Luke 9:5 - As many as don’t receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Luke 9:5" mean?
This verse from Luke 9:5 instructs Jesus' disciples on how to respond to towns or villages that reject their message. Let's break it down:
"As many as don’t receive you...": This refers to people in a town or village who refuse to listen to the disciples' preaching or offer them hospitality. "Receive" implies more than just hearing the message; it means accepting it and being welcoming to those who deliver it.
"...when you depart from that city...": The disciples are not to force their message on anyone or linger where they are clearly unwelcome. They are to leave.
"...shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.": This is a symbolic act. Shaking the dust off their feet was a way of severing ties with that place and making a statement. Here's what it meant:
Judgment/Warning: The dust signified a rejection of God's messengers and their message. By shaking it off, the disciples were symbolically leaving behind any responsibility for the consequences that would follow. It was a warning that the town was rejecting God's offer of salvation and would face judgment.
Severing Connection: Jews, particularly those who lived in Palestine, often viewed Gentile lands as unclean. When they returned to Jewish territory, they would shake the dust off their sandals to ensure they weren't bringing any impurity with them. In this context, shaking off the dust could be seen as treating the rejecting town as if it were a Gentile land, effectively disassociating themselves from it.
Witness: It served as a public declaration that the disciples had offered the town the opportunity to receive the message, and the town had refused. This act would be a "testimony" or witness against the town on the day of judgment.
In essence, Jesus is instructing his disciples to:
1. Don't force the message: If people reject the message, don't waste time trying to convince them. Move on.
2. Acknowledge their rejection: Recognize that rejecting the message is a serious act with consequences.
3. Leave them to their choice: The act of shaking off the dust symbolizes leaving the responsibility for their rejection with those who made the choice.
This verse is not about personal anger or vindictiveness, but about fulfilling their mission and allowing individuals to freely choose whether or not to accept God's message.
Luke 9:5 - As many as don’t receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.”
What does "Luke 9:5" mean?
This verse from Luke 9:5 instructs Jesus' disciples on how to respond to towns or villages that reject their message. Let's break it down:
"As many as don’t receive you...": This refers to people in a town or village who refuse to listen to the disciples' preaching or offer them hospitality. "Receive" implies more than just hearing the message; it means accepting it and being welcoming to those who deliver it.
"...when you depart from that city...": The disciples are not to force their message on anyone or linger where they are clearly unwelcome. They are to leave.
"...shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.": This is a symbolic act. Shaking the dust off their feet was a way of severing ties with that place and making a statement. Here's what it meant:
Judgment/Warning: The dust signified a rejection of God's messengers and their message. By shaking it off, the disciples were symbolically leaving behind any responsibility for the consequences that would follow. It was a warning that the town was rejecting God's offer of salvation and would face judgment.
Severing Connection: Jews, particularly those who lived in Palestine, often viewed Gentile lands as unclean. When they returned to Jewish territory, they would shake the dust off their sandals to ensure they weren't bringing any impurity with them. In this context, shaking off the dust could be seen as treating the rejecting town as if it were a Gentile land, effectively disassociating themselves from it.
Witness: It served as a public declaration that the disciples had offered the town the opportunity to receive the message, and the town had refused. This act would be a "testimony" or witness against the town on the day of judgment.
In essence, Jesus is instructing his disciples to:
1. Don't force the message: If people reject the message, don't waste time trying to convince them. Move on.
2. Acknowledge their rejection: Recognize that rejecting the message is a serious act with consequences.
3. Leave them to their choice: The act of shaking off the dust symbolizes leaving the responsibility for their rejection with those who made the choice.
This verse is not about personal anger or vindictiveness, but about fulfilling their mission and allowing individuals to freely choose whether or not to accept God's message.