Who Were the 70 Disciples of Jesus?
The Gospel of Luke presents a unique and often overlooked episode in the ministry of Jesus: the sending of the 70 (or 72) disciples. This event, recorded in Luke 10:1-24, raises several important questions for biblical scholars and students of Scripture alike. Who were these disciples? Why were they sent? And how do they relate to the more well-known group of twelve apostles? This article will explore the identity and mission of the seventy disciples, examine the textual variation between 70 and 72, and distinguish their role from that of the twelve, using both Old and New Testament references to provide a comprehensive theological understanding.
70 Disciples of Jesus Bible Verse
The sending of the 70 is found only in the Gospel of Luke. The passage begins: “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go” (Luke 10:1). Some manuscripts read “seventy” instead of “seventy-two,” and this textual variation has led to some debate. However, the difference is not theologically significant. Most scholars agree that the variation likely arose from a difference in manuscript traditions. The important point is not the exact number, but the fact that Jesus appointed a large group of disciples beyond the twelve for a specific mission.
Connection to 70 in the Old Testament
The number 70 carries symbolic weight in Scripture. In the Old Testament, 70 elders were appointed to assist Moses in leading the people of Israel (Numbers 11:16-17). These elders received a portion of the Spirit that was upon Moses, enabling them to share in the burden of leadership. This background is significant because it suggests that Jesus, like Moses, was delegating authority to a broader group of followers to carry out his mission. The parallel is further strengthened by the fact that the seventy were sent out in pairs, just as the elders of Israel often functioned in groups to provide counsel and judgment.
Another possible Old Testament connection is found in Genesis 10, often referred to as the “Table of Nations,” which lists 70 (or 72) nations descended from Noah. Some early Jewish traditions held that these 70 nations represented the entirety of the Gentile world. If Luke intended this connection, then the sending of the seventy may symbolize the universal scope of Jesus’ mission–a mission that would eventually extend beyond Israel to all nations. This interpretation aligns with the broader themes of Luke’s Gospel, which emphasizes the inclusion of Gentiles and the marginalized in the kingdom of God (see, Luke 2:32; 4:25-27; 24:47).
Mission of the 70 Disciples of Jesus
The mission of the seventy was both preparatory and prophetic. Jesus sent them “into every town and place where he himself was about to go” (Luke 10:1), indicating that their role was to prepare the way for his arrival. Their message was simple yet profound: “The kingdom of God has come near to you” (Luke 10:9). This echoes the message Jesus himself preached (Luke 4:43), as well as that of John the Baptist (Luke 3:3-6). The disciples were also given authority to heal the sick and cast out demons, demonstrating the inbreaking of God’s kingdom through both word and deed.
The response of the seventy upon their return is telling: “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” (Luke 10:17). Jesus affirms their success but redirects their focus: “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). This statement highlights the true source of their identity and security–not in their power or accomplishments, but in their relationship with God. It also underscores the grace-based nature of discipleship. Their names being “written in heaven” echoes Old Testament imagery of divine record-keeping (see, Exodus 32:32; Daniel 12:1) and anticipates the New Testament concept of the “book of life” (Revelation 20:12).
Did Jesus Send 70 or 72 Disciples?
The question of whether Jesus had 70 or 72 disciples is ultimately secondary to the theological significance of the event. The variation in number does not affect the core message of the passage. What matters is that Jesus expanded his circle of ministry partners beyond the twelve, entrusting them with a share in his mission and authority. This broader group of disciples illustrates the participatory nature of the kingdom of God. Ministry is not reserved for a select few but is extended to all who are willing to follow and serve.
What is the Difference Between the 12 Apostles and the 70 Disciples
This leads to the important distinction between the twelve apostles and the seventy disciples. The twelve held a unique and foundational role in the early church. They were personally chosen by Jesus to be with him, to learn from him, and to be sent out as his official representatives (Mark 3:14-15). Their number corresponds to the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the reconstitution of God’s people around Jesus as the new covenant mediator. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the apostles became the primary witnesses to his life, death, and resurrection, and their teaching formed the doctrinal foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20).
The seventy, by contrast, were commissioned for a specific mission during Jesus’ earthly ministry. They were not given the same foundational authority as the twelve, nor were they necessarily eyewitnesses to all of Jesus’ teachings and miracles. However, their role was still significant. They served as forerunners of the gospel, preparing hearts and communities for the arrival of Jesus. In this sense, they functioned as missionaries or evangelists, a role that would later be taken up by others in the early church, such as Philip the evangelist (Acts 8:5-8) and the unnamed believers scattered by persecution (Acts 11:19-21).
The sending of the seventy also anticipates the Great Commission, in which Jesus commands all his followers to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). The seventy were a prototype of the church’s missionary calling. Their experience demonstrates that effective ministry requires both divine empowerment and faithful obedience. Jesus warned them that they would face rejection (Luke 10:10-16), but he also assured them that their labor was not in vain. “The one who hears you hears me,” he said, “and the one who rejects you rejects me” (Luke 10:16). This statement affirms the representative nature of their mission and the seriousness of the response it elicited.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the seventy disciples of Jesus were a divinely appointed group of followers sent out to prepare the way for his ministry. Whether their number was seventy or seventy-two is less important than the theological message their mission conveys. They were empowered to proclaim the kingdom of God, to heal the sick, and to confront spiritual darkness. Their role complements that of the twelve apostles, illustrating the inclusive and expansive nature of Jesus’ ministry. While the twelve served as the foundational leaders of the church, the seventy represent the broader community of disciples called to participate in God’s redemptive work. Their story reminds us that the mission of the kingdom is not limited to a few but is entrusted to all who are willing to go, speak, and serve in the name of Jesus.
As Luke records, Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children” (Luke 10:21). The seventy were not chosen for their status or intellect but for their willingness to follow. Their example challenges modern believers to embrace the call to discipleship with humility, courage, and joy, knowing that their names, too, can be written in heaven.