And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
Parallel translations
- WEB When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order.
- BSB On its return, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.
- 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 1:8–13Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
- 2 Th 2:9–12Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
- 2 Pet 2:10–19But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
- Ps 81:11–12But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
- Matt 12:44–45Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
- Ps 36:3The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.
- 2 Chr 24:17–22Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.
- Ps 125:5As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall 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.