Luke 13:26
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Then shall you begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in your presence, and you have taught in our streets.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Then shall you begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in your presence, and you have taught in our streets.
American Standard Version (ASV)
then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets;
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Then you will say, We have taken food and drink with you, and you were teaching in our streets.
Webster's Revision
Then ye will begin to say, We have eaten and drank in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
World English Bible
Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.'
English Revised Version (ERV)
then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets;
Barnes's Luke 13:26 Bible Commentary
We have eaten ... - Compare Matthew 7:22-23. To have eaten with one is evidence of acquaintanceship or friendship. So the sinner may allege that he was a professed follower of Jesus, and had some evidence that Jesus was his friend. There is no allusion here, however, to the sacrament. The figure is taken from the customs of people, and means simply that they had professed attachment, and perhaps supposed that Jesus was their friend.
In thy presence - With thee - as one friend does with another.
Thou hast taught - Thou didst favor us, as though thou didst love us. Thou didst not turn away from us, and we did not drive thee away. All this is alleged as proof of friendship. It shows us:
1. On how slight evidence people will suppose themselves ready to die. How slender is the preparation which even many professed friends of Jesus have for death! How easily they are satisfied about their own piety! A profession of religion, attendance on the preaching of the word or at the sacraments, or a decent external life, is all they have and all they seek. With this they go quietly on to eternity - go to disappointment, wretchedness, and woe!
2. None of these things will avail in the day of judgment. It will be only true love to God, a real change of heart, and a life of piety, that can save the soul from death. And oh! how important it is that all should search themselves and see what is the real foundation of their hope that they shall enter into heaven!