Luke 11:28

But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

But {G1161} he {G846} said {G2036}, Yea rather {G3304}, blessed {G3107} are they that hear {G191} the word {G3056} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} keep {G5442} it {G846}.

But he said, “Far more blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it!”

But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Context

This verse follows immediately after Jesus has cast out a demon, leading to mixed reactions from the crowd. Some are amazed, while others demand a sign or accuse him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub. In the midst of this, a woman in the crowd calls out, blessing Jesus' mother, Mary, for having borne and nursed him. Jesus' response in Luke 11:28 pivots the focus from physical lineage and connection to him towards a spiritual blessedness.

Key Themes

  • True Blessedness: Jesus redefines what constitutes true blessing, shifting from earthly relationships or physical proximity to him to a spiritual state based on one's relationship with God's word.
  • Hearing the Word: The verse emphasizes the importance of listening to or receiving God's word. This isn't just passive hearing but attentive reception.
  • Keeping the Word: Crucially, Jesus links hearing with "keeping" the word. This means obeying, preserving, and living according to what is heard. True blessedness comes from active obedience.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated as "blessed" is makarioi, which signifies a state of divine happiness or fortune, a blessedness that comes from being favored by God. It's the same word used in the Beatitudes (see Matthew 5:3ff). The phrase "keep it" (Greek phylassontes) implies guarding, observing, or obeying the word, suggesting active preservation and adherence rather than just passive storage.

Related Scriptures

Practical Application

Luke 11:28 serves as a timeless reminder that spiritual blessedness isn't about who you know or your background, but about your personal response to God's word. Simply listening to sermons, reading the Bible, or attending church is not enough. The true blessing comes from actively integrating God's truth into your life, allowing it to transform your thoughts, attitudes, and actions. It calls us to be not just passive recipients but active participants in living out the divine instructions we receive.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 6:47

    Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

  • Luke 6:48

    He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

  • Luke 8:21

    And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

  • Psalms 112:1

    ¶ Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.

  • James 1:21

    Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

  • James 1:25

    But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

  • John 13:17

    If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

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