Luke 7:33

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

For {G1063} John {G2491} the Baptist {G910} came {G2064} neither {G3383} eating {G2068} bread {G740} nor {G3383} drinking {G4095} wine {G3631}; and {G2532} ye say {G3004}, He hath {G2192} a devil {G1140}.

For Yochanan has come not eating bread and not drinking wine; and you say, `He has a demon!'

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’

For John the Baptist is come eating no bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a demon.

Luke 7:33 (KJV) states, "For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil." This verse captures Jesus' observation about the unreasonable criticism directed at John the Baptist by the people of His generation.

Context

This statement is part of a larger discourse by Jesus, immediately following His commendation of John the Baptist to the crowds, and His subsequent lament over the spiritual blindness of "this generation." Jesus points out the paradox: John, who lived an ascetic life in the wilderness, was rejected as being demon-possessed, while Jesus, who came eating and drinking like others, was accused of being a glutton and a winebibber (Luke 7:34). The verse highlights a pattern of rejection towards God's messengers, regardless of their method or lifestyle, simply because their message called for repentance and challenged the status quo.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Rejection of God's Messengers: The verse underscores how people often find excuses to reject divine truth, no matter how it is presented. John's austere lifestyle, intended to signify his prophetic calling and message of repentance, was twisted into an accusation of demonic influence. This foreshadows the similar rejection Jesus would face.
  • Hypocrisy and Unreasonableness: Jesus exposes the inconsistent and illogical nature of the critics. They condemned John for his abstinence and Jesus for His social engagement, demonstrating a heart unwilling to accept truth, rather than a genuine concern for righteousness. Their judgment was based on prejudice, not principle.
  • John the Baptist's Unique Calling: John's abstemious lifestyle, not eating ordinary bread or drinking wine, echoes the traditions of a Nazirite vow or the practices of prophets like Elijah (2 Kings 1:8), setting him apart as a voice crying in the wilderness. This asceticism was a sign of his dedication and the urgency of his message to prepare the way for the Messiah (Malachi 3:1).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "neither eating bread nor drinking wine" (οὔτε ἄρτον ἐσθίων οὔτε οἶνον πίνων - oute arton esthion oute oinon pinon) emphasizes John's stark, austere lifestyle. It contrasts sharply with normal social customs and serves to highlight his prophetic distinctiveness. The accusation "He hath a devil" (δαιμόνιον ἔχει - daimonion echei) reveals the severe and often malicious nature of the opposition's judgment, attributing divine work to demonic power.

Practical Application

Luke 7:33 serves as a powerful reminder that genuine spiritual truth and those who proclaim it may face irrational opposition and false accusations. It encourages believers to:

  • Discern Critically: Be wary of those who condemn others based on superficial appearances or personal preferences, rather than on the content of their character or message.
  • Stand Firm in Truth: Understand that faithfulness to God's calling, regardless of lifestyle (whether austere like John's or socially engaged like Jesus'), can attract unwarranted criticism. The focus should remain on pleasing God, not man.
  • Recognize Spiritual Blindness: Acknowledge that a heart unwilling to receive truth will always find reasons to reject it, even when presented in diverse ways. This highlights the need for a receptive heart to truly understand God's will.

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 1:15

    For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

  • Mark 1:6

    And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

  • Jeremiah 16:8

    Thou shalt not also go into the house of feasting, to sit with them to eat and to drink.

  • Jeremiah 16:10

    ¶ And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the LORD pronounced all this great evil against us? or what [is] our iniquity? or what [is] our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?

  • John 8:52

    Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

  • Acts 2:13

    Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

  • John 10:20

    And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

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