Luke 7:25
What does Luke 7:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 7:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 7:25 means
Jesus continued His rhetorical questions, asking if they went out to see 'a man clothed in soft raiment.' He then stated that those who wear luxurious clothing and live in fine surroundings are found in kings' courts. This distinguished John from worldly figures of comfort and prestige, emphasizing his ascetic lifestyle and prophetic seriousness. John was no pampered courtier, but a rugged messenger of God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But what did you go out to see? a man in soft clothing? See now, those who have beautiful clothing and delicate food are in kings' houses.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but what have ye gone forth to see? a man in soft garments clothed? lo, they in splendid apparellings, and living in luxury, are in the houses of kings!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But what went you out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are in costly apparel and live delicately are in the houses of kings.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in delicate garments? Behold, those who are in splendid clothing and live luxuriously are in the courts of kings.
Context
This verse builds upon Jesus' initial question about John's character, contrasting John's austere life with the superficiality of those in positions of worldly luxury. It further clarifies that John's appeal was not based on outward appearance or comfort, leading to the ultimate revelation of John's true identity in the next question.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 3:3
Whoseadorninglet it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel;
- 2 Samuel 19:35
I am this day fourscore years old: can I discern between good and bad? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
- Esther 8:15
And Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad.
- Esther 1:3
in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him;
- 2 Kings 1:8
And they answered him, He was a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
- Matthew 6:29
yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
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