New Testament
Luke 7:29
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, we see a significant moment where the people, including tax collectors, recognize and affirm God's righteousness.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
All the people who heard him, including the tax collectors, acknowledged God's justice, having been baptized with John's baptism.
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, we see a significant moment where the people, including tax collectors, recognize and affirm God's righteousness. They do this by accepting John's baptism, which symbolizes repentance and a commitment to change. The act of being baptized indicates their willingness to turn away from their previous lives and align themselves with God's will. This acknowledgment of God's justice highlights the importance of recognizing divine authority and the need for personal transformation. The tax collectors, often despised in society, show that even those considered outcasts can respond positively to God's message. Their acceptance of baptism signifies a collective movement towards repentance and a new understanding of their relationship with God. This verse emphasizes that true acknowledgment of God involves both belief and action, as demonstrated by the people's willingness to be baptized and embrace a new path.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 7:29 to your life
This verse encourages us to recognize and accept God's justice in our lives. Just as the people were baptized in repentance, we too should seek to turn away from our wrongdoings and embrace a life aligned with God's will. It reminds us that transformation is possible for everyone, regardless of their past.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 7:29 mean?
Luke 7:29 highlights how the people, including tax collectors, recognized and affirmed God's justice by accepting John's baptism. This act symbolizes their repentance and willingness to change, showing that even those marginalized in society can respond positively to God's message.
What is the significance of baptism in Luke 7:29?
In Luke 7:29, baptism represents a commitment to repentance and a new direction in life. It signifies the people's acknowledgment of God's authority and their desire to align themselves with His will.
Who are the publicans mentioned in Luke 7:29?
The publicans, or tax collectors, mentioned in Luke 7:29 were often viewed negatively in society due to their roles in collecting taxes for the Roman Empire. Their inclusion in this verse illustrates that even those considered outcasts can recognize and accept God's justice.
How does Luke 7:29 relate to personal transformation?
Luke 7:29 emphasizes that personal transformation is possible for everyone, regardless of their past. The act of baptism signifies a collective movement towards repentance and a new understanding of one's relationship with God.

The Book of Luke
Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.
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