Luke 9:2
What does Luke 9:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 9:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 9:2 means
Here Jesus sends the twelve out with two complementary tasks: to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Preaching and healing belong together in Jesus’ ministry; the message of God’s rule is confirmed by tangible mercy and restoration. The mandate is simple and urgent: announce the kingdom’s nearness and demonstrate its power by relieving suffering. The apostles are to embody God’s reign — words accompanied by deeds — so that people might both hear the gospel and see its life-giving effects.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he sent them out to be preachers of the kingdom of God, and to make well those who were ill.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he sent them to proclaim the reign of God, and to heal the ailing.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and sent them to proclaim the kingdom ofGod and to heal the sick.
Context
This verse explains the practical mission that follows the granting of authority in verse 1. After receiving power, the twelve are commissioned to go and act as the kingdom’s emissaries. What begins here leads into logistical instructions about reliance and hospitality (vv.3–5) and reports of their activity (v.6). The pairing of preaching and healing frames the chapter’s recurring theme: the kingdom is spoken and shown.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 6:12
And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
- Mark 1:14
Now after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,
- Matthew 10:7
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
- Hebrews 2:3
how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard;
- Luke 10:11
Even the dust from your city, that cleaveth to our feet, we wipe off against you: nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh.
- Luke 9:11
But the multitudes perceiving it followed him: and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and them that had need of healing he cured.
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