Luke 11:37 - Printer Friendly

ESV: While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table.

NIV: When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table.

NASB: Now when He had spoken, a Pharisee *asked Him to have lunch with him; and He went in and reclined at the table.

CSB: As he was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him. So he went in and reclined at the table.

NLT: As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table.

KJV: And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

NKJV: And as He spoke, a certain Pharisee asked Him to dine with him. So He went in and sat down to eat.

Despite the Pharisees' antagonistic relationship with Jesus, they occasionally invite Him to their homes (Luke 7:36). As in Luke 7:36–50, the fact that they "recline" indicates this is a formal meal. They are lying on couches around a table. Most likely, the doors are open, and people are standing quietly along the walls to hear the conversation.

Later, Pharisees and lawyers will invite Jesus to dine on the Sabbath to see if He will heal a man. They intend to see if He will violate their interpretation of what it means to "do no work" on the holy day. He does, telling the religious leaders that if they would save an animal, He is justified in healing a man (Luke 14:1–6). Considering that situation, it's possible this Pharisee has invited Jesus to "provoke him to speak about many things…to catch him in something he might say" (Luke 11:53–54) as they will in the week before the crucifixion (Luke 20:19–20). Of course, it could have also been motivated by a desire for the prestige of hosting a notable person, genuine hospitality, or for further conversation, whether in the cultural tradition or from true curiosity about the things Jesus said.

The religious leaders get their wish but not in a way they expect. Jesus proceeds to describe Pharisees as "unmarked graves," "full of greed and wickedness" (Luke 11:39, 44). When the lawyers respond, Jesus tells them they follow the traditions of their fathers who killed God's prophets (Luke 11:45–52).

Luke 11:37–44 is a shocking indictment which completes the Pharisees' rejection of Jesus. They appear to be holy, but they are filled with spiritual death. Next, Jesus will turn to the lawyers who claim to follow the Mosaic law but are more faithful to the long tradition of persecuting God's prophets (Luke 11:45–52). While the lawyers and Pharisees attempt to destroy Jesus (Luke 11:53–54), He warns His disciples to stay strong in persecution, knowing the kingdom of God is near (Luke 12:1—13:9). Jesus will speak further about the scribes and Pharisees right before His crucifixion (Matthew 23).

Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray and explains God's intent to give "good" to those who ask. He then exorcizes a demon and refutes the claim that His power is satanic. Jesus explains that unreasonable skeptics will only see the "sign of Jonah." He then criticizes the superficial legalism of the Pharisees. In response, they plot against Him.

In what some scholars refer to as "The Travelogue to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51—19:27), Jesus prepares His disciples for His crucifixion and resurrection and the establishment of the church. The description begins with Christ teaching the disciples how to spread the news of the kingdom of God and reaffirming how they will be blessed, culminating in the Lord's Prayer (Luke 9:51—11:13). Luke 11 finishes with accounts of leaders who reject Jesus. The remainder of the travelogue gives a pattern of teaching on the kingdom of God, miracles, and explanations of salvation. Then Jesus enters Jerusalem to face the cross.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.