Luke 10:16

Authorized King James Version

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He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

Original Language Analysis

Ὁ G3588
Ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀκούει He that heareth G191
ἀκούει He that heareth
Strong's: G191
Word #: 2 of 19
to hear (in various senses)
ὑμῶν you G5216
ὑμῶν you
Strong's: G5216
Word #: 3 of 19
of (from or concerning) you
ἐμοῦ me G1700
ἐμοῦ me
Strong's: G1700
Word #: 4 of 19
of me
ἀκούει He that heareth G191
ἀκούει He that heareth
Strong's: G191
Word #: 5 of 19
to hear (in various senses)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 6 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀθετεῖ despiseth G114
ἀθετεῖ despiseth
Strong's: G114
Word #: 8 of 19
to set aside, i.e., (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate
ὑμᾶς you G5209
ὑμᾶς you
Strong's: G5209
Word #: 9 of 19
you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
ἐμὲ me G1691
ἐμὲ me
Strong's: G1691
Word #: 10 of 19
me
ἀθετεῖ despiseth G114
ἀθετεῖ despiseth
Strong's: G114
Word #: 11 of 19
to set aside, i.e., (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δὲ and G1161
δὲ and
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 13 of 19
but, and, etc
ἐμὲ me G1691
ἐμὲ me
Strong's: G1691
Word #: 14 of 19
me
ἀθετεῖ despiseth G114
ἀθετεῖ despiseth
Strong's: G114
Word #: 15 of 19
to set aside, i.e., (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate
ἀθετεῖ despiseth G114
ἀθετεῖ despiseth
Strong's: G114
Word #: 16 of 19
to set aside, i.e., (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate
τὸν G3588
τὸν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποστείλαντά him that sent G649
ἀποστείλαντά him that sent
Strong's: G649
Word #: 18 of 19
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
με me G3165
με me
Strong's: G3165
Word #: 19 of 19
me

Cross References

John 13:20Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.Matthew 10:40He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.1 Thessalonians 4:8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.Mark 9:37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.John 12:44Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.John 12:48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.Matthew 18:5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.Malachi 1:6A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?Acts 5:4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.Luke 9:48And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

Analysis & Commentary

Jesus tells the seventy: 'He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.' This establishes apostolic authority—reception or rejection of Jesus' messengers equals reception or rejection of Jesus Himself, and ultimately God the Father. The Greek 'athetōn' (ἀθετῶν, despiseth/rejects) means to set aside, nullify, treat as invalid. Rejecting Christ's ambassadors rejects Christ; rejecting Christ rejects God. This validates gospel messengers' authority while warning those who reject them.

Historical Context

This encouraged the seventy returning from their mission (vv. 17-20). They faced rejection in some places (v. 10-12), which could discourage. Jesus assured them that rejection wasn't personal but rejection of Him and ultimately God. This principle appears throughout Scripture—prophets represented God (Jeremiah 25:4), rejecting them rejected God (1 Samuel 8:7). Apostles carried Christ's authority (2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 4:8). Early church understood that persecuting Christians persecuted Christ (Acts 9:4-5). Modern application: faithful gospel preaching carries divine authority; rejecting the message rejects Christ regardless of messenger's human weakness.

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