King James Version

What Does Mark 6:11 Mean?

Mark 6:11 in the King James Version says “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testi... — study this verse from Mark chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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. and: Gr. or

Mark 6:11 · KJV


Context

9

But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats.

10

And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

11

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. and: Gr. or

12

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

13

And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Jesus prepares disciples for rejection with solemn response protocol. 'Whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you' (ὃς ἂν τόπος μὴ δέξηται ὑμᾶς μηδὲ ἀκούσωσιν ὑμῶν, hos an topos mē dexētai hymas mēde akousōsin hymōn) acknowledges rejection's inevitability. 'Shake off the dust under your feet' (ἐκτινάξατε τὸν χοῦν τὸν ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν ὑμῶν, ektinaxate ton choun ton hypokatō tōn podōn hymōn) was symbolic act declaring separation and judgment.

Jews returning from Gentile territory would shake off dust to avoid bringing ritual impurity into Israel—using this gesture toward fellow Jews who rejected the gospel was shocking, treating them as pagans. 'For a testimony against them' (εἰς μαρτύριον αὐτοῖς, eis martyrion autois) means the act served as witness/warning of judgment. The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah emphasizes that rejecting Christ's gospel is worse than ancient sexual immorality—privilege increases accountability. Greater light rejected brings greater condemnation. Reformed theology emphasizes degrees of punishment in hell corresponding to degrees of knowledge rejected (Luke 12:47-48). This sobers gospel preachers: we bring either salvation or greater condemnation to hearers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) were proverbial examples of divine judgment for egregious sin—cities destroyed by fire from heaven. Jewish tradition considered them the worst sinners in history. Jesus' statement that rejecting the gospel brings worse judgment than Sodom received would have shocked original hearers. The implication: Sodom's sin was against natural law and limited revelation; rejecting Christ meant rejecting fuller revelation, eyewitness miracles, and the very Son of God. The 'day of judgment' (ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως, hēmera kriseōs) refers to final judgment when all stand before God. Ancient Jewish thought recognized varying degrees of punishment in Gehenna based on sin's severity. Jesus' teaching affirmed this: judgment will be proportionate to privilege and revelation rejected. The dust-shaking gesture was prophetic drama, enacted parable declaring covenant rejection—those who refuse God's messenger place themselves outside covenant community. Early church practice included formal separation from persistent unbelievers (1 Corinthians 5), though debate continued about when and how to apply this discipline.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' warning about degrees of judgment based on privilege challenge modern assumptions that all face equal condemnation regardless of exposure to gospel truth?
  2. What does the command to 'shake off the dust' teach about ministers' responsibility after faithful proclamation meets determined rejection?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 37 words
καὶ1 of 37

And

G2532

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

ὃσοι2 of 37

whosoever

G3745

as (much, great, long, etc.) as

ἂν3 of 37
G302

whatsoever

μὴ4 of 37

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

δέξωνταί5 of 37

receive

G1209

to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

ὑμᾶς6 of 37

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

μηδὲ7 of 37

nor

G3366

but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor

ἀκούσωσιν8 of 37

hear

G191

to hear (in various senses)

ὑμῶν9 of 37

you

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἐκπορευόμενοι10 of 37

when ye depart

G1607

to depart, be discharged, proceed, project

ἐκεῖθεν11 of 37

thence

G1564

thence

ἐκτινάξατε12 of 37

shake off

G1621

to shake violently

τὸν13 of 37
G3588

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

χοῦν14 of 37

the dust

G5522

a heap (as poured out), i.e., rubbish; loose dirt

τὸν15 of 37
G3588

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

ὑποκάτω16 of 37

under

G5270

down under, i.e., beneath

τῶν17 of 37
G3588

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

ποδῶν18 of 37

feet

G4228

a "foot" (figuratively or literally)

ὑμῶν19 of 37

you

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

εἰς20 of 37

for

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

μαρτύριον21 of 37

a testimony

G3142

something evidential, i.e., (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the decalogue (in the sacred tabernacle)

αὐτοῖς22 of 37

against them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀμὴν23 of 37

Verily

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

λέγω24 of 37

I say

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὑμῖν,25 of 37

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἀνεκτοτερον26 of 37

more tolerable

G414

more endurable

ἔσται27 of 37

It shall be

G2071

will be

Σοδόμοις28 of 37

for Sodom

G4670

sodoma (i.e., sedom), a place in palestine

29 of 37

and

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

Γομόῤῥοις30 of 37

Gomorrha

G1116

gomorrha (i.e., amorah), a place near the dead sea

ἐν31 of 37

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἡμέρᾳ32 of 37

the day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

κρίσεως,33 of 37

of judgment

G2920

decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law)

34 of 37

and

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

τῇ35 of 37
G3588

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

πόλει36 of 37

city

G4172

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

ἐκείνη37 of 37

for that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Mark 6:11 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 Mark 6:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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