Luke 14:1
And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
G1096
ἐγένετο
it came to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 21
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐλθεῖν
went
G2064
ἐλθεῖν
went
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
5 of 21
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
αὐτόν
he
G846
αὐτόν
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 21
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
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
οἶκόν
the house
G3624
οἶκόν
the house
Strong's:
G3624
Word #:
8 of 21
a dwelling (more or less extensive, literal or figurative); by implication, a family (more or less related, literally or figuratively)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Φαρισαίων
Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαίων
Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
13 of 21
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
σαββάτῳ
on the sabbath
G4521
σαββάτῳ
on the sabbath
Strong's:
G4521
Word #:
14 of 21
the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτόν
he
G846
αὐτόν
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 21
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
Cross References
Mark 3:2And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.Psalms 41:6And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.Psalms 62:4They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.Luke 20:20And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.Luke 11:37And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.Psalms 37:32The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.Proverbs 23:7For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.Luke 6:7And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
Historical Context
Pharisees commonly hosted Sabbath meals after synagogue worship, inviting teachers and discussing Torah. That a 'chief Pharisee' (ἀρχόντων τῶν Φαρισαίων, archontōn tōn Pharisaiōn) invited Jesus suggests either genuine curiosity or calculated entrapment. The presence of a man with dropsy (v. 2) may have been arranged to test whether Jesus would heal on the Sabbath. Jesus consistently used meal settings for significant teaching (Luke 5:29-32, 7:36-50, 19:1-10), demonstrating that discipleship involves all of life, including social interactions.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did Jesus accept invitations from hostile Pharisees, and what does this teach about engaging opponents?
- How does the Pharisees' hostile watching contrast with the disciples' faithful following?
- What does Jesus' willingness to dine with enemies teach about Christian witness and bridge-building?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Luke introduces another Sabbath controversy: 'And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.' Jesus accepted an invitation to dine with 'one of the chief Pharisees,' demonstrating His willingness to engage even hostile opponents. The meal occurred 'on the sabbath day,' setting up another confrontation over Sabbath observance. The phrase 'they watched him' (καὶ αὐτοὶ ἦσαν παρατηρούμενοι αὐτόν, kai autoi ēsan paratēroumenoi auton) indicates hostile surveillance—they were looking for grounds to accuse Him. This dinner becomes the setting for teaching about humility (vv. 7-11), generosity (vv. 12-14), and kingdom invitation (vv. 15-24).