A Difficult Verse

He said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. — Luke 10:18 ESV 

As Bible believers we sometimes find statements in the Bible that are hard to understand. We look at these as difficult passages, feeling as though we are left to grapple with what seems to be a saying in which the full meaning is hidden from us. We search the immediate context, examine the language, and look to see if there are any indicators that will lead us to some sort of clarity of understanding.  

Luke 10:18 is one of those “hard to understand” sayings whose meaning is not immediately evident. This does not mean it does not have one correct meaning, only that we may struggle to find it. Jesus knew exactly what He meant, and those to whom He spoke probably did too. But what about us? Can we find a clear and definite understanding of what Jesus had in mind? Yes, we can. 

I believe it was listening to John Mitchell in a hermeneutics class where I first heard this statement, “The three most important words in biblical interpretation are: Context, context, context.” I agree wholeheartedly. Looking at the context of Luke 10:18 is extremely helpful in determining what Jesus meant. Remember also this principle: we are looking for the most straight forward meaning which fits the language and context, rather than a more difficult and obscure explanation. 

The context of Jesus’ statement goes back to Luke 10:1. The first part of the chapter deals with Jesus sending out 72 disciples (70 in some manuscripts) on a preaching trip. We are not told the exact location of this campaign, but it was probably the area around Judea (possibly Perea too) since the twelve had already been on a preaching tour in Galilee (Matthew 10:1ff). Our Lord was using these men to prepare the way for Him to visit these areas. Jesus gave them detailed instructions and warnings about their work and the proper way they were to conduct themselves among those who would meet their physical needs. The statement we are focusing on is made by Jesus when these men return from this campaign.  

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:17–20, ESV throughout). 

Although there are several explanations for Luke 10:18, we will examine the two most popular interpretations. Some see Jesus’s words here as a reference to His actual witnessing of the original fall of the devil and his being cast out of heaven. This is possible, but it seems a rather odd way for Jesus to commend the just-finished work of these 72 disciples. These men are excited over the victory Christ had achieved through them (“in your name”). It seems unlikely Jesus would mention the original fall of Satan as indicative of their recently concluded successful work. In this case it would be Jesus saying, “Your victory is great and reminds Me of when Satan was cast out of heaven at the beginning.” I believe the specific language of the verse leads us in a different direction. 

The second popular explanation is Jesus saw a literal fall of Satan the moment the 72 were doing the work He had given them to do. This also seems unlikely. A visible fall of the devil from where? Even if we say, “from heaven,” this also makes less sense since it does not completely fit the language of the verse. Although Satan is part of the spiritual realm, he is also active in this physical world. In what sense could he have literally fallen from heaven? Remember, in Ephesians 2:2 Paul refers to Satan as “the prince of the power of the air.” He is operating in this physical realm. 

If these interpretations do not do justice to the language and the context, then what point was Jesus trying to make? This leads to a third interpretation, and the one we will defend. Jesus saw Satan fall in a figurative sense. Notice what is happening. The 72 have returned with joy saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name! Lord, we’ve just experienced a great victory over the demonic powers of evil by Your power and authority.” In direct response Jesus says, “I saw …” I hesitate to get too technical or leave the impression one must know Greek to understand the Bible, which is not necessary. However, if Jesus was speaking of the literal sighting of Satan falling at the beginning, He most likely would have used the verb tense which shows action at a point of time in the past (called aorist). Jesus instead uses a tense which indicates continuous action in the past (called imperfect). The literal translation is “I was seeing or watching.” 

Considering this, if Jesus meant a literal and present fall of Satan, we must ask how long was the fall since the verb indicates continuous action in the past. The point Christ was making is while the 72 were achieving triumph over the forces of evil, Christ was watching Satan experience defeat. While His disciples were winning, Jesus was seeing Satan losing. This does not have to imply an actual, visible sighting of some literal fall of the devil either at the beginning or presently. When combined with the rest of the statement, a figurative sighting makes the most sense. 

Jesus was seeing Satan falling “like lightning from heaven.” This is not Satan falling from his position in heaven, it is Satan falling “like lightning from heaven.” The prepositional phrase “from heaven” refers to the lightning, not Satan. Also, “like” is a particle which introduces a simile. A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison of two things or concepts by using the words “like” or “as.” The fall Jesus speaks of was not Satan’s fall from heaven at the beginning. 

The fall was like lightning from heaven. It was sudden and intense. The “lightning” reference is itself a figurative concept in this verse. Jesus had given authority to the 72, they used this power, and the devil experienced a serious and severe defeat. This statement of Jesus must have a direct connection to His disciples saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name.” It is a part of Christ’s response to their joyful victory, which makes a beginning of time reference unnecessary and unnatural to the specific occasion of the context. 

This understanding is also consistent with what Jesus says next, “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” Christ had given the 72 special authority to aid them in their work for Him. Obviously, the point was not that they could now literally walk on snakes and scorpions without getting bit or stung (which they may have been able to do). The point is the authority itself. The disciples would have power over the enemy and “nothing shall hurt you.” The power was both proactive and protective. The disciples would no doubt continue to gain victories over the forces of evil in the world through the equipping power of the Lord. 

The concluding communication Jesus imparts to the 72 has to do with proper spiritual priority. It was truly a wonderful and remarkable reality for these disciples to have power over the demonic forces of evil, but even greater is the realization their names were written in heaven. The Christ-given authority they possessed was secondary to being in a right relationship with God. 

Some see this final statement as a rebuke from Jesus. I’m not sure we need to go that far. I do not think Jesus is trying to take the “air out of their balloon” of accomplishment, especially since the disciples were aware their work was made possible by Jesus. I believe He just wants them to remember what is most important. What is done for the Lord in this life is of great importance, but being saved is still paramount. 

Even though we do not possess such power from Jesus today, we recognize that through His redemptive work, Jesus has bound the strong man (Matthew 12:29; Revelation 20:1-3) and defeated him (Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 3:8). Christians are on the winning team. We can, and must, accomplish victories by our involvement in the Lord’s work, and this means the devil keeps losing. 

Keep falling, Satan!