Bible Strands
Luke 3:11
John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — John the Baptist answers a direct question from crowds at the Jordan: "What then should we do?" (Luke 3:10). He is not preaching doctrine but issuing a practical standard before baptism.
The words — ἔχων (echōn), "having," grounds the entire command in present possession rather than future capacity; the obligation is triggered by what you already hold, not by wealth or status.
The thread — The same logic appears in Isaiah 58:7 (share bread, clothe the naked), 1 John 3:17 (withholding from a brother in need negates love), and 1 Timothy 6:18 (be generous and ready to share).
Why it lands — It turns ethics into a binary audit: count your tunics, count your food, and if the number exceeds one, the surplus belongs to the person standing in front of you.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 58:7 Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
- 1 John 3:17 If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
- 1 Timothy 6:18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,
- Luke 18:22 On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
- 1 John 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
- James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
- James 2:15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
- Daniel 4:27 Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”
- Matthew 25:40 And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
- Luke 11:41 But give as alms the things that are within you, and behold, everything will be clean for you.