Is it 70 or 72 Disciples in Luke 10:1
| By: Rev. Sam Harris; ©1999 |
| Some translations of Luke 10:1 say “70 disciples,” while others say “72 disciples.” Which is correct? Rev. Harris attempts to answer this seeming contradiction. |
In Luke 10:1 some versions say “72 disciples,” while others say “70 disciples.” Which is right?
Question:
“The preacher was speaking on Luke 10:1, and read from the New International Version (NIV) that Jesus sent forth 72 disciples, and I was in the pew with my King James Version (KJV) and it read that Jesus sent forth 70 disciples. How do you reconcile the two?”
Answer:
The questioner stated that he had asked many preachers this question but had not received any direct answers. I’m not sure that I can do much better, but let me share my research to this point.
The King James, New King James, and the New American Standard Bible read that Jesus “sent forth 70 disciples,” while the New International Version, The Jerusalem Bible, and the New Living Translation reflect that Jesus “sent forth 72 disciples.” Why the difference here?
Looking at Nestle’s Novum Testamentum Graece, we find that the Greek word “hebdomekonta” (coded 1440 in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible) is translated “seventy.” However, immediately following this word is the Greek word “duo” in brackets (duo) translated “two.” Footnotes of several translations indicate that the Greek manuscripts are divided between 70 and 72 as the number sent out and there is no way to be sure of which one is the original. Both represent the number of nations in the world in Genesis 10, with the Hebrew text having 70 names while the Greek text has 72.
As one person stated when I discussed this question with him, it really doesn’t matter the difference between 70 or 72, it’s exciting that Jesus had this many ready to send out to share the good news of the gospel! I would say, AMEN to that!
I would be inclined to believe that the number would be 70, because of the 70 that went down to Egypt, because of the 70 Sevens in the Book of Revelation and Daniel’s prophecy, etc.
70 7’s is not the 72. 72 is the number of nations in the world. That in itself has significance in the way it can be reduced. However, seven is the number of completeness, perfection. How many times are we called to forgive? Be careful not to read into the scriptures and add to them. It is OK not to know everything. Focus on what God is speaking to YOU at that moment. How is the word alive in YOUR reality today. His Word is alive and always doing.
Martins explanation most sense to me. The Hebrew text reads 70 corresponding to the number of nations listed in Genesis 10 of the Hebrew text, while 72 is written in the Greek Text, correlating to the number of nations in Genesis 10 of the Greek Text.
70 in Hebrew. 72 in Greek. I would go with the Hebrew, not a translation.
To all who have responded to this question, I was just thinking about the mathematical representation “6” being the number of man and “12” perhaps representing what it represents (the 12 tribes/mankind/those needing to be evangelize or something like that thus you get 6 ×12=72. Just thinking 12 groups of 6 people paired by 2’s gives 3 pairs representing THE TRIUNE GOD, THE FATHER, THE SON JESUS, and THE HOLY SPIRIT , Three in ONE!!!
NUMBERS THAT PREACH. My thoughts as to which version to accept. It would be the Hebrew translation which say “70.”
Nestles commentary is based from the Alexandrian eclectic text…. I’ll pass on any opinion of his. The NIV. NWT and etc etc are corrupted. Thank God we have the JKV 1611
KJV 1611
Just Kidding Version? Lol. (Just kidding) We know what you meant.
Amen to all the above. I think we should also recognize that a big part of Jesus mission was to reignite the restoration of the Nation’s, ie all peoples. It was Israel’s mandate to be a light to the world and as mentioned in the above commentary that it ties back to Genesis 10 and the table of Nations. I think what’s relevant is that the two numbers coincide whether it’s 72 or 70. The point is Jesus is beginning the process of restoring the nation’s(Acts 3:21etc.) to what God regionally intended for the world before the dispersion at the tower of Babel. It was however always in the mind of God that this would need to be accomplished through the work of the Cross, Col. 1:20.
And he turned him to his disciples, and said privately
My question was it all 70 or just the orginal 12 that he spoke privately
It matters when God’s word is changed. Original scripts read 70 and not 72. N I V is full of distortions and changes to God’s word that needs to be exposed.
If you don’t know the significance of the change you would not know which is right and which is wrong and it wouldn’t matter. There are so many translations and translations of translations and explanations of translations that you need to look to what the Holy Spirit is teaching you in what you have and pray for the gift of discernment. King James is not a good translation either … a work of prose done in Shakespearean English.
Amen Brother! Just recently finished reading “Final Authority” by Dr. Grady. Also Dr. Hinton, Phd Harvard University is a great defender of the KJV Bible. Thank you for posting your response. Among the many great disparities between the perverted translations like the NIV as compared to the KJV, check out and compare the readings of Psalms 12:6,7 NIV with the KJV and then look at 2 Timothy 3:16. God bless you.
Amen Brother! Just recently finished reading “Final Authority” by Dr. Grady. Also Dr. Hinton, Phd Harvard University is a great defender of the KJV Bible. Thank you for posting your response. Among the many great disparities between the perverted translations like the NIV as compared to the KJV, check out and compare the readings of Psalms 12:6,7 NIV with the KJV and then look at 2 Timothy 3:16. God bless you.
I agree. Study to show yourself approved…letting discrepancies slide doesn’t agree with not changing one “jot or tittle”. Some versions omit whole verses or completely change the interpretation. That’s a dangerous game to play. Asking the Holy Spirit to guide you when is study is imperative to knowing the truth. 70 and 72 cannot both be the truth.
Andrew..amen to you. I’m reading these comments stating it doesn’t matter… every word matters. Every word is divinely inspired. I’m not willing to stand in front of our Lord with an “it was close enough” excuse. I guess I consider my salvation with more fear and more trembling than others do! God bless!
Its 70 + 2 the other two have double or extra functions in that they are part of the 12 disciples as well as carrying out the duties of the 70. You see the Lord at the triumphant entry and at the Passover sending two disciples as he would have one of the 70. So its 70 plus John and Peter 72.
The quantity of disciples matters in this instance because 72 had meaning in the Jewish tradition. Numbers had meaning…3, 12, 7, 6 all meant something and are seen throughout the Bible. 72 is the number of nations on Earth for the Jews. Therefore, when Jesus sent out 72 disciples, in essence, He was sending out His people to all the nations of the Earth to let them know that the Kingdom had arrived (in Jesus himself) and to do His works … healing and cleansing. It is important to note then that He is the God of all people and all nations, not just the Jews, and we are called to be His ambassadors. Do not confuse the 72 with the 12. Christ had thousands of followers (see the miracle of the loaves and fish) The 12 were to be the foundation of the new chosen people in the new covenant … the new 12 tribes. Everything in the Old Testament is made better through Christ Jesus.
Scripture is beautiful…every word flrom the mouth of God is alive and has meaning but His message does not require a degree in theology. Genesis has wonderful messages yet I heard 2 Good Christian men debating Creation … was it 7 days, 7000 years … how long would it take, could it take … ??? I finally stopped them and told them to stop trying to contain or fit God into their understanding of the world. The message was clear for both … in the beginning GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH. … ’nuff said?
The difference could be related to the 70 elders chosen by Moses at Yahweh’s command (Numbers11:16) on whom the spirit of Yahweh was conferred and they left the camp to go to the Tent of Meeting – two remained in the camp (Eldad and Medad) but the spirit was also given to them and they prophesied.
For what it is worth, the Peshitta, the direct translation from Aramaic states 70.
THE HOLY BIBLE IS THE TRUTH WORD OF GOD. WHOLE PARTS OF THE BIBLE IS TRUTH. BOTH OF THE NUMBERS ARE TRUTH AND EACH ONE THERE IS ONE JUSTIFICATION. JUST LOOK FOR THE JUSTIFICATION .
THE ANSWER OF THIS MYSTERIOUS IS IN BOOK OF THE NUMBERS 11:24-30, SO YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT THE BOTH NUMBERS ARE RIGHT. HOW SWEET IS TO BE CHRISTIAN .
Thank you brother. This is the real answer. I don’t need to look any further now. Love when this happens.
And, 6 times 12 is 72…so perhaps after sending out the first 12 he sent out 6 more groups of 12…
One thing is for certain, He didn’t just empower the 12, he empowered many other believers as well.
Jesus is served by 12 Superior Angels and 72 angels of less rank
70 is the false # in ALL books
72 is the only truth in all holy books and ancient texts
72 dead (will of Abraham)
72 Sickness (life of adam and eve)
70 went out and +2 stayed in the camp (Moses)
Lucas 10 Sent out 72 Apostles
Another possibility not mentioned here is He sent out 2 groups of seventy.
I have also thought about that.
It does matter. One is correct and the other one isn’t. Satan has been sowing doubt about God’s Word since the garden. What God said matters 100%.
Jesus’s 12 apostles were referred to as “the eleven” after Judas’ betrayal. Church history also mentions another disciple who also returned to paganism.
My proposition, for what it’s worth, is that two names were permanently removed from the list.
I say we compromise and split it right down the middle. 71 disciples. BOOM, solved it. Next question.
OT Type and shadow Numbers 11:24-26,