So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Revelation 3:16
What does Revelation 3:16 mean?
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Revelation 3:16
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Jesus uses the phrase "I am about to" spit you out, not "I will," signaling that this judgment isn't a done deal but a consequence if their lukewarm state continues. This subtle wording carries a weight of warning, implying there's still a narrow window for them to change and avert His rejection.
So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is addressing the church in Laodicea, a wealthy city known for its banking and fine wool, but also for its self-sufficiency and spiritual apathy. He identifies Himself as the "Amen, the faithful and true witness," and the "beginning of the creation of God," setting the stage for a stern message to a church that has become so complacent it's neither serving God passionately ("hot") nor clearly separated from the world ("cold"). This verse is part of a larger warning that continues by detailing their spiritual poverty and self-deception, concluding with an offer of true riches to those who will repent.
Ever felt like you're just coasting in your faith? Not really on fire, but not completely checked out either? Jesus has a strong word for that comfortable middle ground.
In Revelation 3, Jesus addresses the church in Laodicea. They weren't actively against Him, but they weren't passionately for Him either. They were 'lukewarm' – a state Jesus finds utterly repulsive.
Think about it: cold water might be refreshing, and hot water can be soothing or cleansing. But lukewarm water? It's often associated with sickness, nausea, and the body's natural rejection of something harmful. Jesus uses this potent image to describe how He feels about a faith that lacks zealous commitment. It’s not about perfect performance, but about a heart that's truly devoted.
This isn't a gentle suggestion; it's a stark warning. A faith that's neither hot nor cold doesn't honor God and can even give a distorted picture of what following Christ truly means.
Jesus' words sound harsh, but is this a final verdict or a desperate plea? The language might be severe, but the heart behind it is still seeking reconciliation.
While the imagery of being 'spit out' is jarring, it's crucial to see the context. Jesus isn't just issuing a condemnation; He's issuing a warning. The Greek word used here, often translated as 'I am about to' or 'I am going to,' implies an impending action that can be averted.
This isn't the absolute, final rejection seen in other biblical contexts. Instead, it's a gracious, albeit stern, indication of what happen if repentance doesn't occur. It’s the loving parent who warns their child of danger, or the doctor who describes the severe consequences of an untreated illness.
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The threat is real, but the door to change remains open. Jesus desires wholeness and passion, not indifference. This severe warning is a call to wake up and turn back before it's too late.
Understand the original words
chliaros · Greek Adjective
An adjective describing a state of spiritual stagnation, lack of zeal, and compromise, where one is not clearly committed to Christ nor openly hostile, resulting in a state God finds repulsive.
The message to Laodicea uses the city's own environmental and economic context—its lukewarm water supply and self-made wealth—to highlight their spiritual apathy and self-deception.
c. 1st century AD
Laodicea's Prosperity and Water Supply
Laodicea was a wealthy city in Asia Minor, known for its banking, fine wool, and medical schools. However, it lacked its own fresh water source, relying on aqueducts. The water, often lukewarm by the time it arrived, was unpalatable and medicinal.
c. 60-64 AD
Paul's Letter to the Colossians
The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church in Colossae, a city near Laodicea. While not directly addressing Laodicea, this letter likely influenced Christian thought in the region and speaks to concerns relevant to churches in the area.
c. 95 AD— this verse
Book of Revelation Written
The Apostle John, likely in exile on the island of Patmos, received visions from Jesus and recorded them in the Book of Revelation. The letters to the seven churches, including Laodicea, were part of this prophetic message.
c. 110 AD
Ignatius of Antioch visits the region
Bishop Ignatius of Antioch wrote letters as he was being taken to Rome for martyrdom. His letter to the Philadelphians, a neighboring church, mentions the Laodiceans and contrasts their spiritual state with Philadelphia's faithfulness.
c. 170 AD
Irenaeus comments on the Letter
Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons, was a student of Polycarp (who knew the Apostle John). He references the letter to the Laodiceans in his writings, indicating its circulation and significance within the early church.
This passage warns that the land itself will 'spue you out' if the Israelites defile it through their detestable practices, echoing the strong imagery of rejection and expulsion used in Revelation.
Jeremiah 2:13Jeremiah condemns Israel for forsaking God, the 'fountain of living waters,' for broken cisterns, highlighting the spiritual emptiness of turning away from the true source of life, much like the Laodiceans' self-sufficiency.
Matthew 6:24Jesus states that no one can serve two masters, emphasizing that a divided loyalty, serving both God and worldly wealth, leads to neglect of God and ultimately rejection, a core issue for the lukewarm Laodiceans.
James 1:8James describes a 'double-minded man' as unstable in all his ways, a perfect parallel to the spiritual indecision and lack of commitment that characterizes the lukewarm church in Revelation.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10This passage lists various groups who will not inherit the kingdom of God, including those who are neither wholly committed nor wholly rebellious, mirroring the idea of a spiritual state so unacceptable that it leads to exclusion.
wesleyRevelation 3:16: "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
3:16 So because thou art lukewarm - The effect of lukewarm water is well known. I am about to spue thee out of my mouth - I will utterly cast thee from me; that is, unless thou repent.
pulpitRevelation 3:16: "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
Verse 16. - So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. The distaste and nausea produced by lukewarm food, which the stomach naturally rejects with loathing, are used as a figure in which to express the abhorrence of Christ for those who lacked zeal in his service (cf. Leviticus 18:28 and Leviticus 20:22, "That the land spue not you…
Jesus uses the phrase "I am about to" spit you out, not "I will," signaling that this judgment isn't a done deal but a consequence if their lukewarm state continues. This subtle wording carries a weight of warning, implying there's still a narrow window for them to change and avert His rejection.
Jesus is addressing the church in Laodicea, a wealthy city known for its banking and fine wool, but also for its self-sufficiency and spiritual apathy. He identifies Himself as the "Amen, the faithful and true witness," and the "beginning of the creation of God," setting the stage for a stern message to a church that has become so complacent it's neither serving God passionately ("hot") nor clearly separated from the world ("cold"). This verse is part of a larger warning that continues by detailing their spiritual poverty and self-deception, concluding with an offer of true riches to those who will repent.
Jesus is addressing the church in Laodicea, a wealthy city known for its banking and fine wool, but also for its self-sufficiency and spiritual apathy. He identifies Himself as the "Amen, the faithful and true witness," and the "beginning of the creation of God," setting the stage for a stern message to a church that has become so complacent it's neither serving God passionately ("hot") nor clearly separated from the world ("cold"). This verse is part of a larger warning that continues by detailing their spiritual poverty and self-deception, concluding with an offer of true riches to those who will repent.
"So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." — Jesus uses the phrase "I am about to" spit you out, not "I will," signaling that this judgment isn't a done deal but a consequence if their lukewarm state continues. This subtle wording carries a w…
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Last reviewed October 2026