Luke 7:29

29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.

Luke 7:29 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
English Standard Version (ESV)
29 (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just,having been baptized with the baptism of John,
New Living Translation (NLT)
29 When they heard this, all the people—even the tax collectors—agreed that God’s way was right, for they had been baptized by John.
The Message Bible (MSG)
29 The ordinary and disreputable people who heard John, by being baptized by him into the kingdom, are the clearest evidence;
American Standard Version (ASV)
29 And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
29 "All the people, including tax collectors, heard John. They admitted that God was right by letting John baptize them.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
29 (And when all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged God's way of righteousness, because they had been baptized with John's baptism.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
29 All the people who heard Jesus' words agreed that God's way was right. Even the tax collectors agreed. These people had all been baptized by John.

Luke 7:29 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 7:29

And all the people that heard him
Either Christ saying these things in commendation of John, and gave their assent to them, and showed their approbation of them, having been baptized by him; or rather, the people that had heard John preach the doctrines of repentance and faith, and of baptism; for these words seem rather to be the words of Christ, relating the success of John's ministry among different persons:

and the publicans justified God;
even those wicked men, who were before profligate and abandoned sinners, when they came under John's ministry, were so wrought upon by the power and grace of God through it, that they approved of, and applauded the wisdom, goodness, and grace of God, in sending such a prophet as John; in qualifying him in the manner he did, and giving in him a commission to preach such doctrines, and administer such an ordinance as he did: and this their approbation of the divine conduct, and their thankfulness for the same, they testified by their

being baptized with the baptism of John;
they expressed their sentiments by their obedience; they declared it was right in God to institute such an ordinance, and for John to administer it; and that it became them to submit to it, as a part of righteousness to be fulfilled; they hereby signified, that they thought that it was agreeable to the nature of God, who is holy, just, and good, suitable to the Gospel dispensation, and very fit and proper for them.

Luke 7:29 In-Context

27 This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.
30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?

Cross References 1

  • 1. Matthew 21:32; Mark 1:5; Luke 3:12
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.