Luke 10:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’

NIV: ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’

NASB: ‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’

CSB: ‘We are wiping off even the dust of your town that clings to our feet as a witness against you. Know this for certain: The kingdom of God has come near.’

NLT: ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this — the Kingdom of God is near!’

KJV: Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

NKJV: ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.’

Again, Jesus reiterates the same instructions He previously gave the Twelve (Luke 9:5). In Luke 10:4–6, Jesus describes the messengers' accommodations. He does not tell them to only stay in homes of Jews who practice the Law. He tells them to stay with those who respond in peace. Similarly, they are not to worry about the ceremonial cleanness of the food their hosts give them (Luke 10:8).

Now, Jesus says something similar for the whole town. To shake the dust off their feet is a sign the town is unclean. The power in the action is not that the disciples would make themselves purified from the uncleanness of the village but the declaration, itself, that the village is unclean—a pronouncement of shame. No matter their response, they will see the kingdom of God. If they respond in peace, they will receive healing—a blessing of God's kingdom. If they reject the message, they will receive judgment.

Jesus also tells the disciples to affirm that the kingdom of God has come near. When someone accepts their words, they are to say "The kingdom of God has come near to you" [emphasis added] (Luke 10:9). If they reject their message, the kingdom will still come, but not to their benefit. They will be judged even more harshly than the Gentiles who do not claim to worship God and do not receive the signs of God's kingdom (Luke 10:12–15).

Of course, if the town repents later, they will be blessed. The problem is, the villagers are not rejecting the disciples, they are rejecting the message the disciples share, which means they reject Jesus (Luke 10:16). The villagers could repent, but it's unlikely they will. When Jesus told the Twelve to follow this practice, James and John preferred to call fire down from heaven, instead (Luke 9:51–56). Paul and Barnabas, however, find this act gets the message across so well that those they judge in one city follow them to another and try to stone Paul to death (Acts 13:50–52; 14:19).

Luke 10:8–12 records Jesus' instructions to seventy-two of His followers as they prepare towns for His coming. He has explained they are to stay in the homes of those who respond in peace (Luke 10:5–7). Now, He explains how a town's reception will determine their experience of the coming of the kingdom of God. If they accept the message, they will see the healing power of the kingdom (Luke 10:8–9). If they reject the message, they will be warned of coming judgment (Luke 10:10–12). Next, Jesus mourns that Jewish cities will be more likely to reject His message than Gentile cities (Luke 10:13–16).

Jesus commissions seventy-two of His followers for a unique mission. They are sent into towns and villages, preparing people for Jesus' ministry. Those who accept the message will be blessed; those who reject it will be left behind. The disciples return celebrating what they have seen and accomplished. Jesus reminds them that salvation is the real victory. The parable of the good Samaritan explains that the obligation to love extends to anyone and everyone. A visit to the home of Martha and Mary offers a contrast between good things and the best things.

Luke 10 provides the bulk of the first section of what some refer to as Jesus' travelogue (Luke 9:51—19:27). In this extended description of travels and events, Jesus draws away from public ministry and theological debates. His focus is preparing His disciples for what will happen in Jerusalem, by teaching them about the kingdom of God. In Luke 9:51—11:13, the disciples gradually learn how to properly follow Jesus. Next, the Pharisees will reject Jesus (Luke 11:14–54) and Jesus will teach more about the kingdom (Luke 12:1—19:27). After the travelogue, Jesus will enter Jerusalem and face crucifixion.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.