Luke 10:13 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Luke 10:13

Comments

Though the words of verses 13-15 are very similar to Matthew 11:20-23, verse 16 varies a little from Christ’s words (probably spoken on a separate occasion) in Matthew 11:24. The negative side of the statement is added in Luke’s record. Some hear Christ’s disciples and therefore Christ himself, and some despise his disciples, and despise him also. Of course, the assumption is that the disciples is faithfully representing his Lord, but if he is, then, either way, the disciple is encouraged. He is encouraged to know that he shares the same verdict of the world with his Lord: he could not ask for a clearer endorsement. The negative uses the word despise, meaning literally to regard as nothing. It is not just a disinclination to hear message, but a hostile attitude towards the messenger for bringing that message. The world does not just ignore our message, it hates us, and it is our consolation that they did the same to our Lord. It is not because we have done anything unreasonable in preaching the gospel to them, but it is because of the hostility to God that is in their hearts which cannot help but show itself. The disciple is not blamed by his Lord for the rejection of the message; in the case of this hearer, it is according to the will of the Father.

Application

The principle here is that we and our work are really significant. ‘Oh I am a witness. I will witness to this person; I will witness to that person. It would be good if they listened; it would be good if they were converted.’ No, it is more important than that God is dealing with that person through you. On the basis of their acceptance or rejection of your message, they will either go to heaven or to hell. What they do with you, they do with Christ, and if they turn against you and persecute you, this is a mightily and eternally significant thing. You are seeing played out before your eyes the sealing of their eternal destiny, unless of course it is in the will of God to give them another opportunity with another messenger. But we realize our work is hugely significant, so we pray all the more and we are very diligent in how we do it.

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Luke 10:13 Commentary and Bible Study