Jesus didn’t appoint 72 disciples instead of just using the original 12 without reason—it was a strategic and symbolic move. The mission was too large for a small group, and the 72 represented a broader reach, both in number and in purpose. They were sent out two by two to prepare towns for Jesus’ arrival, showing that the work of spreading the Kingdom wasn’t limited to just the inner circle. This move also pointed to the global mission ahead and modeled how ordinary followers could play powerful roles in God’s plan.
By appointing the 72, Jesus taught delegation, teamwork, and the importance of equipping others for ministry. He was building a scalable movement that would outlive His earthly ministry and grow into the early Church. The message is clear: every believer has a part to play. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not one of the “chosen few,” this story proves you still have a place in God’s mission. Keep reading for a deeper dive into what the number 72 really means, how it connects to Old Testament symbolism, and why this moment still matters today.
If you’ve read the Gospels, you probably know about the Twelve Apostles—Peter, James, John, and the rest. But in Luke 10:1, there’s something interesting that often gets overlooked:
“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.”
Wait—seventy-two? Not the Twelve?
That raises a really good question:
Why did Jesus appoint 72 others instead of sticking with just the 12 disciples?
Let’s break this down and understand the reasons behind this move. You’ll see that it wasn’t just a random number. There’s deep meaning, strategy, and purpose behind it.
1. The Mission Was Bigger Than the Twelve
Jesus Was Scaling the Mission
Jesus didn’t just come to teach twelve men. He came to reach the world. The Twelve were key players, but they weren’t enough on their own. By appointing 72, Jesus expanded the mission’s reach.
- More people = more towns reached.
- More workers = faster spread of the message.
Think of it like this: if you were launching a movement across dozens of towns, would you send just 12 people or 72?
Exactly.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” — Luke 10:2
Jesus saw a massive need. The Twelve couldn’t do it alone.
2. Symbolic Meaning Behind the Number 72
Numbers in the Bible often carry deeper significance.
What Does “72” Represent?
There are two main ideas here:
- Connection to the 70 Nations (Genesis 10):
Jewish tradition counted 70 nations descending from Noah. Some texts say 72, depending on the manuscript. Jesus may have been symbolically saying, “This message is for all nations.” - Moses and the 70 Elders (Numbers 11:16-17):
God told Moses to appoint 70 elders to help lead Israel. Jesus was doing something similar—distributing leadership to carry out the mission.
Whether it’s 70 or 72, the point is the same:
This was a worldwide mission. Jesus was showing that the Kingdom of God wasn’t just for Israel. It was going global.
3. Training for the Future Church
The 72 weren’t just messengers. They were being trained. Jesus was building a foundation for what would eventually become the early church.
Why Not Train Only the 12?
Because more leaders were needed. The early church exploded after Jesus’ resurrection. Acts 2 tells us 3,000 people were added in a single day.
Without trained, experienced followers, the early church would’ve collapsed under its own weight. By sending out the 72:
- They got real-world ministry experience.
- They learned how to rely on God, not just Jesus’ physical presence.
- They prepared to take leadership roles later.
This was multiplication, not just addition.
4. Jesus Modeled Delegation and Teamwork
Jesus could’ve done it all Himself. But He didn’t. He constantly delegated.
Why?
Because the Kingdom of God was never meant to revolve around one superstar (even if that superstar is Jesus). It was always meant to be a body of many parts (see 1 Corinthians 12:12–27).
Sending the 72 in pairs also models teamwork:
“He sent them out two by two.” — Luke 10:1
That’s for accountability, support, encouragement, and protection. Ministry wasn’t meant to be solo.
5. The 72 Had a Specific Short-Term Mission
Unlike the Twelve, who walked with Jesus daily, the 72 had a focused, short-term task:
- Go ahead of Jesus into towns.
- Announce that the Kingdom of God is near.
- Heal the sick and cast out demons (Luke 10:9).
This was a preview of what Jesus would do in those towns later.
Think of them like advance teams. They were preparing people’s hearts and making sure the message would land when Jesus showed up.
6. The 12 Had a Unique Role, But So Did the 72
It’s easy to think the 12 were more important. They were close to Jesus, after all.
But the 72 were essential too. Here’s the difference:
| The Twelve | The Seventy-Two |
| Handpicked inner circle | Selected followers outside the core |
| Witnesses to most major events | Sent out to prepare the way |
| Apostles and future church leaders | Evangelists and healers |
| Had unique authority and responsibilities | Had delegated authority |
Both groups had purpose. Neither was “better.” They were just different parts of the same mission.
7. Their Success Was a Sign of the Coming Kingdom
When the 72 came back, they were amazed:
“Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name!” — Luke 10:17
Jesus responded by saying:
“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” — Luke 10:18
This wasn’t just about 72 people doing miracles. It was about something bigger:
- The Kingdom of God was breaking through.
- The power of darkness was being pushed back.
- Ordinary people were doing extraordinary things through God.
By empowering the 72, Jesus was declaring, “This is just the beginning.”
So, Why Not Just Use the 12?
To recap, Jesus didn’t stick with only 12 because:
- The mission was too big for 12 people.
- 72 symbolizes completeness and global reach.
- He was training more leaders for the early church.
- He was modeling teamwork and delegation.
- The 72 had a specific mission to prepare towns.
- Different roles were needed in the Kingdom.
- Their work was a sign of spiritual victory.
Jesus was preparing His followers not just for His time on Earth, but for the future. And He was showing that every believer has a part to play.
What This Means for You Today
You might not be one of the 12. Maybe you don’t see yourself as someone special in the grand scheme of things.
But Jesus chose 72 others—people who weren’t in the spotlight. People like you and me.
That means:
- You’re not “less than” if you’re not a pastor or leader.
- You’ve got a calling.
- Jesus still sends people “two by two” to share the Good News.
- The mission is still going.
You’re invited to be part of it.
Final Thought
Jesus didn’t limit Himself to the 12 because the Gospel was never meant to stay small. It was always meant to spread—to every person, every nation, every corner of the earth.
And that’s still the mission today.
So ask yourself:
Are you ready to be one of the 72?
“Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” — Luke 10:3
It won’t always be easy. But it’ll always be worth it.
“Why Did Jesus Appoint 72 and Not Just Use the 12?”
1. Why did Jesus appoint 72 and not just use the 12 disciples?
Jesus appointed 72 because the mission was too large for only 12 people. The 72 expanded the reach of His message, allowing more towns and people to hear about the Kingdom of God.
2. What is the significance of the number 72 in the Bible?
The number 72 is symbolically tied to the 70 nations listed in Genesis 10 and the 70 elders appointed by Moses in Numbers 11. It represents completeness and global reach, showing Jesus’ message was for all nations.
3. Were the 72 disciples considered apostles like the 12?
No, the 72 were not apostles in the same sense as the 12. The Twelve had unique roles as Jesus’ closest followers and future leaders of the Church. The 72 were commissioned for a specific mission but were still vital to spreading the Gospel.
4. Did Jesus send the 72 on the same mission as the 12?
Their missions were similar but distinct. The Twelve were ongoing companions and learners; the 72 were sent ahead of Jesus to prepare the way in towns He planned to visit (Luke 10:1).
5. What was the main job of the 72 disciples?
They were sent to announce that the Kingdom of God was near, heal the sick, and prepare people’s hearts for Jesus’ arrival in their towns.
6. Why did Jesus send the 72 out in pairs?
Sending them two by two promoted accountability, support, and teamwork. It also reflected the biblical principle of establishing truth by the testimony of two witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15).
7. What can we learn today from Jesus appointing the 72?
We learn that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. You don’t need to be one of the original 12 to play a major role in God’s mission.
8. Did the 72 disciples succeed in their mission?
Yes, they returned with joy, reporting that even demons submitted to them in Jesus’ name (Luke 10:17). Jesus affirmed their success and linked it to the spiritual victory of His Kingdom.
9. How is this event connected to the growth of the early Church?
The 72 were likely part of the group that helped establish the early Church. Jesus used this mission to train and prepare future leaders who would continue His work after His resurrection.
10. How does this apply to me as a modern Christian?
Just like the 72, you’re called to carry the message of Jesus into your world. You don’t have to be a pastor or church leader—every follower has a role in God’s plan.
