Devine Scripture

Luke 9:1

What does Luke 9:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 9:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 9:1 means

In this verse Jesus gathers the twelve apostles and commissions them with real authority over demons and disease. He is empowering chosen messengers to continue his work, not merely as assistants but as agents of his mission. This gift of power validates their preaching and healing as signs of God’s kingdom. It also shows that spiritual authority is necessary to confront Satan’s realm and human frailty; the apostles are given what they need to carry out that task, depending on Jesus’ commissioning rather than their own merit.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And getting the twelve together, he gave them power and authority over all evil spirits and over diseases, to make them well.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having called together his twelve disciples, he gave them power and authority over all the demons, and to cure sicknesses,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then calling together the twelve apostles, he gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having called together the twelve, he gave them power and authority over all demons, and to heal diseases,

Context

This opening verse launches the chapter’s focus on training and sending messengers. It follows Jesus’ growing public ministry and precedes the mission-mandate that occupies the next verses. The immediate scene sets a pattern: Jesus authorizes the twelve, sends them, and then evaluates their work when they return. Understanding this commission helps a reader see how Jesus structures ministry—delegation, authority, and the demonstration of the kingdom through signs.

v.1This passage

v.2And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 1:8

    But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

  • Acts 3:16

    And by faith in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

  • Mark 16:17

    And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;

  • Acts 4:30

    while thou stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus.

  • Matthew 10:1

    And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness.

  • Matthew 16:19

    I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

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