Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Luke 10:17

Eastern Fathers

Cyril of Alexandria

It was said above that our Lord sent forth His disciples sealed with the grace of the Holy Spirit, and that being made ministers of preaching, they received power over the unclean spirits. But now when they returned, they confess the power of Him who honoured them, as it is said, And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us, &c. They seemed indeed to rejoice rather that they were made workers of miracles, than that they had become ministers of preaching. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Previously the Evangelist said that the Lord sent seventy disciples, and now he says that they "returned with joy" because they not only healed from various other diseases, but delivered from an even greater evil — from demons. See how far they are from pride; for they say to the Lord: "in Your name" the demons are subject to us, by Your grace, and not by our own power.

Commentary on Luke ↗

Desert Fathers

Daniel said that in Babylon there was a nobleman's daughter, who was possessed by a devil. Her father asked a monk for help. The monk said to him, 'No one can cure your daughter except some hermits I know: and if you go to them, they will refuse to do it from motives of humility. Let us do it this way: when they come to the city bringing their produce for sale, tell them that you want to buy what they have. …

The Desert Fathers, Sayings of the Early Christian Monks ↗

Western Saints

Bede

Now the seventy-two returned with joy, saying: Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name. They indeed confessed rightly, giving honor to the name of Christ, but because they were still rejoicing in the miracles with weak faith, see what they hear.

On the Gospel of Luke ↗

Bonaventure

But they returned etc. After the sending of the companions and the instruction of those going forth, here in the third place is added the consolation of those returning. This part, moreover, has two sections. In the first of which the Lord restrains vain joy in the disciples: in the second he invites them to true joy, at the passage: But rejoice, because your names etc. Concerning the repression of vain joy in the disciples, he introduces four points. …

Commentary on Luke, Chapter 10 ↗