After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
As our Lord's end approaches, the preparations for the establishment of the coming Kingdom are quickened and extended.
After these things - but how long after does not appear. See introductory remarks on the large portion of this Gospel commencing with Luke 9:51.
The Lord. This august appellation is here in the highest degree suitable, the appointment about to be mentioned being, as Bengel remarks, truly lordly.
Appointed other seventy also, х kai (G2532) heterous (G2087) hebdomeekonta (G1440)] - an unhappy rendering. It should be, as we have pointed the Greek, 'appointed others also, seventy [in number]'-that is, others in addition to the Twelve, to the number of seventy. In all likelihood as the number Twelve had reference to number of the tribes of Israel, so the number Seventy had reference to the number of elders on whom Spirit rested in the wilderness (Numbers 11:24-25). This appointment, unlike that of the Twelve, was evidently quite temporary. All the instructions are in keeping with a brief and hasty pioneering mission, intended to supply what of general preparation for coming events the Lord's own visit afterward to the same "cities and places" (Luke 10:1), would not, from want of time, now suffice to accomplish; whereas, the instructions to the Twelve, besides embracing all those given to the Seventy, contemplate world-wide and permanent effects. Accordingly, after their return from this single missionary tour, we never again read of the Seventy.
And sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, where he himself would come, х emellen (G3195) autos (G846) erchesthai (G2064)] - or 'was going to come.'