Luke 13:29
And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἥξουσιν
they shall come
G2240
ἥξουσιν
they shall come
Strong's:
G2240
Word #:
2 of 18
to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
3 of 18
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἀνατολῶν
the east
G395
ἀνατολῶν
the east
Strong's:
G395
Word #:
4 of 18
a rising of light, i.e., dawn (figuratively); by implication, the east (also in plural)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δυσμῶν
from the west
G1424
δυσμῶν
from the west
Strong's:
G1424
Word #:
6 of 18
the sun-set, i.e., (by implication) the western region
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
8 of 18
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
νότου
from the south
G3558
νότου
from the south
Strong's:
G3558
Word #:
11 of 18
the south(-west) wind; by extension, the southern quarter itself
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείᾳ
the kingdom
G932
βασιλείᾳ
the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Isaiah 49:6And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.Isaiah 43:6I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;Malachi 1:11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.Acts 28:28Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.Genesis 28:14And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
Historical Context
This teaching prepared disciples for the Gentile mission that would dominate Acts and the epistles. Jewish exclusivism was a major obstacle to gospel expansion, requiring divine intervention (Acts 10-11) and apostolic councils (Acts 15) to overcome. Paul's missions deliberately targeted Gentiles after Jewish rejection (Acts 13:46, 18:6, 28:28). His letters emphasize that in Christ, ethnic and social distinctions become irrelevant—there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female (Galatians 3:28). Jesus' teaching here provides the theological foundation for this radical inclusivity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise of multi-ethnic worship in God's kingdom challenge contemporary forms of ethnic or cultural exclusivism in churches?
- What does this verse teach about God's heart for all nations and the missionary obligation of the church?
- How should the vision of people from all nations sharing intimate fellowship motivate efforts toward racial reconciliation and cross-cultural ministry?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus reveals salvation's universal scope: 'And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.' This imagery echoes Isaiah 49:12, 59:19 and Psalm 107:3, prophecies about God gathering His scattered people. The four directions represent universality—people from all nations will enter God's kingdom. The phrase 'sit down' means to recline at a banquet, indicating intimate fellowship and celebration. This inclusion of Gentiles alongside patriarchs fulfills God's promise to Abraham that through him all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3, 22:18). The Kingdom is not ethnically exclusive but spiritually inclusive—all who believe, regardless of ethnicity, are welcomed.