Luke 11:23
He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
The harvest metaphor was common in Jewish teaching, representing the gathering of Israel or the final judgment (Joel 3:13, Matthew 13:30). Jesus appropriates this imagery for present kingdom work—gathering souls into God's kingdom is the great harvest, and those who don't participate actively hinder it. This binary language countered Jewish assumptions that ethnic descent or Torah observance guaranteed right standing with God regardless of response to Jesus. The Pharisees imagined they served God while opposing His Messiah—Jesus declares this is impossible.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' elimination of neutrality challenge contemporary notions of 'live and let live' spirituality?
- In what ways might professing Christians be 'scattering' rather than 'gathering' through passive or nominal faith?
- What does this verse teach about the cosmic stakes involved in our daily choices to advance or hinder the gospel?
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Analysis & Commentary
He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. Jesus eliminates neutral ground in the cosmic conflict between God's kingdom and Satan's. The phrase "not with me" (μὴ ὢν μετ' ἐμοῦ, mē ōn met' emou) and "against me" (κατ' ἐμοῦ, kat' emou) create a binary—no middle position exists. Similarly, "gathereth not with me" (μὴ συνάγων μετ' ἐμοῦ, mē synagōn met' emou) versus "scattereth" (σκορπίζει, skorpizei) uses harvest imagery: those not actively gathering God's harvest are, by default, scattering and destroying it.
This statement directly confronts the Pharisees' Beelzebub accusation: their neutrality or opposition to Jesus places them on Satan's side, regardless of religious credentials. The verse also has broader application to Christian discipleship—passive Christianity that doesn't actively advance God's kingdom through evangelism and discipleship effectively opposes it. There is no spiritual Switzerland. Every person either gathers with Christ (bringing people to Him) or scatters (hindering the gospel). The urgency of this reality demands wholehearted commitment, not lukewarm religion.