Luke 10:8
Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This command to "eat what is set before you" isn't just about being a good guest; it's a profound reminder that the disciples' mission was about spiritual sustenance, not physical comfort. By accepting whatever food was offered, they demonstrated humility and detachment from worldly concerns, focusing instead on the Kingdom they proclaimed.
Jesus is sending out seventy additional disciples, entrusting them with a vital mission to go ahead of Him into towns and villages. He equips them with specific instructions on how to interact with people, emphasizing peace, healing, and proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is near. This passage immediately follows Jesus' commissioning of these seventy, detailing their conduct upon arrival and reception in a new location.
When Jesus sent out his followers, he gave them specific instructions about how to handle hospitality – both good and bad. What's the deeper meaning behind accepting what's offered?
Jesus’ instructions to the seventy disciples in Luke 10 reveal a profound connection between receiving his messengers and receiving him.
More Than Just a Meal
When Jesus said, "Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you," he wasn't just talking about not being picky eaters. This was a strategic instruction tied to the mission itself. By accepting the hospitality offered, the disciples demonstrated that they were truly representing Jesus and that the Kingdom of God had indeed drawn near to that place. It was a sign of peace and acceptance.
The Principle of Reciprocity
This principle extends beyond physical food. When we open our hearts and lives to those sent by God – whether they are pastors, missionaries, or fellow believers sharing a word of encouragement – we are, in effect, opening the door to Jesus himself. Conversely, rejecting them is rejecting the One who sent them.
The disciples were sent out with no provisions. How does Jesus expect them to be cared for, and what does this teach us about ministry today?
Jesus’ instructions to the seventy about accepting food reveal a vital aspect of ministry: dependence and humility.
No Purse, No Bag
The disciples were sent out with nothing – no purse, no bag, no extra sandals (Luke 10:4). This meant they were entirely dependent on the hospitality of those who would receive them. The command to 'eat what is set before you' was a directive to accept the provision God would orchestrate through people.
Earning and Receiving Honor
This wasn't about begging or being a burden. The texts suggest this was a legitimate form of support, recognizing that 'the laborer deserves his food' (Matthew 10:10). By accepting what was offered without complaint or excessive demands, the disciples avoided appearing self-serving and demonstrated trust in God’s provision. It was a humble acceptance of the honor due to their sacred work.
Understand the original words
dechomai · Greek Verb
To accept, welcome, or take into one's home or heart; used here for accepting the messengers and their message of the Gospel.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy
Jesus commissions and sends out seventy disciples (or seventy-two, depending on the manuscript) to go ahead of him into towns and villages in Judea to prepare people for his coming.
c. AD 28-30
Disciples Travel in Pairs
The seventy disciples are sent out two by two, a practice intended to provide mutual support and encouragement as they face challenging missions.
c. AD 30
Jesus Enters Jerusalem
Jesus makes his final journey to Jerusalem, a time when the disciples' mission would have been completed, preparing the way for his own arrival and ministry in the city.
This passage speaks directly to the principle of not questioning the food provided, allowing believers to eat anything sold in the marketplace without scruples of conscience. It echoes the instruction in Luke 10:8 about accepting what is set before you, highlighting a broader application beyond just the disciples' immediate mission.
Matthew 10:10This verse, given to the disciples during an earlier, similar commission, instructs them not to take a purse or bag or sandals. This connects to Luke 10:8 by underscoring the theme of reliance on God's provision through those who receive them, and a detachment from worldly preparations.
1 Timothy 5:18This verse states that 'the laborer deserves his wages,' which is a foundational principle underlying the instruction in Luke 10:8. It explains that accepting food is not merely charity but a rightful compensation for the work of ministry.
Philippians 4:11-12Paul's statement about learning to be content in any circumstance, whether in plenty or in want, resonates with the spirit of Luke 10:8. It shows how the disciples were to cultivate a heart of contentment, trusting God for their needs rather than seeking specific comforts.
barnesLuke 10:8: "And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:"
See the notes at Matthew 10:14-15 .
gillLuke 10:8: "And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:"
And into whatsoever city ye enter,.... Into whatsoever house in it ye go, and apply to for lodging and entertainment, and they receive you, readily and cheerfully, eat such things as are set before you; though ever so mean, accept of them, and do not object to them on that account, lest it should be thought you serve your own bellies, and seek to gratify your appetites; nor, on the other…
This command to "eat what is set before you" isn't just about being a good guest; it's a profound reminder that the disciples' mission was about spiritual sustenance, not physical comfort. By accepting whatever food was offered, they demonstrated humility and detachment from worldly concerns, focusing instead on the Kingdom they proclaimed.
Jesus is sending out seventy additional disciples, entrusting them with a vital mission to go ahead of Him into towns and villages. He equips them with specific instructions on how to interact with people, emphasizing peace, healing, and proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is near. This passage immediately follows Jesus' commissioning of these seventy, detailing their conduct upon arrival and reception in a new location.
Jesus is sending out seventy additional disciples, entrusting them with a vital mission to go ahead of Him into towns and villages. He equips them with specific instructions on how to interact with people, emphasizing peace, healing, and proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is near. This passage immediately follows Jesus' commissioning of these seventy, detailing their conduct upon arrival and reception in a new location.
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Jesus told his disciples to eat whatever was provided. What does this instruction say about their priorities, and what can we learn about discerning what truly matters?
The directive to 'eat what is set before you' was a powerful lesson in prioritizing the mission over personal comfort and avoiding unnecessary distractions.
The Mission Above All
Jesus wanted his messengers to be fully focused on proclaiming the Kingdom of God. By accepting whatever food was offered, without questioning its source, preparation, or even its perceived quality, they avoided getting sidetracked by secondary issues. This wasn't about promoting gluttony or ignoring hygiene; it was about demonstrating that the urgent message of God's reign was far more important than personal preferences or potential social awkwardness.
Avoiding the Appearance of Self-Interest
As commentators note, the disciples were to avoid even the appearance of caring only for outward comforts or seeking to gratify their appetites. Their mission was spiritual, and their conduct needed to reflect that singular focus. This teaches us to continually examine our own priorities: are we consumed by comfort and preference, or by the eternal purposes of God?
"Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you." — This command to "eat what is set before you" isn't just about being a good guest; it's a profound reminder that the disciples' mission was about spiritual sustenance, not physical comfort. By accepti…
