And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

MARK 6:11KJV
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Mark 6:11 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:11 mean?

Mark 6:11 describes Jesus instructing his disciples on what to do if a town refuses to welcome or listen to them: they are to shake the dust off their feet as a sign against that place, and Jesus warns that such a town will face a judgment even harsher than that of Sodom and Gomorrah. This action is meant as a testimony, showing that the people have rejected the message.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples as he sends them out to preach and heal. The instruction to "shake off the dust" is a symbolic gesture from Jewish culture, used when leaving Gentile territory, to show separation from those who reject God’s message. Mentioning Sodom and Gomorrah, infamous for their destruction in Genesis, highlights the seriousness of rejecting the disciples’ message.

The Greek behind Mark 6:11

  • "μαρτύριον" (martyrion, G3142) means "testimony" or "witness." Here, it refers to the act of shaking off the dust as a visible sign to the people that they have rejected the message, making their choice clear.
  • "ἀνεκτότερον" (anektoteron, G414) is translated "more tolerable." This word emphasizes that the judgment for the rejecting town will be even less bearable than what Sodom and Gomorrah experienced, underlining the gravity of rejecting Jesus’ message.
  • "ἐκτινάξατε" (ektinaxate, G1621) means "shake off." This action is not just about cleanliness but is a deliberate, symbolic act of disassociation and warning.

Why Mark 6:11 matters

  • Mark 6:11 clarifies that the disciples were not to argue or force their message on those who refused it; instead, they were to move on, leaving a clear sign of rejection.
  • The verse connects the disciples’ mission to the larger story of God’s dealings with humanity, showing that rejecting Jesus’ message is a serious matter with real consequences.
  • By referencing Sodom and Gomorrah, Jesus emphasizes the weight of the opportunity being given to these towns, highlighting the importance of the message the disciples carry.

Where else these words appear

“dust” Greek G5522 · used in 2 verses

  • Revelation 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

“off” Greek G1621 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
  • Acts 13:51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
  • Acts 18:6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

“Gomorrha” Greek G1116 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
  • Romans 9:29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.
  • 2 Peter 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

“tolerable” Greek G414 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
  • Matthew 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
  • Luke 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.