Luke 3:11

Luke 3:11 Meaning and Explanation

He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

King James Version (KJV)

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John answers: whoever has two coats must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.

What Does Luke 3:11 Mean?

John's first answer goes to the whole crowd, and it is striking for what it is not. He does not call them to his own desert life of camel's hair and locusts; he sends them home to their closets and kitchens.

Repentance begins at the level of a spare tunic and an extra meal. The man with two coats meets the man with none, and the turning of a heart becomes visible between them. John asks for no heroics, only that abundance learn to notice need. The test has not changed: turning to God turns us toward our neighbor, and what hangs unused in our keeping may be the very fruit of repentance God is looking for.

Luke 3:11 in the Original Language

chiton (χιτών), 'coat' -- the tunic worn next to the skin; owning two meant one was spare.

Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 3:11

What does Luke 3:11 mean?

John answers: whoever has two coats must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.

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