Luke 7 33

Luke 7:33 kjv

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

Luke 7:33 nkjv

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'

Luke 7:33 niv

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'

Luke 7:33 esv

For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.'

Luke 7:33 nlt

For John the Baptist didn't spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, 'He's possessed by a demon.'

Luke 7 verses

Luke 7 33 Meaning

Luke 7:33 illustrates the irrational rejection faced by John the Baptist from the people of that generation, particularly the religious leaders. Despite John's ascetic, Nazirite-like lifestyle of abstaining from bread and wine, which underscored his prophetic ministry and devotion to God, he was dismissed and accused of being demon-possessed. This accusation stemmed not from a valid theological point but from an unwillingness to accept God's messenger and His call to repentance, demonstrating a deep-seated spiritual hardness of heart among those who judged him. The verse sets the stage for a comparison with Jesus, revealing a pattern of criticism regardless of the messenger's method or lifestyle.

Luke 7 33 Context

Luke 7:33 is part of Jesus' teaching to the crowds after John the Baptist sent disciples to inquire about Jesus' identity. Following John's imprisonment and doubt, Jesus affirms John's unique prophetic role as the messenger foretold by God (Lk 7:27-28). However, Jesus immediately pivots to condemn the generation that rejected John, linking this rejection to their future rejection of Himself. This verse specifically addresses the judgment rendered upon John by "this generation" (Lk 7:31), particularly the religious leaders and crowds who failed to accept John's ascetic lifestyle and his message of repentance, attributing his self-denial not to divine calling but to demonic influence. It highlights a profound spiritual inconsistency and hypocrisy, where people sought reasons to reject God's messengers, irrespective of their methods.

Luke 7 33 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): A particle indicating a reason or explanation, linking this statement back to Jesus' broader condemnation of the generation's refusal to respond to God's call (Lk 7:31-32). It explains why the generation is like children in the marketplace.

• John the Baptist (Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτιστής, Iōannēs ho baptistēs): The full title emphasizes his distinct identity as a prophet performing the act of water baptism, an act of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, separating him from other religious figures of the day. He was widely recognized for his unique ministry.

• has come (ἐλήλυθεν, elēlythen): Perfect tense, signifying that his coming was a decisive event with ongoing effects. His arrival was not accidental but divinely ordained as a precursor to the Messiah.

• eating no bread (μὴ ἄρτον ἔχων ἐσθίοντα, mē arton echōn esthionta): Literally "not having eating bread," emphasizing his abstinence from a normal diet. This was part of his rigorous ascetic discipline, a characteristic of a Nazirite vow (Num 6:3-4) or a prophet like Elijah (2 Ki 1:8). It denotes extreme self-denial and focus on spiritual matters, setting him apart.

• and drinking no wine (καὶ οἶνον πίνοντα, kai oinon pinonta): Reinforces the strictness of his diet, aligning with Nazirite restrictions. This severe self-control was meant to underscore the seriousness of his message and his dedication to God. This lifestyle, however, became a pretext for criticism rather than a sign of devotion.

• and you say (καὶ λέγετε, kai legete): "You" here refers to the unyielding "this generation," specifically those who judged both John and Jesus. It indicates their open pronouncements and judgments. This phrase reveals their critical and dismissive stance, shifting focus from John's prophetic call to his eccentricities.

• ‘He has a demon!’ (Δαιμόνιον ἔχει, Daimonion echei!): This is a grave accusation in ancient Jewish society, implying that John's behavior (his fasting, his fervor, his powerful message) was not from God but influenced or controlled by an evil spirit. This accusation dismissed his prophetic authority entirely, attributing divine influence to malevolent sources. It reveals spiritual blindness and profound animosity.

• For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine: This phrase describes John's unique, austere prophetic lifestyle, which mimicked the Nazirite vow from Num 6 and recalled figures like Elijah. His abstemious habits served to highlight his separation unto God and the urgency of his message of repentance, setting him apart from societal norms.

• and you say, 'He has a demon!': This group of words reveals the prejudiced and ill-founded judgment leveled against John. Instead of recognizing his divine appointment or accepting his challenging call to repentance, the accusers chose to attribute his extraordinary dedication and unconventional behavior to demonic influence, a tactic used to discredit genuine prophets. This indicates their spiritual insensitivity and unwillingness to engage with God's truth.

Luke 7 33 Bonus section

This verse highlights a consistent strategy of the kingdom of darkness to discredit God's work by attacking His messengers with false accusations, particularly concerning their mental or spiritual state. The same charge of having a "demon" was leveled against Jesus (Jn 8:48; 10:20), indicating a typical tactic of opposition from those entrenched in unbelief. The accusations against John and Jesus, while differing in nature of the lifestyle being judged, both pointed to a spiritual deficiency or malevolence on the part of the messenger, demonstrating a foundational unwillingness of the critics to engage with the truth from God, regardless of its packaging. This "damned if you do, damned if you don't" mentality (as alluded to in Lk 7:31-32's "children in the marketplace") showcases that their rejection was rooted in a pre-existing bias against God's will and His kingdom, rather than an objective assessment of the messengers.

Luke 7 33 Commentary

Luke 7:33 succinctly captures the human tendency to reject God's messengers and their message by fixating on perceived irregularities rather than the substance of truth. John's asceticism was not random; it signified deep commitment to God and preparedness for his prophetic role, particularly as the forerunner. Yet, his critics distorted this devotion into an accusation of demonic possession, a severe spiritual slander. This illustrates a profound spiritual hardness, as they were unwilling to accept God's call to repentance through John, regardless of his self-denying commitment. The accusation also serves as an indictment of the judgmental and inconsistent nature of that generation, as they would shortly condemn Jesus for the very opposite lifestyle. Their rejection stemmed from a resistance to God's will and truth, not from a consistent principle regarding human behavior. This pattern of misjudgment underscores the spiritual blindness that prevents many from recognizing divine truth and messengers.