New Testament
Luke 11:25
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When it returns, it finds the place swept clean and put in order.
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And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.
What Luke 11:25 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus is illustrating a spiritual truth about the state of a person's heart or life. The 'it' refers to an unclean spirit that has left a person. When the spirit returns, it finds the person's life tidy and organized but still empty of true spiritual substance. The imagery of being 'swept clean and put in order' suggests that while there may be an appearance of cleanliness, without filling that space with something good, the person remains vulnerable. The unclean spirit can return and bring even more spirits with it, leading to a worse state than before. This serves as a warning about the importance of not just removing negative influences but also actively inviting positive, godly influences into our lives to prevent spiritual emptiness.
How to apply Luke 11:25 to your life
This verse encourages us to not only remove negative influences from our lives but also to fill that space with positive, godly practices. Engaging in prayer, reading scripture, and surrounding ourselves with supportive community can help maintain spiritual health and prevent negative influences from returning.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
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Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725045). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nazareth, Israel; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
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Plain Meaning
This verse is part of a short story Jesus tells. An unclean spirit has left a man and then decides to return. When it comes back, it finds the man empty — the house is clean and in order, but nothing has moved in to fill it. The spirit sees an open, tidy, unoccupied space waiting for it.
Read It in Context
Verse 24 sets the scene: an unclean spirit leaves a man, wanders, finds no rest, and decides to go back. Verse 25 is what it finds when it arrives. Verse 26 then tells what happens next: the spirit brings seven worse spirits with it, and the man ends up in a worse state than before.
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At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 11:25 mean?
Luke 11:25 illustrates the danger of spiritual emptiness. It shows that when an unclean spirit leaves a person, the person's life may appear clean and organized, but without filling that space with positive influences, they remain vulnerable to returning negativity.
What is the meaning of 'swept clean and put in order' in Luke 11:25?
The phrase 'swept clean and put in order' signifies a life that looks tidy on the outside but lacks true spiritual substance. It emphasizes the need for not just removing negative influences but also actively inviting positive, godly practices into one's life.
How can I apply Luke 11:25 in my life?
To apply Luke 11:25, focus on not only eliminating negative influences but also actively engaging in prayer, reading scripture, and building a supportive community. This helps maintain spiritual health and reduces the risk of negative influences returning.
What does the unclean spirit represent in Luke 11:25?
In Luke 11:25, the unclean spirit represents negative influences or harmful habits that can take hold of a person's life. The verse serves as a reminder that simply removing these influences is not enough; one must also fill the void with positive, godly practices.
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