Sending Out the Twelve (Luke 9:1–6)
Introduction to Luke 9:1–6
In Luke 9:1-6, Jesus takes the next step in expanding His mission by sending out the twelve apostles. This passage marks a pivotal moment in the Gospel of Luke. Up until this point, Jesus has been teaching, healing, and performing miracles, and now He commissions His disciples to carry out similar tasks in His name. Jesus empowers them, giving them authority and sending them to spread His message, heal the sick, and cast out demons. This moment is significant not only for the apostles but for the future of the Kingdom of God. Let’s take a closer look at the sending of the Twelve in Luke 9:1-6.
Verse by Verse Breakdown of Luke 9:1-6 and Commentary
Luke 9:1
Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.
At the beginning of this passage, Jesus calls the twelve apostles together, signaling a moment of commissioning. He doesn’t just tell them to go; He gives them the power and authority they will need to fulfill the task He’s setting before them. Notice that it’s not just authority over physical ailments like disease, but also over spiritual forces, as they are granted power over demons. This is a key part of Jesus’ mission—to bring healing and liberation both physically and spiritually. The apostles will carry out their ministry in the same way that Jesus has—through the authority He has given them.
Luke 9:2
He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
The disciples are not only sent to heal the sick, but they are also tasked with proclaiming the kingdom of God. This is a message of hope, of transformation, and of divine reign that has arrived in Jesus. The kingdom of God is not merely a future promise; it is present in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The disciples are called to declare this reality wherever they go, alongside the acts of healing they perform. The dual task of proclamation and healing illustrates the holistic nature of Jesus’ mission—addressing both spiritual and physical needs.
Luke 9:3
He said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.’
Jesus gives the disciples specific instructions on how to travel light. The instruction to take nothing with them emphasizes a reliance on God’s provision and the hospitality of others. The disciples are to trust that God will provide for their needs as they go about His work. By traveling with minimal belongings, they also signal that their mission is not about material gain, but about spreading the message of the kingdom of God. The disciples’ journey is one of faith, not self-sufficiency.
Luke 9:4
Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there.
Jesus instructs the disciples to stay in the first house they come to, rather than moving around from place to place looking for better accommodations. This instruction reflects the focus of their mission: it’s not about personal comfort, but about the message they are called to deliver. Staying in one house indicates a commitment to the community, even in the face of possible rejection. It suggests that the gospel is not about convenience, but about consistency and presence.
Luke 9:5
Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.
Jesus prepares the disciples for rejection. In the ancient world, shaking the dust off one’s feet was a symbolic gesture to show that they were no longer responsible for the town or village that rejected them. It was an act of letting go and moving forward. While it may seem harsh, it is a warning to those who would reject the kingdom of God. For the disciples, this rejection would be a difficult but necessary part of their mission. Even when they are rejected, they are to continue with their work, knowing that not everyone will accept the message they bring.
Luke 9:6
They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.
Despite the challenges they face, the apostles faithfully carry out their mission. They go through the villages, bringing the message of the kingdom of God and healing those who are sick. They act in obedience to Jesus, knowing that their task is important and that God’s power will be with them as they fulfill it. This verse illustrates the ripple effect of Jesus’ ministry—He does the work, and then He sends His disciples to continue it, empowered by His authority.
Luke 9:1-6 and Meaning for Today
The sending out of the twelve apostles in Luke 9:1-6 offers valuable lessons for us today. First, it reminds us of the authority that Jesus gives to His followers. Just as the apostles were sent with authority to heal and cast out demons, so too are we called to carry out the work of God in our own lives. We may not be sent to heal physical illnesses in the same way, but we are called to minister to the brokenness around us, whether that’s through offering encouragement, working for justice, or sharing the gospel message.
Second, Jesus’ instructions to travel light and depend on God’s provision challenge us to examine where we place our trust. Are we relying on our own resources and strength, or are we trusting in God to provide everything we need? The apostles were sent to rely on the hospitality of others, modeling a life of dependence on God and trust in His provision.
Finally, the possibility of rejection is something we should be prepared for. Not everyone will welcome the message of the gospel, and we may face difficulties and opposition along the way. But Jesus encourages us to keep going, to shake the dust off our feet when we face rejection, and to keep moving forward in faith. We are to remain faithful to the call, even when the journey is difficult or when others don’t respond the way we hope.
Other New Testament Connections
This theme of being sent out with authority is not unique to Luke 9:1-6. We see a similar pattern in the ministry of Paul. In Ephesians 4:11-13, Paul speaks of how Jesus gave different gifts to the church, including apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, to equip the saints for ministry. Just as the apostles were sent out to proclaim the kingdom and heal, so too are we equipped for ministry in our own contexts, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul encourages the church to look not to their own interests but to the interests of others. This echoes Jesus’ sending of the apostles, where they are called not to focus on their own comfort, but on the mission at hand. Just as the apostles were sent out with a clear purpose, so too are we called to live selflessly for the sake of others.
Lastly, in 1 John 4:7-12, we are reminded that love is at the heart of the gospel message. Just as Jesus sent His apostles to proclaim the kingdom of God and heal the sick, we are called to be instruments of love, bringing the message of God’s love to a hurting world. Love, as John reminds us, is the hallmark of the Christian life, and it compels us to continue the mission that Jesus began.
Related Passages - Read More
• Luke 6:12-16 – Choosing the Twelve Apostles: Jesus’ selection of the twelve disciples sets the stage for their mission in Luke 9.
• Luke 4:14-15 – Jesus Begins His Ministry: This passage marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and sets the stage for the work He sends His disciples to do.
FAQ
Why did Jesus give the disciples authority over demons and diseases?
Jesus gave His disciples this authority as a sign of the power of God at work through them. It demonstrates that their mission was not merely to speak words, but to bring about real change—healing the sick and casting out demons were acts of spiritual and physical restoration.
What does “shake the dust off your feet” mean?
This was a symbolic gesture of rejection, signaling that the disciples were not responsible for those who rejected the gospel message. It was a way of moving on and continuing their mission, knowing that not everyone would accept the message they were sharing.
How can we apply this passage in our own lives?
This passage calls us to rely on God’s provision and to be faithful in sharing the message of the gospel, even in the face of rejection. It also challenges us to step out in faith, trusting that God has given us the authority and power to do His work in the world.
