Luke 13:29 kjv
And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
Luke 13:29 nkjv
They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.
Luke 13:29 niv
People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
Luke 13:29 esv
And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.
Luke 13:29 nlt
And people will come from all over the world ? from east and west, north and south ? to take their places in the Kingdom of God.
Luke 13 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 107:3 | And gathered them from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. | God gathers His people from all directions. |
| Isa 2:2 | ...all the nations shall stream to it. | Nations stream to Jerusalem (Messiah). |
| Isa 25:6 | On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food... | Messianic banquet for all nations. |
| Isa 49:6 | ...I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. | Salvation reaching globally through Messiah. |
| Isa 56:7 | ...for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. | God's temple is for all nations. |
| Isa 66:18-19 | ...I am coming to gather all nations and tongues... | God gathers all nations to Himself. |
| Mal 1:11 | For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations... | God's name universally praised. |
| Matt 8:11 | I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. | Parallel passage, Gentile inclusion at the banquet. |
| Luke 14:15 | ...Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God! | Rejoicing at the Kingdom banquet. |
| Luke 14:21 | Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame. | Invitation to marginalized for the feast. |
| Acts 2:39 | For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off... | The Gospel promise extends universally. |
| Acts 10:45 | The believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. | Early sign of Gentile inclusion in God's plan. |
| Rom 9:24-26 | ...us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’” | Gentiles becoming God's people. |
| Rom 15:9-12 | ...and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written... | Gentile inclusion predicted in O.T. prophecy. |
| Gal 3:28 | There is neither Jew nor Gentile, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Unity and equality in Christ, transcending divisions. |
| Eph 2:11-13 | ...remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh... Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near... | Gentiles brought near through Christ's blood. |
| Eph 2:19 | So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God... | Gentiles become part of God's family. |
| Rev 7:9 | After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne... | A glimpse of the diverse multitude in heaven. |
| Rev 19:9 | And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” | The final Messianic banquet. |
| Zeph 3:9-10 | For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure language, that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord. From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones, shall bring my offerings. | Future global worship of God. |
| Zech 8:20-23 | Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts... many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the Lord.’ | Many nations coming to seek the Lord. |
Luke 13 verses
Luke 13 29 Meaning
Luke 13:29 declares that people will come from every corner of the earth—east, west, north, and south—to participate in the eschatological banquet within the Kingdom of God. This verse reveals the universal scope of salvation under God's New Covenant, indicating that membership in God's kingdom is not based on ethnic origin or former privilege, but on personal faith and striving to enter through the narrow door. It vividly portrays a diverse, global community welcomed into intimate fellowship with God.
Luke 13 29 Context
Luke chapter 13 focuses on repentance, divine judgment, and the nature of God's Kingdom. Jesus warns His hearers about the urgency of repentance (vv. 1-5), illustrating it with the parable of the barren fig tree (vv. 6-9). The following section, which includes Luke 13:29, describes the 'narrow door' (v. 24) and the striving required to enter God's Kingdom. Jesus challenges the assumption that ethnicity or mere religious observance guarantees entry. He explicitly states that many who believe they belong will be shut out (v. 25-27), seeing others, even Gentiles, take their rightful place (v. 28-30). This particular verse, Luke 13:29, highlights the astounding inclusivity of the Messianic banquet, in stark contrast to the exclusion of many Jewish people who failed to respond to Christ's call. Historically, 1st-century Judaism largely held an exclusive view of salvation, expecting only Israel, or righteous Jews, to inherit the age to come. Jesus' words here are a polemic against this narrow understanding, affirming God's plan to save people from all nations.
Luke 13 29 Word analysis
- And: (Greek: Kai) Functions as a simple conjunction, connecting this glorious statement about future inclusion directly to the preceding solemn warning of exclusion (Luke 13:28). It emphasizes a consequence or complementary outcome of the "striving" and "knowing" of Jesus that was just discussed.
- people: (Greek: anthropoi) Translates to "men," or "people." Significantly, Jesus does not say "Jews" or "Israelites." This deliberate choice underscores the universal nature of the invitation to the Kingdom, breaking down ethnic or nationalistic barriers.
- will come: (Greek: hēxousin) This is a future tense verb, indicating certainty and the assured accomplishment of this event. It implies a divine gathering and beckoning, highlighting God's active role in bringing these people into His Kingdom.
- from east and west, and from north and south: (Greek: apo anatolōn kai dyseōn kai apo borra kai notou) This is a common Hebrew idiomatic expression known as a merism, signifying all directions, and therefore, from every part of the world. It vividly portrays a global, universal gathering. This imagery strongly suggests the inclusion of Gentiles from all nations into the covenant community, contrasting sharply with the expectation of a purely Jewish kingdom.
- and recline at table: (Greek: kai anaklithēsontai) The verb anaklinō means "to recline" or "lie down" at a meal, which was the customary posture for feasting in the ancient Greco-Roman and Near Eastern cultures, especially among honored guests. It signifies intimate fellowship, honor, security, and full participation in the joy and blessing of the host. This imagery evokes the Messianic banquet.
- in the kingdom of God: (Greek: en tē basileia tou Theou) A central theme in Jesus' teachings, referring to God's sovereign reign and the spiritual realm where His will is fully realized. It is not primarily a physical, geographical kingdom but the dynamic rule of God over the hearts of those who acknowledge Him, fully manifested at the end of the age. It is the ultimate goal and blessing for the faithful.
Luke 13 29 Bonus section
This verse serves as a powerful affirmation of the global reach of the Gospel message and a prophetic glimpse into the ultimate consummation of God's redemptive plan, foreshadowing the Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20) and the eventual gathering of a countless multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language into God's presence, as envisioned in Revelation 7:9. It reveals a dramatic reversal of human expectations: those whom "insiders" deemed outsiders will be welcomed, while those who trusted in their birthright alone may find themselves shut out. This passage continues to remind believers today that God's heart beats for all humanity, calling His Church to participate in bringing people from "east and west, and from north and south" into His glorious Kingdom.
Luke 13 29 Commentary
Luke 13:29 stands as a pivotal statement regarding the inclusivity of God's Kingdom, profoundly reorienting the prevailing expectations of Jesus' time. It follows directly from the preceding warnings about the "narrow door" and the exclusion of many who presumed their place due to their heritage or mere proximity to Jesus. Here, Jesus broadens the scope dramatically, depicting a grand Messianic feast where honored guests arrive from every point of the compass. This image directly challenges the nationalistic pride and presumed exclusive salvation of the Jewish people, revealing God's intention to bring His salvation to all peoples—Jew and Gentile—who embrace His Son. The "reclining at table" signifies not just entry, but an honored place of intimate fellowship, joy, and peace within the divine presence, underscoring that the Kingdom of God is a fellowship of those who respond in faith to His universal call. It highlights that the truly blessed are not those with a certain lineage, but those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, regardless of where they come from.