Luke 7 29

Luke 7:29 kjv

And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.

Luke 7:29 nkjv

And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John.

Luke 7:29 niv

(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John.

Luke 7:29 esv

(When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John,

Luke 7:29 nlt

When they heard this, all the people ? even the tax collectors ? agreed that God's way was right, for they had been baptized by John.

Luke 7 verses

Luke 7 29 Meaning

Luke 7:29 describes the positive response of "all the people," specifically highlighting "tax collectors," to John the Baptist's ministry. When they heard John's message and accepted his baptism, they "justified God," meaning they acknowledged, affirmed, and approved of God's righteous wisdom, counsel, and redemptive plan as revealed through John. This act of reception and obedience to John's call for repentance demonstrated their alignment with God's way.

Luke 7 29 Context

Luke chapter 7 transitions from Jesus' healing of the centurion's servant to a pivotal discussion concerning John the Baptist. Prior to verse 29, Jesus has affirmed John as a prophet, even more than a prophet, identifying him as the messenger prophesied in Malachi who prepares the way for the Messiah (Lk 7:24-27). This discourse occurs shortly after John himself, from prison, questioned Jesus' identity (Lk 7:18-23). Jesus' response to John's disciples serves not only to confirm His messianic role through His mighty works but also to firmly endorse John's ministry.

Luke 7:29 directly follows Jesus' assessment of John. It summarizes the differing public reactions to John's ministry, contrasting those who accepted God's way with those who rejected it. Historically, tax collectors (telōnai) were reviled Jews who collaborated with Roman authorities, often extorting their own people. Their explicit mention underscores the inclusiveness of John's call and God's readiness to receive all who truly repent. This verse sets the stage for the stark contrast in Luke 7:30, where the religious leaders are portrayed as rejecting "God's purpose" (or "counsel") concerning themselves. The chapter then moves to Jesus' parable of the ungrateful guests, further illustrating the varied responses to divine invitation.

Luke 7 29 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction, but here it marks a consequence or summary of Jesus' preceding teaching about John the Baptist. It bridges Jesus' statement about John and the people's reaction.
• when all the people heard (πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἀκούσας - pas ho laos akousas):
  • all the people (pas ho laos): Emphasizes a comprehensive or widespread response from the common folk, not just a select few. It signifies the general public, distinct from the religious elites.
  • heard (akousas): A participle, indicating they not only physically perceived the sound but also comprehended the message. This hearing led to their subsequent action of justifying God.
• including the tax collectors (καὶ οἱ τελῶναι - kai hoi telōnai):
  • tax collectors (telōnai): This specific mention is highly significant. These were despised individuals, Jewish agents of the Roman occupying power, infamous for corruption and often grouped with "sinners" or "harlots" by religious society (e.g., Lk 5:30; Mt 9:10-11). Their inclusion highlights John's broad appeal and God's redemptive outreach even to the most ostracized. It showcases divine grace embracing those most conscious of their sin.
• they justified God (ἐδικαίωσαν τὸν Θεόν - edikayōsan ton Theon):
  • justified (edikayōsan): From dikaioō, meaning "to declare righteous," "to approve as righteous," or "to acknowledge as just/right." It does not mean they made God righteous, as He inherently is, but rather they acknowledged, affirmed, and assented to His righteous character, His wisdom, and His methods/plan revealed through John's ministry. Their action demonstrated their agreement that God was just in sending John with his message of repentance. This concept of "justifying God" indicates an acceptance of His word and way. It contrasts sharply with "rejecting God's purpose" in Luke 7:30.
  • God (ton Theon): The ultimate authority and source of the divine plan they are affirming.
• having been baptized (βαπτισθέντες - baptisthentes): Aorist passive participle, denoting an action that occurred prior to or as a foundational part of "justifying God." Their reception of John's baptism was their concrete expression and public demonstration of accepting God's wisdom and plan for repentance.
• with the baptism of John (τὸ βάπτισμα Ἰωάννου - to baptisma Iōannou): This refers specifically to the water baptism administered by John the Baptist, which was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, preparing people for the coming Messiah (Lk 3:3; Acts 19:4). It was a symbolic act of turning from sin and committing to God's righteous path.

Word-Groups Analysis:

• "all the people heard, including the tax collectors": This phrase underscores the popular reception of John's ministry, especially among those who acknowledged their sinfulness, creating a dramatic contrast with the self-righteous religious elite (Pharisees and lawyers). It highlights the counter-intuitive nature of God's work, often finding reception where it is least expected by human standards.
• "they justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John": This establishes a direct link between acknowledging God's righteousness/wisdom and submitting to the means He has provided. Receiving John's baptism was not just a ritual, but an act of obedient faith and public declaration that God's way (through John's call to repentance) was just and true. It reveals that justifying God involves more than intellectual ascent; it requires responsive action.

Luke 7 29 Bonus section

The concept of "justifying God" (Luke 7:29) stands in stark contrast to "rejecting God's purpose for themselves" (Luke 7:30). This highlights a core theological tension: the human response to divine revelation. God always offers His wisdom and plan for salvation, but it is met with varied human choices. Those who "justify God" are those who recognize His truth, repent, and submit to His provided means, however unconventional it may seem. This verse provides an important backdrop to Jesus' continued ministry of reaching out to the marginalized and calling all to repentance. It suggests that openness to God's truth, rather than religious status, determines one's receptiveness to the Kingdom.

Luke 7 29 Commentary

Luke 7:29 serves as a crucial interpretative hinge in Jesus' discourse on John the Baptist. It distinguishes the common people's open-hearted reception of God's will from the subsequent rejection by the religious elite (v. 30). "Justifying God" in this context is not about bestowing righteousness upon an already perfect God, but about affirming or acknowledging His wisdom, righteousness, and providential plan in sending John with a call to repentance and preparation for the Messiah. The common people, including even the ostracized tax collectors, by submitting to John's baptism, visibly demonstrated their acceptance of God's rightful authority and path.

Their act of baptism signified repentance (a change of mind and direction), confession of sins, and a commitment to align their lives with God's standards. For the tax collectors, this was a particularly profound demonstration of humility and a recognition of their sinfulness, in stark contrast to the self-perceived righteousness of the Pharisees and lawyers. This verse subtly praises the humility of those who acknowledged their need for God's redemptive work, implicitly critiquing those who felt they had no need of such a change. It shows that true wisdom from God (vindicated by her children, as Mt 11:19 puts it) is accepted and acted upon by those who genuinely seek righteousness, irrespective of social standing or religious pedigree.