Luke 11:38
And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Φαρισαῖος
when the Pharisee
G5330
Φαρισαῖος
when the Pharisee
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
3 of 12
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
ἰδὼν
saw
G1492
ἰδὼν
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
4 of 12
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
6 of 12
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐβαπτίσθη
he had
G907
ἐβαπτίσθη
he had
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
9 of 12
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
10 of 12
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
Historical Context
Pharisaic hand-washing rituals involved pouring water over hands in specific ways before meals, based on expansions of Levitical priesthood laws (Exodus 30:19-21). These traditions, codified in the Mishnah, weren't Scripture but 'tradition of the elders' (Mark 7:5). The Pharisees' shock reveals they equated human tradition with divine law—the essence of legalism.
Questions for Reflection
- What Christian 'traditions' have you elevated to the status of divine commands?
- Why might Jesus deliberately violate human religious traditions—what does this teach about challenging legalism?
- How does obsession with external religious performance distract from issues of the heart?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner (ἐθαύμασεν ὅτι οὐ πρῶτον ἐβαπτίσθη πρὸ τοῦ ἀρίστου)—the verb thaumazō (marvelled) indicates shock or disapproval. The ritual washing (baptizō, ceremonial immersion of hands) wasn't biblical law but Pharisaic tradition (Mark 7:3-4). Jesus's deliberate omission challenges human tradition elevated to divine commandment.
The Pharisee's astonishment reveals his priorities: external ceremonial purity trumps internal spiritual condition. This sets up Jesus's devastating critique—the Pharisees obsess over ritual while ignoring justice, mercy, love (v.42). Their religion consists of visible performance, not heart transformation.