Luke 10:19
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Original Language Analysis
δίδωμι
I give
G1325
δίδωμι
I give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
2 of 24
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐξουσίαν
power
G1849
ἐξουσίαν
power
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
5 of 24
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄφεων
serpents
G3789
ὄφεων
serpents
Strong's:
G3789
Word #:
9 of 24
a snake, figuratively, (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially satan
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
over
G1909
ἐπὶ
over
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δύναμιν
the power
G1411
δύναμιν
the power
Strong's:
G1411
Word #:
16 of 24
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐχθροῦ
of the enemy
G2190
ἐχθροῦ
of the enemy
Strong's:
G2190
Word #:
18 of 24
hateful (passively, odious, or actively, hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially satan)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὐδὲν
nothing
G3762
οὐδὲν
nothing
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
20 of 24
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
οὐ
G3756
Cross References
Psalms 91:13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.Mark 16:18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.Romans 16:20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.Acts 28:5And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.Revelation 11:5And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.Ezekiel 2:6And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.Isaiah 11:8And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
Historical Context
The seventy returned rejoicing that demons submitted to them (v. 17). Jesus' response confirmed their authority but redirected their joy (v. 20). The imagery of treading on serpents echoes Genesis 3:15's promise that the woman's seed would bruise the serpent's head—Messianic victory over Satan. Psalm 91:13 also promises protection from serpents and lions for those trusting God. Jesus' conferring authority demonstrated the kingdom's presence—Satan's power was being broken. Acts records apostles experiencing this protection (Acts 28:3-6). The authority is derivative—'I give unto you'—it comes from Jesus, not inherent in disciples.
Questions for Reflection
- What does authority over serpents and scorpions symbolize about believers' authority over Satan's power?
- How does Jesus' conferring this authority demonstrate the kingdom's breaking into the present and Satan's defeat?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus tells the returning seventy: 'Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.' The authority to 'tread on serpents and scorpions' likely is metaphorical (though may include literal protection)—authority over evil spirits and Satan's power. The phrase 'all the power of the enemy' (Greek 'pasan tēn dynamin tou echthrou,' πᾶσαν τὴν δύναμιν τοῦ ἐχθροῦ) indicates complete authority over Satan's forces. The promise 'nothing shall hurt you' assures supernatural protection for those on Jesus' mission.