Luke 7:25

Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in palaces.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses the crowds after John the Baptist’s messengers depart, contrasting John’s ascetic wilderness life with the expectations of those who traveled to see him.

The words — The Greek phrase ἐν μαλακοῖς ἱματίοις (en malakois himatiois) literally means “in soft clothing,” denoting garments associated with wealth and comfort.

The thread — The contrast between royal luxury and prophetic austerity echoes the detailed court attire in 1 Kings 10:5 and the rugged leather belt of Elijah in 2 Kings 1:8.

Why it lands — The text states that those who wear elegant clothing and live in luxury are found in palaces, challenging listeners to examine whether they seek comfort or divine truth.

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

But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.

Cross-references

2 Samuel 19:35 I am now eighty years old. Can I discern what is good and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats or drinks? Can I still hear the voice of singing men and women? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king?
1 Kings 10:5 the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.
2 Kings 1:8 “He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king.
Esther 1:3 In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces.
Esther 1:11 to bring Queen Vashti before him, wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the people and officials. For she was beautiful to behold.
Esther 4:2 But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate.
Esther 8:15 Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.
Isaiah 59:17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.
Matthew 6:29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.
Esther 5:1 On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance.