Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Jesus spoke these words in Luke 10:19 following the return of the seventy-two disciples whom He had sent out to the various towns that He Himself would later visit, in order to prepare them for His arrival. (He later essentially repeated the same words just prior to His ascension, as indicated in Mark 16:18, in speaking of the evangelizing that His followers would do following His departure.)

Jesus was saying that poisonous snakes and scorpions that His followers might encounter in the normal course of their travels would not be able to harm the disciples through their bites or stings. (Paul later demonstrated this in Acts 28:1-6.)

However, I would say that, in my opinion, these words and events were meant for a specific missionary purpose at that time, and were not intended as a license for people (even down to the present day) to deliberately "put God to the test" through the intentional (but unnecessary) handling of poisonous creatures, in the expectation of God's protection.

July 06 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Great question!

The phrase "I have given you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions" comes from Luke 10:19 (NIV), where Jesus speaks to His disciples:

Luke 10:19 (NIV)
"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."

The "serpents and scorpions" symbolize demonic forces and spiritual opposition. Jesus is telling His disciples that He has given them power over Satan and his works. Jesus' authority enables believers to overcome evil influences, temptation, and attacks from the enemy.

Though they would face challenges, God’s power would ultimately safeguard them as they carried out His mission. I do not believe this verse is meant to be taken literally (as in handling actual snakes and scorpions), but rather as a metaphor for overcoming spiritual battles through the power of Christ.

Scripture Memory Fellowship has a catchy tune called "I Have Given You Authority (Luke 10:19-NIV) Scripture Memory Song. I love it. Google it, and you will see.

"Look, I have given you authority to tread 1 on snakes and scorpions 2 and on the full force of the enemy, 3 and nothing will 4 hurt you."

NET Notes:
"1 Or perhaps, “trample on” (which emphasizes the impact of the feet on the snakes).

2 Snakes and scorpions are examples of the hostility in the creation that is defeated by Jesus. The use of battle imagery shows who the kingdom fights against. See Acts 28:3-6.

3 Or “I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and [authority] over the full force of the enemy.” The second prepositional phrase can be taken either as modifying the infinitive πατεῖν (patein, “to tread”) or the noun ἐξουσίαν (exousian, “power”). The former is to be preferred and has been represented in the translation.

The enemy is a reference to Satan (mentioned in v. 18). [Luke 10:18]

4 This is an emphatic double negative in the Greek text." -- NET = New English Translation

Some people pray based on Luke 10:19, thanking God for the authority to overcome the enemy and remain unharmed.

March 03 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

leslie coutinho Supporter Working in the Gulf, State of kuwait as a Project Manager

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. 

When God created man in His own image, He created them male and female, giving them dominion over all His creation. The fallen angels, the spirit beings, who were there before the creation, were cast out from the Lord God’s presence. These spirit beings, who then came and deceived God’s creation, came into a serpent in a spirit form. Adam and Eve, being deceived, had their eyes opened, then knew they were naked, so they sewed fig leaves and covered themselves. Lord God then came to them knowing they were deceived, put enmity between them and said, “The serpent shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise the serpent's heel.” The Lord then made “coats of skin,” and clothed them. This coat of skin was a sacrifice, shedding blood with a cry to the God the Father. (Gen 1:27-28/3:7,21/4:4)

The power that was and is given to mankind from creation time was to be fruitful, by guarding your heart with all diligence, for from it shall flow springs of life. (Gen 1:28,2:17,3:6/Prov 4:23) From the creation time, the sin that entered mankind, having the desire to be wise, what defiled Eve that came from her heart was the blood that strived in her through her heart to be wise. (Gen 3:6/Mat 15:18-19) One must discern that nothing that gets into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the man defiles a man. (Mat 15:11) For a good man out of the good treasures of his heart bringeth forth that is good, an evil man out of his evil treasures brings evil for the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Mat 12:34/Luk 6:45) The imagination of men’s hearts is from their youth, lust of the flesh, and lust of the eyes, which leads to pride in life in the world. (Gen 8:21/1 John 2:16)

Every child of God the Father has given the power and authority to discern and rend their heart’s as Abel and Noah who offered sacrifices in the right discernment to the Lord God the Father. Abel was then led in a right spirit to bring the firstlings of his flock as a sacrifice to the Lord God who had respect unto him. Noah brought every clean beast, every clean fowl and offered a burnt offering to the Lord God. Every child who sets his love on the Lord God, He will set him high in the right wisdom. For He shall have His angels to have charge over you to keep you in your ways, bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. “For then every child of God the Father shall tread upon the lion and the serpent under their feet.” (Psalm 91:11-13)

Ezekiel 2:6: And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

9 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report