Luke 12:35
What does Luke 12:35 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:35 means
Jesus commands readiness: keep your loins girded and lamps burning. The picture is of servants prepared for action—robes tucked, lights kept bright—so they can respond immediately to the master’s call. Christian vigilance is not fretful but faithful: attentiveness to duty, prayer, and holiness while waiting for the Lord. Readiness means living now in a way that welcomes His arrival at any moment. The command is practical, calling for alert, persevering obedience as the expression of hope.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Be ready, dressed as for a journey, with your lights burning.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Let your loins be girded, and the lamps burning,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Let your loins be girt and lamps burning in your hands.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Let your loins be girded about, and lamps burning;
Context
After directing the heart toward heavenly treasure, Jesus turns to the lifestyle that matches such hope: watchfulness. The imagery of girded loins and lit lamps introduces a short parable about servants awaiting their lord’s return from a wedding feast. The coming verses will bless such servants and even describe a stunning reversal where the master serves them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 2:15
that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world,
- Proverbs 31:17
She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
- Matthew 25:1
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
- Matthew 25:4
but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
- Matthew 5:16
Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
- Isaiah 5:27
None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:
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