September 28, 2016 • Life for Leaders
Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.
Mark 6:7
As Jesus moved about in Galilee, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God and demonstrating the presence of the kingdom through works of power, he sent out his disciples to share in his mission. Jesus gave them authority over demons, as well as the power to heal the sick (6:7,13). In this way, they were able to carry the message of the kingdom, with its call to repentance, just as Jesus did. According to Mark, Jesus sent his disciples out “two by two” (6:7). In effect, this cut in half the number of towns in which the ministry of the kingdom could be happening simultaneously. Why did Jesus send out the disciples in pairs, rather than individually? Wouldn’t individuals be able to cover much more ground much more efficiently?
Part of the answer lies in the Jewish tradition of “two witnesses.” The Old Testament law (see Deut 19:15) stipulated that at least two witnesses were needed in order to convict someone of a crime. In the culture of Jesus, this legal requirement also underscored the commonsense idea that two witnesses are more reliable than one. So, when two of Jesus’ disciples proclaimed the presence of the kingdom, they would be more likely to receive a hearing. (Of course, it wouldn’t hurt their credibility if they cast out demons or healed the sick!)
There may be another reason why Jesus sent out his disciples in pairs. He may have been thinking of the power of shared ministry, the added impact when two or more people work together toward a shared goal. This co-laboring is not only effective, but also reflective of the theological nature of ministry in the era of the new covenant. By sending his disciples out two by two, Jesus foreshadowed the collegiality that would become the hallmark of the Spirit-filled church.
Questions to Consider:
Who are your colleagues in your life and work?
Are there places in your life where you feel alone in your effort to serve the Lord?
Who might be available to share in this ministry with you?
Prayer:
Gracious Lord, seeing how you sent out your disciples two by two, I’m reminded of those who have been my partners in ministry throughout my life. I think of Bill, who helped me when I was a high school student struggling to lead a junior high Bible study. I remember John, my partner in leadership of the Christian fellowship of my college. There are so many other partners, Lord, throughout the years, right down to this very day. I thank you for my colleagues at Irvine Presbyterian Church, at Laity Lodge, and The H.E. Butt Family Foundation, and now at Fuller Seminary. I’m thankful most of all for my wife and children, for friends in Christ with whom to dream, and for all who partner with me in the building up and renewal of your Church.
Help me, Lord, not to be alone in my efforts to serve you. May I consistently share your work with those who can encourage me, support me, guide me, and hold me accountable. Most of all, may I never forget that this is your work, which you have graciously chosen to share with me. Even when I am alone, dear Lord, I am always “two by two” with you. Amen.
Subscribe to Life for Leaders
Sign up to receive a Life for Leaders devotional each day in your inbox. It’s free to subscribe and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the High Calling archive, hosted by the Theology of Work Project.
Explore more at the Theology of Work Project online Bible commentary: “How Can a Mentor Help?” – Noah Riner
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders, and the founder of the De Pree Center’s Flourishing in the Third Third of Life Initiative. Previously, Mark was the Executive Director of the De Pree Center, the lead pastor of a church in Southern California, and the Senior Director of Laity Lodge in Texas. He has written eight books, dozens of articles, and over 2,500 devotions that help people discover the difference God makes in their daily life and leadership. With a Ph.D. in New Testament from Harvard, Mark teaches at Fuller Seminary, most recently in his D.Min. cohort on “Faith, Work, Economics, and Vocation.” Mark is married to Linda, a marriage and family counselor, spiritual director, and executive coach. Their two grown children are educators on the high school and college level.
More Like This
Perhaps two by two is also a reference to the Ark, so indicating that these were not two of the apostles, but marital couples? Perhaps women were much more involved in Jesus’ ministry than people assume.
Cindy, thanks for your comment. Yes, it’s possible. Like the “two men on the road to Emmaus.” Mostly likely they were a married couple. The text never mentions “two men.” Luke 8:1-3 also mentions a number of women specifically (though not wives). We also know that, later on, the apostles traveled with their wives: “1Cor. 9:5 Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?” – Mark
I have been helped & my is never the same.
Thank you so much.
I agree with “for accountability” and maybe man and wife …or basically whomever is willing to go with you (Ref: Matthew 5:41) As a human being it is natural to desire a companion to share in what you’re doing. I was taught early in my work evangelizing that there is safety when accompanied by another, especially when witnessing door to door. You never know who is behind that door nor how they’ll receive you. I personally prefer a male go along with a female. Also, I learned that while one is engaged in conversation “witnessing”, the other should be in prayer for the move of God. I’ve been actively evangelizing more than 22 years, at times it was me and my young son. Two, or three is always better. Jesus said at Matthew 18:20 KJV “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Collectively, God’s way,here on earth, makes for a stronger bond, when all things are 2/2 or more… strength
In numbers…amen
I do believe that the principle of 2 x 2 creates encouragement in evangelization and discipleship.
Is there anywhere referenced in the Bible that when disciples were sent out 2 x 2 who was paired up with who?
Andrea, no we don’t know who was paired with whom. That would be interesting to know, but the gospels don’t tell us. Thanks for your question.
Matthew 10:1-4 tells us who was paired with who. No wives just apostles.
Two eyes,in seeing two is better than one in hearing by two is better than one twice is more accurate..like left and right is more balanced than especially two legs
I strongly believe in going out on evangelism in pairs ,it may be a brother and a sister or a brother and a brother. It is more safe considering the religious situation in some countries. I remember a case in point where a woman was killed because she went out alone for evangelism by Muslim touts.
There are several references who was paired with whom.
Not sure why u say ” the bible doesn’t reference it ”
Paul and Silas.
Paul and Timothy.
Peter and John.
Theres multiple references.