The gospel recounts the first missionary venture of the Twelve. Although they are given the power to drive out unclean spirits, it is quite clear that they can only do this through the authority of Jesus. They are initiated into the mission of Jesus and they must participate in it in a truly self-sacrificing manner. They are directed to preach repentance, drive out demons, and heal the sick. Since the presence of demons and the diminishment caused by illness were considered concrete evidence of the power of evil in the world, people believed that exorcisms and healings were victories of God’s power that broke the bonds of evil. The reign of God is established in place of the reign of evil. Thus Jesus brings the Twelve into God’s saving work.