Luke 10 5

Luke 10:5 kjv

And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.

Luke 10:5 nkjv

But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.'

Luke 10:5 niv

"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.'

Luke 10:5 esv

Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!'

Luke 10:5 nlt

"Whenever you enter someone's home, first say, 'May God's peace be on this house.'

Luke 10 verses

Luke 10 5 Meaning

Luke 10:5 instructs the seventy-two disciples sent by Jesus to initiate their ministry in every house they enter by declaring, "Peace to this house." This command highlights the priority of proclaiming divine blessing, the non-discriminatory nature of their mission, and the spiritual authority invested in their words, serving as a prelude to sharing the good news and establishing rapport within households. It underscores that the message of Christ is fundamentally one of peace and well-being.

Luke 10 5 Context

Luke chapter 10 recounts Jesus sending out seventy-two disciples (or seventy, depending on manuscript tradition) to every town and place He was about to visit. These verses contain detailed instructions for their mission. Prior to Luke 10:5, Jesus speaks about the vast harvest and the scarcity of laborers (10:2), and warns them that they are sent out "like lambs among wolves" (10:3). He gives specific commands about not carrying money, bags, or sandals, and not greeting anyone along the road (10:4), emphasizing urgency and reliance on divine provision. The command to declare peace in Luke 10:5 immediately follows these initial instructions, setting the tone and purpose for their interaction with those they encounter. Culturally, the act of hospitality was deeply ingrained in ancient Jewish and Near Eastern societies. Travelers depended on the kindness of strangers, and a standard greeting would include wishes for peace. However, Jesus elevates this customary greeting into a potent, Spirit-filled declaration tied to the gospel's reception, going beyond mere social etiquette to become an integral part of their spiritual mission.

Luke 10 5 Word analysis

• And: (Greek: Kai) A common conjunction, linking this instruction directly to the previous ones about how the disciples are to conduct their mission. It signifies continuity in the directives.
• whatever: (Greek: ho poios an) Literally "whichever kind of". This emphasizes that the command applies universally, regardless of the apparent social standing or character of the house. It highlights an indiscriminate approach to initial evangelism.
• house: (Greek: oikian) Refers to a dwelling place or a household, including the inhabitants. In ancient Jewish culture, the "house" was often the unit of society and community, making it a natural starting point for ministry. It implies not just the physical structure but the family and residents within.
• you enter: (Greek: eiserchēsthe) Imperfect active imperative, plural, meaning "you must enter." This is a direct command, an action to be undertaken by all the disciples. It implies initiation of contact and seeking shelter.
• first: (Greek: prōton) Emphasizes the priority and immediacy of this action. Before any other interaction, sharing food, or resting, this declaration must be made. It sets the spiritual tone for their presence. This prioritizes the message over personal needs or small talk.
• say: (Greek: eipete) An aorist active imperative, plural, meaning "say!" or "you must say!" This is a forceful command for a verbal proclamation. It highlights the spoken word as the vehicle for their mission.
• 'Peace: (Greek: eirēnē) This is the core of the greeting. It is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew shalom. More than just the absence of conflict, shalom encompasses a comprehensive state of well-being, wholeness, prosperity, health, security, and harmony – especially right relationship with God. It implies both inner tranquility and external flourishing. For the disciples to "say peace" was to pronounce a blessing of divine wholeness and reconciliation, an overture to the Gospel. It can also imply a readiness for the spiritual battle they might encounter.
• to: (Greek: toutē tē) A dative article, indicating the recipient of the peace.
• this house.': (Greek: oikiāi tautē) Refers specifically to the particular house and its occupants. The blessing is targeted, demonstrating intentionality and direct address to those they are ministering to. The repetition of oikian and oikiāi underscores the focus on the domestic unit as a locus of ministry.

Words-Group analysis:

• And whatever house you enter: This phrase establishes the scope and generality of the command. The mission is broad and open-ended; disciples are to approach all households they encounter, not just pre-selected ones. This underscores divine sovereignty in opening doors and the need for immediate responsiveness from the disciples.
• first say: This highlights the immediate priority of the spiritual mission over mundane considerations. Before receiving hospitality, requesting food, or seeking rest, the disciples are to make this divine declaration. It frames their visit not merely as travelers seeking lodging but as messengers carrying a potent word from God.
• 'Peace to this house.': This entire phrase is the core message and carries immense theological weight. It's not a mere polite greeting but a profound spiritual proclamation. The peace is from God, offered through His messengers. Its effectiveness is further elaborated in Lk 10:6, where it notes that if a "son of peace" is there, the peace will rest on that house. If not, it returns to the disciples, signifying the inherent power and spiritual nature of the declared blessing. It contrasts worldly, superficial greetings with a blessing invested with divine authority, carrying the very essence of the Gospel message.

Luke 10 5 Bonus section

The phrase "Peace to this house" could also be seen as a polemic against common magical practices of the time where various blessings or curses might be invoked upon entry. Here, the disciples invoke divine peace through the authority given by Jesus, making it distinct from superstitious or pagan incantations. It positions them as heralds of the true God and His benevolent rule. Furthermore, the selection of seventy or seventy-two (corresponding to the number of nations in Gen 10) emphasizes the universal scope of the gospel, intended for all peoples and not limited to Israel. Thus, every household encountered, regardless of ethnicity, is a potential recipient of this peace. The immediate context of Luke 10:4, warning them not to greet anyone on the way (implying the lengthy and involved greetings common then), makes the instruction in 10:5 even more significant: only a specific, purposeful greeting of "peace to this house" is sanctioned and commanded, differentiating it from mere social courtesies.

Luke 10 5 Commentary

Luke 10:5 is more than a simple instruction on politeness; it's a foundational command for gospel proclamation rooted in ancient custom yet imbued with profound spiritual power. Jesus directs His disciples to begin every household interaction by declaring "Peace to this house." This is not merely "hello" or a wish for quiet, but a pronouncement of eirēnē, the comprehensive biblical shalom. It signifies the offer of God's holistic well-being, including spiritual health, reconciliation, and flourishing, as foundational to the coming of the Kingdom.

The command "first say" emphasizes that the declaration of God's peace is paramount, preceding any material need or social formality. It establishes the spiritual nature of their mission from the outset, signaling their identity as divine messengers, not just ordinary travelers. The disciples are conduits through whom God's offer of shalom is extended. This act of blessing reveals the character of God's Kingdom as one of peace.

Crucially, this peace is potent; it does not remain inert. Luke 10:6 clarifies that if a "son of peace" (a person receptive to the message of peace) is in that house, the proclaimed peace will settle upon it. Otherwise, it will return to the disciples, demonstrating that God's offer is conditional on reception but always effectual. This peace can either be received as a divine blessing and an opening for the gospel or be rejected, confirming the hearer's disinterest in Christ's message. It represents an initial test or invitation, a sign of what the full Gospel message of the Kingdom offers and demands.