LUKE 9:1–6
THE MISSION OF THE TWELVE
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – Luke 9:1–6
1 He summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,
2 and he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
3 He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.”
4 “Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.”
5 “And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”
6 Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.
Historical and Jewish Context
Jesus acted like a Jewish rabbi sending out His disciples as authorized representatives, a common practice in first-century Judaism. The Twelve symbolize the restored Israel’s leadership. Traveling without provisions reflects ancient itinerant prophets who depended entirely on divine providence and the hospitality of God’s people. Shaking dust from one’s feet was a Jewish gesture used when leaving Gentile lands, symbolizing separation from unbelief. Jesus adapts this as a prophetic sign against rejection of God’s message.
Catholic Theological Perspective
Jesus shares His own divine authority with the Twelve, revealing the beginnings of apostolic ministry and the Church’s sacramental mission. Their mandate—preach, heal, and cast out demons—continues in the Church through apostolic succession. Trust in Providence and detachment from material security reflect the evangelical counsels later lived in consecrated life. The judgment sign of dust-shaking shows that rejection of the Gospel is a serious spiritual act, while the apostles remain peaceful and free of resentment.
Parallels in Scripture
Mt 10:1–15 – Similar missionary instructions to the Twelve.
Mk 6:7–13 – Parallel account highlighting authority over unclean spirits.
Lk 10:1–12 – Jesus gives similar directives to the Seventy-Two.
Acts 3:1–10 – Apostolic healing ministry continues through Peter and John.
Acts 13:46–51 – Paul and Barnabas shake the dust from their feet.
Key Terms
Power and authority – Divine commissioning to act in Jesus’ name.
Proclaim the kingdom – Announcing God’s reign breaking into history.
Take nothing – Radical trust in Providence and freedom from attachment.
Dust from your feet – Prophetic sign of judgment against persistent unbelief.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This passage is proclaimed in weekday liturgies to highlight the missionary identity of all baptized Christians. It is foundational for understanding the Church’s apostolic mission, the spirituality of religious poverty, and the commissioning of missionaries. It also supports the theology of Holy Orders, where ministry is exercised by Christ’s authority.
Conclusion
Jesus prepares His apostles for real mission: to announce the Kingdom not by relying on human resources but by trusting God completely. Their authority flows from Him, and their success depends on fidelity, simplicity, and peace. This text remains a blueprint for Christian discipleship and evangelization today.
Reflection
The Lord still calls each of us to be His messenger—bringing healing, peace, and hope. Am I willing to trust God with fewer securities? Do I respond with serenity when my witness is rejected? The apostles’ mission invites us to surrender our fears and to depend on Christ as the source of our strength.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You entrusted Your mission to the Twelve and through them to Your Church. Grant me the grace to proclaim Your Kingdom with humility, courage, and trust in Providence. May my life bring healing and hope to others, and may I follow You with a heart free from attachments. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
INTRODUCTION
Luke 9:1–6 describes Jesus commissioning the Twelve and sending them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal. In the Jewish tradition of the first century, disciples were expected to represent their teacher faithfully, carrying not their own authority but that of the one who sent them. By giving the Twelve power and authority over demons and diseases, Jesus shares in God’s divine prerogative, showing that the mission of the Kingdom is not confined to His own presence alone.
Historically, Jesus’ instructions to take nothing for the journey reflect Jewish prophetic practice, where reliance on God and hospitality was a sign of trust in divine providence. The command to remain where welcomed and to shake the dust from their feet where rejected echoes prophetic symbolism, expressing both freedom and accountability. The disciples go from village to village, embodying a mission marked by simplicity, urgency, and dependence on God rather than material security.
Lk 9:1 — “He summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.”
This verse marks a decisive turning point in Luke’s Gospel. After revealing His authority through teaching, healing, exorcism, and even power over death, Jesus now shares that authority with the Twelve. Discipleship moves from following and witnessing to participating in His mission. What Jesus has exercised personally, He now entrusts to His chosen apostles.
Luke is precise in his language: Jesus gives both power and authority. Power refers to the effective ability to act; authority refers to the legitimate right to do so in His name. The mission is comprehensive—over all demons and to cure diseases—addressing both spiritual bondage and physical suffering. The Kingdom of God advances not only by Jesus’ presence, but through those He commissions.
The act of summoning underscores initiative and vocation. The Twelve do not volunteer; they are called. Their mission flows from communion with Jesus and dependence on His gift. This verse inaugurates apostolic ministry: the extension of Christ’s saving work through human instruments.
Historical and Jewish Context
The Twelve symbolized the restoration of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Rabbis rarely delegated authority in such an expansive way.
Exorcism and healing signified the arrival of God’s reign.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse grounds the Church’s apostolic mission. The Church teaches that Christ entrusted His authority to the apostles, which continues through apostolic succession and sacramental ministry (cf. CCC 551–553, 861).
Spiritually, the verse reminds believers that mission is gift before task. Authority in the Church is received from Christ and exercised in service for healing and liberation.
Key Terms
Summoned — divine calling
The Twelve — apostolic foundation
Power — effective ability to act
Authority — legitimate mandate
Demons / diseases — spiritual and physical affliction
Conclusion
Lk 9:1 proclaims the transition from revelation to mission. Jesus entrusts His authority to the Twelve, extending His work of liberation and healing through those He calls.
Reflection
Do I recognize that Christian mission flows from Christ’s authority, not my own ability? How am I called to participate in His work of healing and freedom today?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You call and empower those You send. Grant me humility to receive Your authority, courage to serve in Your name, and faithfulness to carry Your healing and liberating love into the world You entrust to me. Amen.
Lk 9:2 — “He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”
This verse defines the purpose of the authority Jesus has just given to the Twelve. Power and authority are not ends in themselves; they are ordered toward mission. Jesus now sends the apostles, transforming them from learners into messengers. What they have received from Him, they must now share with others.
The mission has two inseparable dimensions. First, they are sent to proclaim the Kingdom of God. This proclamation announces that God’s saving reign has drawn near in Jesus Himself. It calls people to repentance, faith, and hope. Second, they are sent to heal the sick. Healing is not secondary or optional; it is a concrete sign that the Kingdom is already at work. Word and deed belong together.
Luke deliberately holds proclamation and healing side by side. The Kingdom is not an abstract idea, but a lived reality that restores broken lives. Through the apostles, Jesus continues His own ministry. Their mission mirrors His: announcing God’s reign and making it visible through compassion and healing.
Historical and Jewish Context
“Sending” implied representation with delegated authority.
The Kingdom of God was the central theme of Jesus’ preaching.
Healing validated the credibility of the divine message.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse expresses the heart of apostolic and ecclesial mission. The Church teaches that evangelization includes both proclamation of the Gospel and care for the sick and suffering (cf. CCC 551, 1503, 849).
Spiritually, the verse reminds believers that authentic witness unites truth and love. Proclaiming the Kingdom without compassion is incomplete; compassion without proclamation lacks direction.
Key Terms
Sent — missionary commission
Proclaim — authoritative announcement
Kingdom of God — God’s saving reign
Heal — sign of divine mercy
Conclusion
Lk 9:2 shows that the authority Jesus gives is exercised through mission. The apostles are sent to announce God’s Kingdom and to embody it through healing and mercy.
Reflection
How do I unite word and action in my Christian witness? In what ways am I called to proclaim God’s Kingdom while also bringing healing and compassion to others?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You send Your disciples to proclaim and to heal. Shape my life so that my words announce Your Kingdom and my actions reflect Your mercy. Use me as an instrument of Your healing love in a world in need. Amen.
Lk 9:3 — “He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey—no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have a second tunic.’”
This verse reveals the radical trust that must characterize apostolic mission. Having been given authority and sent to proclaim the Kingdom, the Twelve are now instructed on how they are to go. Jesus’ command is striking in its severity: they are to travel with nothing beyond what they wear. Mission is to be carried out in dependence, not self-sufficiency.
Each item listed—staff, bag, bread, money, extra tunic—represents human means of security. By removing these, Jesus teaches the apostles that their true provision will come from God’s providence and the hospitality of those who receive the Gospel. The effectiveness of their mission will not rest on preparation or resources, but on trust in the One who sends them.
Luke emphasizes that the Kingdom advances through poverty of spirit, not accumulation. The apostles are to be free from possessions so that nothing distracts from their witness. Their vulnerability becomes a sign that God Himself is at work through them.
Historical and Jewish Context
Travelers commonly carried staff, food, and money for safety.
Itinerant prophets often relied on hospitality.
Radical simplicity signaled urgency and divine dependence.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse reflects the evangelical counsels and the call to trust in divine providence. The Church teaches that detachment from possessions frees the heart for mission and reliance on God (cf. CCC 544, 2544).
Spiritually, the verse challenges believers to examine what they rely on most. Mission bears fruit when trust in God outweighs attachment to material security.
Key Terms
Take nothing — radical trust
Journey — missionary life
No second tunic — simplicity and vulnerability
Conclusion
Lk 9:3 teaches that mission flows from trust, not provision. By sending the apostles empty-handed, Jesus fills their journey with reliance on God alone.
Reflection
What securities do I cling to that may hinder my trust in God? How might Christ be calling me to greater simplicity and dependence on His providence?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You call Your disciples to trust You completely. Free my heart from false securities, teach me simplicity of life, and help me to rely on Your providence as I follow You and serve Your Kingdom. Amen.
Lk 9:4 — “Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.”
This verse continues Jesus’ instruction for missionary conduct, focusing now on stability, integrity, and gratitude. The apostles are not to move restlessly from house to house in search of better comfort or greater advantage. Instead, they are to remain where they are received, accepting hospitality with humility and contentment.
By commanding them to stay in the same house, Jesus guards against greed, comparison, and distraction. Mission is not an opportunity for personal gain or improved living conditions. The apostles are to honor the generosity of their hosts and avoid giving scandal by appearing opportunistic. Faithful presence matters more than convenience.
Luke highlights the reciprocal nature of mission. The apostles bring the Gospel; the household offers hospitality. This mutual exchange builds communion rather than dependency or exploitation. Leaving from the same house signifies gratitude and respect, reinforcing the dignity of those who receive the messengers of the Kingdom.
Historical and Jewish Context
Hospitality was a sacred duty in Jewish culture.
Moving between houses could imply dissatisfaction or greed.
Staying put strengthened trust and credibility.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse reflects the Church’s teaching on integrity in ministry. The Church teaches that ministers of the Gospel are to live simply and gratefully, respecting those who support them (cf. CCC 2122, 2443).
Spiritually, the verse calls believers to faithfulness and contentment. God’s work flourishes where gratitude replaces restlessness.
Key Terms
Whatever house — openness to hospitality
Stay there — stability and integrity
Leave from there — gratitude and respect
Conclusion
Lk 9:4 teaches that mission is sustained by faithful presence and humble gratitude. The Gospel is best proclaimed by lives marked with integrity and contentment.
Reflection
Am I content with what God provides, or do I constantly seek more comfort or recognition? How does faithfulness in small settings shape my witness?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, teach me to receive Your gifts with gratitude and to serve with integrity. Free me from restlessness, and help me to remain faithful wherever You place me, so that my life may quietly proclaim Your Kingdom. Amen.
Lk 9:5 — “And as for those who do not receive you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
This verse completes Jesus’ missionary instruction by addressing rejection—a reality inseparable from Gospel proclamation. The apostles are not guaranteed acceptance. When the message of the Kingdom is refused, Jesus gives a clear, measured response: they are to leave and shake the dust from their feet. Mission proceeds without coercion, bitterness, or retaliation.
The gesture is symbolic rather than vindictive. Shaking the dust signifies detachment and witness, not condemnation. It declares that the apostles have fulfilled their responsibility; the response now lies with those who refused. The act preserves the apostles’ freedom and keeps the mission moving forward. The Kingdom is offered, not imposed.
Luke emphasizes “as a testimony against them.” The refusal itself becomes a witness—not against the messengers, but against the choice to reject God’s invitation. Silence would obscure responsibility; this sign clarifies it. Yet even here, Jesus’ instruction is restrained. There is no curse, only truth enacted.
Historical and Jewish Context
Jews sometimes shook dust after leaving Gentile territory as a sign of separation.
Prophetic actions often carried symbolic meaning.
Rejection of messengers implied rejection of the One who sent them.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse highlights respect for human freedom and the seriousness of responding to grace. The Church teaches that God offers salvation freely, but does not force acceptance; rejection has real consequences (cf. CCC 160, 1742).
Spiritually, the verse teaches detachment in mission. Faithful witnesses are called to perseverance without resentment, trusting God with outcomes.
Key Terms
Do not receive you — rejection of the Gospel
Shake the dust — detachment and witness
Testimony — accountability before God
Conclusion
Lk 9:5 teaches that rejection does not nullify mission. The apostles bear faithful witness, entrust outcomes to God, and continue forward without bitterness or fear.
Reflection
How do I respond when my witness is ignored or rejected? Can I let go without resentment and continue serving with peace?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, give me a faithful and free heart in mission. When my efforts are rejected, help me to let go with trust, remain peaceful, and continue proclaiming Your Kingdom with humility and perseverance. Amen.
Lk 9:6 — “Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.”
This verse shows the obedient fulfillment of Jesus’ commission. Having received authority, instruction, and guidance, the Twelve now set out. Luke’s language is simple and decisive: they do not delay, debate, or modify the mission. They go. Discipleship moves from receiving to doing.
Their activity mirrors Jesus’ own ministry. They proclaim the good news—the joyful announcement that God’s Kingdom is near—and they cure diseases. Word and deed remain inseparable. The Gospel is not proclaimed as theory but embodied as mercy. Healing validates proclamation, and proclamation gives meaning to healing.
Luke emphasizes scope and perseverance: “from village to village” and “everywhere.” The mission is not selective or centralized. It is expansive, patient, and faithful. The authority given by Jesus proves effective wherever it is exercised in obedience. The apostles are no longer merely followers; they are now active participants in God’s saving work.
Historical and Jewish Context
Villages formed the backbone of Galilean society.
Itinerant proclamation was common among prophets.
Healing affirmed divine presence in everyday life.
Catholic Theological Perspective
From a Catholic perspective, this verse illustrates the apostolic character of the Church. The Church teaches that the mission entrusted to the apostles continues in the Church’s evangelizing and healing ministry throughout the world (cf. CCC 849, 1503).
Spiritually, the verse reminds believers that faith naturally seeks expression. Encounter with Christ leads to action for the sake of others.
Key Terms
Set out — obedience in action
Village to village — wide and inclusive mission
Proclaiming — evangelization
Curing diseases — works of mercy
Conclusion
Lk 9:6 reveals that obedience bears fruit. The apostles carry forward Jesus’ mission, spreading the good news and healing wherever they go.
Reflection
How faithfully do I carry Christ’s mission into the ordinary places of my life? Do my words and actions together witness to the Gospel?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You send Your disciples to proclaim and to heal. Strengthen me to live my faith actively, to bring Your good news into every place You lead me, and to serve others with compassion, courage, and joy. Amen.
CONCLUSION
For believers today, Luke 9:1–6 reminds us that every Christian shares in Christ’s mission according to their vocation. The call to proclaim the Kingdom is not reserved for the Twelve alone but extends to the whole Church. This passage challenges us to trust that God equips those He sends and that effectiveness in mission flows from obedience, not self-reliance.
The Gospel also invites us to reflect on how we receive and respond to God’s messengers. Acceptance or rejection of the Gospel carries spiritual significance. As disciples, we are called to go forth with humility, courage, and trust, confident that God works through simple faithfulness to bring healing and hope to the world.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You send Your disciples with authority and trust in the Father’s providence. Strengthen us to share in Your mission with faith and courage. Free us from attachment to comfort and teach us to rely on Your grace. May our lives proclaim the Kingdom of God through word, service, and love. Amen.