goes out. As the seventy cast out demons in Jesus’ name, it shows that the kingdom of darkness is losing ground. Satan’s fall like lightning pictures a sudden, clear loss of position and authority. Jesus then speaks of giving his followers power over serpents, scorpions, and all the enemy’s power, meaning spiritual enemies. Still, he tells them to rejoice more in their names written in heaven than in these signs.

Why does Jesus tell the disciples to rejoice that their names are written in heaven?

Jesus redirects the disciples’ joy from power over demons to the deeper joy of having their names written in heaven. Casting out spirits is a great gift, but it is temporary and can tempt people to pride. Having your name written in heaven points to God’s eternal grace and promise of life with him. It rests not on what you do, but on what God has done for you. Jesus wants his followers to find their deepest happiness in belonging to God and being known by him, not in impressive works or spiritual experiences.

What is the message of the parable of the good Samaritan?

In the good Samaritan story, Jesus answers the question, “Who is my neighbour?” A man is beaten and left half dead. A priest and a Levite, both religious men, see him but pass by. A Samaritan, from a group despised by Jews, stops, feels compassion, and cares for him at his own cost. Jesus then says the true neighbour is the one who showed mercy. The message is that neighbour love reaches across group lines and status. It is not about asking who deserves our love, but about being ready to help anyone in need.

Who is my neighbour according to Jesus in this passage?

When the lawyer asks, “Who is my neighbour?” he wants to limit the command to love. Jesus answers with the story of the wounded man and the Samaritan. At the end, Jesus asks which of the three was a neighbour. The answer is, “He that showed mercy on him.” So, in Jesus’ teaching, your neighbour is anyone near you in need whom you can help, even if they are from a different group or someone you would not normally mix with. Love is measured by mercy given, not by shared background or comfort.

What does the story of Martha and Mary teach about listening to Jesus?

In the visit to Martha and Mary, Martha is busy with serving, while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to his word. Martha grows frustrated and asks Jesus to tell Mary to help. Jesus gently calls Martha by name twice and says she is worried about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away. This teaches that serving is good, but listening to Jesus and giving attention to his word comes first. Time with him is better than any outward activity, however busy.

How can this passage about mission, love, and listening apply to my life today?

This passage touches many parts of everyday faith. The sending of the seventy calls you to pray for workers and, in your own way, to be ready to share God’s peace and kingdom. The warnings about rejection remind you that how you respond to Jesus’ message truly matters. The good Samaritan calls you to show mercy to anyone in need, not just those like you. Martha and Mary invite you to check your busyness and make space to sit with Jesus in prayer and Scripture. All of it points to trusting, loving, and listening to him.

Luke.10.1

Luke 10:1

KJV

After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

Jesus Sends the Seventy-Two

1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:

9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,

11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

Woe to the Unrepentant

13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.

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.

The Joyful Return

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.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

Jesus’ Prayer of Thanksgiving

21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Martha and Mary

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Cross References

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