Luke 9:5
New International Version
If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

New Living Translation
And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”

English Standard Version
And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

Berean Standard Bible
If anyone does not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.”

Berean Literal Bible
And as many as might not receive you, going forth from that city, shake off the dust from your feet, as a testimony against them."

King James Bible
And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

New King James Version
And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

New American Standard Bible
And as for all who do not receive you, when you leave that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

NASB 1995
“And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

NASB 1977
“And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

Amplified Bible
And as for all those who do not welcome you, when you leave that city, shake the dust off your feet [breaking all ties with them] as a testimony against them [that they rejected My message].”

Christian Standard Bible
If they do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If they do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
If people won't welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet as a warning to them."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If people don't welcome you, leave that city, and shake its dust off your feet as a warning to them."

Good News Translation
wherever people don't welcome you, leave that town and shake the dust off your feet as a warning to them."

International Standard Version
if people don't welcome you, when you leave that city, shake its dust off your feet as a testimony against them."

Majority Standard Bible
If anyone does not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.”

NET Bible
Wherever they do not receive you, as you leave that town, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them."

New Heart English Bible
As many as do not receive you, when you depart from that city, shake off even the dust from your feet for a testimony against them."

Webster's Bible Translation
And whoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Weymouth New Testament
Wherever they refuse to receive you, as you leave that town shake off the very dust from your feet as a protest against them."

World English Bible
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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and as many as may not receive you, going forth from that city, even the dust from your feet shake off, for a testimony against them.”

Berean Literal Bible
And as many as might not receive you, going forth from that city, shake off the dust from your feet, as a testimony against them."

Young's Literal Translation
and as many as may not receive you, going forth from that city, even the dust from your feet shake off, for a testimony against them.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And as many as should not receive you, having come out of that city, and shake off the cloud of dust from your feet for testimony against them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off even the dust of your feet, for a testimony against them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And whoever will not have received you, upon departing from that city, shake off even the dust on your feet, as a testimony against them.”

New American Bible
And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”

New Revised Standard Version
Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And whoever will not welcome you, when you leave that city, shake off even the sand from your feet for a testimony to them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And whoever does not receive you, whenever you leave that city, shake off even the sand of your feet against them for a testimony.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off even the dust from your feet, for a testimony against them.

Godbey New Testament
And so many as may not receive you, going out from that city, knock off the dust of your feet for a testimony against them.

Haweis New Testament
And whosoever shall not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the dust from your feet, for a testimony against them.

Mace New Testament
if any refuse to entertain you, when you leave that city, shake off the dust from your feet, as a sign of their being abandon'd.

Weymouth New Testament
Wherever they refuse to receive you, as you leave that town shake off the very dust from your feet as a protest against them."

Worrell New Testament
And as many as do not receive you, going out from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them."

Worsley New Testament
And whosoever will not receive you, when ye depart from that city, shake off the very dust from your feet, for a testimony against them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ministry of the Twelve
4Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that area. 5 If anyone does not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.” 6So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.…

Cross References
Matthew 10:14
And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.

Mark 6:11
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that place, as a testimony against them.”

Acts 13:51
So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.

Acts 18:6
But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Nehemiah 5:13
I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, “May God likewise shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. May such a man be shaken out and have nothing!” The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

Ezekiel 2:5-7
And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. / But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house. / But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.

Ezekiel 3:11
Go to your people, the exiles; speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ whether they listen or refuse to listen.”

Ezekiel 3:27
But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ Whoever listens, let him listen; and whoever refuses, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.

Acts 20:26
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

2 Samuel 22:43
I ground them as the dust of the earth; I crushed and trampled them like mud in the streets.

Isaiah 1:15
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

Isaiah 65:5
They say, ‘Keep to yourself; do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ Such people are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.

Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’

Jeremiah 7:27
When you tell them all these things, they will not listen to you. When you call to them, they will not answer.

Jeremiah 16:12
And you have done more evil than your fathers. See how each of you follows the stubbornness of his evil heart instead of obeying Me.


Treasury of Scripture

And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

whosoever.

Luke 9:48
And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

Luke 10:10-12,16
But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, …

Matthew 10:14,15
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet…

shake.

Luke 9:53-56
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem…

Nehemiah 5:13
Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

a testimony.

Luke 5:14
And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

Matthew 10:18
And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

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City Depart Dust Feet Forth Leave Protest Receive Refuse Shake Testimony Wherever Witness
Luke 9
1. Jesus sends his apostles to work miracles, and to preach.
7. Herod desires to see Jesus.
10. The apostles return.
12. Jesus feeds five thousand;
18. inquires what opinion the world had of him; foretells his passion;
23. proposes to all the pattern of his patience.
28. The transfiguration.
37. He heals the lunatic;
43. again forewarns his disciples of his passion;
46. commends humility;
51. bids them to show mildness toward all, without desire of revenge.
57. Many would follow him, but upon conditions.














And if anyone does not welcome you
This phrase sets the stage for understanding the nature of the mission Jesus is sending His disciples on. The Greek word for "welcome" is "δέχομαι" (dechomai), which implies more than just a passive reception; it suggests an active acceptance and hospitality. In the historical context of the ancient Near East, hospitality was a sacred duty, and to not welcome someone was a significant social statement. Jesus is preparing His disciples for the reality that not everyone will be receptive to their message, a truth that remains relevant for Christians today.

shake the dust off your feet
The act of shaking the dust off one's feet is deeply symbolic. In Jewish tradition, when Jews returned from Gentile lands, they would shake the dust from their feet to avoid bringing pagan soil into Israel. Here, Jesus uses this cultural practice to signify a separation from those who reject the Gospel. The Greek word "ἀποτινάσσω" (apotinassō) means to shake off or to rid oneself of something. This act serves as a testimony against those who refuse the message, indicating that they are choosing to remain outside the covenant community.

when you leave that town
This phrase emphasizes the itinerant nature of the disciples' mission. The Greek word for "leave" is "ἐξέρχομαι" (exerchomai), which means to go out or depart. The disciples are instructed to move on without lingering in places where they are not received. This reflects the urgency of their mission and the importance of focusing on those who are open to the Gospel. Historically, this approach allowed the early Christian message to spread rapidly across regions.

as a testimony against them
The word "testimony" comes from the Greek "μαρτύριον" (martyrion), which can mean evidence or witness. In this context, the act of shaking the dust off their feet serves as a visible sign of the rejection of the Gospel by the town. It is not merely an act of judgment but also a call to repentance, as it underscores the seriousness of rejecting the message of Christ. This phrase reminds believers of the responsibility to share the Gospel faithfully, leaving the outcome to God.

(5) A testimony against them.--Better, a testimony unto them.

Verse 5. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very duet from your feet for a testimony against them. It was the custom of the Jews when they returned from foreign (Gentile) lands, as they crossed the frontiers of the Holy Land, to shake the dust from off their feet. This was an act symbolizing that they had broken, now on their return to their own land, all communion with Gentile peoples which a residence among them had necessitated for a season. The bitter hatred and loathing of the Jews, after their return from the Captivity, for all Gentile races can only be understood by the student of the Talmud. So comprehensive and perfect a hatred, enduring, too, for centuries, has never been witnessed in the case of any other peoples. This accounts in great measure for the retaliative persecution which more or less has been carried on all through the Christian era against this marvellous race. In our day - the day of a liberalism possibly exaggerated and unreal - in many parts of Europe the untrained sense of the masses strangely revolts against this spirit of toleration; and wild excesses, massacres, and bitter persecution - the Judenhetz, hatred of the Jews in Germany and in Russia - are among the curious results of the liberality and universal toleration of the time.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If anyone
ὅσοι (hosoi)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3745: How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As.

does not welcome
δέχωνται (dechōntai)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1209: To take, receive, accept, welcome. Middle voice of a primary verb; to receive.

you,
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

shake
ἀποτινάσσετε (apotinassete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 660: To shake off. From apo and tinasso; to brush off.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

dust
κονιορτὸν (koniorton)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2868: Dust. From the base of koniao and ornumi; pulverulence.

off
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

feet
ποδῶν (podōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4228: The foot. A primary word; a 'foot'.

when you leave
ἐξερχόμενοι (exerchomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

that
ἐκείνης (ekeinēs)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.

town,
πόλεως (poleōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

as
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

a testimony
μαρτύριον (martyrion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3142: Neuter of a presumed derivative of martus; something evidential, i.e. evidence given or, the Decalogue.

against
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

them.”
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Luke 9:5 As many as don't receive you when (Luke Lu Lk)
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