Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 10:1

"Now after these things the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself was about to come." — Luke 10:1 (ASV)

The title “Lord” (GK 3261) emphasized the serious dominical aspect of the instructions—namely, that they came from the Lord Jesus himself. Not only does the commissioning of the seventy-two lack any restriction to Jewish hearers , but the number of missionaries sent out parallels the number of nations thought to exist in the world (see Ge 10, LXX) and so suggests the deliberate inclusion of Gentiles.

Sending messengers “two by two” was common among the early Christians and the Jews (see comment on Mk 6:7). The seventy-two were to go everywhere Jesus was going. The extent of this mission underscores the mission of the church: to reach the plentiful harvest. It may also look toward the conclusion of the church’s mission at Jesus’ return (cf. Matthew 10:23).