This is another in a series of excerpts from The Book of Life: What the Bible Says about God’s Registry of the Redeemed from High Street Press and available at Amazon. This except comes from Chapter 13: Your Names Are Written in Heaven.

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In the previous post, we began to look at the record in Luke 10 of Jesus sending out 72 disciples, followed by their triumphant return, and Jesus’ curious command for them not to rejoice that demonic forces have submitted to them. Now, we complete our look at this passage.

Snakes and scorpions

Next, Jesus tells his disciples, “Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing at all will harm you” (Luke 10:19). The “snakes” and “scorpions” should be understood as figurative depictions of evil spirits. With the exception of Paul shaking a viper from his hand in Malta and suffering no ill effects (Acts 28:1-6), there’s no New Testament record of Christian preachers literally treading on reptiles or arachnids – and Paul’s encounter with a snake was far from intentional. 

Rather, Jesus is making it clear he has granted the disciples authority over Satan (“the enemy”) and his minions. While they’re engaged in obedient ministry, the Lord ensures that nothing harms them. This is a specific task of proclaiming the kingdom of God and providing a foretaste of eternal life under the king. By healing the sick and casting out demons, the disciples are showing Christ’s power over Satan, sin, and sin’s consequences. 

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