Luke 11:25

KJV

And when he cometh, he findeth [it] swept and garnished.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when he cometh {G2064}, he findeth {G2147} it swept {G4563} and {G2532} garnished {G2885}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.

Berean Standard Bible

On its return, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.

American Standard Version

And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 11:25, a pivotal verse in Jesus' parable of the returning unclean spirit, describes the state of a "house"—symbolizing a person's life—after an evil spirit has departed. It is found "swept and garnished," appearing clean and orderly, yet critically, it remains empty. This seemingly improved condition, paradoxically, sets the stage for a more severe spiritual decline, highlighting the profound danger of a life that has been cleansed of evil but not subsequently filled with the divine presence and truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' discourse following His miraculous expulsion of a demon from a mute man, an act that prompted accusations from some that He cast out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons ([Luke 11:15](/luke/11-15 "Luke 11:15 - Accusations Against Jesus")). Jesus systematically refutes these claims, first by demonstrating the logical absurdity of Satan casting out Satan ([Luke 11:17-18](/luke/11-17-18 "Luke 11:17-18 - A Kingdom Divided")), and then by asserting that His power comes from "the finger of God" ([Luke 11:20](/luke/11-20 "Luke 11:20 - The Finger of God")). The parable of the strong man ([Luke 11:21-22](/luke/11-21-22 "Luke 11:21-22 - The Strong Man")) further illustrates His superior power over evil. The parable of the returning unclean spirit, beginning in [Luke 11:24](/luke/11-24 "Luke 11:24 - The Unclean Spirit Returns"), immediately follows and serves as a profound warning. It clarifies that merely expelling evil is insufficient; the vacated space must be filled with good, lest a worse spiritual state ensue. This verse, [Luke 11:25](/luke/11-25 "Luke 11:25 - The Swept and Garnished House"), describes the seemingly improved but ultimately vulnerable condition of the "house" before the spirit's catastrophic return in [Luke 11:26](/luke/11-26 "Luke 11:26 - A Worse State").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish thought, the concept of spiritual purity and impurity was deeply ingrained, often linked to ritual cleansing and the expulsion of defiling influences. However, Jesus' teaching here transcends mere external or ritualistic cleansing. The "house" as a metaphor for a person's inner life or soul was a common trope in ancient wisdom literature and rabbinic teachings, signifying the inner dwelling place of thoughts, desires, and spiritual influences. The idea of a spirit "walking through dry places" ([Luke 11:24](/luke/11-24 "Luke 11:24 - Seeking Rest")) reflects the ancient belief that desolate, waterless regions were the dwelling places of demons, emphasizing their restless and destructive nature when expelled from a human host. The meticulous "sweeping and garnishing" of a house would have been a familiar domestic activity, signifying preparation and order, making the spiritual application particularly poignant: outward order does not necessarily equate to inward spiritual health or divine occupation.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 11](/luke/11 "Luke 11 - Prayer, Demons, and Discipleship") as a whole addresses themes of spiritual authority, the nature of evil, and the necessity of genuine spiritual transformation. This verse, [Luke 11:25](/luke/11-25 "Luke 11:25 - The Empty House"), specifically contributes to the theme of **Spiritual Emptiness and Vulnerability**. It underscores that a mere absence of evil is not equivalent to the presence of good, or more importantly, the presence of God. The "swept and garnished" house, while appearing clean and orderly, is devoid of a positive, indwelling spiritual force, making it highly susceptible to re-invasion and a worse state of spiritual bondage. This highlights the theme of **Superficial Cleansing Versus True Transformation**, emphasizing that outward reformation or the removal of obvious sins, without a deeper spiritual filling, leaves one dangerously exposed. It implicitly points to the **Need for Divine Occupation**, suggesting that once evil is expelled, the spiritual vacuum must be filled by the Spirit of God to prevent a more severe spiritual relapse, a concept echoed in the parallel account in [Matthew 12:43-45](/matthew/12-43-45 "Matthew 12:43-45 - The Return of the Unclean Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cometh (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This word, from a primary verb, means "to come or go" in a variety of applications, both literal and figurative. In this context, it describes the deliberate return of the unclean spirit, emphasizing its agency and the purposeful nature of its re-engagement with the "house." The use of the present tense (implied by the KJV "cometh") suggests an ongoing or habitual action, or a vivid present for narrative effect, highlighting the certainty of its return if the conditions are met.
* **swept (Greek, _saróō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "broom," this term literally means "to sweep." It denotes a thorough cleaning, removing dirt, dust, and debris. Figuratively, in this parable, it signifies the removal of obvious sins or evil influences, an outward cleansing or reformation. The perfect passive participle indicates a completed action with ongoing results: the house *has been* swept, and it *remains* in that state of cleanliness.
* **garnished (Greek, _kosméō'_):** From _kósmos_ (order, decoration), this verb means "to put in proper order, i.e., decorate." It implies not just cleanliness but also an arrangement, adornment, or beautification. In the parable, this suggests that the life, having been "cleaned," is also made outwardly appealing, perhaps even respectable or religiously observant. The perfect passive participle, like "swept," denotes a completed action with a continuing state, making the emptiness of the house even more striking against its ordered appearance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he cometh,"**: This phrase refers to the unclean spirit that had previously departed, as established in [Luke 11:24](/luke/11-24 "Luke 11:24 - The Unclean Spirit's Departure"). The "he" signifies the personal agency of the spirit, emphasizing its deliberate and purposeful return. The timing, "when he cometh," underscores the inevitability of its return to a place it once occupied, especially if that place remains spiritually unoccupied by a greater power.
* **"he findeth [it] swept"**: Upon its return, the spirit discovers the "house" (representing the individual's life or soul) has undergone a significant change. "Swept" indicates that the previous disorder, filth, or spiritual debris associated with the spirit's presence has been thoroughly removed. This suggests a period of outward moral reform, a cessation of certain sinful behaviors, or perhaps even a superficial religious awakening that has cleansed the person's life of overt evil.
* **"and garnished."**: Beyond merely being swept clean, the house is also "garnished," meaning it has been put in order, decorated, or made attractive. This implies not just the absence of evil, but an appearance of respectability, perhaps even a superficial piety or self-improvement. The house is not merely empty, but seemingly prepared and inviting, making it an even more appealing target for the returning spirit and its companions. The critical point is that despite this outward order and cleanliness, the house remains empty of a new, positive, and protective spiritual occupant.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in this parable. The primary device is **Allegory** or **Parable**, where a simple, relatable story of a house and an unclean spirit conveys profound spiritual truths about the human soul and its susceptibility to evil. The "house" functions as **Symbolism**, representing the individual's inner life or spiritual state. Its "swept and garnished" condition is symbolic of outward moral reformation or superficial religious practice that removes obvious sins but fails to fill the void with divine truth and presence. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in the description: what appears to be an improvement (a clean, orderly house) is, in fact, a prelude to a worse spiritual downfall, precisely because of its emptiness. The meticulous cleaning and decorating, rather than securing the house, make it more appealing and accessible for the returning evil, highlighting the deceptive nature of mere external cleanliness without internal transformation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This parable profoundly warns against the spiritual vacuum that results from merely removing evil without replacing it with the active presence of God. It underscores that spiritual neutrality is a dangerous illusion; a life not actively submitted to Christ and filled with His Spirit remains vulnerable to the return of former bondages, often with increased intensity. True spiritual security and flourishing come not from the absence of bad, but from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live righteously and resist evil. Without this divine occupation, the "swept and garnished" life, though outwardly reformed, becomes an inviting space for greater spiritual darkness, leading to a condition far worse than the first.

* [Matthew 12:43-45](/matthew/12-43-45 "Parallel Account of the Unclean Spirit")
* [Ephesians 5:18](/ephesians/5-18 "Be Filled with the Spirit")
* [2 Peter 2:20-22](/2_peter/2-20-22 "The Danger of Backsliding")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 11:25 serves as a stark warning and a call to intentional spiritual cultivation. It challenges us to move beyond superficial cleansing or merely abstaining from sin. Many people, both within and outside the church, may achieve a level of outward morality, abandoning destructive habits or adopting respectable behaviors. However, if this "sweeping and garnishing" is not accompanied by a genuine surrender to Christ and a filling with the Holy Spirit, the spiritual void remains. This emptiness becomes an open invitation for old temptations to return, often with greater force, or for new, more insidious forms of spiritual bondage to take root. True spiritual health requires not just the removal of what is bad, but the active cultivation of what is good—a life filled with prayer, Scripture, fellowship, and service, all empowered by the indwelling Spirit of God. We must proactively invite Christ to occupy every room of our "house," ensuring His presence secures and sanctifies us, preventing a worse spiritual state.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life have I perhaps "swept and garnished" without truly inviting Christ to fill the space?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my spiritual "house" is not merely clean, but actively occupied by the Holy Spirit?**
* **How does this parable challenge my understanding of spiritual growth and transformation?**

### FAQ
**What does "swept and garnished" mean in a spiritual sense?**

Answer: In a spiritual sense, "swept and garnished" refers to a life that has undergone a superficial or external reformation. "Swept" implies the removal of obvious sins or negative influences, a cleansing of outward behaviors. "Garnished" suggests that the life has also been put in order, made respectable, or even adorned with a veneer of piety or self-improvement. However, the crucial point is that despite this apparent cleanliness and order, the "house" (the individual's soul or inner life) remains empty of a positive, indwelling spiritual presence—specifically, the Holy Spirit. It signifies a state where evil has been expelled, but God has not been invited to take up residence, leaving the person vulnerable to a worse spiritual condition, as described in [Luke 11:26](/luke/11-26 "The Worse Condition").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 11:25, while a stark warning, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The parable of the empty, swept, and garnished house underscores humanity's inherent spiritual vulnerability when left to its own devices, even after attempts at self-reformation. It highlights that merely removing sin or evil is insufficient; a new, divine occupant is required. Jesus, as the "stronger one" who binds the "strong man" ([Luke 11:21-22](/luke/11-21-22 "Jesus Overcomes Evil")), is the only one capable of truly dispossessing evil and, more importantly, filling the vacated space with His life-giving presence. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Christ offers not just forgiveness of sins (a "sweeping"), but the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, making the believer a "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "Your Body, a Temple")). This is the true "garnishing" – a life transformed from within by God's Spirit, producing the fruit of righteousness ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Fruit of the Spirit")) and secured against the return of spiritual darkness. Without Christ's active indwelling, the "house" remains empty and susceptible; with Him, it becomes a dwelling place of God, eternally secure and filled with divine life ([John 14:23](/john/14-23 "Dwelling with God")).

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

Jude 1:8

¶ Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

Jude 1:13

Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2 Thessalonians 2:12

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

2 Peter 2:10

¶ But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

2 Peter 2:19

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Matthew 12:44

Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth [it] empty, swept, and garnished.