Luke 10

The Seventy Are Sent Out to Preach

As the needs of the work increased, Jesus called and ordained Seventy to go out like the Twelve had done. In Luke 10 we read about some of what they were taught and some of their experiences. The pattern of calling the Seventy to assist the Twelve in “building up the church … in all nations” (D&C 107:34) continues in our time. Luke 10 also contains one of the most well known of Jesus’ parables.

Other Accounts of What You Read in Luke 10

Luke 10:1–24—Matthew 10:20–27

Understanding the Scriptures

Luke 10

Cleaveth on us (v. 11)Sticks to our feet

Despiseth (v. 16)Rejects, refuses

Prudent (v. 21)Learned

Stripped him of his raiment (v. 30)Robbed him of his clothes

Cumbered about much serving (v. 40)Distracted by all the preparations that had to be made

Luke 10:30–33—A Priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan

Priests and Levites were religious leaders who should have provided help to anyone in need. Jesus made it a point to show that it was a Samaritan who offered assistance in this parable. Samaritans were hated (see John 4:9). Jews viewed Samaritans as below them, both physically (see 2 Kings 17:24–34) and spiritually (see John 4:20–22). Samaritans and Jews were usually openly hostile to one another, but through this parable the Savior taught that love should not be restricted by nationality or race.

Luke 10:38–42—The Devotion of Mary and Martha

Elder James E. Talmage wrote: “There was no reproof of Martha’s desire to provide well; nor any sanction of possible neglect on Mary’s part. We must suppose that Mary had been a willing helper before the master’s arrival; but now that He had come, she chose to remain with Him. Had she been culpably neglectful of her duty, Jesus would not have commended her course. He desired not well-served meals and material comforts only, but the company of the sisters, and above all their receptive attention to what He had to say. He had more to give them than they could possibly provide for Him. Jesus loved the two sisters and their brother as well. Both these women were devoted to Jesus, and each expressed herself in her own way. Martha was of a practical turn, concerned in material service; she was by nature hospitable and self-denying. Mary, contemplative and more spiritually inclined, showed her devotion through the service of companionship and appreciation” (Jesus the Christ, 433).

Studying the Scriptures

Do two of the following activities (A–C) as you study Luke 10.

1. The Mission of the Seventy

   1. Read Luke 10:1–24 and list ways the mission of the Seventy was similar to the mission of the Twelve Apostles, as recorded in Luke 9:1–6, 10. (You may also want to compare it with the mission of the Twelve as recorded in Matthew 10.)

   2. Read Doctrine and Covenants 107:23, 25, 33–35, 38 and write about the similarities and differences of the responsibilities of a member of the Seventy and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles today.

2. Be a Reporter

   Read the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:30–37 and list the three main characters in the story. Imagine that you are a newspaper reporter and are going to report on this event.

   1. Next to the names of each of the three main characters write three questions you would ask him for your newspaper article and the answers you think he might give.

   2. Write a concluding paragraph for the newspaper article to teach the main ideas of this parable and encourage those in your school to be like the good Samaritan.

3. Read between the Lines

   Carefully read Luke 10:38–42 (see also the “Understanding the Scriptures” section for these verses). Write in your notebook a paragraph explaining what the Savior taught in this story.