On its return, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.
Parallel translations
- WEB When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order.
- KJV And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
- NKJV And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order.
- NASB And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order.
- NLT So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The returning spirit finds the house swept and put in order. An empty, merely tidied life invites re-occupation.
Overview
The house is clean but unoccupied by God, a reformed yet unredeemed heart. Outward order without the indwelling of God's Spirit offers no real protection. The image warns against religion that removes vices without receiving Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Jude 1:8–13Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings.
- 2 Th 2:9–12The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,
- 2 Pet 2:10–19Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.
- Ps 81:11–12But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me.
- Matt 12:44–45Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order.
- Ps 36:3The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing.
- 2 Chr 24:17–22After the death of Jehoiada, however, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them.
- Ps 125:5But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 11:25 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.