Luke 11 37

Luke 11:37 kjv

And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

Luke 11:37 nkjv

And as He spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So He went in and sat down to eat.

Luke 11:37 niv

When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table.

Luke 11:37 esv

While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table.

Luke 11:37 nlt

As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table.

Luke 11 verses

Luke 11 37 Meaning

Luke 11:37 describes the immediate consequence of Jesus' previous discourse and miraculous activity: a Pharisee extends an invitation to Jesus for a meal, which Jesus accepts. This verse serves as a critical transition, moving Jesus from a public teaching setting to a more intimate, yet equally confrontational, social encounter within the private sphere of a religious leader's home, thereby setting the stage for further discussion on righteousness and hypocrisy.

Luke 11 37 Context

Luke 11:37 immediately follows a profound public discourse by Jesus. Prior to this verse, Jesus cast out a demon, an act that prompted accusations from some that He performed miracles by the power of Beelzebul (Lk 11:14-15). Jesus refutes this, warns about division and a worse state (Lk 11:17-26), and then teaches about the blessedness of hearing and obeying God's Word (Lk 11:27-28). He then addresses the "evil generation" seeking a sign, presenting the sign of Jonah (Lk 11:29-32) and speaks extensively about the inner light and true vision, warning against inner darkness (Lk 11:33-36).

Therefore, when the Pharisee invites Jesus, it is after Jesus has publicly displayed immense spiritual authority, engaged in deep theological argument, and challenged the spiritual state of His hearers. The meal setting shifts the interaction from a large public audience to a more private, yet still charged, encounter, typically a context for discussion, debate, and hospitality in Jewish society. It transitions from Jesus addressing "the crowds" to Him interacting directly with the religious elite, setting the stage for His stinging denunciations of Pharisaic and legalistic hypocrisy that follow in Luke 11:38-54.

Luke 11 37 Word analysis

• When Jesus had finished speaking: (Greek: λαλήσαντος - lalesantos). This indicates the conclusion of a significant public teaching segment. Jesus had just delivered a weighty discourse challenging the accusations against Him and speaking of light, signs, and the inner spiritual state. This phrasing emphasizes the completion of a specific part of His ministry, leading directly into the next interaction.
• a Pharisee: (Greek: Φαρισαῖος - Pharisaiois). "Pharisees" means "separated ones," referring to a prominent Jewish religious group of Jesus' time known for their meticulous observance of the Mosaic Law and oral traditions. They were influential among the common people but often clashed with Jesus over their legalism, hypocrisy, and understanding of the Kingdom of God. Their invitation often carried implicit motives, such as observing or testing Jesus.
• invited Him: (Greek: ἠρώτησεν αὐτόν - ērotēsen auton). From erotao, meaning "to ask, request, or invite." The invitation might stem from genuine curiosity after Jesus' powerful teaching, a desire to observe Him more closely in a social setting, or an attempt to find fault with Him. It wasn't necessarily hostile from the outset, though tension often followed.
• to dine with him: (Greek: ἀριστῆσαι - aristēsai). This refers to eating the mid-day meal or lunch. This specific meal was culturally significant, involving customary rituals. The setting of a meal is important as it implies a level of intimacy and shared experience, making any subsequent confrontation even more poignant.
• so He went in: Jesus' acceptance signifies His willingness to engage with individuals from all walks of life, including His critics. It shows He did not shy away from opportunities, even potentially risky ones, to bring His message.
• and reclined at the table: (Greek: ἀνέπεσεν - anepesen). From anapiptō, meaning "to recline" or "lean back." This was the customary posture for guests at formal meals in the Roman-Hellenistic world, where people would recline on low couches, propped on their left elbow, facing the table. This detail signals Jesus' full participation in the cultural practice of the meal, demonstrating His approachable nature and willingness to observe societal customs, which starkly contrasts with His immediate rejection of an unbiblical washing tradition in the very next verse (Luke 11:38). It indicates a prepared setting for a communal event.

Luke 11 37 Bonus section

The ambiguous nature of the Pharisee's invitation should not be overlooked. While it led to one of Jesus' most severe denunciations of their hypocrisy, the initial act was one of hospitality, albeit potentially loaded. Jesus, by accepting, exemplifies the principle of entering the "space" of others to bring the message of truth, even when facing opposition. This illustrates a key aspect of His ministry: engagement, not isolation, even with those resistant to His message. It reminds believers that opportunities to share spiritual truth can arise in unexpected social settings.

Luke 11 37 Commentary

Luke 11:37 serves as a pivot point in the narrative. After publicly addressing the spiritual state of the people, Jesus is invited into the private sphere of a Pharisee's home. Jesus' acceptance highlights His profound willingness to engage directly with religious leaders, even those who might hold adversarial intentions. This acceptance of hospitality underscores His accessible nature and commitment to communicating God's truth in all settings, whether public squares or private dining rooms. The act of reclining at the table is more than just a posture; it symbolizes entering into social communion, often a prelude to deep teaching or significant revelations. The subsequent verses immediately show the dramatic conflict between external religious observance (the washing) and internal spiritual purity (the Woes). Therefore, this verse sets the crucial scene where the heart of Jesus' teaching concerning true righteousness confronts the legalistic and superficial practices of the religious elite, leading to one of the most direct condemnations of hypocrisy found in the Gospels.