Devine Scripture

Luke 11:25

What does Luke 11:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 11:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 11:25 means

Upon its return, the unclean spirit finds its former "house"—the person it left—"swept and garnished." This imagery suggests that the individual has been externally cleansed and tidied, perhaps through some form of moral reformation or religious observance, but the house remains empty. There is an absence of divine presence or spiritual filling, leaving it vulnerable for re-occupation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when he comes, he sees that it has been made fair and clean.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having come, it findeth <FI>it<Fi> swept and adorned;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And having come, he finds it swept and adorned.

Context

This verse continues the parable of the returning unclean spirit, detailing the state of the "house" it once inhabited. It follows the spirit's search for rest and decision to return, and it directly precedes the dire consequences of finding the house merely empty and clean. This highlights the danger of mere external cleansing without an internal spiritual filling, leading to a worse condition.

v.24The unclean spirit when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and finding none, he saith, I will turn back unto my house whence I came out.

v.25This passage

v.26Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more evil than himself; and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first.

Cross references

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

  • Jude 1:8

    Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:17

    Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.

  • Matthew 12:44

    Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

  • 2 Peter 2:10

    but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities:

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:9

    even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

  • Psalms 125:5

    But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, Jehovah will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.

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