Luke 10:16

KJV

He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

KJV (with Strong's)

He that heareth {G191} you {G5216} heareth {G191} me {G1700}; and {G2532} he that despiseth {G114} you {G5209} despiseth {G114} me {G1691}; and {G1161} he that despiseth {G114} me {G1691} despiseth {G114} him that sent {G649} me {G3165}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“Whoever listens to you listens to me, also whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the One who sent me.”

Berean Standard Bible

Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

American Standard Version

He that heareth you heareth me; and he that rejecteth you rejecteth me; and he that rejecteth me rejecteth him that sent me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 10:16 encapsulates a profound declaration by Jesus to His seventy (or seventy-two) disciples, establishing an unbreakable chain of identification and authority. In this powerful statement, Jesus asserts that the reception or rejection of His commissioned messengers directly equates to the reception or rejection of Himself, which in turn reflects the reception or rejection of God the Father who sent Him. This verse underscores the divine weight and eternal significance of the message proclaimed by Christ's ambassadors and the serious implications for those who hear it.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 10:16 concludes a significant section where Jesus commissions and instructs the seventy (or seventy-two) disciples for their evangelistic mission. Beginning in [Luke 10:1](/luke/10-1 "Luke 10:1 - Jesus Sends Out the Seventy"), Jesus sends them out ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place He intended to visit. He provides detailed guidance on their conduct, their message ("The kingdom of God has come near to you!" - [Luke 10:9](/luke/10-9 "Luke 10:9 - Proclaiming the Kingdom")), and how to respond to both welcome and rejection. The verses immediately preceding Luke 10:16 ([Luke 10:10-15](/luke/10-10-15 "Luke 10:10-15 - Warnings to Unrepentant Cities")) contain stern warnings to cities that reject the disciples' message, likening their fate to that of Sodom and Tyre. Thus, verse 16 serves as the climactic theological justification for these warnings, revealing the ultimate divine authority behind the disciples' ministry.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern culture, a messenger (or "apostle," from the Greek _apostolos_) was understood to embody the authority and person of the one who sent him. To receive the messenger was to receive the sender; to dishonor the messenger was to dishonor the sender. This principle, often summarized as "the agent is as the principal," was deeply ingrained in the societal fabric and legal systems. Jesus leverages this well-understood cultural norm to elevate the status of His disciples' mission. Furthermore, the sending of the seventy (or seventy-two, a number often associated with the nations of the world in Jewish tradition, e.g., [Genesis 10](/genesis/10 "Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations")) foreshadows the universal scope of the Gospel message, extending beyond Israel to all peoples, as later commanded in the [Great Commission](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several key themes central to Luke's Gospel and broader New Testament theology. Firstly, it highlights the **authority of Christ's messengers**, emphasizing that their words, when faithful to His commission, carry divine weight. Secondly, it underscores the profound **divine identification** between Jesus and His disciples, and ultimately between Jesus and the Father. This theme is echoed throughout Jesus' teaching, such as in [John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Seeing the Father through Jesus"), where He states, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." Thirdly, the verse reveals the **gravity of reception or rejection**, making it clear that one's response to the Gospel message, delivered by Christ's representatives, is a direct response to God Himself. This theme of accountability for hearing the Word of God is pervasive, as seen in Jesus' parables of the sower ([Luke 8:4-15](/luke/8-4-15 "Luke 8:4-15 - The Parable of the Sower")) and the warnings to unrepentant cities ([Luke 10:13-15](/luke/10-13-15 "Luke 10:13-15 - Woes to Unrepentant Cities")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heareth (Greek, _akoúō'_):** From G191, a primary verb meaning to hear in various senses, implying not merely perceiving sound, but to listen attentively, to understand, and often, to obey. In this context, it signifies a reception that involves understanding and a willingness to respond positively to the message.
* **despiseth (Greek, _athetéō'_):** From G114, a strong term meaning to set aside, disesteem, neutralize, or violate. It denotes an active and deliberate rejection, a treating with contempt, or an annulment of authority, rather than mere indifference. It implies a conscious act of disregard for the message and the messenger.
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō'_):** From G649, meaning to set apart and send out, properly on a mission. This word emphasizes the official commissioning and divine authority behind the sender. It highlights that the Father's act of sending Jesus, and Jesus' act of sending the disciples, are acts of divine initiative and purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that heareth you heareth me":** This clause establishes the initial link in the chain of identification. It asserts that a positive reception of the disciples' message and person is equivalent to a positive reception of Jesus Himself. The disciples are not speaking on their own authority but are conduits for the very words and presence of Christ. This underscores the sacred nature of their commission and the divine authority invested in them.
* **"and he that despiseth you despiseth me":** This clause presents the converse, and more severe, implication. It declares that to reject, disregard, or treat with contempt the disciples and their message is to do the same to Jesus. This is not merely a personal slight against the messengers but a direct affront to the Son of God. The strong verb "despiseth" indicates an active, intentional rejection of the divine authority they represent.
* **"and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me":** This final clause completes the chain, extending the rejection all the way to God the Father. It reveals the ultimate spiritual consequence of rejecting Christ's messengers: it is a rejection of God's own initiative and purpose in sending His Son. This elevates the stakes immensely, transforming a seemingly human interaction into an encounter with the divine, with eternal ramifications.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 10:16 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **Antithetical Parallelism**, where the first half of the verse (hearing/receiving) is contrasted with the second half (despising/rejecting). This structure highlights the binary nature of response to the Gospel – there is no neutral ground. Furthermore, the verse builds upon a **Chain of Identification**, starting with the disciples, moving to Jesus, and culminating in God the Father. This progression emphasizes the inseparable unity and shared authority within the Godhead and with those whom they commission. The repeated use of "heareth" and "despiseth" creates a strong rhetorical emphasis, underscoring the gravity of the choice presented to the hearers. The use of strong verbs like **_akoúō_** (to hear with obedience) and **_athetéō_** (to reject with contempt) also adds to the rhetorical force, deepening the meaning beyond simple auditory perception or dislike.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 10:16 is a foundational text for understanding the nature of divine authority delegated to human messengers and the profound implications of responding to God's Word. It reveals the intimate identification between the sender and the sent, establishing that engagement with Christ's ambassadors is, in essence, an encounter with Christ Himself, and ultimately with God the Father. This principle elevates the significance of every faithful proclamation of the Gospel, affirming that the message is not merely human opinion but carries the very weight of heaven. It underscores the truth that God has chosen to work through human agents, embedding His authority within their Spirit-empowered ministry, thereby making human response to them a direct response to Him. This chain of identification also serves as a solemn warning regarding the eternal consequences of rejecting God's gracious invitation extended through His servants.

* [Matthew 10:40](/matthew/10-40 "Matthew 10:40 - Receiving Christ's Messengers"): "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me."
* [John 13:20](/john/13-20 "John 13:20 - Receiving the One Sent"): "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."
* [1 Thessalonians 4:8](/1_thessalonians/4-8 "1 Thessalonians 4:8 - Rejecting God's Spirit"): "Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 10:16 profoundly shapes our understanding of Christian ministry and our personal response to God's truth. For those called to proclaim the Gospel, this verse offers immense encouragement and a sobering responsibility. It assures us that when we faithfully declare Christ's message, we are not speaking on our own limited authority, but our words, empowered by the Holy Spirit and aligned with divine truth, carry the very weight of God Himself. This should instill confidence, boldness, and humility in our evangelism and discipleship efforts, knowing that our weaknesses are covered by His strength and our message is His. Conversely, for those who hear the Gospel, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that their response is not merely a casual human interaction. To accept or reject the message of Christ's kingdom, delivered by His faithful witnesses, is to accept or reject Christ Himself, and by extension, God the Father. This underscores the urgency and eternal significance of responding with faith and obedience to God's gracious invitation, recognizing that every encounter with His truth is an encounter with the divine.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the chain of identification in Luke 10:16 impact your confidence and humility in sharing your faith?**
* **In what ways might you be inadvertently "despising" Christ or the Father by dismissing the words or actions of His faithful messengers today?**
* **What practical steps can you take to ensure you are truly "hearing" (listening attentively and obeying) God's message as it is communicated through His Word and His people?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that "he that heareth you heareth me"?**

Answer: This statement signifies a profound spiritual identification and delegation of authority. When Jesus' disciples faithfully proclaim His message, they are not speaking merely their own words but are acting as direct representatives of Christ. Therefore, to truly listen to, understand, and obey the message delivered by them is equivalent to listening to and obeying Jesus Himself. It highlights that the message is divine in origin and authority, even though it is conveyed through human vessels. This principle extends to all who faithfully preach the Gospel in accordance with Christ's teachings, meaning that receiving the truth they share is receiving Christ.

**Why is rejection of the disciples considered rejection of God the Father?**

Answer: Jesus establishes a direct, unbroken chain of authority and identification. Just as He was sent by the Father ([John 5:23](/john/5-23 "John 5:23 - Honoring the Son and the Father")), He in turn sends His disciples. To reject the disciples is to reject the one who sent them (Jesus). And to reject Jesus is to reject the Father who sent Him. This emphasizes the unity within the Godhead and the ultimate source of the mission. It means that the act of dismissing God's chosen messengers and their message is not a minor offense but a direct affront to God's sovereign will and redemptive plan for humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 10:16 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself is the supreme "sent one" (_apostolos_) from the Father, as highlighted in passages like [John 8:42](/john/8-42 "John 8:42 - Jesus Sent by the Father") where He declares, "I came not of my own accord, but he sent me." Therefore, the principle that "he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me" first and foremost applies to Jesus' own reception. Furthermore, this verse foreshadows the ongoing mission of the Church, which is the body of Christ on earth. Just as Jesus identified with His initial seventy, He continues to identify with His followers today, empowering them through the Holy Spirit ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness")) to carry His message to the ends of the earth. When believers faithfully proclaim the Gospel of Christ, they are embodying this chain of divine identification, making their words, when true to Christ, a direct encounter with the living Lord, who promised, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Promise of Presence")). Thus, the reception or rejection of the Gospel message today remains a reception or rejection of Christ Himself, and by extension, of the Father who sent Him to redeem the world ([John 3:16-17](/john/3-16-17 "John 3:16-17 - God So Loved the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 13:20

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Matthew 10:40

He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

1 Thessalonians 4:8

He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

John 5:22

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

John 5:23

That all [men] should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

John 12:48

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

John 12:44

¶ Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.