Devine Scripture

Luke 10:11

What does Luke 10:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 10:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 10:11 means

They are to shake the dust from their feet as a testimony against the rejecting town—symbolically wiping off the city's dust from their feet. Yet even as they do so, they should still declare that 'the kingdom of God is come nigh.' This action signals final separation and serves as a warning: the offer has been made and refused. The symbolic act both protects the disciples from liability and serves as a solemn indictment that will have moral and eschatological consequences for the town.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Even the dust from your city, that cleaveth to our feet, we wipe off against you: nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Even the dust from your city, that cleaveth to our feet, we wipe off against you: nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Even the dust of your town, which is on our feet, we put off as a witness against you; but be certain of this, that the kingdom of God is near.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the dust that hath cleaved to us, from your city, we do wipe off against you, but this know ye, that the reign of God hath come nigh to you;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Even the very dust of your city that cleaveth to us, we wipe off against you. Yet know this, that the kingdom of God is at hand.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Even the dust of your city, which cleaves to us on the feet, do we shake off against you; but know this, that the kingdom ofGod is come nigh.

Context

This follows the command to leave an unreceptive town. The dust-shaking ritual publicly separates the missionaries from the town’s responsibility and amplifies the warning inherent in rejection. The next verses pronounce the seriousness of rejecting the kingdom, comparing such cities unfavorably with notorious sinners, which intensifies the moral and judicial tone.

v.10But into whatsoever city ye shall enter, and they receive you not, go out into the streets thereof and say,

v.11This passage

v.12I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 10:9

    and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

  • Acts 13:51

    But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

  • Acts 13:40

    Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets:

  • Mark 6:11

    And whatsoever place shall not receive you, and they hear you not, as ye go forth thence, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony unto them.

  • Romans 10:8

    But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach:

  • Matthew 10:14

    And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, as ye go forth out of that house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet.

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