Mark 6:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} whosoever {G3745}{G302} shall {G1209} not {G3361} receive {G1209} you {G5209}, nor {G3366} hear {G191} you {G5216}, when ye depart {G1607} thence {G1564}, shake off {G1621} the dust {G5522} under {G5270} your {G5216} feet {G4228} for {G1519} a testimony {G3142} against them {G846}. Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, It shall be {G2071} more tolerable {G414} for Sodom {G4670} and {G2228} Gomorrha {G1116} in {G1722} the day {G2250} of judgment {G2920}, than {G2228} for that {G1565} city {G4172}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and if the people of some place will not welcome you, and they refuse to hear you, then, as you leave, shake the dust off your feet as a warning to them."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

And whatsoever place shall not receive you, and they hear you not, as ye go forth thence, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony unto them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 6:11 delivers a solemn instruction from Jesus to His disciples concerning their mission and the severe consequences for those who reject their message. It mandates a symbolic act of separation—shaking off dust—as a public declaration against cities that refuse to receive the Gospel, culminating in a stark warning that such rejection will incur a judgment more severe than that meted out to the notoriously wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This verse underscores the profound spiritual responsibility associated with hearing and responding to God's truth, highlighting the gravity of unbelief in the face of divine revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jesus' detailed instructions to the twelve disciples as He sends them out on their first independent mission to preach, heal, and cast out demons. Preceding this verse, Jesus outlines their conduct, emphasizing simplicity and dependence on God's provision (e.g., [Mark 6:8-9](/mark/6-8-9 "Mark 6:8-9 - Instructions for the Disciples' Journey")). He instructs them to travel lightly, without extra provisions, and to rely on the hospitality of those who receive them. The immediate verses (Mark 6:10) advise them to stay in one house once received, avoiding superficiality. Thus, Mark 6:11 directly follows these practical guidelines, addressing the specific scenario of rejection and providing a clear, decisive response, underscoring the seriousness of their mission and the message they carry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of "shaking off the dust" was a well-understood Jewish custom. When Jews traveled through Gentile territory and re-entered Jewish land, they would often shake the dust from their feet to signify their separation from Gentile impurity. In this context, Jesus re-purposes the custom, applying it to fellow Jews who reject the messengers of the Kingdom. It was a powerful, public gesture indicating a complete disassociation and a pronouncement of judgment, implying that the rejecting city was as spiritually defiled as Gentile land, and that the disciples bore no further responsibility for their fate. The reference to Sodom and Gomorrah immediately evokes the historical judgment of God upon these cities for their extreme wickedness, as recorded in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "Genesis 19 - The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"), signaling an unparalleled divine wrath.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 6:11 significantly contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark and broader biblical theology. It highlights the **authority of Jesus** and His delegated authority to His disciples, emphasizing that rejecting them is tantamount to rejecting Him (cf. [Luke 10:16](/luke/10-16 "Luke 10:16 - He Who Hears You Hears Me")). The theme of **divine judgment** is powerfully articulated, revealing that God holds humanity accountable for their response to His revealed truth, with greater light bringing greater responsibility. The mention of the "day of judgment" points to an eschatological reckoning. Furthermore, the verse underscores the **urgency and seriousness of the Gospel message**, indicating that its reception or rejection carries eternal consequences. This aligns with the broader theme of the **Kingdom of God** breaking into the present reality, demanding a decisive response from all who encounter it.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **receive (Greek, _déchomai'_):** This verb signifies to "receive," "accept," or "take." In this context, it implies not merely physical reception into a home, but a deeper acceptance of the message and the authority of the messengers. It denotes a willingness to embrace the truth being proclaimed.
* **shake off (Greek, _ektinássō'_):** Meaning to "shake violently," this word describes a forceful and deliberate action. It is not a casual dusting but a symbolic, emphatic gesture of complete disassociation and a public declaration that the disciples are absolved of responsibility for the city's fate.
* **more tolerable (Greek, _anektóteros'_):** This comparative adjective means "more endurable." Jesus' use of this term is a stark hyperbole, emphasizing the extreme severity of judgment awaiting those who reject His messengers. It implies that even the notorious wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah will face a less severe outcome on the Day of Judgment than a city that rejects the direct proclamation of the Gospel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you":** This clause sets the condition for the subsequent action. It refers to those individuals or communities who actively refuse hospitality, but more importantly, who reject the message of the Kingdom of God that the disciples proclaim. The parallel "nor hear you" emphasizes the spiritual rejection of the truth, not merely a lack of physical welcome.
* **"when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet":** This is Jesus' direct instruction for how the disciples are to respond to such rejection. "Depart thence" indicates leaving the unrepentant place. "Shake off the dust under your feet" is a potent symbolic act, signifying a complete break and disassociation from the place and its people, as if they are unclean or cursed. It also communicates that the disciples are not taking any of the city's "impurity" or judgment with them.
* **"for a testimony against them.":** This phrase clarifies the purpose and meaning of the symbolic act. The shaking off of dust serves as a public witness or evidence (Greek, _martýrion_) against the rejecting city. It is a visible declaration that the Gospel was offered, refused, and that the city is now accountable before God for its unbelief.
* **"Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.":** This is Jesus' solemn pronouncement, introduced by "Verily" (Greek, _amḗn_), emphasizing its truth and gravity. The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah, cities utterly destroyed by God for their extreme sin (cf. [Genesis 19:24-25](/genesis/19-24-25 "Genesis 19:24-25 - God's Judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah")), highlights the unparalleled severity of rejecting the Gospel. The "day of judgment" refers to the final eschatological reckoning when all will give an account before God. Jesus declares that the spiritual culpability of those who reject the light of the Gospel is greater than that of those who lived in utter moral depravity without such direct revelation.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 6:11 employs several powerful **Literary Devices**. The central act of "shaking off the dust" functions as potent **Symbolism**, transforming a common Jewish custom of purification from Gentile defilement into a profound prophetic gesture of judgment against those who reject the divine message. This action is also an **Allegory**, representing the disciples' release from responsibility and the transfer of accountability to the rejecting city. Furthermore, Jesus utilizes striking **Hyperbole** in comparing the fate of the rejecting city to that of Sodom and Gomorrah. This extreme exaggeration ("more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha") is not meant to be taken literally as a precise measure of suffering, but rather to underscore the immense gravity and unparalleled severity of rejecting the Kingdom's message, emphasizing that spiritual rebellion against revealed truth is a sin of the highest order. The verse also contains a stark **Contrast** between receiving and rejecting, highlighting the binary choice presented by the Gospel and its eternal implications.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 6:11 profoundly emphasizes the principle of accountability in the face of divine revelation. It teaches that the more light one receives, the greater their responsibility and the more severe their judgment if they reject it. The act of shaking off the dust underscores the completion of the messenger's duty and the transfer of responsibility to the hearer. This passage reveals God's deep concern for humanity's response to His truth and the serious, eternal consequences of rejecting His gracious outreach. It foreshadows the ultimate judgment where all will stand before God, and their response to Christ and His message will be the determining factor.

* [Matthew 10:14-15](/matthew/10-14-15 "Matthew 10:14-15 - Similar Instructions and Warning")
* [Luke 10:10-12](/luke/10-10-12 "Luke 10:10-12 - Parallel Account of Rejection and Judgment")
* [Hebrews 10:26-31](/hebrews/10-26-31 "Hebrews 10:26-31 - The Danger of Willful Sin After Receiving Truth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 6:11 serves as a profound reminder for believers today regarding both our mission and our personal responsibility. As followers of Christ, we are called to faithfully proclaim the Gospel, sharing the good news of God's Kingdom with boldness and clarity, even when faced with indifference or hostility. While our hearts should always be filled with compassion and a desire for all to come to repentance, this verse also teaches us that there comes a point when, having faithfully delivered the message, we are absolved of further responsibility for the outcome. We are not to force belief, but to present the truth and allow individuals to respond. The sobering warning about Sodom and Gomorrah should instill in us a deep reverence for God's Word and a renewed urgency to respond to His truth in our own lives, recognizing the immense privilege of hearing and receiving the Gospel. It challenges us to consider whether we are truly "receiving" Christ's message and His messengers, or if we are, in any way, shaking off the dust against ourselves.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the instruction to "shake off the dust" inform our approach to evangelism and mission today, particularly when faced with persistent rejection?**
* **What does Jesus' comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah reveal about the gravity of rejecting the Gospel message in comparison to other sins?**
* **In what ways might we, as modern believers, be guilty of "not receiving" or "not hearing" God's truth, even if we intellectually assent to it?**
* **How does the concept of the "day of judgment" motivate you to live a life of greater faithfulness and urgency in sharing the Gospel?**

### FAQ
**What does "shake off the dust under your feet" literally mean, and why was it so significant?**

Answer: Literally, "shaking off the dust under your feet" (Greek, `ektinássō ho chóos`) means to physically remove any dirt or grime accumulated from walking on a particular path or in a specific place. In the Jewish context, it was a symbolic act used by Jews returning from Gentile lands to signify their separation from the impurity of those lands. By instructing His disciples to perform this act upon rejecting Jewish cities, Jesus re-purposed its meaning. It became a powerful, public declaration that the disciples were disassociating themselves from the spiritual impurity and impending judgment of that city. It served as a visible "testimony against them" (Greek, `martýrion eis autoús`), signifying that the messengers had fulfilled their duty, and the city was now accountable to God for its rejection of the divine message. It was a final, emphatic gesture of judgment and separation, indicating that the disciples would carry none of the city's sin or condemnation with them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Mark 6:11 speaks of the judgment on those who reject Jesus' messengers, its ultimate fulfillment and theological weight are found in the person and work of Christ Himself. The messengers were extensions of Jesus' authority, and their message was His message of the Kingdom. Therefore, rejecting them was, in essence, rejecting Christ. The "day of judgment" mentioned in the verse is ultimately the day when Christ, as the appointed Judge of all humanity (cf. [John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Has Given All Judgment to the Son") and [Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God Has Appointed a Day to Judge the World by Jesus")), will render a verdict based on humanity's response to Him. The severity of judgment for those who reject the Gospel, even exceeding that of Sodom and Gomorrah, underscores the immense privilege and responsibility of encountering the Son of God. Christ is the ultimate revelation of God, and to refuse Him is to refuse the very source of life and salvation (cf. [John 3:18-19](/john/3-18-19 "John 3:18-19 - Judgment for Those Who Do Not Believe")). Thus, the warning in Mark 6:11 serves as a powerful call to embrace Christ, for in receiving Him, one receives eternal life and escapes the condemnation that awaits those who persist in unbelief (cf. [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Receiving Christ and Becoming Children of 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

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.

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.

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.

Luke 10:10

But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,

Luke 10:15

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

Acts 13:50

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.