Luke 10 7

Luke 10:7 kjv

And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

Luke 10:7 nkjv

And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

Luke 10:7 niv

Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

Luke 10:7 esv

And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.

Luke 10:7 nlt

Don't move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don't hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.

Luke 10 verses

Luke 10 7 Meaning

Luke 10:7 instructs Jesus' disciples, sent out on mission, to humbly accept the provisions offered by those who receive them. They are to remain in the same household that offers hospitality, partaking of whatever food and drink is provided, without seeking better accommodations or appearing mercenary. This directive is grounded in the principle that those who labor in the service of God's kingdom are worthy of their sustenance.

Luke 10 7 Context

Luke 10:7 is part of Jesus' detailed instructions to the seventy (or seventy-two) disciples He sends out "two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go" (Luke 10:1). This mission immediately follows the choosing and sending of the Twelve (Luke 9). The context emphasizes urgency, dependence on God, and the message of the nearness of the Kingdom of God (Luke 10:9). These instructions, including Luke 10:7, are vital for how the disciples should conduct themselves among the people, demonstrating humility, focus on their divine task, and trust in God's provision rather than personal gain. The command to "remain" and "not go from house to house" also speaks to the importance of settling into a place to truly engage with the community, contrasting with the itinerant philosophical teachers or healers who might move around seeking the best offer. This implicitly teaches against a mercenary approach to ministry.

Luke 10 7 Word analysis

• And in the same house (καὶ ἐν αὐτῇ τῇ οἰκίᾳ, kai en autē tē oikia):

  • same (αὐτῇ, autē): Emphasizes constancy and stability. It's not about finding a better house, but remaining in the first one that genuinely welcomed them.
  • house (οἰκίᾳ, oikia): Refers to the household, which in ancient times, included the extended family and servants residing together. Hospitality was deeply cultural.
  • Significance: Instructs against seeking higher comforts or moving from host to host based on perceived greater benefit or richer offerings. It encourages a humble, committed presence.

• remain (μένετε, menete):

  • From meno, meaning to abide, dwell, stay, continue.
  • Significance: A command for steadfastness. It implies committing to their host, building relationships, and focusing on the mission in that locale rather than restless itinerancy. It guards against appearing opportunistic or fickle.

• eating and drinking such things as they give:

  • eating and drinking (ἐσθίοντες καὶ πίνοντες, esthiontes kai pinontes): Present participles, indicating ongoing action. Refers to basic sustenance.
  • such things as they give (τὰ παρ’ αὐτῶν, ta par' autōn): Lit. "the things from them." This specifies accepting what is offered, without complaint or demanding specific or more luxurious items.
  • Significance: Teaches humility, contentment, and dependence on the generosity of their hosts, demonstrating that their focus is on the Kingdom, not material gain. It reflects a detachment from worldly possessions.

• for the labourer is worthy of his hire:

  • for (γάρ, gar): Introduces the reason or justification for the preceding instruction.
  • labourer (ὁ ἐργάτης, ho ergatēs): Refers to the disciple engaged in the work of the Kingdom—preaching the Gospel and healing. It elevates their spiritual work to a legitimate form of labor.
  • worthy (ἄξιος, axios): Deserving, befitting. Not merely charity, but a right.
  • hire (τοῦ μισθοῦ, tou misthou): Wages, reward, pay. It implies a just compensation for valuable service rendered, here, spiritual service.
  • Significance: Establishes a foundational principle: those who dedicate themselves fully to God's work have a divine right to be supported by those they serve. It legitimizes support for ministry, distinguishing it from begging or undue burden. This principle is deeply rooted in Jewish law concerning Levites and is echoed throughout the New Testament regarding ministerial support.

• Go not from house to house (μὴ μεταβαίνετε ἐξ οἰκίας εἰς οἰκίαν, mē metabainete ex oikias eis oikian):

  • Go not (μὴ μεταβαίνετε, mē metabainete): Strong prohibition, indicating "do not keep moving." From metabainō, meaning to change one's place, to depart, go from one place to another.
  • from house to house (ἐξ οἰκίας εἰς οἰκίαν, ex oikias eis oikian): Emphasizes the itinerancy to be avoided.
  • Significance: This is a practical injunction against perceived greed, fickleness, or lack of commitment. It ensured the disciples did not appear to be exploiting hospitality or seeking better conditions. It also fostered deeper relationships and spiritual roots in the welcoming household, allowing them to truly establish the Kingdom message.

Words-group Analysis

• "And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give": This cluster of commands promotes deep immersion and humble reliance. It counters any impulse for a superficial, consumerist approach to their mission trip. They are not tourists or consumers, but committed bearers of a divine message, integrated into the life of their hosts. This also protects their integrity, showing they are not swayed by material benefits.

• "for the labourer is worthy of his hire": This clause serves as the theological underpinning and ethical justification for the previous commands. It transforms their acceptance of provision from mere reception to a rightful due for their sacred work. It empowers the disciples to accept sustenance without shame, as their labor (proclaiming the Kingdom, healing) holds immeasurable value. It also places a moral responsibility on the recipients to support those who bring them such spiritual benefits.

• "Go not from house to house": This explicit negative command reinforces the positive instruction to "remain." It’s a direct guardrail against behavior that would undermine their witness: appearing ungrateful, self-seeking, or transient. It emphasizes the stable and relational nature of Kingdom proclamation, fostering genuine community rather than fleeting interactions.

Luke 10 7 Bonus section

The instructions in Luke 10:7 also served as a clear distinction from contemporary itinerant philosophers or religious mendicants who might have wandered from town to town, seeking more luxurious accommodations or richer patrons. Jesus’ command ensures the disciples’ motives are pure and their focus is solely on the proclamation of the Kingdom, avoiding any hint of avarice. This disciplined lifestyle fostered spiritual intimacy within the household, allowing for a more profound and lasting impact than a quick, transactional visit. It encouraged genuine hospitality, not as a burden, but as a reciprocal act of supporting the messengers of truth. Furthermore, the practice of receiving sustenance implied a shared commitment; by feeding the disciples, the household was, in a sense, investing in and participating in the mission.

Luke 10 7 Commentary

Luke 10:7 offers essential guidance for those engaged in ministry, embodying principles of reliance, contentment, and integrity. The core instruction for the disciples to "remain in the same house" and accept "whatever they give" underscores a radical dependence on God's provision through human generosity, rejecting a mercenary or demanding approach to ministry. It cultivates humility, contentment, and unwavering focus on the mission rather than material comfort or prestige. The inclusion of "the labourer is worthy of his hire" serves as the divine validation for accepting this sustenance. It transforms their basic needs into a recognized right stemming from the immense spiritual value of their work. This is not about charity but just recompense for valuable service to the Kingdom of God, which ultimately benefits the hosts themselves. The final prohibtion, "Go not from house to house," further solidifies the call to contentment and commitment, preventing any appearance of being ungrateful or opportunistic, which would hinder their credibility and the spread of the Gospel message. This verse forms a blueprint for missionary living, prioritizing spiritual work over personal gain, fostering trust in God's care, and modeling a non-materialistic witness to the world.