Devine Scripture

Matthew 10:13

What does Matthew 10:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:13 means

Jesus explained the spiritual dynamic of their greeting: "if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you." A "worthy" house was one that received the apostles and their message. In such a case, the peace they offered would genuinely rest upon that household. If, however, the house proved "unworthy" (rejecting them and the kingdom message), their spoken peace would not be wasted but would "return" to the senders. This illustrates the active, spiritual power of their message and the consequences of acceptance or rejection regarding divine blessing.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And if the house is good enough, let your peace come on it: but if not, let your peace come back to you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and if indeed the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; and if it be not worthy, let your peace turn back to you.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And if that house be worthy, your peace shall come upon it; but if it be not worthy, your peace shall return to you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And if the house indeed be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.

Context

This verse directly builds upon the instruction to salute a house, explaining the spiritual implication and outcome of that initial greeting. It introduces the concept of worthiness based on receptivity, which then extends to an entire city in the subsequent verses, delineating the clear consequences for those who accept or reject the apostles' message and presence.

v.12And as ye enter into the house, salute it.

v.13This passage

v.14And 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.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 10:6

    And if a son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him: but if not, it shall turn to you again.

  • Psalms 35:13

    But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I afflicted my soul with fasting; And my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:16

    to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

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