And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just equipping them for a task; He's bringing them into His very own authority. This wasn't a borrowed power, but a sharing of His divine capacity to confront and conquer spiritual darkness and physical brokenness.
And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus had just finished a significant period of ministry in Galilee, drawing large crowds but also facing growing opposition. Before moving on, he gathered his chosen twelve apostles, who had been with him learning, and officially commissioned them. He gave them supernatural authority to cast out demons and heal diseases, essentially equipping them to be his representatives and extend his kingdom's work as they went out to preach.
It wasn't random; Jesus gathered his closest followers for a specific, momentous task. What does this 'calling together' reveal about their new role?
The phrase 'called the twelve together' (Greek: 'syngalesmenos') signifies a solemn, intentional gathering. This wasn't a casual meeting; Jesus brought his chosen disciples into a formal council.
A New Level of Authority
Before this, they had learned from Jesus, witnessed his miracles, and likely aided him in smaller ways. Now, he's commissioning them for independent, yet coordinated, ministry. This gathering marks a transition from learners to empowered agents of the Kingdom of God.
The Weight of the Mission
This 'calling together' underscores the seriousness of the task ahead. They were being equipped not just to follow, but to lead, to represent Jesus' authority in a tangible way.
Jesus didn't just send them out; he gave them something vital. What was this power, and what did it enable them to do?
The verse states Jesus 'gave them power and authority'. This is not merely permission; it's an impartation of capability.
Power Over Darkness
'Power and authority over all demons' speaks to the spiritual battleground. Jesus was equipping them to confront and overcome the forces of evil that held people captive. This wasn't about their own strength, but about wielding Christ's authority against spiritual opposition.
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Authority to Heal
'And to cure diseases' highlights the tangible, physical impact of their mission. This authority extended to addressing the suffering and brokenness in the world, demonstrating the compassionate reach of God's kingdom.
The Scope of Their Mandate
The inclusion of 'all' demons and 'to cure diseases' suggests a comprehensive mandate. They were given the capacity to deal with the full spectrum of spiritual and physical ailments encountered in their mission.
Understand the original words
dōdeka · Greek Noun
The chosen inner circle of Jesus' followers whom He commissioned as His primary witnesses and the foundational leaders of the early church. They were granted special authority to carry out Jesus' ministry and mission.
dynamis · Greek Noun
The divine capacity and enabling force to perform supernatural acts. In Scripture, it is often tied to the Holy Spirit’s activity and the manifestation of God’s rule.
exousia · Greek Noun
The legitimate right, sovereignty, or delegated mandate to act on behalf of another. In a biblical context, it signifies the authority Jesus delegates to His disciples to command spiritual and physical realities.
daimonion · Greek Noun
Malevolent spiritual beings who are opposed to God and His kingdom. They are agents of evil seeking to deceive, harm, or influence humanity, over whom believers have victory through the name and authority of Jesus.
This commissioning of the twelve occurs as Jesus' Galilean ministry reaches its peak, just before he begins to focus more intensely on his journey toward Jerusalem and his eventual passion. The disciples' mission serves as a crucial preparation for their later roles and foreshadows the wider spread of the Gospel after Jesus' ascension.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus conducted a significant portion of his public ministry in the region of Galilee, gathering large crowds and performing numerous miracles.
c. AD 29— this verse
Sending Out the Twelve
Jesus solemnly gathered his twelve closest disciples and officially commissioned them, granting them specific spiritual authority and power to heal and cast out demons.
c. AD 29
Mission of the Twelve
The twelve disciples traveled throughout the villages, preaching the good news of God's kingdom and exercising the authority Jesus had given them to heal diseases and expel demons.
c. AD 29
Herod Antipas's Unease
News of Jesus' ministry and the disciples' actions reached Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, causing him anxiety and prompting him to seek an encounter with Jesus.
c. AD 29
Feeding of the Five Thousand
Following the disciples' mission, Jesus withdrew to a remote area with his disciples, where he miraculously fed over five thousand men, in addition to women and children.
This passage parallels Luke 9:1 by detailing Jesus calling His disciples and giving them authority over unclean spirits and to heal diseases, providing a fuller context of the instructions that accompanied this empowerment.
Mark 3:14-15Mark also records Jesus appointing the twelve, emphasizing their purpose to be with Him and to be sent out to preach, with the specific mention of His authority to cast out demons.
Exodus 4:17This Old Testament account shows God giving Moses authority over signs and wonders to present to the Israelites, mirroring Jesus' delegation of power to His disciples to demonstrate the truth of His message.
2 Kings 4:29-31The story of Elisha sending his servant Gehazi with his staff to heal a child illustrates a similar concept of delegated authority for healing, though the power ultimately resides with God and His prophet.
Acts 3:6-7Peter, empowered by the Holy Spirit after Jesus' ascension, heals a lame man in Jesus' name, demonstrating the continuation and expansion of the authority Jesus gave His disciples.
barnesLuke 9:1: "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."
See the notes at Matthew 10:1-14 . See the notes at Matthew 10:1-14.
expositorsLuke 9:1: "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases."
Chapter 17THE MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES. Luke 9:1-17 THE Galilean ministry was drawing to a close, for the "great Light" which had risen over the northern province must now move southward, to set behind a cross and a grave. Jesus, however, is reluctant-to leave these borders, amid whose hills the greater part of His life has been spent, and among whose composite populat…
Jesus isn't just equipping them for a task; He's bringing them into His very own authority. This wasn't a borrowed power, but a sharing of His divine capacity to confront and conquer spiritual darkness and physical brokenness.
Jesus had just finished a significant period of ministry in Galilee, drawing large crowds but also facing growing opposition. Before moving on, he gathered his chosen twelve apostles, who had been with him learning, and officially commissioned them. He gave them supernatural authority to cast out demons and heal diseases, essentially equipping them to be his representatives and extend his kingdom's work as they went out to preach.
Jesus had just finished a significant period of ministry in Galilee, drawing large crowds but also facing growing opposition. Before moving on, he gathered his chosen twelve apostles, who had been with him learning, and officially commissioned them. He gave them supernatural authority to cast out demons and heal diseases, essentially equipping them to be his representatives and extend his kingdom's work as they went out to preach.
"And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases," — Jesus isn't just equipping them for a task; He's bringing them into His very own authority. This wasn't a borrowed power, but a sharing of His divine capacity to confront and conquer spiritual darkne…
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Last reviewed October 2026