Devine Scripture

Mark 6:11

What does Mark 6:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 6:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 6:11 means

Mark 6:11 instructs the disciples that if a place will not receive them or hear their message, they should shake off the dust from their feet as a testimony. This symbolic act declares they have done all they could; the rejection rests with the people, not the missionaries. It also serves as a solemn witness against stubborn unbelief and a way to sever responsibility. The practice highlights the seriousness of rejecting the gospel and frees the disciples to move on without bitterness, trusting God to judge and to open other doors for their work.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And whatever place will not take you in and will not give ear to you, when you go away, put off the dust from your feet as a witness against them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and as many as may not receive you, nor hear you, going out thence, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony to them; verily I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom or Gomorrah in a day of judgment than for that city.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you; going forth from thence, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony to them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And whatsoever place shall not receive you nor hear you, departing thence, shake off the dust which is under your feet for a testimony to them.

Context

This verse completes the set of travel and conduct rules given in verses 8–11. It balances hospitality (verse 10) with a gracious but decisive response to rejection. The gesture of shaking dust prepares the disciples to continue their mission despite negative receptions. Immediately following, verses 12–13 show the fruit of their mission—preaching repentance and healing—demonstrating the effectiveness of obedience to these instructions.

v.10And he said unto them, Wheresoever ye enter into a house, there abide till ye depart thence.

v.11This passage

v.12And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Cross references

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

  • 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.

  • Matthew 11:20

    Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.

  • Nehemiah 5:13

    Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the assembly said, Amen, and praised Jehovah. And the people did according to this promise.

  • 2 Peter 2:9

    the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment;

  • John 15:22

    If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin.

  • Luke 9:5

    And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

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