Luke 10 · Verse 20

Luke 10:20

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Luke 10:20, King James Version

Luke 10:20 in other translations

BSBNevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
WEBNevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
ASVNevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
YLTbut, in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subjected to you, but rejoice rather that your names were written in the heavens.'
DARBYYet in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subjected to you, but rejoice that your names are written in the heavens.
BBEDo not be glad, however, because you have power over spirits, but because your names are recorded in heaven.
WebsterNotwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

What does Luke 10:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
20. rejoice not, &c.--that is, not so much. So far from forbidding it, He takes occasion from it to tell them what had been passing in His own mind. But as power over demons was after all intoxicating, He gives them a higher joy to balance it, the joy of having their names in Heaven's register (Php 4:3).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 20. Rather rejoice, &c. Though it was an honour to work miracles, though it is an honour to be endowed with talents, and influence, and learning, yet it is a subject of chief joy that we are numbered among the people of God, and have a title to everlasting life.

Names are written in heaven. The names of citizens of a city or state were accustomed to be written in a book or register, from which they were blotted out when they became unworthy, or forfeited the favour of their country. Comp. Ps 69:28; Ex 32:32; De 9:14; Rev 3:5. That their names were written in heaven means that they were citizens of heaven; that they were friends of God and approved by him, and would be permitted to dwell with him. This was of far more value than all earthly honour, power, or wealth, and in this men should rejoice more than in eminent endowments of influence, learning, talents, or possessions.

(w) "your names are written" Ex 32:32, Ps 69:28, Is 4:3, Dan 12:1 Php 4:3, Heb 12:23, Rev 13:8, 20:12, 21:27

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 Because your names are written in heaven - This form of speech is taken from the ancient custom of writing the names of all the citizens in a public register, that the several families might be known, and the inheritances properly preserved. This custom is still observed even in these kingdoms, though not particularly noticed. Every child that is born in the land is ordered to be registered, with the names of its parents, and the time when born, baptized, or registered; and this register is generally kept in the parish church, or in some public place of safety. Such a register as this is called in Phi 4:3; Rev 3:5, etc., the book of life, i.e. the book or register where the persons were enrolled as they came into life. It appears also probable, that when any person died, or behaved improperly, his name was sought out and erased from the book, to prevent any confusion that might happen in consequence of improper persons laying claim to an estate, and to cut off the unworthy from the rights and privileges of the peaceable, upright citizens. To this custom of blotting the names of deceased and disorderly persons out of the public registers, there appear to be allusions, Exo 32:32, where see the note; and Rev 3:5; Deu 9:14; Deu 25:19; Deu 29:20; 2Kgs 14:27; Psa 69:28; Psa 109:13, and in other places.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 10:17-24

All our victories over Satan, are obtained by power derived from Jesus Christ, and he must have all the praise. But let us beware of spiritual pride, which has been the destruction of many. Our Lord rejoiced at the prospect of the salvation of many souls. It was fit that particular notice should be taken of that hour of joy; there were few such, for He was a man of sorrows: in that hour in which he saw Satan fall…

Read the full comment on Luke 10:17-24 →

Luke 10:20 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

πλὴνplēnYetG4133
ἐνeninG1722
τούτῳtoutōthisG3778
μὴmēnotG3361
χαίρετεchairetedo rejoiceG5463
ὅτιhotithatG3754
τὰtatheG3588
πνεύματαpneumataspiritsG4151
ὑμῖνhuminto youG4771
ὑποτάσσεται·hupotassetaiare subjected;G5293
χαίρετεchairetedo rejoiceG5463
δὲdehoweverG1161
μᾶλλονmallonmoreG3123
ὅτιhotithatG3754
τὰtatheG3588
ὀνόματαonomatanamesG3686
ὑμῶνhumōnof youG4771
ἐγγέγραπταιengegraptaihave been writtenG1449
ἐνeninG1722
τοῖςtoistheG3588
οὐρανοῖς.¶ouranoisheavens.G3772

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 10:20

  • Revelation 20:15

    And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

  • Revelation 20:12

    And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

  • Matthew 7:22-23

    Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

  • Hebrews 12:23

    To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

  • Revelation 21:27

    And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

  • Revelation 3:5

    He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

  • Daniel 12:1

    And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

  • Exodus 32:32

    Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

  • Ezekiel 13:9

    And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God.

  • Philippians 4:3

    And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

  • Revelation 13:8

    And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

  • Isaiah 4:3

    And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
in this.
Mt 7:22,23; 10:1; 26:24; 27:5; 1Co 13:2,3
your.
Ex 32:32; Ps 69:28; Isa 4:3; Da 12:1; Php 4:3; Heb 12:23; Re 3:5
Re 13:8; 20:12,15; 21:27

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 10:19

    Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

  • Luke 10:20

    Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

  • Luke 10:21

    In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Read all of Luke 10

Luke 10:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mas no os gocéis de esto, que los espíritus se os sujetan; antes gozaos de que vuestros nombres están escritos en los cielos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		toutefois ne vous réjouissez pas de ce que les esprits vous sont assujettis, mais réjouissez-vous parce que vos noms sont écrits dans les cieux.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Doch darüber freuet euch nicht, daß euch die Geister untertan sind; freuet euch aber, daß eure Namen in den Himmeln angeschrieben sind.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Verumtamen in hoc nolite gaudere quia spiritus vobis subjiciuntur: gaudete autem, quod nomina vestra scripta sunt in cælis.