§ Seventv-two, according to Clem. Recngn. ii. 42. See Driver, Dt. p. 355 f.
II A somewhat similar prohibition existed (no staff, shoes, scrip, or purse) for those about to enter the Temple : so that this particular instruction to the Seventy may siiggest that those sent forth were to perform their service in the spirit of worshippers (Edersheim, The Temple, etc. p. 42).
618
SEVENTY
SEVENTY
the Kingdom of God was the Jews' highest aspira- tion. Tlie Seventy, however, like the Twelve, would use these words, doubtless, with a fresh significance. Peace would include peace with God as well as with men, peace of conscience, the peace of discipleship to a perfect Master (Mt ips-so^ . ^j^g Kingdom of God would be, not a mere external, but an internal theocracy, the reign of God within as well as over men (Mt 12^8, Mk 426-27). and this Empire of God was Peace. (4) In both instructions the warning is added that tliey would be as sheep or lambs amid wolves, Mt 10'^, Lk 10». The Seventy, like the Twelve, were to be prepared for persecution and tribulation. Even in Christ's lifetime there are indications of His followers being persecuted (Jn 9^'* 12'") ; and some of the Seventy at least were destined to suffer for Christ's sake.
2. On the other hand, there are important differ- ences in the two commissions. (1) The mission of the Twelve was permanent ; they were pre-emi- nently Christ's Apostles : that of the Seventy Avas temporary ; they disappear, as a body, from view, like the Seven of Ac 6, although the office of evan- gelist, without Apostolic status, continues (Ac 2P, Eph 41'). (2) The Twelve Avere not only to minis- ter, but to administer — to exercise discipline and government ( Jn 20^=*, Ac V-^-'^). To the Seventy no such functions were committed : they were simply preachers and healers. (3) The commission to the Twelve was expressly limited to ' the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ' ' Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not ' (Mt lO''- ^). It was expedient at first to postpone the obtrusive extension of the privi- leges of the Kingdom beyond the Jews, lest these should be prejudiced against the gosi^el. By the time, however, that the Seventy were sent forth, Christ Himself had gone into ' the borders of Tyre and Sidon ' (in addition to His earlier visit to Samaria), and had healed the Syrophoenician's daughter (Mk 7^^). His disciples had thus been educated so far into realization that the Kingdom was intended to embrace others than Jews. The restriction, accordingly, is omitted in the commis- sion to the Seventy, although there is no positive evidence that any of them preached, at this time, to Gentiles. (4) The commission to the Twelve included not only healing, but raising from death : that to the Seventy omits the latter. It is notable that only Apostles in the special sense are ever represented in the NT as raising the dead (Ac 9*" 2o»- 10), (5) A definite itinerary was arranged for the Seventy : they were to go ' into eveiy city and place where Jesus himself intended to come ' (Lk 10'), so as to prepare the way for Him. Their mission field thus included the country east of the Jordan, which was visited by our Lord during this closing year of His ministry. (6) A special feature of the directions to the Seventy was the injunction to ' salute no man by the way. ' The ' time when he should be received up ' was at hand : there were many places still to be visited ; delay in preparing the way must be avoided ; the profuse and elabor- ate salutations, customary on a journey, must be forgone. *
3. Return of the Seventy (lAi W--% (1) Their return collectively is related ; but we need not infer, what the nature of the case must have pre- vented, that they all returned simultaneously. As Christ approached some town or district in the itinerary, some pair out of the Seventy would report the outcome of their particular mission. (2) The Seventy return with exultation. Their
* Geikie {The Holy Land and the Bible, i. pp. 328-329) de- scribes g:raphicall}' the salutation of two Orientals in Palestine even at the present day. On meeting, each lays his right hand on his heart, then raises it to his brow or mouth. Thereafter they take hold each of the other's hand, and a series of par- ticular inquiries follows, taking up considerable time.
satisfaction culminated in this : ' Even demons are subject to us in thy name.' There was something commendable, and something defective in their joy. It was right to rejoice in the power of exorcism, but tliere was a higher joy of which, apparently, they thought little, the joy of enrolment among the servants of God. Accordingly (3) the Lord (a) manifests His sympathy, ' I was beholding Satan fall like lightning from heaven'; as if He had been following the Seventy in spirit during the progress of their mission. (6) He assures them of security against real harm from the powers of evil. Although they were among ' serpents and scor- l^ions,' 'nothing shall in any wise hurt you'; a special providence would be their privilege, (c) He raises their aspirations to a higher level. Even to die in such a service would be ' gain ' ; their 'names are written in heaven' (cf. Is 4*, Dn 12'). They were fellow-workers with the King, whose cause, even should they suffer tribulation, must prevail.