Luke 19:7

And when they saw [it], they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

And {G2532} when they saw {G1492} it, they {G1234} all {G537} murmured {G1234}, saying {G3004}, That {G3754} he was gone {G1525} to be guest {G2647} with {G3844} a man {G435} that is a sinner {G268}.

Everyone who saw it began muttering, “He has gone to be the house-guest of a sinner.”

And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!”

And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, He is gone in to lodge with a man that is a sinner.

Luke 19:7 KJV: "And when they saw [it], they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner."

Context of Luke 19:7

This verse captures the immediate and negative reaction of the crowd in Jericho to Jesus's decision to invite Himself to be a guest in the home of Zacchaeus. Earlier in the chapter (Luke 19:1-6), Jesus had entered Jericho, and Zacchaeus, a chief publican (tax collector) and a wealthy man, climbed a sycamore tree to see Him. Jesus, seeing Zacchaeus, called him by name and declared He must stay at his house. Tax collectors were deeply reviled in Jewish society, often seen as traitors for collaborating with the Roman authorities and as dishonest for their common practice of extortion. Therefore, Jesus's willingness to associate with such a man was considered scandalous and elicited widespread disapproval from the onlookers.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Challenging Social Norms: This verse powerfully illustrates Jesus's consistent disregard for societal prejudices and His radical inclusivity. He deliberately chose to associate with those marginalized and condemned by the religious and social elite, demonstrating that His message of salvation was for all, regardless of their past or profession.
  • The Nature of "Sinners": The crowd's labeling of Zacchaeus as "a sinner" reflects the prevailing societal and religious judgment of the day. In this context, "sinners" often referred to a class of people (like tax collectors and prostitutes) who were considered beyond the pale of religious respectability. Jesus's actions directly challenged this narrow view, showing that God's grace extends to those whom society has outcast.
  • Divine Initiative and Mercy: The murmuring of the crowd highlights their judgmentalism, contrasting sharply with Jesus's proactive and compassionate pursuit of the lost. Jesus's mission was not to avoid sinners but to seek them out for transformation, a mission explicitly stated in Luke 19:10: "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." This encounter is a testament to God's desire to reach out to those in need of spiritual healing.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated as "murmured" is diagongyzo, which conveys a sense of deep, discontented grumbling or whispering. This term is frequently used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) to describe the Israelites' complaints against God and Moses during their wilderness journey, suggesting a spirit of critical disapproval and opposition. The term "sinner" (Greek: hamartolos) broadly means "one who misses the mark" or "transgressor," and here it carries the weight of public condemnation and moral corruption, particularly associated with the despised profession of a tax collector.

Practical Application

Luke 19:7 serves as a profound challenge to believers today, urging us to examine our own attitudes towards those whom society or even religious circles might deem "unworthy." It calls us to embody Jesus's radical hospitality and non-judgmental love, extending grace and fellowship to all people, regardless of their background, reputation, or past mistakes. Just as Jesus did not shy away from associating with Zacchaeus, we are encouraged to overcome our own prejudices and actively seek out opportunities to share the transforming power of the Gospel with everyone. This passage reminds us that our call is to reflect God's inclusive love, not to perpetuate societal divisions, echoing the broader theme of Jesus's willingness to eat with tax collectors and sinners, as seen in Luke 5:30.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 7:39

    Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

  • Luke 15:2

    And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

  • Luke 7:34

    The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!

  • Matthew 9:11

    And when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

  • Luke 5:30

    But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

  • Luke 18:9

    ¶ And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

  • Luke 18:14

    I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

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