Luke 11:37
And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.
Original Language Analysis
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῷ·
him
G846
αὐτῷ·
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Φαρισαῖος
Pharisee
G5330
Φαρισαῖος
Pharisee
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
7 of 15
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
ὅπως
to
G3704
ὅπως
to
Strong's:
G3704
Word #:
9 of 15
what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)
παρ'
with
G3844
παρ'
with
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
αὐτῷ·
him
G846
αὐτῷ·
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
Pharisaic meal fellowship involved elaborate ritual purity laws governing food preparation, hand washing, table fellowship, vessel cleanliness. These regulations, developed to extend priestly purity to everyday life, became badges of spiritual superiority and barriers against 'unclean' common people. The Pharisees' invitation tests whether Jesus observes their traditions.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's willingness to dine with critics model engagement with those who oppose you?
- What motivations might drive religious leaders to 'invite' Jesus while planning to critique him?
- How can you maintain truth-telling while remaining accessible to those who disagree?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him (ἐρωτᾷ αὐτὸν Φαρισαῖός τις ὅπως ἀριστήσῃ παρ' αὐτῷ)—the verb erōtaō (besought) appears polite, yet context suggests entrapment given growing hostility (v.53-54). And he went in, and sat down to meat (εἰσελθὼν δὲ ἀνέπεσεν)—Jesus accepts despite knowing their hearts, demonstrating accessibility even to critics. The verb anapiptō (reclined) indicates formal dining posture.
Luke frequently portrays Jesus dining with various groups, using meals as teaching opportunities. This meal becomes the setting for Jesus's most comprehensive denunciation of Pharisaic religion (vv.39-52), the 'six woes' that expose external religion divorced from internal transformation.