And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.

LUKE 10:6KJV
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Luke 10:6 (KJV)

What does Luke 10:6 mean?

Luke 10:6 means that if the person or household welcomes peace, the blessing of peace offered by Jesus’ followers will remain with them; if not, that peace will return to the one who offered it. The verse shows that the effect of the greeting depends on the openness of those receiving it.

In this scene, Jesus is instructing his disciples as he sends them out to visit towns and homes. He tells them to greet each house with peace and explains that their blessing is not wasted if it is not accepted. The phrase “son of peace” refers to someone who is receptive or welcoming to the message and spirit of peace.

The Greek behind Luke 10:6

  • εἰρήνη (eirēnē, “peace”): This word means more than just the absence of conflict; it often carries the sense of wholeness, well-being, or harmony. In this context, it is a blessing or greeting of goodwill.
  • υἱὸς εἰρήνης (huios eirēnēs, “son of peace”): Literally “son of peace,” this Greek phrase is a way of describing someone characterized by peace or open to peacefulness. It highlights the idea that some people are especially receptive to the message.
  • ἐπαναπαύω (epanapauō, “rest”): This word means to settle upon or remain. The peace offered is not just spoken but is pictured as something that can actually settle on a person or place if welcomed.

Why Luke 10:6 matters

  • Luke 10:6 clarifies that the disciples’ blessing is not wasted if it is not received; the peace returns to them, so their goodwill is never lost.
  • The verse emphasizes personal responsibility in responding to Jesus’ message—acceptance or rejection has real effects.
  • This teaching connects to the broader instructions Jesus gives about how his followers should approach both hospitality and rejection as they share his message.

Where else these words appear

“rest” Greek G1879 · used in 2 verses

  • Romans 2:17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

“turn” Greek G344 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Acts 18:21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
  • Hebrews 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

“not” Greek G1490 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
  • Luke 5:36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
  • John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

“be” Greek G5600 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
  • John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?