LUKE 9:1-6 TWELVE SENT OUT WITH ONLY THE CLOTHES ON THEIR BACKS

TWELVE SENT OUT

WITH ONLY THE CLOTHES

ON THEIR BACKS

LUKE 9:1-6

Luke 9:1-2 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.  And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Susie: Whenever the Gospel writers refer to the twelve, they are referring to the disciples that Jesus had specifically designated as Apostles.

Susan: Even though the terms seem to be used interchangeably, they have different meanings:

American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828

DISCIPLE, noun [Latin , to learn.]

1. A learner; a scholar; one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another; as the disciples of Plato.

2. A follower; an adherent to the doctrines of another. Hence the constant attendants of Christ were called his disciples; and hence all Christians are called his disciples, as they profess to learn and receive his doctrines and precepts.

APOS'TLE, noun [Latin apostalus; Gr. to send away, to sent.]

A person deputed to execute some important business; but appropriately, a disciple of Christ commissioned to preach the gospel. Twelve persons were selected by Christ for this purpose; and Judas, one of the number, proving an apostate, his place was supplied by Matthias. Acts 1:2.

The title of apostle is applied to Christ himself, Hebrews 3:1. In the primitive ages of the church, other ministers were called apostles, Romans 16:7; as were persons sent to carry alms from one church to another, Philippians 2:1. This title was also given to persons who first planted the Christian faith. Thus Dionysius of Corinth is called the apostle of France; and the Jesuit Missionaries are called apostles.

Among the Jews, the title was given to officers who were sent into distant provinces, as visitors or commissioners, to see the laws observed.

Susie: Webster’s thorough definitions help us to see that “disciples” applies to all who follow and seek to learn from a teacher, in this case Jesus. “Apostles” were those Jesus specifically sent out as His ambassadors or emissaries to spread the message He taught, in this case the Twelve.

Susan: Jesus imparted the power to deliver people from illnesses and to free others from the bonds of demonic spirits to the Twelve Apostles before sending them out on mission.  

Susie: Not only were they to minister by healing the sick and casting out demons, but they were commissioned to preach the good news that the Kingdom of God was near as well.

Susan: The Kingdom of God of which Jesus was teaching did not refer to physical throne and realm. Jesus did not, at that time, come to be crowned as King over Israel. His earthly, physical Kingdom will be manifested when He returns in the future.

Susie: When Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God was “at hand.” He was referring to the spiritual rule of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who trust in Jesus. God’s kingdom in our lives delivers us from enslavement to sin and Satan to live as free people who are now subjects of a loving Sovereign, our Father God.

Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

Matthew 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

1 Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Susan: Jesus instructed the Twelve not to take even what we would call a carry-on or overnight bag. They were not to take extra provisions of food, clothing, or money. The point was for them to trust in Jesus to provide what they needed by placing it on the hearts of people in each city to show them hospitality.

Susie: In Matthew’s account (Matthew 10:1-42), more of Jesus’s instructions are reported. He did point out that the needs of those who preach the Gospel should be provided by those who benefit from their ministry (Matthew 10:10).

Luke 9:4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

Susan: When they found a worthy person (Matthew 10:11) to stay with, they were encouraged to set up their home base at their house for the duration of their stay in that city.

Luke 9:5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

Note on Matthew 10:14 in MacArthur Study Bible:

shake off the dust from your feet. It was common for Jews to shake the dust off their feet—as an expression of disdain—when returning from Gentile regions. Paul and Barnabas also did this when expelled from Antioch (Acts 13:51). This was a visible protest, signifying that they regarded the place as no better than a pagan land.

Susan: Shaking the dust off their feet was a demeaning gesture.

Susie: To me it seems as if this meant, “This place is so bad, I don’t even want to carry any of its dirt with me.”

Susan: It symbolized their agreement with the eventual but certain reality that God’s judgement was coming to that place.

Matthew 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Luke 8:6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.

Susan: The Twelve set out on their journey to obey in both letter and spirit all that Jesus had commanded them.

Susie: They spread the Good News that Jesus had come to usher in the Kingdom of God. They healed and delivered people from village to village, perhaps preparing the way for Jesus to visit them later.

Ponder this and Apply it: We do not know how long this mission lasted; but we do know that for the duration of their journey, the Apostles were to depend on God’s provision through His people. Sometimes the ministry God has for us involves giving up all other means of support and trusting God to supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19). He supplied the Israelites fleeing from Egypt with manna from Heaven. However, now the Lord supplies the needs of those in full time ministry through the generosity of fellow believers, the familyship of God. Even those who are not in ministry benefit when they realize that every good thing they have is given to them by the Lord (James 1:17). Trust the Lord to meet your needs and ask the Lord to bless you to the point that you can help to meet the needs of His servants.