King James Version

What Does Luke 10:11 Mean?

Luke 10:11 in the King James Version says “Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, t...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Luke 10:11 · KJV

Context

9

And heal the sick that are therein , and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

10

But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,

11

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.

12

But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

13

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The symbolic act of shaking off dust (kai ton koniorton ton kollēthenta hēmin ek tēs poleōs hymōn eis tous podas apomassometha hymin, καὶ τὸν κονιορτὸν τὸν κολληθέντα ἡμῖν ἐκ τῆς πόλεως ὑμῶν εἰς τοὺς πόδας ἀπομασσόμεθα ὑμῖν) was a powerful Jewish gesture. The verb apomassometha (ἀπομασσόμεθα, "we wipe off") indicates deliberately removing every trace.

Pious Jews returning from Gentile lands shook off dust to avoid bringing ceremonial defilement into Israel. By using this gesture against rejecting Jewish cities, Jesus' disciples declared them as unclean as pagan territories—a devastating judgment. The phrase "against you" (hymin, ὑμῖν) indicates the act serves as testimony against them, establishing their guilt.

Yet even in judgment, the gospel is repeated: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you (plēn touto ginōskete hoti ēngiken hē basileia tou Theou, πλὴν τοῦτο γινώσκετε ὅτι ἤγγικεν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ). The perfect tense ēngiken (ἤγγικεν) emphasizes completed action—the kingdom arrived, they had opportunity, and they refused. This magnifies their condemnation: they will answer for rejecting salvation when it stood at their door.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Dust-shaking appears several times in Acts as apostles encountered rejection (Acts 13:51, 18:6). Paul shook his garments at Corinthian Jews who opposed the gospel, declaring 'your blood be upon your own heads.' This dramatic gesture communicated finality—the messengers discharged their responsibility; the rejectors face consequences. It also demonstrated that the disciples wanted nothing from rejecting cities, not even the dust on their feet. The symbolic act served as both testimony and warning to others who witnessed it.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the symbolic act of shaking off dust communicate about the seriousness of rejecting the gospel?
  2. How does repeating the gospel message ('the kingdom of God is come nigh') even in judgment demonstrate both grace and accountability?
  3. When, if ever, should modern Christians employ dramatic symbolic acts to testify against those who reject the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
Καὶ1 of 23

“Even”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῦ2 of 23

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κονιορτὸν3 of 23

“the very dust”

G2868

pulverulence (as blown about)

τοῦ4 of 23

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κολληθέντα5 of 23

“cleaveth”

G2853

to glue, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to stick (figuratively)

ἡμῖν6 of 23

“on us”

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

ἐκ7 of 23

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ8 of 23

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόλεως9 of 23

“city”

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

ὑμῶν10 of 23

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἀπομασσόμεθα11 of 23

“we do wipe off”

G631

to scrape away

ὑμῖν·12 of 23

“against you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

πλὴν13 of 23

“notwithstanding”

G4133

moreover (besides), i.e., albeit, save that, rather, yet

τοῦτο14 of 23

“of this”

G5124

that thing

γινώσκετε15 of 23

“be ye sure”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

ὅτι16 of 23

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἤγγικεν17 of 23

“is come nigh”

G1448

to make near, i.e., (reflexively) approach

ἐφ'18 of 23

“unto”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ὑμᾶς19 of 23

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

τοῦ20 of 23

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλεία21 of 23

“the kingdom”

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ22 of 23

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ23 of 23

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 10:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 10:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 10:9Acts 13:51Romans 10:8Hebrews 1:3Acts 13:26Acts 13:40

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