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Luke 11:38

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Luke 11:38 describes a moment of observation and surprise during a dinner Jesus shared at a Pharisee's house. The host, a Pharisee, was astonished because Jesus did not perform the customary ceremonial washing before eating, a practice deeply ingrained in the religious traditions of the day.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' teaching on prayer and seeking God (Luke 11:9-13) and precedes His strong denunciation of the Pharisees' hypocrisy. In first-century Jewish society, particularly among the Pharisees, ritual purity was paramount. While washing hands before meals was a hygienic practice, the "washing" referred to here was a specific ceremonial purification, a tradition that had evolved beyond the Mosaic Law. It was believed to cleanse from ritual defilement encountered in daily life. The Pharisee's "marvel" underscores his expectation that a respected teacher like Jesus would strictly adhere to such established customs.

Key Themes

  • Outward vs. Inward Purity: The core tension in this verse, and indeed in much of Jesus' ministry, is the contrast between external religious observances and the condition of the heart. The Pharisee's focus was on a visible, ritualistic act, while Jesus consistently emphasized inner righteousness and spiritual cleansing. This theme is further explored in Luke 11:39-41, where Jesus directly addresses their misplaced priorities.
  • Tradition vs. True Piety: This incident highlights the danger of elevating human traditions above the true spirit of God's commands. While traditions can have value, they become problematic when they obscure the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).
  • Pharisaic Legalism: The Pharisee's surprise reveals the rigid legalism that characterized many of the Pharisees, who meticulously followed rules and traditions, sometimes at the expense of genuine compassion and spiritual understanding.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "washed" is ebaptisthe, from the verb baptizo. While this term is famously associated with water baptism, here it refers to a ritualistic washing or dipping, specifically for ceremonial cleansing before a meal. It implies more than a simple hand wash; it was a religious purification rite. The Pharisee's expectation stemmed from the oral law, not the written Torah.

Practical Application

Luke 11:38 serves as a timeless reminder for believers today. It challenges us to examine our own practices and priorities:

  • Focus on the Heart: Are we more concerned with outward appearances and religious rituals, or with the true condition of our hearts before God? Genuine faith transforms us from the inside out.
  • Beware of Legalism: This verse cautions against becoming overly rigid in human traditions, potentially missing the deeper spiritual truths and the grace offered by God.
  • Authenticity in Faith: Jesus consistently called for authenticity. Our worship and service should flow from a sincere desire to honor God, not from a need to impress others or adhere to mere external forms. Consider Jesus' teaching on true worship in John 4:24.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 7:2 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Matthew 15:3 (4 votes)

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

  • John 3:25 (3 votes)

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