Luke chapter 10

vs 12

More bearable? Really? Or just as unbearable? I mean, Sodom was pretty bad. I think Jesus is using some hyperbole here.

vs 13

Now, I believe that these places Jesus is naming are places he has visited himself. And as such, the witness there (of the Messiah himself) is pretty damning if you haven't taken heed of it.

But the villages where the 72 go, Jesus is sending them instead. Now, I think Jesus might end up there, but possibly not if they were denied access in the first place.

vs 14

Tyre and Sidon were not exactly towns full of righteous people and worship. So in comparing these towns to Tyre and Sidon, he is basically calling them a bunch of degenerates. Saying it will be worse for those towns than for Tyre and Sidon! Ouch.

vs 15

Doesn't sound nice.

vs 16

So now we see how Jesus sees the whole thing. In the past, the prophets were speaking the word of God. Jesus sees these people just as much as representatives of him.

vs 17

Wow, exciting! These are exciting times, to be sure. Again we see a reporting back stage, after they have gone and done their thing.

vs 18

What, just now? This isn't one of those funny dubbed GI Joe cartoons from Youtube - what Jesus is saying has relevance. The fact that the 72 have power over demons either heralds the fall of Satan's power, or is a witness to his fall having happened already.

So, did Jesus see Satan fall "like lightning" from heaven? Or did he see Satan fall "like lightning from heaven"?

vs 19

Christians do actually die from snake bites and scorpion stings every year. And harm certainly comes to Christians. So what does this mean? Are the snakes and scorpions symbolic of demonic forces, which are unable to hurt Christians? I'd still say Christians get hurt by demons sometimes, even if that is what this verse means. Which I don't think it does.

vs 20

Jesus still wants them to focus on the most important thing - that there is a heavenly rest awaiting them. Spiritual power is good, but fleeting as much as any sort of power.

vs 21

The success of his 72 disciples makes Jesus very joyful, and he praises God. His praise for God is for his secretiveness! Jesus is glad that the truths about God are not available to the wise and learned, as if through careful study they can only be unlocked. That would suck if you weren't smart. Instead, even "little children" (again, it is used in an almost derogatory way, this time calling them simple or stupid) can understand it. Which should mean that anyone can, but of course smart people can tend to complicate things and get them wrong.