What Does Matthew 10:11 Mean in the King James?

And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.

Matthew 10:11 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The verse makes remaining the hidden half of arrival: a welcome becomes a dwelling when presence stays.

THE MEANING

Your arrival carries discernment: you ask who is worthy in the place, then remain with that person until it is time to leave. Presence takes shape through dwelling long enough for welcome to become relationship.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the idea that a better welcome must always be sought: the verse treats staying with a worthy household as the completion of arrival.

THE ROOT

μείνατε

meínate

GROWS FROM

μένω

menō

remain, stay, continue

The verb translated “abide” is ⁨μείνατε⁩ (meínate), from ⁨μένω⁩ (menō), meaning “remain” or “stay.” The same word family gives ⁨μονή⁩ (monē), meaning “dwelling” or “abode”: remaining and the place made by remaining belong together.

ALSO GROWS

monē: dwelling, abode

μονή

This noun shows how remaining takes shape as a place to dwell.

diamenō: continue, remain

διαμένω

This compound carries the root’s sense of staying through time, echoing “till ye go thence.”

THE PATTERN

Presence makes a place into a dwelling by remaining there.

Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

Genesis 18:4 · KJVAbraham offers travelers a place to rest, making welcome concrete through shelter and presence.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalm 23:6 · KJVThe speaker’s trust takes the form of dwelling in the LORD’s house.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:4 · KJVThe repeated call to abide shows life sustained through continuing presence.

THE THREAD

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 14:23 · KJV

Matthew’s “abide” is ⁨μείνατε⁩ (meínate, remain), from ⁨μένω⁩ (menō, remain); John’s “abode” is ⁨μονή⁩ (monē, dwelling), from the same word family. The shared root lets Matthew’s hospitality in a household open into the image of a dwelling made with the person.

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