Book IV
THE DESCENT: FROM THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION INTO THE VALLEY
OF HUMILIATION AND DEATH.
Chapter 5
FURTHER INCIDENTS OF THE JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
THE MISSION AND RETURN OF THE SEVEN TY
THE HOME AT BETHANY
MARTHA AND MARY
(St. Luke 10:1-16; Matthew 9:36-38, 11:20-24; St. Luke 10:17-24; St. Matthew 11:25-
30, 13:16; St. Luke 10:25,38-42.
ALTHOUGH, for the reasons explained in the previous chapter, the exact succession of
events canno t be absolutely determined, it seems most likely, that it was on His
progress southwards at this time that Jesus 'designated'1 those 'seventy' 2 'others,' who
were to herald His arrival in every town and village. Even the circumstance, that the
instructions to them are so similar to, and yet distinct from, those formerly given to the
Twelve, seems to point to them as those from whom the Seventy are to be
distinguished as 'other.' We judge, that they were sent forth at this time, first, from the
Gospel of St. Luke, where this whole section appears as a distinct and separate record,
presumably, chronologically arranged; secondly, from the fitness of such a mission at
that particular period, when Jesus made His last Missionary progress towards
Jerusalem; and, thirdly, from the unlikelihood, if not impossibility, of taking such a public
step after the persecution which broke out after His appearance at Jerusalem on the
Feast of Tabernacles. At any rate, it could not have taken place later than in the period
betwee n the Feast of Tabernacles and that of the Dedication of the Temple, since, after
that, Jesus 'walked no more openly among the Jews.'3
1. Perhaps this may be a fuller English equivalent than 'appoint.'
2. The reading: 'Seventy-two' seems a correction, made for obvious reasons.
3. St. John xi. 54.
With all their similarity, there are notable differences between the Mission of the Twelve
and this of 'the other Seventy.' Let it be noted, that the former is recorded by the three
Evangelists, so that there co uld have been no confusion on the part of St. Luke.4 But
the mission of the Twelve was on their appointment to the Apostolate; it was
evangelistic and missionary; and it was in confirmation and manifestation of the 'power
and authority' given to them. We regard it, therefore, as symbolical of the Apostolate just
instituted, with its work and authority. On the other hand, no power or authority was
formally conferred on the Seventy, their mission being only temporary, and, indeed, for
one definite purpose; its primary object was to prepare for the coming of the Master in
the places to which they were sent; and their selection was from the wider circle of
disciples, the number being now Seventy instead of Twelve. Even these two numbers,
as well as the differenc e in the functions of the two classes of messengers, seem to
indicate that the Twelve symbolised the princes of the tribes of Israel, while the Seventy