Bible Figure
Seventy disciples
The Seventy disciples, or Seventy-two in an important textual variant, were a larger group of followers whom Jesus sent out in pairs ahead of Him according to Luke 10. They preached the nearness of God's kingdom, healed the sick, and returned rejoicing that demons submitted to them in Jesus' name.
Biography
Luke 10 records Jesus appointing a group beyond the Twelve and sending them two by two into towns and places He intended to visit. Manuscripts differ between seventy and seventy-two, so the exact number should be acknowledged rather than overstated. Jesus instructed them to travel dependently, accept hospitality, heal the sick, and announce that the kingdom of God had come near. He warned that rejection of their message carried serious responsibility. When they returned, they rejoiced that even demons submitted to them in Jesus' name. Jesus redirected their joy from spiritual power to the greater blessing that their names were written in heaven. Scripture does not provide a canonical list of their individual names; later lists belong to church tradition.
Biblical Significance
The mission of the Seventy/Seventy-two demonstrates that Jesus' work was not entrusted only to the Twelve. It anticipates the wider missionary expansion of the Gospel and emphasizes dependence on God, urgency in proclamation, authority in Jesus' name, and joy rooted ultimately in salvation rather than ministry success.