Matthew 10:14
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὃς
whosoever
G3739
ὃς
whosoever
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
2 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐὰν
G1437
ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
3 of 24
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
4 of 24
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
δέξηται
receive
G1209
δέξηται
receive
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
5 of 24
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγους
words
G3056
λόγους
words
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
10 of 24
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ἐξερχόμενοι
when ye depart out
G1831
ἐξερχόμενοι
when ye depart out
Strong's:
G1831
Word #:
12 of 24
to issue (literally or figuratively)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίας
house
G3614
οἰκίας
house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκείνης
of that
G1565
ἐκείνης
of that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
18 of 24
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 18:6And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.Acts 13:51But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.Nehemiah 5:13Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.Mark 6:11And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.Luke 9:5And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.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 18:5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth 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.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.
Historical Context
Pious Jews shook dust from feet when returning from Gentile lands to avoid bringing ceremonial uncleanness into Israel. Jesus instructs using this same gesture toward rejecting Israelites—shocking reversal. Paul and Barnabas enacted this at Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:51). Jesus Himself couldn't shake dust from unrepentant cities but pronounced woes (11:20-24). The gesture wasn't personal offense but prophetic sign of judgment. It declared that rejectors placed themselves outside covenant community through their refusal. Early church understood that gospel creates division: acceptance or rejection, blessing or curse.
Questions for Reflection
- What does shaking dust from feet teach about appropriate responses to gospel rejection?
- How do we maintain gospel urgency while respecting human free will to reject?
- When is it appropriate to move on from resistant people or places in evangelism?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus addresses rejection: 'whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet' (και ος εαν μη δεξηται υμας μηδε ακουση τους λογους υμων εξερχομενοι εξω της οικιας η της πολεως εκεινης εκτιναξατε τον κονιορτον των ποδων υμων). Shaking dust was Jewish practice when leaving Gentile territory, symbolizing separation from uncleanness. Applied to Israel's cities, it's devastating: you're treating covenant people like pagans. The gesture declares: we brought God's kingdom; you rejected it; we testify against you; we're done. It's not vindictive but testimonial—public witness that gospel was offered and refused. The action liberates messengers from responsibility for rejection while establishing rejectors' accountability.