And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

And the seventy turned back with joy, saying, 'Sir, and the demons are being subjected to us in thy name;'

When the Seventy returned, they exclaimed joyfully, "Master, even the demons submit to us when we utter your name."

And the seventy came back with joy, saying, Lord, even the evil spirits are under our power in your name.

Then the seventy-two returned with gladness, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us, in your name."

When the seventy-two returned, they exclaimed joyfully, "Master, even the demons submit to us when we use your name."

And the seventy returned. It is evident, that the faith of the seventy disciples in the words of Christ had not been full and complete, when they returned, exulting over it as a thing new and unexpected, that they had cast out devils by the power of Christ. Nay, they had received this power accompanied by a command. At the same time, I have no doubt that, when they departed, they were convinced that nothing which the Master had said to them would fail of its accomplishment; but afterwards, when the matter proceeded to an extent which surpassed their expectations, they were astonished at the sight. [1] And this is frequently the case with believers, that they receive from the word but a slight perception of the Divine power, and are afterwards excited to admiration by actual experience. What was the nature of that joy will more clearly appear from Christ's reply.

Footnotes

1 - "Ils furent esmerveillez et esbahis de voir cela advenir;" -- "they were astonished and overwhelmed at seeing that happen."

The devils are subject unto us - The devils obey us. We have been able to cast them out.
Through thy name - When commanded in thy name to come out of those who are possessed.

The seventy returned again with joy - Bishop Pearce thinks they returned while our Lord was on his slow journey to Jerusalem, and that they had been absent only a few days.

(4) And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us (e) through thy name.
(4) Neither the gift of miracles, neither any other excellent gift, but only our election gives us an occasion of true joy. And only the publishing of the gospel is the destruction of Satan.
(e) For Christ's disciples used no absolute authority, but performed the miracles they did by calling upon Christ's name.

And the seventy returned again,.... The Syriac version adds, "whom he had sent": these disciples having received orders and instructions from Christ, went as he directed them; and when they had finished their embassy, they returned again to him, and gave him an account of their journey and success. The Vulgate Latin and Persic versions read here, "the seventy two", as they do in Luke 10:1
with joy; with great joy, as read the Syriac and Persic versions; notwithstanding the difficulties that had attended them, reproaches cast upon them, the ill treatment they might have met with in some places, and the labours and fatigues of their journey, and the dangers they had been exposed to:
saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name: they found the miraculous power conferred on them was greater than they at first imagined, or could collect from what Christ said to them, who only bid them heal the sick, Luke 10:9, but when they came to make use of it they found they had a power of casting out devils; not in their own name and strength, but in the name, and through the power, and by the authority of Christ; and this had thrown them into an ecstasy of joy, and in a sort of a rapture: they express themselves as men astonished at the powers bestowed on them.

All our victories over Satan, are obtained by power derived from Jesus Christ, and he must have all the praise. But let us beware of spiritual pride, which has been the destruction of many. Our Lord rejoiced at the prospect of the salvation of many souls. It was fit that particular notice should be taken of that hour of joy; there were few such, for He was a man of sorrows: in that hour in which he saw Satan fall, and heard of the good success of his ministers, in that hour he rejoiced. He has ever resisted the proud, and given grace to the humble. The more simply dependent we are on the teaching, help, and blessing of the Son of God, the more we shall know both of the Father and of the Son; the more blessed we shall be in seeing the glory, and hearing the words of the Divine Saviour; and the more useful we shall be made in promoting his cause.

returned--evidently not long away.
Lord, &c.--"Thou hast exceeded Thy promise, for 'even the devils,'" &c. The possession of such power, not being expressly in their commission, as in that to the Twelve (Luke 9:1), filled them with more astonishment and joy than all else.
through thy name--taking no credit to themselves, but feeling lifted into a region of unimagined superiority to the powers of evil simply through their connection with Christ.

The seventy returned with joy. How long after they were sent forth is unknown.
Even the devils are subject unto us in thy name. In accordance with the promise made to the twelve (Matthew 10:8), and probably repeated to the seventy. All was wrought by the power of Christ's name.
I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven. Various interpretations of this statement are given, but it is probable that Christ refers to the original fall of Satan (Isaiah 14:12; Jude 6). The victory of his disciples over the demons is the harbinger of another fall, when Satan and all his works shall be destroyed.
To tread upon serpents and scorpions. Evidently an allusion to the promise that the seed of woman shall bruise the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15). It is a promise of victory over the power of sin, of victory over all the power of the enemy. The connection shows that it is symbolical.
Rejoice not in your own power. Judas had this power in Christ's name.
But rather rejoice. In the hope of salvation. The greatest of all subjects of rejoicing is that we are the children of God.