5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them."

Other Translations of Luke 9:5

King James Version

5 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.

English Standard Version

5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them."

The Message

5 If you're not welcomed, leave town. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on."

New King James Version

5 And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them."

New Living Translation

5 And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 9:5

Commentary on Luke 9:1-9

(Read Luke 9:1-9)

Christ sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were able to teach others what they had received from the Lord. They must not be anxious to commend themselves to people's esteem by outward appearance. They must go as they were. The Lord Jesus is the fountain of power and authority, to whom all creatures must, in one way or another, be subject; and if he goes with the word of his ministers in power, to deliver sinners from Satan's bondage, they may be sure that he will care for their wants. When truth and love thus go together, and yet the message of God is rejected and despised, it leaves men without excuse, and turns to a testimony against them. Herod's guilty conscience was ready to conclude that John was risen from the dead. He desired to see Jesus; and why did he not go and see him? Probably, because he thought it below him, or because he wished not to have any more reprovers of sin. Delaying it now, his heart was hardened, and when he did see Jesus, he was as much prejudiced against him as others, Luke 23:11.