Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

LUKE 12:35KJV
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Luke 12:35 (KJV)

What does Luke 12:35 mean?

Luke 12:35 tells listeners to be ready and alert, using the images of having their loins girded and their lamps burning. The verse encourages a state of constant preparedness and watchfulness, as if waiting for something important to happen.

In Luke 12:35, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, using everyday images from their world. Girding the loins meant tucking up long robes to move quickly, and keeping lamps burning meant being ready even at night. The verse sets the tone for the following teachings about readiness for the coming of the master, urging listeners not to be caught off guard.

The Greek behind Luke 12:35

  • "loins" (ὀσφύς, osphus): This word refers to the waist or hips, and in the culture of the time, "girding the loins" meant preparing for action, often by tucking up a long robe to move freely.
  • "lights" (λύχνος, lychnos): This word means a lamp or light, often an oil lamp. Keeping it burning suggests ongoing vigilance, especially through the night.
  • "burning" (καιόμενος, kaiomenos): This word means burning or being kept alight, emphasizing the need for continuous readiness, not just a one-time preparation.

Why Luke 12:35 matters

  • Luke 12:35 clears up that Jesus is not talking about physical readiness but using familiar actions to teach spiritual alertness and readiness for His return.
  • The verse connects to the broader passage, where Jesus tells parables about servants waiting for their master, highlighting the importance of being prepared at all times.
  • The language of girded loins and burning lamps would have reminded listeners of the Passover in Exodus, where readiness and watchfulness were crucial, deepening the sense of anticipation in Jesus’ teaching.

Where else these words appear

“about” Greek G4024 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
  • Acts 12:8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.
  • Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

“loins” Greek G3751 · used in 8 verses

  • 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.
  • Acts 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
  • Hebrews 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

“burning” Greek G2545 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  • John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
  • Revelation 8:8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

“lights” Greek G3088 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  • Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
  • John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.