‘And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.'
Having called the twelve together for a briefing Jesus grants them power and authority (note the twofold provision) over all demons and to cure diseases. Here He acts on His own initiative in the giving of power and authority. It is His power and authority that will go with them. Previously the Roman centurion was confident that Jesus could send His power and authority over a distance (Luke 7:1-10), but even he may have quailed at the thought of His sending His power and authority through twelve men all at the same time. It is in stark contrast to when Moses (Numbers 11:24-30) and Elijah's (2 Kings 2:9-10) power was passed on. There they obeyed God and God acted independently of them to bring about the passing on of their ‘spirit', and Elijah did not even know whether it would happen. But Jesus is here revealed as unique. He has total control over God's authority and power, and dispenses it as He will. This explains why Judas was able to perform signs and wonders. Jesus had sent His own power and authority through him.