10:18 What did Jesus mean by His saying that He saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven?
10:18 What did Jesus mean by His saying that He saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven?
(cp Lk 10:17-19). Some believe that Jesus was referring to an actual event in time past when Satan rebelled against God and was cast out of Heaven (cp Isa 14:12-15; Eze 28:11-19). The prophecy in Eze 28 has a double application. It is directed to both the king of Tyre and Satan, the supernatural force behind the king. Others believe that Jesus saw in the disciples' ministry the present and ultimate defeat of Satan (cp Lk 10:17-19).
Serpents and scorpions in V19 are symbols of spiritual enemies and demonic powers. Whatever we believe here is not fundamental to salvation though. More important is the fact that Jesus' words in V18 underline the power he has endued His followers with over all of Satan's power in V19. It is more important for Christians to know that than the other (cp Psa 91:13; Eze 2:6; Mk 16:17-18; Ro 16:20).
See also comments on Mk 16:17-18; Lk 10:20