The verse highlights Jesus sending out His followers "two by two" not just for practical support, but as a deliberate echo of the Old Testament principle that a matter is established by the testimony of two witnesses. This intentional pairing underscores Jesus' desire to build His kingdom on a foundation of reliable witness, preparing the way for His own arrival.
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just completed a significant period of ministry, likely in Galilee, and is now beginning his final journey toward Jerusalem. Before he arrives in each town and village, he sends out seventy-two additional followers (though some ancient texts say seventy) in pairs to prepare the way, much like scouts announcing a royal visit. This mission is a crucial step in expanding the reach of his kingdom as his own time grows short.
Jesus wasn't just sending out a few friends; this was a calculated, large-scale mission. Notice how Luke describes the appointment and the scope of their journey.
Luke 10:1 marks a significant expansion of Jesus' ministry. Before this, He had primarily focused on the Twelve Apostles. Now, he commissions seventy others.
A Broader Reach
This wasn't a small group; it was a substantial deployment. The number 'seventy' (or 'seventy-two' in some ancient manuscripts) likely carried symbolic weight, possibly referencing the seventy elders Moses appointed to assist him in leading Israel, or even representing the nations of the world.
Pioneering the Path
Their mission was to go ahead of Jesus, into every town and place where He himself was about to go. Think of them as advance scouts or heralds. Their job was to prepare the ground, announce His imminent arrival, and perhaps begin the work of healing and teaching, making way for Jesus' own presence.
Why did Jesus send them out in pairs? It wasn't just for company. This detail speaks volumes about spiritual work and community.
The instruction for the seventy to go 'two by two' is a vital aspect of their mission, offering practical and theological insights.
Mutual Support and Encouragement
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Ministry can be challenging, demanding, and sometimes lonely. Sending them in pairs provided built-in support. They could encourage each other when discouraged, share the load, and offer a listening ear.
The Witness of Two
This arrangement also echoes the principle of having at least two witnesses to establish a matter, a common theme in Scripture. It lent credibility and weight to their message and actions. Imagine the impact: two people arriving, speaking with one voice, and acting in concert, all pointing to Jesus.
Reflecting God's Design
Ultimately, this reflects God's design for community and interdependence. We are not meant to do spiritual work alone. Our relationships within the body of Christ are essential for effective witness and personal resilience.
Understand the original words
Kyrios · Greek Noun
The title used for Jesus Christ, indicating His sovereign authority, deity, and supreme status as ruler over all creation and the church.
anadeiknymi · Greek Verb
To designate or formally assign someone to a specific office, task, or mission, often implying divine commission.
therismos · Greek Noun
A metaphorical term used to describe the collection of souls prepared to hear and respond to the gospel message; it signifies the culmination of spiritual growth and the urgency of salvation.
ergatēs · Greek Noun
Those who work for the advancement of the Kingdom of God; it emphasizes the necessity of human participation in God's mission of spreading the gospel.
This mission of the seventy-two occurred near the end of Jesus' public ministry, as he intensified his efforts to spread the message before his final journey to Jerusalem. It reflects a strategic expansion of his outreach, sending out a larger group to prepare the way for his own coming.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee and surrounding regions, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. This period sees the initial calling of the twelve apostles and various other followers.
c. AD 30
Mission of the Twelve Apostles
Jesus first sends out the twelve apostles, commissioning them with authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons, preparing them for future ministry.
c. AD 30, shortly after the Twelve's return— this verse
Jesus Appoints Seventy-Two
Jesus expands his outreach by appointing seventy-two other disciples and sending them out in pairs ahead of him into towns and places he intended to visit.
c. AD 30
Return of the Seventy-Two
The seventy-two disciples return, reporting their successes and perhaps their challenges, which leads to further teaching from Jesus about rejoicing in spiritual victories.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Final Journey to Jerusalem
Jesus begins his solemn journey towards Jerusalem, knowing his crucifixion and resurrection await him. This period involves significant teaching and parables.
This passage describes Moses appointing seventy elders to help govern the people, mirroring Jesus' appointment of seventy disciples to assist in spreading His message.
Numbers 11:16-17Here, God instructs Moses to gather seventy elders and share His Spirit with them so they can help bear the burden of leading Israel, paralleling Jesus equipping His disciples for a similar task.
Matthew 10:5-10This passage details Jesus' instructions to the Twelve Apostles when He first sent them out, highlighting the preparatory and instructional nature of the disciples' missions.
Mark 6:7This verse describes Jesus sending out the Twelve apostles, two by two, which establishes the precedent for how He later sent the seventy disciples on their mission.
vincentLuke 10:1: "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."
Appointed (ἀνέδειξεν)Used by Luke only. Lit., to lift up and shew, as Acts 1:24 : "Shew which one thou hast chosen." Hence to proclaim any one elected to an office. See on the kindred noun, shewing, Luke 1:80.Other seventyWrong; for he had not appointed seventy previously. Rev., rightly, seventy others, with reference to the…
clarkeLuke 10:1: "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."
The Lord appointed other seventy - Rather, seventy others, not other seventy, as our translation has it, which seems to intimate that he had appointed seventy before this time, though, probably, the word other has a reference to the twelve chosen first: he not only chose twelve disciples to be constantly with him; but he chose…
The verse highlights Jesus sending out His followers "two by two" not just for practical support, but as a deliberate echo of the Old Testament principle that a matter is established by the testimony of two witnesses. This intentional pairing underscores Jesus' desire to build His kingdom on a foundation of reliable witness, preparing the way for His own arrival.
Jesus has just completed a significant period of ministry, likely in Galilee, and is now beginning his final journey toward Jerusalem. Before he arrives in each town and village, he sends out seventy-two additional followers (though some ancient texts say seventy) in pairs to prepare the way, much like scouts announcing a royal visit. This mission is a crucial step in expanding the reach of his kingdom as his own time grows short.
Jesus has just completed a significant period of ministry, likely in Galilee, and is now beginning his final journey toward Jerusalem. Before he arrives in each town and village, he sends out seventy-two additional followers (though some ancient texts say seventy) in pairs to prepare the way, much like scouts announcing a royal visit. This mission is a crucial step in expanding the reach of his kingdom as his own time grows short.
"After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pra…" — The verse highlights Jesus sending out His followers "two by two" not just for practical support, but as a deliberate echo of the Old Testament principle that a matter is established by the testimony…
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Last reviewed October 2026
