Luke 9:4 kjv

And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

Luke 9:4 nkjv

"Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.

Luke 9:4 niv

Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town.

Luke 9:4 esv

And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.

Luke 9:4 nlt

Wherever you go, stay in the same house until you leave town.

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 4 Meaning

Luke 9:4 conveys a directive from Jesus to His disciples concerning their conduct when entering a new village or town during their mission. It instructs them that upon entering any house that welcomes them, they are to remain in that specific dwelling for the entirety of their stay in that place, departing only from that very house when it is time to leave the village. This command emphasizes a principle of settled trust in divine provision, humility, contentment, and a focused devotion to their spiritual task without distraction from seeking better accommodations or appearing to be vagrant or exploiting hosts.

Luke 9 4 Context

Luke chapter 9 marks a pivotal point in Jesus' ministry, shifting from a focus on His early Galilean ministry to preparing His disciples for their own work, which anticipates His journey towards Jerusalem and the cross. Luke 9:1-6 describes Jesus sending out the twelve disciples with specific instructions and authority: to preach the kingdom of God, heal the sick, and confront demonic powers. The instructions given, including the one in verse 4, are highly practical and pedagogical.

Historically, in first-century Galilee and Judea, formal inns were scarce and often disreputable. Travelers heavily relied on the well-established cultural practice of hospitality in private homes. This meant a network of welcoming homes was essential for itinerants like the disciples. The instruction in Luke 9:4 reflects this reality and also serves as a critical behavioral guideline for the disciples. It was intended to teach them dependence on God’s provision, humility, and to avoid creating a perception of being "hotel-hoppers" seeking comfort or exploiting generous hosts by moving from house to house in search of better amenities. It also fostered trust between the evangelists and the hosting community by demonstrating stability and contentment.

Luke 9 4 Word analysis

• Whatever (πᾶσαν - pas an): "Any," "every," "the whole." This indicates that no matter the quality or size of the house, they are to accept the initial offer of hospitality without judging or seeking an alternative. It speaks to humility and a non-discerning attitude based on outward appearance.
• House (οἰκίαν - oikian): Refers to a dwelling, often implying a household or family unit rather than just a physical building. The invitation was not just to a structure but into the communal life of a family.
• You enter (εἰσέλθητε - eiselthēte): An aorist subjunctive, implying a decisive action of entering with the purpose of lodging and carrying out their mission. It is a purposeful movement into a home that has welcomed them.
• There (ἐκεῖ - ekei): Refers to that specific place or location, reinforcing the single chosen dwelling.
• Remain (μένετε - menete): A present imperative, signifying continuous action or an enduring state. It means "to stay," "abide," "continue to live." This is a crucial command, implying stability and a sustained presence, not just a fleeting stopover. It conveys the idea of settling in and making that home their base while in the locality.
• And from there (κἀκεῖθεν - kakothen): Combines "and" (καὶ) with "from there" (ἐκεῖθεν). It emphasizes that their departure must be directly from the same house they stayed in, reinforcing the consistency of their dwelling.
• Depart (ἐξέρχεσθε - exerchesthe): A present imperative, "to go out from," "to leave." It refers to their definitive exit from the village or town, always starting from their chosen hospitable base.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Whatever house you enter": This phrase emphasizes that the disciples are not to "shop around" for better lodging. Their acceptance of hospitality should be immediate and uncritical of the material provisions. It highlights an attitude of humble dependence and faith that God will provide through the first open door.
• "Remain there": This is a key principle of integrity and focus. It means they are not to move between homes within the same locality, perhaps seeking more comfortable or prominent accommodations. Staying in one house prevents the perception of being materialistic or difficult guests, establishes a stable base for their ministry, and builds trust with their hosts and the wider community, fostering deeper relationships for the duration of their evangelistic work in that area. It prevents burdening multiple households unnecessarily.
• "And from there depart": This instruction underscores the directness and simplicity of their travel. When their work in that place is finished, they are to leave directly from the same home that first welcomed them, without making secondary visits or further extending their stay beyond what is necessary for their mission. It maintains consistency and purpose-driven movement.

Luke 9 4 Bonus section

The instruction to "remain there" and "from there depart" also served as a safeguard against potential misuse of hospitality. By staying in one house, the disciples demonstrated that their primary motive was the kingdom message, not personal gain or accumulation of material goods by moving to the next most hospitable or wealthy home. This behavior solidified their identity as genuine messengers rather than itinerants seeking personal profit or comfort. It fostered a deeper relationship with their primary hosts, creating a stable base for their outreach and demonstrating integrity. This approach underscored simplicity and detachment from worldly comforts, reflecting the values of the Kingdom of God. It further emphasized that the worthiness was not found in the house's riches, but in its receptiveness to the message of peace they brought, reflecting Jesus' emphasis elsewhere on welcoming "worthy" ones (Mt 10:11).

Luke 9 4 Commentary

Luke 9:4 is more than a mere travel instruction; it is a profound lesson in reliance upon divine providence, humility, and disciplined missionary conduct. Jesus was instilling in His disciples a profound trust that God would supply their needs through the kindness of others, removing any anxiety about physical sustenance. By forbidding them to move from house to house, Jesus cultivated contentment and a single-minded focus on their mission. This directive guarded against materialism or seeking personal comfort over their divine assignment. It also prevented them from appearing as economic opportunists or fickle guests, which could damage their credibility and the message they carried. They were to be rooted in the household that welcomed them, signifying a deeper commitment to the community they served, avoiding the impression of being transients without substance. Their contentment in humble provision served as a powerful testimony to the kingdom values they proclaimed.For practical usage today, this principle still echoes:

• Contentment: Be content with what is provided in service, not seeking higher material gain.
• Focus on Mission: Don't let logistical concerns or pursuit of personal comfort detract from spiritual purpose.
• Integrity: Act with integrity in hospitality and resource use, building trust with those you serve.