16. Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
17. The 72 men came back in great joy. “Lord,” they said, “even the demons obeyed us when we gave them a command in your name!”
18. Jesus answered them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19. Listen! I have given you authority, so that you can walk on snakes and scorpions and overcome all the power of the Enemy, and nothing will hurt you.
20. But don't be glad because the evil spirits obey you; rather be glad because your names are written in heaven.”
21. At that time Jesus was filled with joy by the Holy Spirit and said, “Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned. Yes, Father, this was how you wanted it to happen.
22. “My Father has given me all things. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23. Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said to them privately, “How fortunate you are to see the things you see!