Luke 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.
Original Language Analysis
Μετὰ
After
G3326
Μετὰ
After
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
1 of 26
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ἀνέδειξεν
appointed
G322
ἀνέδειξεν
appointed
Strong's:
G322
Word #:
4 of 26
to exhibit, i.e., (by implication) to indicate, appoint
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the Lord
G2962
κύριος
the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
6 of 26
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπέστειλεν
sent
G649
ἀπέστειλεν
sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
11 of 26
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
αὐτὸς
he himself
G846
αὐτὸς
he himself
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀνὰ
two
G303
ἀνὰ
two
Strong's:
G303
Word #:
13 of 26
properly, up; but (by extension) used (distributively) severally, or (locally) at (etc.)
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
15 of 26
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
προσώπου
face
G4383
προσώπου
face
Strong's:
G4383
Word #:
16 of 26
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
αὐτὸς
he himself
G846
αὐτὸς
he himself
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
18 of 26
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τόπον
place
G5117
τόπον
place
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
22 of 26
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
οὗ
G3739
οὗ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
23 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔμελλεν
would
G3195
ἔμελλεν
would
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
24 of 26
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
Cross References
Luke 9:52And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.Numbers 11:16And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.
Historical Context
This mission occurred during Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). Unlike the Twelve's mission to Israel alone (Matthew 10:5-6), the seventy likely included Gentile territories, foreshadowing the church's universal mission. First-century traveling teachers commonly sent advance parties to arrange lodging and gather audiences. The paired sending provided mutual support, accountability, and credible witness in cultures where individual testimony was suspect.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' pattern of sending disciples 'two and two' inform modern missionary strategy and church planting?
- What does it mean that these disciples went 'before his face' to prepare the way, and how do Christians prepare the way for Christ today?
- Why might Jesus have chosen seventy (or seventy-two) disciples for this particular mission?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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 Greek anedeixen (ἀνέδειξεν, "appointed") literally means "showed forth" or "publicly designated"—Jesus formally commissioned this missionary band. The number seventy (some manuscripts read seventy-two) likely corresponds to the seventy elders of Israel (Numbers 11:16) or the seventy nations in Genesis 10, symbolizing universal mission.
The phrase two and two (ana duo, ἀνὰ δύο) reflects Jesus' consistent practice of paired witnesses (Mark 6:7), fulfilling Deuteronomy 19:15's requirement of two witnesses for testimony. The prepositional phrase before his face (pro prosōpou autou, πρὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ) indicates they were advance messengers preparing the way—like John the Baptist prepared for Jesus' first coming, these disciples prepared towns for His immediate arrival. This missionary sending prefigures the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and models apostolic witness throughout Acts.