Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 10:20

"Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." — Luke 10:20 (ASV)

This call to rejoicing in the supreme blessing of assurance of heaven is one of Jesus’ great sayings, though the disciples may also rejoice in spiritual victories (cf. v.17). The idea of the names of God’s faithful people being written down in heaven in a book is common in biblical writings (e.g., Exodus 32:32–33; Psalms 69:28; Daniel 12:1; Malachi 3:16; Revelation 20:12–15).