Luke 10:19 and Christian Authority Over the Enemy
Luke 10:19 records Jesus' words to the seventy-two disciples whom he sent out, stating, "Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you" [1]. This declaration comes after the disciples return with joy, reporting that even the demons submit to them in Jesus' name (Luke 10:17).
The immediate literary context of Luke 10 involves Jesus commissioning seventy-two disciples to go ahead of him into every town and place he was about to visit (Luke 10:1). He instructs them to heal the sick and proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near (Luke 10:9). The authority granted in verse 19 is a direct response to their successful mission and their report of demonic submission. This passage is part of a larger narrative in Luke where Jesus demonstrates his authority over sickness, nature, and evil spirits, and then delegates this authority to his followers [3].
The phrase "serpents and scorpions" can be understood both literally and figuratively. Some interpreters suggest a literal understanding, pointing to instances like Mark 16:18, where believers are promised the ability to pick up serpents, and Acts 28:5, where Paul is unharmed by a viper [4, 5]. Indeed, Acts 28:5 is cross-referenced with Luke 10:19 with high confidence [2]. However, many commentators also interpret "serpents and scorpions" figuratively, representing the devil and his principalities and powers, as well as his human emissaries [4, 5]. John Gill, for example, notes that these creatures are apt symbols for their "craft and cunning, and for their poisonous and hurtful nature and influence" [4]. The subsequent phrase, "and over all the power of the enemy," reinforces this broader, spiritual interpretation, indicating that the authority extends to the entire force of evil [4, 5]. The "enemy" here refers to Satan and the unseen world of spiritual evil, over which Christ himself has ultimate authority [7, 8].
This authority given to the disciples is not merely for their initial mission but is understood by some as a continuing promise to believers. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary suggests that this authority is given "simply as disciples," indicating it is not exclusively for the original seventy-two but for all who follow Christ [5]. This power is linked to the "glorious power of faith to 'overcome the world' and 'quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one'" [5].
The promise that "Nothing will in any way hurt you" (Luke 10:19) signifies divine protection for those exercising this authority. This does not necessarily imply immunity from all physical harm or suffering, but rather that the ultimate power of the enemy to thwart God's purposes or eternally harm believers is nullified [5, 11]. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, discusses the victory over Satan, noting that while Christ's victory was always perfect, in believers, it is "partially obtained, and will be perfected when we shall have put off our mortal flesh" [6]. This suggests an ongoing struggle where believers, through Christ, have a measure of victory even now.
The early church understood the power of Jesus' name in expelling evil spirits. Tertullian, in ANF Vol 4, refutes the idea that Christians use incantations, asserting that they prevail over evil spirits "by the name of Jesus" [9]. This highlights that the authority granted in Luke 10:19 is not inherent in the disciples themselves but is derived from Christ.
The scope of this authority is also discussed in broader theological contexts. Charles Hodge, in his Systematic Theology, notes that whatever power was granted to the Apostles, it is also granted to all Christians or to every association of Christians that constitutes a Church [10]. This perspective broadens the application of such authority beyond a select few to the wider body of believers.
Sources
- Luke “Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you. -- Luke 10:19”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Luke.10.19 → Acts.28.5 (confidence: 99 votes)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of Christ, The — As the Son of God, is the power of God -- Joh 5:17-19; 10:28-30. As man, is from the Father -- Ac 10:38. Described as Supreme. -- Eph 1:20,21; 1Pe 3:22. Unlimited. -- Mt 28:18. Over all flesh. -- Joh 17:2. Over all things. -- Joh 3:35; Eph 1:22. Glorious. -- 2Th 1:9. Everlasting. -- 1Ti 6:16. Is able to subdue all things -- Php 3:21. Exhibited in Creation. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. Upholding all things. -- Col 1:17; Heb 1:3. Salvation. -- Isa 63:1; Heb 7:25. His teaching. -- Mt 7:28,29; Lu 4:32. Working miracles. -- Mt 8:27; Lu 5:17. Enabling ot”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 10:19: Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions,.... Which may be literally understood, as in Mar 16:18, or figuratively of the devil, and his principalities and powers, and all his emissaries, who, for their craft and cunning, and for their poisonous and hurtful nature and influence, may be compared to serpents and scorpions: and over all the power of the enemy; of mankind in general, and of the seed of the woman, Christ and his people in particular, Christ has a power over all his power, his whole posse of devils, even the power of the air, of which he ”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 10:19: Behold, I give you, &c.--not for any renewal of their mission, though probably many of them afterwards became ministers of Christ; but simply as disciples. serpents and scorpions--the latter more venomous than the former: literally, in the first instance (Mar 16:17-18; Act 28:5); but the next words, "and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you," show that the glorious power of faith to "overcome the world" and "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one," by the communication and maintenance of which to His people He”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 30: promise above quoted commences in this life where the struggle is carried on, and that it is completed after the struggle is ended. His words are, “The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly,” ( Rom. 16:20 ). In our Head, indeed, this victory was always perfect, because the prince of the world “had nothing” in him ( John 14:30 ); but in us, who are his members, it is now partially obtained, and will be perfected when we shall have put off our mortal flesh, through which we are liable to infirmity, and shall have be”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 8:32: 8:32 Jesus’ word had sufficient authority to expel demons. • drowned: Jesus had begun to defeat the enemy (12:28; Luke 10:17-20; Rom 16:20; Col 2:15).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 6:12: 6:12 Believers should not consider human beings to be their enemies. Instead, the opposition they face comes from the unseen world of spiritual evil, and Christ has authority over that realm (see 1:21-22).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 4: Tertullian IV, Minucius Felix, Commodian, Origen — CHAP. VI.: After this, through the influence of some motive which is unknown to me, Celsus asserts that it is by the names of certain demons, and by the use of incantations, that the Christians appear to be possessed of (miraculous) power; hinting, I suppose, at the practices of those who expel evil spirits by incantations. And here he manifestly appears to malign the Gospel. For it is not by incantations that Christians seem to prevail (over evil spirits), but by the name of Jesus, accompanied by the announcement of the narratives ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 79: loosed in heaven.” The first remark to be made on these passages is, that whatever power is granted in them to the Apostles, is granted in Matthew xviii. 18 to all Christians, 762 or, at least, to every association of Christians which constitutes a Church. “If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be establ”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 5:9: (Luk 4:13; Eph 6:11-17; Jam 4:7.) steadfast--Compare established in the truth," Pe2 1:12. Satan's power exists only in respect to the unbelieving; the faithful he cannot hurt (Jo1 5:18). Faith gives strength to prayer, the great instrument against the foe (Jam 1:6, &c.). knowing, &c.--"encouragement not to faint in afflictions": your brethren suffer the same; nothing beyond the common lot of Christians befalls you (Co1 10:13). It is a sign of God's favor rather than displeasure, that Satan is allowed to harass you, as he did Job. Your fellow Christ”