Luke 3 11

Luke 3:11 kjv

He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

Luke 3:11 nkjv

He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise."

Luke 3:11 niv

John answered, "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same."

Luke 3:11 esv

And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise."

Luke 3:11 nlt

John replied, "If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry."

Luke 3 verses

Luke 3 11 Meaning

Luke 3:11 conveys John the Baptist's instruction for tangible, ethical actions demonstrating true repentance. He teaches that anyone who possesses a surplus of basic necessities, specifically two inner garments or an abundance of food, must share their excess with those who lack such essentials. This command emphasizes practical generosity and selflessness as a vital component of a life transformed by God.

Luke 3 11 Context

Luke chapter 3 begins with John the Baptist's emergence as a prophet, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of one preparing the way for the Lord. He preaches a "baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins," urging people to produce "fruits worthy of repentance." Hearing his stern warnings about coming judgment (Lk 3:7-9), the crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers individually ask him, "What then shall we do?" (Lk 3:10). This specific verse, Luke 3:11, is John's general response to the "crowds," laying down a fundamental principle of ethical conduct expected from everyone as evidence of their changed heart, before he addresses more specific professions. It grounds abstract repentance in concrete actions of sharing, which was particularly challenging in a society with significant economic disparities under Roman rule, where the poor often struggled for basic sustenance and clothing.

Luke 3 11 Word analysis

• And he answered them: (καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς, kai apokritheis elegen autois) - Directly links John's response to the people's question, highlighting his authoritative and immediate counsel. It underscores the practical nature of their inquiry and his direct reply.
• "Whoever has: (Ὁ ἔχων, Ho echōn) - Uses the singular participle with the definite article, functioning as a generic "the one having," making the command universal, applicable to any individual. It signifies possession of more than is strictly necessary.
• two tunics: (δύο χιτῶνας, dyo chitōnas)
  • χιτών (chitōn): Refers to the inner garment worn next to the skin, essentially a shirt or simple tunic. For many, this was their primary or only clothing. Possessing two meant having an obvious surplus of a basic necessity, distinguishing one from the truly destitute. It is not about luxury, but excess of fundamental provisions.
  • Significance: This speaks to tangible excess, beyond basic survival, challenging a mentality of mere self-preservation.
• is to share with him: (μεταδότω τῷ μὴ ἔχοντι, metadōtō tō mē echonti)
  • μεταδίδωμι (metadidōmi): "to give a part of," "to impart," "to share with." It implies dividing what one has, not simply giving away what is not needed. This is a command (imperative mood), not a suggestion, demonstrating a direct, active responsibility.
  • τῷ μὴ ἔχοντι: "the one not having." Identifies the specific beneficiary – anyone who genuinely lacks this basic item.
• who has none, (τῷ μὴ ἔχοντι, tō mē echonti) - Clarifies the recipient of the sharing as someone without this fundamental item, not just someone with less. It highlights a critical lack.
• and whoever has food: (καὶ ὁ ἔχων βρώματα, kai ho echōn brōmata)
  • βρώματα (brōmata): Plural of βρῶμα (brōma), meaning "food" or "eatables." This extends the principle beyond clothing to another essential life necessity.
• is to do likewise: (ὁμοίως ποιείτω, homoiōs poieitō)
  • ὁμοίως (homoiōs): "likewise," "similarly." Connects this second instruction to the first, showing a universal principle applies to various basic needs.
  • ποιείτω (poieitō): "let him do," "let him act." Another imperative command emphasizing practical action over mere sentiment or words. It's a call to immediate, consistent behavior.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none": This phrase encapsulates the core command of radical generosity from one's surplus of essential goods. It's not about luxury, but recognizing a fellow human's absolute deprivation and actively addressing it from one's own abundance of basic needs. It directly challenges the selfish inclination to accumulate or retain non-essential excess when others suffer.
• "and whoever has food is to do likewise": This broadens the application of the principle beyond clothing to all fundamental necessities like food. It demonstrates that the expectation for generosity and sharing from one's surplus applies universally to sustain life, underscoring that the core message is about meeting foundational needs, not just specific items.

Luke 3 11 Bonus section

• This universal instruction for "the crowds" contrasts sharply with the specific ethical guidelines given immediately afterwards to tax collectors (Lk 3:12-13) and soldiers (Lk 3:14), emphasizing that ethical behavior and social responsibility are demanded of everyone, regardless of their profession or status. It sets a baseline of transformative action for all who claim repentance.
• The emphasis on sharing "necessities" (tunic, food) underscores that Christian generosity isn't just about giving from wealth or luxury, but even from a comfortable, but not lavish, surplus. It defines compassion not as mere sentiment, but as a willingness to provide what another person absolutely needs for basic existence, even if it means one lives with less personal superfluity.
• John's teaching here directly prefigures the practical sharing that characterized the early Christian community in Acts 2 and 4, suggesting that his ethical principles formed part of the foundation for the radical communal life adopted by the early church.
• This verse can be understood as a practical application of the broader biblical command to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev 19:18, Matt 22:39), translating abstract love into concrete, life-sustaining acts.

Luke 3 11 Commentary

Luke 3:11 offers a profound and concrete illustration of what "fruits worthy of repentance" truly entail. John the Baptist, speaking to a general crowd, moves beyond ritualistic acts or emotional responses to call for tangible, transformative changes in daily conduct. He demands that genuine turning to God must manifest in outward acts of selfless love and generosity towards others, particularly those in need.

This instruction is radical for its time and ours, as it challenges the self-centered accumulation of resources. It’s not a call to absolute poverty, but a call to acknowledge and redistribute surplus of basic necessities. Having "two tunics" meant possessing one more than strictly required for oneself, making the second tunic the perfect subject for charitable action. Similarly with "food," which symbolizes sustenance.

John's counsel aligns perfectly with the Old Testament prophetic tradition that prioritized social justice and mercy over mere religious observance (e.g., Isa 58). It also foreshadows Jesus' own teachings on compassion, care for the poor, and the importance of actions in discerning true faith (Matt 25, the Rich Young Ruler). This verse highlights that the pathway to the Kingdom involves a heart of sharing, breaking down economic barriers to reflect communal care and compassion. It shows that true spirituality affects how we relate to possessions and to people, marking a fundamental shift from self-preservation to Christ-like self-giving.

Examples: A Christian having extra clothes should consider donating them to shelters for the homeless. If one has an abundance of food, sharing with neighbors in need, a food bank, or supporting initiatives feeding the hungry fulfills this command.