Luke 11:38

KJV

And when the Pharisee saw [it], he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when the Pharisee {G5330} saw {G1492} it, he marvelled {G2296} that {G3754} he had {G907} not {G3756} first {G4412} washed {G907} before {G4253} dinner {G712}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and the Parush was surprised that he didn’t begin by doing n’tilat yadayim before the meal.

Berean Standard Bible

But the Pharisee was surprised to see that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.

American Standard Version

And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first bathed himself before dinner.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 11:38 captures a pivotal moment during a meal at a Pharisee's home, where the host observes Jesus' omission of the customary ceremonial handwashing before dinner. This seemingly simple detail sparks surprise in the Pharisee and serves as a critical setup for Jesus' subsequent teachings, highlighting the profound tension between external religious observances and the true, internal purity of the heart that Jesus consistently championed.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Luke's Gospel, immediately following Jesus' teachings on prayer and seeking God's Spirit ([Luke 11:1-13](/luke/11-1-13 "Luke 11:1-13 - The Lord's Prayer and Seeking God")) and preceding a series of strong denunciations, or "woes," against the Pharisees and legal experts ([Luke 11:39-54](/luke/11-39-54 "Luke 11:39-54 - Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers")). The Pharisee's marvel at Jesus' "unwashed" state acts as the catalyst for Jesus to expose the hypocrisy of those who meticulously adhere to outward rituals while neglecting the weightier matters of justice and love. The narrative shifts from Jesus' instruction to His disciples to a direct confrontation with the religious establishment, underscoring His challenge to their misplaced priorities.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, particularly among the Pharisees, ritual purity was a cornerstone of daily life and religious devotion. While basic hygiene was practiced, the "washing" referred to in this verse was not merely for cleanliness but a specific ceremonial ablution, known as *netilat yadayim*, which had evolved from oral traditions (Halakha) rather than direct Mosaic Law. This practice was believed to cleanse individuals from ritual defilement contracted through daily interactions, ensuring they were pure before partaking in a meal, which was often seen as a sacred act. The Pharisees, as a sect, were renowned for their meticulous adherence to these traditions, often elevating them to the same level of importance as the written Torah. For a respected teacher like Jesus to disregard such a deeply ingrained and publicly observed custom was not just a social faux pas but a profound religious statement, challenging the very fabric of their understanding of piety.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 11:38 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and Jesus' ministry. Firstly, it starkly highlights the **Outward vs. Inward Purity** debate, where the Pharisee's focus on external ritual contrasts sharply with Jesus' consistent emphasis on the condition of the heart and spiritual cleanliness. This tension is immediately elaborated upon in [Luke 11:39-41](/luke/11-39-41 "Luke 11:39-41 - Jesus Condemns Pharisaic Hypocrisy"), where Jesus directly addresses their misplaced priorities. Secondly, the incident underscores the danger of elevating **Tradition over True Piety**. Human traditions, while potentially valuable, become problematic when they obscure or replace the true spirit of God's commands, leading to legalism rather than genuine righteousness. This is a recurring critique Jesus levels against the religious leaders, as seen in [Matthew 15:1-9](/matthew/15-1-9 "Matthew 15:1-9 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees for Their Traditions"). Finally, the Pharisee's reaction reveals the pervasive **Pharisaic Legalism** of the era, characterized by a meticulous adherence to rules and traditions, often at the expense of compassion, justice, and a true understanding of God's will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pharisee (Greek, _Pharisaîos'_):** From a Hebrew origin meaning "separatist," this term refers to a Jewish sect known for its strict adherence to the Law and oral traditions. In this context, the Pharisee represents the religious establishment whose understanding of purity and piety is challenged by Jesus' actions.
* **marvelled (Greek, _thaumázō'_):** This verb signifies to wonder or admire. Here, it conveys the Pharisee's surprise, astonishment, and perhaps disapproval or perplexity at Jesus' unexpected behavior. It indicates a significant breach of social and religious expectation from the Pharisee's perspective.
* **washed (Greek, _baptízō'_):** While famously associated with Christian baptism, in this context, _baptízō_ refers to a ceremonial immersion or washing, specifically a ritualistic cleansing before a meal. It implies more than mere hygiene, pointing to a religious purification rite deeply embedded in the oral law of the time.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the Pharisee saw [it],"**: This clause sets the scene, introducing the observer (the Pharisee) and the object of his observation ("it" referring to Jesus' omission of the washing). The use of "And" (G1161, _dé_) serves as a continuative, linking this observation to the preceding narrative and preparing the reader for the ensuing dialogue. The Pharisee's act of "seeing" (G1492, _eídō_) is not just physical sight but an act of perceiving and noting a significant deviation from expected behavior.
* **"he marvelled"**: This phrase captures the Pharisee's immediate reaction. His "marvel" (G2296, _thaumázō_) is a strong emotional response, indicating his astonishment and perhaps even a degree of shock or judgment that Jesus, a respected teacher, would disregard such a fundamental custom.
* **"that he had not first washed before dinner."**: This final clause specifies the precise reason for the Pharisee's astonishment. The phrase "first washed" (G4412, _prōton_ G907, _baptízō_) emphasizes the priority and ritualistic nature of the ablution. The omission "before dinner" (G4253, _pró_ G712, _áriston_) highlights the specific context of the meal, where such ceremonial cleansing was considered essential for maintaining ritual purity.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 11:38 effectively employs several literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the Pharisee, a meticulous adherent to purity laws, is surprised by Jesus' lack of external washing, while Jesus himself embodies true, internal purity. This sets up the deeper irony that the "clean" Pharisee is spiritually defiled by his hypocrisy, whereas the "unwashed" Jesus is perfectly pure. There is also a clear **Contrast** established between Jesus' freedom from human traditions and the Pharisee's rigid adherence to them, highlighting the divergent paths to righteousness. Furthermore, the verse serves as **Foreshadowing**, signaling the escalating conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities. This seemingly minor incident becomes a flashpoint, anticipating the broader theological disputes and condemnations that follow, where Jesus consistently challenges the superficiality of their piety.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 11:38 serves as a theological hinge, pivoting from Jesus' teachings on prayer to His direct confrontation with the religious establishment over the nature of true piety. The Pharisee's surprise underscores a fundamental theological divide: the human tendency to equate righteousness with outward performance and adherence to human-made rules, versus God's desire for internal transformation and a heart devoted to justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus' refusal to conform to this tradition is not an act of rebellion for rebellion's sake, but a deliberate statement that true defilement comes from within, from the heart's intentions and attitudes, not from external contact or the omission of a ritual. This incident powerfully illustrates the New Covenant's emphasis on spiritual reality over ceremonial observance, pointing to a deeper cleansing than any ritual could provide.

* [Matthew 15:1-20](/matthew/15-1-20 "Matthew 15:1-20 - What Defiles a Person"): Jesus explicitly teaches that what comes out of the mouth from the heart defiles a person, not what goes into it, directly addressing the issue of ritual handwashing.
* [Mark 7:1-23](/mark/7-1-23 "Mark 7:1-23 - Clean and Unclean"): A parallel account where Jesus critiques the Pharisees for prioritizing human tradition over God's commands, specifically regarding ceremonial washings.
* [Isaiah 1:10-17](/isaiah/1-10-17 "Isaiah 1:10-17 - True Worship and Justice"): An Old Testament prophetic warning against ritualistic worship devoid of justice and righteousness, echoing Jesus' critique of the Pharisees.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 11:38 offers a timeless challenge to believers across generations, urging us to scrutinize the foundations of our own faith and practice. Are we, like the Pharisee, more concerned with maintaining an outward appearance of piety, meticulously observing traditions, or are we genuinely focused on the inner transformation of our hearts by the Spirit of God? This verse calls us to move beyond superficial religiosity to a faith that is authentic, deeply rooted in love for God and neighbor, and expressed through genuine righteousness and compassion. It cautions against the subtle creep of legalism, where human rules and preferences begin to overshadow the core tenets of the Gospel—grace, truth, and the radical call to love. Our worship and service should flow from a sincere, Spirit-filled heart, not from a desire to impress others or conform to external expectations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my spiritual life might I be prioritizing outward appearances or human traditions over the true condition of my heart before God?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper focus on internal purity and genuine righteousness, as opposed to merely adhering to external religious practices?**
* **Am I quick to judge others based on their adherence (or lack thereof) to traditions that may not be central to the Gospel?**
* **What does "true piety" look like in my daily life, beyond Sunday services and formal religious acts?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of the Pharisee's washing custom?**

Answer: The washing custom observed by the Pharisee was not merely for hygienic purposes but was a deeply significant ceremonial purification rite known as *netilat yadayim*. This practice was part of the oral law, or Halakha, which had developed alongside the written Torah. It was believed to ritually cleanse individuals from any defilement they might have incurred through daily contact with the world, ensuring they were pure before partaking in a meal, which was often considered a sacred act. For the Pharisees, strict adherence to these traditions was a mark of their devotion and separation from the common people, embodying their commitment to holiness. Jesus' omission of this ritual was therefore seen as a direct challenge to their understanding of purity and religious authority.

**Why did Jesus not wash before dinner?**

Answer: Jesus' decision not to perform the ceremonial washing was a deliberate and symbolic act, not an oversight. It was a direct challenge to the Pharisees' elevation of human traditions above God's true commands and a powerful statement about the nature of true purity. Jesus consistently taught that defilement comes from within, from the evil intentions and desires of the heart, rather than from external contact or the omission of a ritual (as seen in [Mark 7:14-23](/mark/7-14-23 "Mark 7:14-23 - What Defiles a Person")). By not washing, Jesus demonstrated that He was not bound by human-made rules that obscured the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. His "unwashed" hands underscored His radical purity and His mission to cleanse hearts, not just hands, pointing to a spiritual transformation that transcends mere external observances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 11:38, though seemingly a minor social interaction, profoundly foreshadows and illuminates the Christ-centered nature of true purity and fulfillment. Jesus' deliberate omission of the ceremonial washing is not an act of casual disregard but a powerful prophetic gesture. He, the perfectly pure and sinless Son of God, has no need for external rituals to cleanse Him, for He is the source of all cleansing. His "unwashed" hands implicitly declare His inherent holiness, which far surpasses any ritualistic purity. More profoundly, this incident points to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of all Old Testament laws and rituals concerning purity. The ceremonial washings were shadows, pointing forward to the reality of a complete and internal cleansing that only Christ could provide through His sacrifice. He came not to reform external practices but to transform the human heart, offering a spiritual ablution that truly purifies from sin ([Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13-14 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). His subsequent teachings in [Luke 11:39-41](/luke/11-39-41 "Luke 11:39-41 - Jesus Condemns Pharisaic Hypocrisy") reveal that true cleanliness is found in a heart filled with justice and love, a heart that gives to the needy, rather than in outward displays of piety. Thus, Jesus, by His very presence and actions, embodies the new covenant's emphasis on inward transformation, making external rituals obsolete for those who are made truly clean by His blood and indwelling Spirit ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16-17 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow and Reality")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, providing the ultimate and final cleansing ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 7:2

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

Mark 7:5

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

Matthew 15:2

Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

Matthew 15:3

But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

John 3:25

Then there arose a question between [some] of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.