The 72 disciples mentioned in Luke 10 weren’t just messengers—they were miracle workers empowered by Jesus Himself. They healed the sick, cast out demons, and came back amazed at the spiritual authority they had been given. Jesus confirmed their power, saying He saw Satan fall like lightning, and reminded them that their true joy should come from being known by God. This shows us that the ability to perform miracles wasn’t limited to the 12 apostles—ordinary followers were entrusted with extraordinary tasks.
This is a powerful reminder that God uses more than just the well-known figures to advance His kingdom. The story of the 72 reveals how the mission of Jesus was always meant to multiply through faithful believers, not just a chosen few. If you’ve ever wondered whether God could use you too, their story gives a clear answer: absolutely. Keep reading for a deeper dive into what the Bible says about these disciples and what it means for you today.
When we talk about miracles in the Bible, names like Jesus, Peter, Paul, and the 12 apostles usually come to mind. But what about the 72 disciples Jesus also sent out? Did they perform miracles too? The short answer is: yes, they did. But the story deserves more attention, and if you’ve ever wondered what the Bible really says about the 72, you’re in the right place.
Let’s walk through it together.
Who Were the 72 Disciples?
You’ll find the account of the 72 in Luke 10:1-24. These were not part of the core 12 apostles, but they were clearly trusted followers of Jesus. Some translations say 70 instead of 72 (we’ll talk about that in a minute), but the mission remains the same.
“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.” – Luke 10:1 (NIV)
Jesus handpicked these disciples and sent them out in pairs with a clear purpose. They weren’t just going to preach—they were given power and authority to act on His behalf.
Did the 72 Perform Miracles?
Yes, they did—and the Bible is very clear about it.
In Luke 10:9, Jesus told them:
“Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’”
So they weren’t just spreading news—they were healing people.
When they returned, they were excited about what had happened:
“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’” – Luke 10:17
That’s powerful. Not only were they healing the sick, but they were casting out demons—clearly supernatural acts. Jesus didn’t correct them or downplay it. In fact, He affirmed it:
“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy.” – Luke 10:18-19
So yes, miracles were absolutely part of their mission.
What Kind of Miracles Did They Do?
The Bible doesn’t give a detailed list of every miracle they performed, but based on Jesus’ instructions and their report back, here’s what we know:
1. Healing the sick (Luke 10:9)
They were specifically told to heal people as a sign of the kingdom of God.
2. Casting out demons (Luke 10:17)
They had spiritual authority over demonic forces—something usually associated with Jesus and the apostles.
3. Possibly signs and wonders (implied)
Their mission paralleled the kind of work Jesus and the Twelve were doing, so it’s fair to assume their ministry may have included other signs as well.
Why 72 and Not Just the 12?
Here’s where it gets interesting. Jesus expanded the mission beyond the Twelve to show that the power of God isn’t limited to a small elite group. It was always meant to spread.
Think about this: if only 12 people could heal and cast out demons, the movement would be bottlenecked. By sending out 72, Jesus modeled multiplication and delegation. This was about kingdom expansion.
Also, there’s a symbolic connection here. Some scholars believe the number 70 (or 72) echoes the 70 nations listed in Genesis 10, symbolizing the whole world. In that case, this mission is a preview of global evangelism.
What Happened to the 72 Later?
The Bible doesn’t name most of them. Tradition suggests some of them became church leaders or missionaries. For example:
- Barnabas (Paul’s companion) is sometimes linked with the 72.
- Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is also thought to be one of them.
But even though their individual names aren’t well-known, their work was crucial. Their success shows us something vital: you don’t have to be “famous” in the Bible to be powerful in God’s kingdom.
What Does This Mean for You?
There’s a bigger takeaway here. If the 72 could perform miracles by the authority of Jesus, it means the power didn’t stop with the apostles.
That matters today.
Here’s what we learn:
- Miracles weren’t limited to Jesus or the 12 apostles.
- Ordinary followers, when empowered by Jesus, did extraordinary things.
- Jesus gave clear authority and instruction—not just inspiration.
And perhaps most importantly:
“Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” – Luke 10:20
Miracles are great. But Jesus reminded them that their relationship with God is the real treasure.
3 Key Takeaways
Let’s wrap it up simply.
1. The 72 disciples definitely performed miracles.
Healing the sick and casting out demons was part of their mission.
2. Jesus gave them real spiritual authority.
They weren’t just representing Him—they were acting in His power.
3. This shows us that God can use anyone willing to go.
It’s not about fame. It’s about faithfulness.
Final Thoughts
You might feel like you’re not important enough to be used by God. But the story of the 72 disciples proves otherwise. They were trusted, empowered, and effective—not because they were the inner circle, but because they obeyed Jesus.
So yes, the 72 did perform miracles. And their story is a reminder that God’s power isn’t reserved for a few—it’s meant to flow through anyone He sends.
Want to dig deeper? Read Luke 10 and pay close attention to what Jesus says before, during, and after their mission. It’ll challenge and encourage you.
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Let me know if you want a visual breakdown or sermon outline of Luke 10—happy to help.
FAQs: Did the 72 Disciples Perform Miracles Too? Biblical Insights
1. Did the 72 disciples perform miracles too?
Yes, the 72 disciples performed miracles. According to Luke 10:9 and 10:17, they healed the sick and cast out demons through the authority Jesus gave them.
2. Where in the Bible does it say the 72 disciples performed miracles?
Luke 10 contains the full account. Specifically, Luke 10:9 instructs them to heal the sick, and Luke 10:17 records their return, rejoicing that “even the demons submit to us in your name.”
3. What kind of miracles did the 72 disciples do?
They healed the sick and cast out demons. Though no exhaustive list is given, these acts were clear signs of supernatural authority granted by Jesus.
4. How were the 72 different from the 12 apostles?
The 12 apostles were Jesus’ closest followers and core leaders. The 72 were an expanded group of disciples, still chosen by Jesus, and sent on a similar mission of preaching and healing.
5. Why did Jesus send out 72 disciples?
Jesus sent the 72 to prepare towns for His arrival, spread the message of the kingdom of God, and demonstrate His power through healing and deliverance (Luke 10:1).
6. Is there significance to the number 72 (or 70)?
Yes. Some scholars believe the number 70 or 72 connects to the 70 nations listed in Genesis 10, symbolizing the gospel going out to the whole world.
7. Did the 72 disciples have the Holy Spirit?
At that time, the Holy Spirit had not yet been given in the way it was at Pentecost. However, they operated under Jesus’ delegated authority and power.
8. Were any of the 72 disciples later mentioned by name?
Most are unnamed, but early church tradition links some well-known believers—like Barnabas and Stephen—with the 72, though this isn’t confirmed in Scripture.
9. Can believers today perform miracles like the 72 did?
According to Scripture, believers can operate in spiritual gifts, including healing and deliverance, as the Holy Spirit enables (1 Corinthians 12:7–11).
10. What does this mean for Christians today?
It means that God empowers everyday believers—not just apostles or pastors—to do His work. If you’re willing and obedient, He can use you too.
