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Luke 9 opens with an important step forward in the ministry of Jesus. Earlier, Christ had chosen twelve disciples and named them apostles. Now He brings them together and begins sending them out. But notice the order: before Jesus gives them the mission, He gives them what they need for it. Luke tells us that He gave them power and authority over demons and diseases, then sent them to preach the Kingdom of God and heal the sick. The Greek words help us understand the distinction. Dunamis speaks of power or capability, while exousia speaks of authority – the right to act under another’s command. The disciples were not going out in their own strength or reputation. Both the ability and the authority came from Christ.
That removes any room for pride. The mission was His, the authority was His, and the power was His. The apostles were servants carrying out the commission they had received. There is something important for us in that pattern as well. Christian ministry is not about building our own platform, inventing our own message or proving our own ability. Jesus sent the Twelve “to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” The message remained central, but the people mattered too. Gospel ministry is never meant to become abstract theology disconnected from those who are hurting. We faithfully proclaim Christ, repentance and forgiveness while remembering the people to whom that message is being given.
Jesus also tells them to travel lightly – no staff, bag, bread, money or spare tunic. For this particular mission, they were being taught to depend upon God’s provision and remain focused upon the task. They were materially travelling with very little, yet carrying an extraordinarily rich message. And when a town refused to receive them, Jesus did not tell them to argue until they won. They were to shake the dust from their feet and continue. That is a valuable lesson for Christian witness. Our responsibility is to proclaim the truth faithfully. We cannot argue somebody into faith. We preach the Word and trust the Holy Spirit to open hearts, ears and eyes according to His work.
The Twelve obeyed. Luke tells us that they went through the towns “preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.” Their mission became visible enough that news eventually reached Herod Antipas. Herod had already executed John the Baptist, and now reports about Jesus left him perplexed. Some claimed John had risen from the dead; others suggested Elijah or another ancient prophet had appeared. Herod wanted to see Jesus, although his curiosity was not the same thing as genuine faith. Luke will eventually bring these two men face to face shortly before the crucifixion, when Herod hopes to see Jesus perform some miracle. Hearing about Christ is not the same thing as submitting to Him.
Then the apostles return. They tell Jesus everything they have done, and He takes them aside privately towards Bethsaida. That small detail says something beautiful about the way Christ works with His servants. He sends them out, but He also receives them back. There is time to report, reflect and rest. Ministry is not endless activity. Those who serve also need space to recover, pray and spend time with the Lord. Jesus cared about the mission, but He also cared about the people carrying it. We see the complete pattern in these verses: called by Christ, equipped by Christ, sent by Christ, faithful to Christ, and then brought back to Christ.
Watch or listen to this study from Luke 9:1-10 as we consider how Jesus called, equipped and sent the Twelve, why the power and authority belonged to Him, and what their first mission teaches us about faithful Christian service today.
Scriptures Mentioned / Referenced
- Luke 9:1-10 – main passage
- Luke 6:12-16 – Jesus choosing the Twelve and naming them apostles
- Acts 1:8 – receiving power when the Holy Spirit comes
- Luke 10:19 – authority over the power of the enemy
- Luke 24:46-47 – repentance and remission of sins proclaimed in Christ’s name
- Mark 6:14-29 – Herod, John the Baptist and Herod’s troubled conscience
- Matthew 14:1-12 – parallel account concerning Herod and John
- Luke 23:8 – Herod eventually seeing Jesus and hoping to witness a miracle
