Luke 10:1  “…Lord appointed seventy others also…sent them two by two…where He Himself was about to go”
Just like He sent out the twelve.  I think this may have been the goal, and the twelve was a trial run.  Doesn’t say, but I would bet the twelve were not among the seventy so they could stay back and observe.  In days to come after the resurrection, they would have some experience in watching others do the sharing.  And this time, Jesus followed after them preaching in the cities they had visited.  Like a follow-up to them breaking the ice.

7  “…Do not go from house to house”
Don’t seek out better accommodations or try to accumulate anything.  Be content with whatever you receive where you are.

8  “…eat such things as are set before you”
Was given the same instruction before Summer Missions.  No complaining, no extreme pickiness about what you get.  Just eat it and go.  And be thankful and gracious.  Only got burned once with the apple juice.

11  “…Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you”
Warn the ones that reject you that they had a chance.  The kingdom of God was there and they were rejecting it.

12  “…more tolerable in that Day for Sodom…”
To whom much is given, much shall be required.  God gave those of Sodom and Gomorrah warning.  They knew they were doing evil.  But these people had direct contact with Jesus.  A chance is a chance, but if you’re given multiple chances, you have no excuse.

15  “…Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven…”
Couldn’t find anything specific on Capernaum other than it was a prosperous sea town.  Perhaps there was an air of pride and superiority about them we don’t know.  Not uncommon among cities that grow great with prosperity.  Commentaries only mentioned this and that later the town would become a wasteland.  As Jesus said, down to Hades, utter destruction.

17  “Then the seventy returned…”
Not told how long this was.  Had to have been some substantial amount of time for Jesus to have followed them and preached in the cities they visited.  Commentaries seem to think not a long period of time.  But I don’t really see how.

18  “…I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”
As they cast out demons, more of satan’s power was diminished.  Some debate over whether the phrase is read satan fall from heaven or lightning from heaven.  Either way, we’re talking about a decrease in power and influence.  And the context puts it with their exclamation that the demons obeyed them.

19  “…nothing shall by any means hurt you”
Commentaries agree this is an assurance of God’s protection and power over anything a disciple may encounter.  But none would go beyond that.  Obviously it does not mean that God will prevent any and all harm from befalling His servants or we wouldn’t have martyrs.  And we shouldn’t temp God by placing ourselves in harm’s way in a frivolous manner, as Jesus told satan in the desert.  I think this is an assurance that God is indeed watching over us, therefore we should have no problem going and doing as He instructs without fear of what might happen.  While some physical harm may befall us, allowed by Him, nothing can touch us spiritually.  We are totally secure in Him.  We have the authority to go anywhere, attack any stronghold without concern for our spiritual well being.  We watch so we don’t stumble, but we know satan has been defeated and can’t really harm us.

20  “…but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven”
Goes along with the previous.  Any power or authority we may have is secondary to the fact that God has saved us.  We belong to Him.  That is our focus and motivation, the reason we fight the good fight.  We have that assurance and want to share it with others.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.

Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.