Luke 9:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} whosoever {G3745}{G302} will {G1209} not {G3361} receive {G1209} you {G5209}, when ye go {G1831} out of {G575} that {G1565} city {G4172}, shake off {G660} the very {G2532} dust {G2868} from {G575} your {G5216} feet {G4228} for {G1519} a testimony {G3142} against {G1909} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Wherever they don’t welcome you, shake the dust from your feet when you leave that town as a warning to 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.”

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Jesus provides a clear and solemn directive to His twelve disciples as He sends them out on their mission: if a city or household refuses to welcome them or their message, they are to perform a symbolic act of shaking the dust from their feet. This action serves as a powerful "testimony against them," signifying a complete dissociation from the unrepentant and a warning of the spiritual consequences for rejecting the divine messengers and the Kingdom message they bear.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Jesus empowering and commissioning His twelve disciples for ministry. Immediately preceding [Luke 9:5](/luke/9-5 "Luke 9:5 - Instructions for Rejection"), Jesus grants them "power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases" and sends them "to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick" ([Luke 9:1-2](/luke/9-1-2 "Luke 9:1-2 - Jesus Commissions the Twelve")). He provides specific instructions for their journey, emphasizing reliance on God's provision and a focus on the message rather than material comforts ([Luke 9:3-4](/luke/9-3-4 "Luke 9:3-4 - Instructions for the Journey")). [Luke 9:5](/luke/9-5 "Luke 9:5 - Instructions for Rejection") anticipates the inevitable reality of rejection, offering a decisive protocol for dealing with such encounters. This instruction is also found in the parallel accounts of [Matthew 10:14](/matthew/10-14 "Matthew 10:14 - Instructions for Rejection") and [Mark 6:11](/mark/6-11 "Mark 6:11 - Shaking Off Dust"). The broader context of [Luke 9](/luke/9 "Luke 9 - The Mission of the Disciples") highlights the unfolding of Jesus' ministry, the growing opposition He faces, and His preparation of the disciples for their future roles in spreading the gospel, even in the face of adversity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of "shaking off the dust from your feet" carried significant cultural weight in ancient Judaism. It was a common practice for Jews, upon returning from Gentile lands, to shake the dust from their sandals or clothes before re-entering Jewish territory. This was done to symbolically cleanse themselves from any defilement incurred by contact with non-Jewish soil, which was considered ritually unclean. By instructing His disciples to perform this very act when rejected by a Jewish city, Jesus was making a profound and shocking statement. He was essentially declaring that those Jewish communities or households that rejected the message of the Kingdom were, in their spiritual state, as unclean and separate from God's covenant people as Gentiles were considered physically. This gesture was not an act of personal anger or malice, but a solemn, public declaration that the messengers had fulfilled their duty, and the responsibility for the rejection, and its accompanying consequences, now rested entirely upon the rejecting party. It underscored the gravity of the message and the dire implications of its refusal.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Authority and Mission**: the disciples are not acting on their own accord but as authorized representatives of Jesus. To reject them is to reject the One who sent them, and ultimately, God Himself ([Luke 10:16](/luke/10-16 "Luke 10:16 - Receiving or Rejecting Jesus' Messengers")). Secondly, it highlights the **Reality of Rejection**: Jesus prepares His followers for the inevitable opposition and non-acceptance of the Kingdom message, acknowledging that divine truth will not be universally embraced. This serves to inoculate the disciples against discouragement. Thirdly, the **Symbolic Action and Warning** of shaking off dust serves as a powerful visual and spiritual declaration. It signifies a complete dissociation and a cessation of responsibility on the part of the messenger, leaving the hearers accountable. Lastly, it underscores the theme of **Accountability and Testimony**: the act functions "for a testimony against them," indicating that the message was offered, the opportunity presented, and the refusal noted, leaving the rejecting party without excuse before God's future judgment ([Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Matthew 11:20-24 - Woes to Unrepentant Cities")). This also implicitly teaches **Disciples' Detachment and Perseverance**: the disciples are to move on, unburdened by the rejection, to continue their mission elsewhere, focusing on those who will receive the gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **receive (Greek, _déchomai'_):** From G1209, meaning to accept, receive, or take. In this context, it signifies not merely physical reception into a home, but a spiritual acceptance of the messengers and, crucially, the message of the Kingdom they proclaimed. The refusal to "receive" implies a rejection of the divine truth and authority embodied by the disciples.
* **shake off (Greek, _apotinássō'_):** From G660, meaning to brush off or shake off. This is a deliberate and decisive action, not a casual flick. It conveys a complete and final separation, a public disavowal of any further connection or responsibility for those who reject the message. It is an act of cleansing from the perceived defilement of unbelief.
* **testimony (Greek, _martýrion'_):** From G3142, meaning something evidential, evidence given, or witness. The act of shaking off the dust is not an act of vengeance, but a solemn declaration of fact. It serves as irrefutable evidence that the gospel was presented and rejected, leaving the rejecting party without excuse and under the weight of their own decision before God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And whosoever will not receive you":** This clause anticipates the reality of non-acceptance, acknowledging that not all will welcome the disciples or their message. The refusal to "receive" encompasses both hospitality and, more importantly, the spiritual embrace of the Kingdom message. It highlights the free will of individuals to accept or reject divine truth.
* **"when ye go out of that city":** This specifies the timing and location for the prescribed action. The disciples are not to linger or persist indefinitely in a place of rejection. Instead, they are to depart, signaling the end of their responsibility for that particular community and its spiritual state.
* **"shake off the very dust from your feet":** This is the core directive, a powerful symbolic action rooted in Jewish custom. As explained in the context, it signifies a complete break and purification from the spiritual defilement of those who reject God's messengers and message. It is a public and visible declaration of disassociation.
* **"for a testimony against them":** This final phrase explains the purpose and consequence of the symbolic act. The shaking of the dust is not merely a personal expression of frustration, but a prophetic act. It serves as a witness or evidence against the rejecting city or household, indicating that they were given the opportunity to hear and respond to the Kingdom, but chose otherwise, thereby incurring divine judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the act of "shaking off the very dust from your feet" serving as a potent visual metaphor for spiritual separation and the cessation of responsibility. This action, deeply rooted in Jewish cultural practice, is recontextualized by Jesus to convey a severe judgment on those who reject the Kingdom message. The **Imperative Mood** is used in "shake off," conveying a direct command from Jesus, emphasizing the authority and necessity of this action. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Antithesis** between "receiving" the disciples and their message versus "not receiving" them, highlighting the stark choice presented to the hearers and the contrasting outcomes of acceptance versus rejection. The phrase "for a testimony against them" functions as a **Legal Metaphor**, casting the act as a form of evidence presented in a divine court, underscoring the accountability of those who refuse the gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This instruction to shake off the dust is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine revelation, human responsibility, and the consequences of rejection. It underscores the ultimate authority of God's message and the seriousness of responding to it. The disciples, as emissaries of the Kingdom, bear a weighty responsibility to proclaim the truth, but they are not accountable for the reception of that truth. The act of shaking off the dust transfers the burden of responsibility entirely to the hearers, leaving them without excuse before God. It highlights that rejecting God's messengers is tantamount to rejecting God Himself, and such rejection carries eternal implications. This principle prepares believers for the reality of spiritual warfare and the necessity of focusing their efforts where the Spirit leads, rather than dwelling on unproductive resistance.

* [Matthew 10:14](/matthew/10-14 "Parallel Instruction on Rejection")
* [Acts 13:51](/acts/13-51 "Paul and Barnabas Shake Off Dust")
* [Hebrews 10:26-31](/hebrews/10-26-31 "The Danger of Willful Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Luke 9:5](/luke/9-5 "Luke 9:5 - Instructions for Rejection") offers timeless wisdom for believers engaged in sharing the gospel or living out their faith in a hostile world. It reminds us that our primary calling is faithfulness in proclamation, not guaranteed success in conversion. When faced with apathy, ridicule, or outright rejection, we are not to be consumed by despair or bitterness. Instead, we are instructed to symbolically "shake off the dust," which means releasing the burden of responsibility for another's choice, entrusting their judgment to God, and moving forward with the mission. This act is not one of anger or abandonment, but a recognition that we have fulfilled our duty and that the ultimate accountability rests with the hearer. It empowers us to persevere without being defiled or hindered by the negativity of unbelief, allowing us to continue faithfully proclaiming the good news to those who are open to receiving it, and maintaining our own spiritual purity and focus on Christ's mission.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the cultural context of "shaking off the dust" deepen your appreciation for the seriousness of rejecting the gospel message?**
* **In what areas of your life or ministry might you need to "shake off the dust" – releasing burdens or responsibilities that are not yours to carry?**
* **How can you maintain a spirit of love and perseverance in sharing your faith, even when faced with consistent rejection?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's justice and the ultimate accountability of every individual before Him?**

### FAQ
**Does "shaking off the dust" mean we should stop praying for or caring about those who reject the gospel?**

Answer: No, "shaking off the dust" does not mean abandoning care or prayer for those who reject the gospel. The act is primarily a symbolic declaration of the messenger's fulfilled responsibility and the transfer of accountability to the hearer. It is a recognition that the message has been delivered, and the consequences of rejection now rest with the individual or community. It frees the messenger from undue burden or defilement, allowing them to continue their mission elsewhere without being hindered by past rejections. The Bible consistently calls believers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")). Therefore, while the immediate evangelistic effort in that specific context may cease, the call to compassion and intercession for all people remains.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Luke 9:5](/luke/9-5 "Luke 9:5 - Instructions for Rejection") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. Firstly, Jesus Himself was the supreme messenger of God, and He experienced the most profound rejection from "His own" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Came to His Own")). His instructions to the disciples foreshadow His own experience of being denied and ultimately crucified by those He came to save. The "testimony against them" that the disciples were to leave is ultimately fulfilled in Christ's own life, death, and resurrection, which stands as the definitive witness to humanity. Those who reject the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), reject the very source of life and salvation ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")). The dust shaken off symbolizes the separation from those who refuse the light, pointing to the ultimate separation that will occur at the final judgment between those who received Christ and those who did not ([Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Sheep and the Goats")). Thus, the disciples' actions, commanded by Christ, serve as a microcosm of the greater spiritual reality: the gospel is presented, a choice is offered, and the consequences of that choice are eternal, all centered on one's response to Jesus Christ, the one name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved ([Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name")).

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

Acts 18:6

And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook [his] raiment, and said unto them, Your blood [be] upon your own heads; I [am] clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Acts 13:51

But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

Mark 6:11

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.

Matthew 10:14

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.

Matthew 10:15

Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Luke 9:53

And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

Luke 9:56

For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save [them]. And they went to another village.