Luke 7:25
New International Version
If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.

New Living Translation
Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces.

English Standard Version
What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts.

Berean Standard Bible
Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in palaces.

Berean Literal Bible
But what have you gone out to see? A man arrayed in fine clothing? Behold, those in splendid clothing and living in luxury are in palaces.

King James Bible
But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

New King James Version
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts.

New American Standard Bible
But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces!

NASB 1995
“But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces!

NASB 1977
“But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces.

Legacy Standard Bible
But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft garments? Behold, those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces!

Amplified Bible
But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing [entirely unsuited for the harsh wilderness]? Those who wear splendid clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces!

Christian Standard Bible
What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? See, those who are splendidly dressed and live in luxury are in royal palaces.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft robes? Look, those who are splendidly dressed and live in luxury are in royal palaces.

American Standard Version
But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

Contemporary English Version
What kind of man did you really go out to see? Was he someone dressed in fine clothes? People who wear expensive clothes and live in luxury are in the king's palace.

English Revised Version
But what went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Really, what did you go to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Those who wear splendid clothes and live in luxury are in royal palaces.

Good News Translation
What did you go out to see? A man dressed up in fancy clothes? People who dress like that and live in luxury are found in palaces!

International Standard Version
Really, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look! Those who wear fine clothes and live in luxury are in royal palaces.

Majority Standard Bible
Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in palaces.

NET Bible
What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look, those who wear fancy clothes and live in luxury are in kings' courts!

New Heart English Bible
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Look, those who are gorgeously dressed, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

Webster's Bible Translation
But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they who are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

Weymouth New Testament
But what did you go out to see? A man wearing luxurious clothes? People who are gorgeously dressed and live in luxury are found in palaces.

World English Bible
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed and live delicately are in kings’ courts.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
But what have you gone forth to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, they in splendid clothing, and living in luxury, are in the houses of kings!

Berean Literal Bible
But what have you gone out to see? A man arrayed in fine clothing? Behold, those in splendid clothing and living in luxury are in palaces.

Young's Literal Translation
but what have ye gone forth to see? a man in soft garments clothed? lo, they in splendid apparellings, and living in luxury, are in the houses of kings!

Smith's Literal Translation
But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those in glorious clothing, and being in luxury, are in royal abodes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are in costly apparel and live delicately, are in the houses of kings.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who are in costly apparel and finery are in the houses of kings.

New American Bible
Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces.

New Revised Standard Version
What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If not so, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Behold, those who wear fine clothes and live delicately are in kings’ houses.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But what did you go out to see? A man who is clothed in soft garments? Behold, those who are in glorious clothing and in luxury are in a King's house.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear splendid apparel, and live in luxury, are in kings houses.

Godbey New Testament
But what went you out into the wilderness to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold those who are in gaudy apparel and luxury, are in royal palaces.

Haweis New Testament
But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in delicate garments? Behold, they who indulge in soft raiment, and delicate food, are in king’s palaces.

Mace New Testament
or did you go to see a man richly apparelled? for magnificent dress and splendid living, you must look into the courts of princes.

Weymouth New Testament
But what did you go out to see? A man wearing luxurious clothes? People who are gorgeously dressed and live in luxury are found in palaces.

Worrell New Testament
But what went ye forth to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those clothed in splendid apparel, and living in luxury, are in kingly courts!

Worsley New Testament
a reed shaken by the wind? but what did ye go out to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that are dressed in fine clothes and live delicately, are in palaces, not in deserts: but what went ye out to see?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Testifies about John
24After John’s messengers had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? 25Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in palaces. 26What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.…

Cross References
Matthew 11:8
Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothing are found in kings’ palaces.

Matthew 3:4
John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.

1 Kings 10:2
She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind.

1 Kings 10:5
the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.

2 Chronicles 9:4
the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, the attire of his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.

Isaiah 3:18-23
In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents; / their pendants, bracelets, and veils; / their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms; ...

Isaiah 32:9-11
Stand up, you complacent women; listen to me. Give ear to my word, you overconfident daughters. / In a little more than a year you will tremble, O secure ones. For the grape harvest will fail and the fruit harvest will not arrive. / Shudder, you ladies of leisure; tremble, you daughters of complacency. Strip yourselves bare and put sackcloth around your waists.

Zephaniah 1:8
“On the Day of the LORD’s sacrifice I will punish the princes, the sons of the king, and all who are dressed in foreign apparel.

James 5:1-5
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...

1 Timothy 2:9
Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty, and with self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,

1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, / but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

Revelation 18:7
As much as she has glorified herself and lived in luxury, give her the same measure of torment and grief. In her heart she says, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow and will never see grief.’

Revelation 18:12-14
cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; / of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and carriages; of bodies and souls of slaves. / And they will say: “The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you; all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again.”

Proverbs 31:22
She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Ezekiel 16:10-13
I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk. / I adorned you with jewelry, and I put bracelets on your wrists and a chain around your neck. / I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head. ...


Treasury of Scripture

But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

A man.

2 Kings 1:8
And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

Isaiah 59:17
For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.

Matthew 3:4
And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

are in.

2 Samuel 19:35
I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?

1 Kings 10:5
And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

Esther 1:3,11
In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: …

Jump to Previous
Appareled Apparelled Beautiful Clothed Clothes Clothing Courts Delicate Delicately Desert Dressed Expensive Fine Food Forth Found Garments Gorgeously Houses John John's Kings Live Messengers Multitude Proceeded Raiment Soft Splendid Wear
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Appareled Apparelled Beautiful Clothed Clothes Clothing Courts Delicate Delicately Desert Dressed Expensive Fine Food Forth Found Garments Gorgeously Houses John John's Kings Live Messengers Multitude Proceeded Raiment Soft Splendid Wear
Luke 7
1. Jesus finds a greater faith in the centurion;
10. heals his servant, being absent;
11. raises from death the widow's son at Nain;
18. answers John's messengers with the declaration of his miracles;
24. testifies to the people what opinion he held of John;
31. compares this generation to the children in the marketplaces,
36. and allowing his feet to be washed and anointed by a woman who was a sinner,
44. he shows how he is a friend to sinners, to forgive them their sins, upon their repentance.














Otherwise, what did you go out to see?
This phrase challenges the audience to reflect on their expectations and motivations. In the Greek, the word for "see" (ἰδεῖν, idein) implies more than just physical sight; it suggests understanding or perceiving. Jesus is prompting the crowd to consider the deeper significance of John the Baptist's ministry. Historically, John was a prophet who lived in the wilderness, and his appearance and lifestyle were starkly different from societal norms. This question encourages introspection about the true nature of spiritual leadership and the values that should be sought.

A man dressed in fine clothes?
The reference to "fine clothes" (μαλακοῖς, malakois) contrasts with John the Baptist's known attire of camel's hair and a leather belt (Matthew 3:4). In the cultural context of the time, fine clothing was associated with wealth, status, and often, the ruling class. Jesus uses this imagery to highlight the stark difference between worldly expectations of grandeur and the humble, yet powerful, presence of John. This serves as a reminder that God's messengers may not conform to societal standards of success or appearance.

Look, those who wear fine clothes and indulge in luxury
The word "look" (ἰδοὺ, idou) is an imperative, drawing attention to a truth that might be overlooked. The phrase "indulge in luxury" (τρυφῇ, tryphē) suggests a life of ease and self-indulgence, often disconnected from the hardships and realities faced by the common people. In the historical context, such individuals were typically found in the courts of kings or among the elite. Jesus is emphasizing that true prophetic authority and spiritual insight are not dependent on external appearances or material wealth.

are found in palaces
Palaces (βασιλείοις, basileiois) were the residences of royalty and the wealthy elite, symbolizing power, privilege, and often, corruption. By stating that those who wear fine clothes are found in palaces, Jesus underscores the contrast between the worldly kingdom and the Kingdom of God. This serves as a critique of the societal structures that equate material wealth with divine favor. In the biblical narrative, God's messengers often come from humble beginnings, challenging the status quo and calling people to repentance and transformation.

(25) They which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately.--The words are more vivid than those in St. Matthew ("they that wear soft clothing"), and bring out the idea of ostentatious display and extravagant excess of luxury, as well as effeminate self-indulgence. Such forms of selfishness were common among the house of Herod and their followers. So Josephus describes the "royal apparel" of Agrippa (Acts 12:21) as glittering with gold and silver tissues. The words must have gone home to some of the Herodians, and we may trace a touch of brutal vindictiveness in the "gorgeous" or "bright robe," in which they arrayed the Prophet of Nazareth when they had Him in their power. (See Notes on Luke 23:11; Matthew 11:8.)

Verse 25. - But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. Was it, again, to see one of earth's so-called great ones - a favourite of the reigning monarch, a courtier of the magnificent Herod? John was no court favourite, no powerful or princely noble. Dean Plumptre thinks that here a reference is made to the fact that, in the early days of Herod the Great, a section of the scribes had attached themselves to his policy and party, and in doing so had laid aside the sombre raiment of their order, and had appeared in the gorgeous raiment worn by Herod's other courtiers. "We may trace," adds the dean, "with very little hesitation, a vindictive retaliation for these very words in the 'gorgeous robe' with which Herod arrayed him in mockery, when the tetrarch and Christ stood for one brief hour face to face with each other" (Luke 23:4).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If not,
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

what
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

did you go out
ἐξήλθατε (exēlthate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

to see?
ἰδεῖν (idein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

A man
ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

dressed
ἠμφιεσμένον (ēmphiesmenon)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 294: To put on, clothe. From the base of amphoteros and hennumi; to enrobe.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

fine
μαλακοῖς (malakois)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3120: (a) soft, (b) of persons: soft, delicate, effeminate. Of uncertain affinity; soft, i.e. Fine; figuratively, a catamite.

clothes?
ἱματίοις (himatiois)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2440: A long flowing outer garment, tunic. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi; a dress.

Look,
ἰδοὺ (idou)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400: See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!

those who
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

[wear]
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

elegant
ἐνδόξῳ (endoxō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1741: Highly esteemed, splendid, glorious. From en and doxa; in glory, i.e. Splendid, noble.

clothing
ἱματισμῷ (himatismō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2441: A collective word: raiment, clothing. From himatizo; clothing.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

live
ὑπάρχοντες (hyparchontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5225: To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb).

in luxury
τρυφῇ (tryphē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5172: From thrupto (figuratively) enfeeble, especially the mind and body by indulgence); effeminacy, i.e. Luxury or debauchery.

are found
εἰσίν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

palaces.
βασιλείοις (basileiois)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 934: Courtiers, palaces, a body of kings, royal. From basileus; kingly.


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Luke 7:24
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