Devine Scripture

Luke 10:3

What does Luke 10:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 10:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 10:3 means

Jesus warns the seventy to expect hostility: though he sends them out, they will be vulnerable as 'lambs among wolves.' This vivid metaphor means they will face predators hostile to God’s message and may be weak or exposed. Yet the sending itself is significant: God commissions those who are vulnerable. The warning primes them for danger but does not call them to fearful retreat. Instead, it sets the tone for courage, reliance on God, and humble trust amid opposition.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Go on your way: see, I send you out like lambs among wolves.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Go away; lo, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Go: behold I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves.

Context

This caution follows the call to pray for more workers, clarifying the cost of mission. It explains the practical reality of the harvest field: openness to the gospel coexists with resistance. The image prepares readers for the concrete travel instructions in the next verses and for the sobering responses to rejection later in the chapter.

v.2And he said unto them, The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.

v.3This passage

v.4Carry no purse, no wallet, no shoes; and salute no man on the way.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 16:2

    They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.

  • Matthew 10:22

    And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

  • Acts 9:2

    and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

  • Psalms 22:21

    Save me from the lion’s mouth; Yea, from the horns of the wild-oxen thou hast answered me.

  • John 15:20

    Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.

  • Psalms 22:12

    Many bulls have compassed me; Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

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