“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
My Notes
What Does Luke 10:19 Mean?
Jesus speaks this to the seventy-two disciples he sent out on mission, as they return amazed that even demons submitted to them. His response escalates their authority: power over serpents, scorpions, and all the power of the enemy.
Serpents and scorpions are both literal dangers in the ancient Near East and symbolic of evil forces. In the Old Testament tradition, serpents are associated with Satan and deception from Genesis 3 onward. Jesus is giving his followers authority over both physical danger and spiritual opposition.
"All the power of the enemy" is sweeping — every form of opposition that stands against God's purposes. And the final clause — "nothing shall by any means hurt you" — uses an emphatic double negative in the Greek: absolutely nothing, in no way whatsoever.
However, Jesus immediately follows this (v.20) with a correction: "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." The power is real, but it's not the point. Identity — belonging to God — matters more than authority over enemies.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What 'serpents and scorpions' — obstacles, opposition, spiritual attacks — are you facing right now?
- 2.Why do you think Jesus redirected the disciples' excitement from power to identity?
- 3.How do you balance taking spiritual authority seriously without making power the focus of your faith?
- 4.What's the difference between walking in authority and resting in identity?
Devotional
There's something exhilarating about this verse — the idea that you have authority over every form of opposition the enemy can throw at you. Serpents, scorpions, all his power. Nothing can hurt you.
But Jesus says something curious right after: don't rejoice in the power. Rejoice that your name is written in heaven. The authority is real. But it's not the main event.
We're drawn to power. The idea of trampling the enemy, of being untouchable, of spiritual victory that feels dramatic and visible. And Jesus doesn't deny that power. He just redirects the celebration.
Your identity matters more than your authority. Knowing that you belong to God is a deeper source of joy than knowing that demons submit to you. The power is a tool. The belonging is the treasure.
Where have you been more focused on spiritual victory than on simply being known and loved by God? Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stop flexing your authority and just rest in whose you are.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions,.... Which may be literally understood, as in Mar 16:18, or…
To tread on serpents - Preservation from danger. If you tread on a poisonous reptile that would otherwise injure you, I…
To tread on serpents, etc. - It is possible that by serpents and scorpions our Lord means the scribes and Pharisees,…
Christ sent forth the seventy disciples as he was going up to Jerusalem to the feast of tabernacles, when he went up,…
I give Read, I have given, with א, B, C, L, &c.
power Rather, the authority.
to tread on serpents and scorpions Compare…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture