Even when Jesus' messengers are rejected, their proclamation of the Kingdom of God isn't silenced; it's simply redirected to the public "streets" as a final, stark declaration of God's grace offered and refused. This reveals that even in rejection, the core message continues to be delivered, not as a plea, but as a witness to a truth they've chosen to ignore.
But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just sent out seventy disciples, like lambs among wolves, to prepare towns for his arrival. He instructs them that if a town welcomes them, they should share peace and eat what's offered, announcing that God's kingdom is near. However, this verse immediately shifts to the contingency plan: what to do when they are rejected, a stark contrast highlighting the gravity of receiving or refusing the message.
Imagine pouring your heart out, only to be met with closed doors and silence. What do you do when your message, given with love and urgency, is refused?
Jesus doesn't leave His followers without direction when their message of the Kingdom is met with rejection. Instead of lingering or becoming discouraged, they are instructed to move from private homes to the public "streets." This isn't about shaming or anger, but about a clear, public declaration.
A Symbolic Act
Going into the streets signifies a public pronouncement. The disciples are to "say" something, and in parallel accounts, this includes a symbolic act: shaking off the dust of that city from their feet. This wasn't just a gesture; it was a powerful visual that communicated, "We came with God's offer of peace and the Kingdom, but you rejected it. We now separate ourselves from this rejection, and the consequences are yours."
Not Personal, But Prophetic
This action is about bearing witness to the truth. It’s a solemn declaration that the offer of the Kingdom has been made and refused. It’s a prophetic word of warning, indicating that by rejecting the messengers and their message, the city is choosing to reject God's offered grace and will face a severe reckoning.
The message the disciples carried was life-changing. But what happens when a community turns its back on such a profound offer?
Even in rejection, the core message remains. Jesus instructs the disciples to declare, "The kingdom of God is nigh unto you." This is crucial. The refusal doesn't negate the reality or the availability of God's reign; it highlights the tragic choice made by those who reject it.
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The Offer Remains, The Choice Has Consequences
This declaration serves as a final, powerful witness. It underscores that the "kingdom of God"—God's active rule and reign, bringing salvation and peace—was genuinely extended to them. Their rejection isn't just a missed opportunity; it seals their fate.
A Stark Warning
Jesus follows this with a stern warning, stating it will be more "tolerable" for cities like Sodom in the coming judgment than for those who reject this specific offer of the Kingdom. This isn't hyperbole; it emphasizes the immense privilege and profound responsibility that comes with hearing the gospel. Turning away from such a gracious invitation carries a weight of accountability far beyond what those who never heard could comprehend.
Understand the original words
basileia tou Theou · Greek Noun
The rule, reign, or sovereign authority of God over all creation, which was inaugurated through the ministry of Jesus Christ and will be fully realized in the future.
Jesus' instructions to shake off the dust from a rejecting town weren't just a symbolic gesture; they echoed ancient prophetic actions and warned of severe judgment, highlighting the profound weight of accepting or rejecting the coming Kingdom.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians, and many of its citizens, including the elite and skilled, are exiled. This event profoundly shapes Jewish identity and their understanding of God's judgment and covenant faithfulness.
c. 538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
Cyrus the Great allows the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple. This marks a significant restoration, but also a period of rebuilding and re-establishing community under foreign rule.
c. 458 BC - 432 BC
Reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah
Ezra and Nehemiah lead significant religious and social reforms in Jerusalem, emphasizing adherence to the Law and strengthening the community after the exile. This period highlights a renewed, though often challenging, commitment to God's commands.
c. 167 BC - 142 BC
Maccabean Revolt
The Maccabean Revolt erupts against Hellenistic rule, marked by intense religious persecution and a fierce struggle for religious and political freedom. This era underscores the deep commitment to God's Law and the consequences of its defiance.
c. 63 BC
Roman Conquest of Judea
Rome conquers Judea, establishing a period of Roman occupation and governance. This ushers in a new political reality for Jewish people, with varying degrees of autonomy and increasing tension.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Judea
Jesus travels throughout Judea and Galilee, proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God and calling people to repentance. His ministry is marked by both enthusiastic reception and firm rejection by various communities.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus commissions the Seventy
Jesus specifically appoints and sends out seventy additional disciples, two by two, to prepare towns for his arrival. He gives them explicit instructions on how to engage with those who accept and reject them.
This passage from Matthew parallels Luke's account, directly instructing the disciples to shake off the dust from their feet when leaving a town that rejects them, mirroring the action described in Luke.
Luke 9:5This earlier instruction from Jesus to the disciples shows a consistent theme of judgment for those who do not receive the message of the Kingdom, linking the disciples' actions to a divine response.
Acts 13:51This New Testament account shows the apostles Paul and Barnabas literally shaking the dust off their feet against the unbelieving people of Antioch, demonstrating this symbolic action in practice.
Deuteronomy 7:6While not a direct command to shake off dust, this Old Testament passage speaks of Israel as a 'holy people' chosen by God, setting a precedent for a distinct group acting with a unique covenantal relationship that can be broken by rejection.
Ezekiel 3:19This prophetic word to Ezekiel emphasizes the prophet's responsibility to deliver God's message, and the dire consequences for the people if they ignore it, highlighting the weight of the message the seventy were carrying.
ellicottLuke 10:10: "But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,"
(10, 11) Into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not. —See Notes on Matthew 10:13 .
bengelLuke 10:10: "But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,"
Luke 10:10 . Πλατείας , the streets ) near the walls. Comp. on Revelation 11:8 .— εἴπατε , say ) publicly.
Even when Jesus' messengers are rejected, their proclamation of the Kingdom of God isn't silenced; it's simply redirected to the public "streets" as a final, stark declaration of God's grace offered and refused. This reveals that even in rejection, the core message continues to be delivered, not as a plea, but as a witness to a truth they've chosen to ignore.
Jesus has just sent out seventy disciples, like lambs among wolves, to prepare towns for his arrival. He instructs them that if a town welcomes them, they should share peace and eat what's offered, announcing that God's kingdom is near. However, this verse immediately shifts to the contingency plan: what to do when they are rejected, a stark contrast highlighting the gravity of receiving or refusing the message.
Jesus has just sent out seventy disciples, like lambs among wolves, to prepare towns for his arrival. He instructs them that if a town welcomes them, they should share peace and eat what's offered, announcing that God's kingdom is near. However, this verse immediately shifts to the contingency plan: what to do when they are rejected, a stark contrast highlighting the gravity of receiving or refusing the message.
"But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you…" — Even when Jesus' messengers are rejected, their proclamation of the Kingdom of God isn't silenced; it's simply redirected to the public "streets" as a final, stark declaration of God's grace offered…
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Last reviewed October 2026
