What does Luke 10:20 Mean?

Verse Meaning

As great as victory over injury and especially demons was, a greater cause for rejoicing was the Seventy"s assurance that God would reward them. God makes note of those who commit themselves to participating in His mission. Jesus" comparison helps all disciples keep His blessings in their proper perspective. [source][source]

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There appear to be several records that God keeps in heaven. There is the book of the living, namely, those who are presently alive on the earth ( Exodus 32:32-33; Deuteronomy 29:20; Psalm 69:28; Isaiah 4:3). There is also a book containing the names of the lost and their deeds ( Revelation 20:12). There is a book with the names of the elect in it ( Daniel 12:1; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:15; Revelation 21:27). A fourth book evidently contains the names of faithful followers of the Lord ( Malachi 3:16; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 3:5). In view of the context it was apparently to this last record that Jesus referred here. Obviously God needs no literal ledgers to keep records in since He knows all. This is a figurative way of saying that He remembers. [source][source]

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This whole pericope deals with the joy that disciples who participate in God"s mission for them experience. The greatest and most fundamental reason for rejoicing for any disciple is his or her personal salvation. Yet there is additional joy for disciples who take part in God"s program and advance His will in the world. It involves seeing a preview of the final victory over the forces of evil (cf. Matthew 16:18). This joy more than compensates for the deprivations and rejection that discipleship entails. Non-participating disciples know nothing of this joy. [source][source]

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Context Summary

How triumphant the return of the evangelist! With faces flushed with pride and hearts high with elation, they returned to the Master with their reports. What wisdom it is to talk our work over with Jesus! Even the demons were subject to His Name. He was not surprised. While He had been watching, bearing them up by His intercessions, He had seen an alteration take place in the unseen world. Satan had fallen, as though the work done by these humble men had turned the scale against him. Is it not so still? What we do is of eternal importance.

Then, "in that same hour" it seemed as though the flood-gates of the Savior's soul were flung open for very joy. He rejoiced that babe-like hearts might know the deep things of God; that all things were opened to Him in His humanity as in the ages before He became man; and that He was permitted to reveal the Father to those who loved and obeyed Him. It was for these, and for us, to know things hidden from prophets and kings. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 10

¹  Jesus sends out at once seventy disciples to work miracles, and to preach;
¹³  pronounces a woe against certain cities
¹⁷  The seventy return with joy;
¹⁸  he shows them wherein to rejoice,
²¹  and thanks his Father for his grace;
²³  magnifies the happy estate of his church;
²⁵  teaches the lawyer how to attain eternal life,
³⁰  and tells the parable of the good Samaritan;
³⁸  reprimands Martha, and commends Mary her sister