Luke 11:38
And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
Luke 11:38 in other translations
| BSB | But the Pharisee was surprised to see that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. |
|---|---|
| WEB | When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first washed himself before dinner. |
| ASV | And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first bathed himself before dinner. |
| YLT | and the Pharisee having seen, did wonder that he did not first baptize himself before the dinner. |
| DARBY | But the Pharisee seeing it wondered that he had not first washed before dinner. |
| BBE | And when the Pharisee saw it, he was surprised because he came to the meal without first washing himself. |
| Webster | And when the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first washed before dinner. |
What does Luke 11:38 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Lu 11:37-54. Denunciation of the Pharisees.
38. marvelled, &c.--(See Mr 7:2-4).Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Marvelled. Wondered. Was amazed. It was so unusual, and in his view so improper.
Had not first washed. He wondered particularly, as he had been among a mixed multitude, and they esteemed the touch of such persons polluting. They never ate, therefore, without such washing. The origin of the custom of washing with so much formality before they partook of their meals was that they did not use, as we do, knives and forks, but used their hands only. Hence, as their hands would be often in a dish on the table, it was esteemed proper that they should be washed clean before eating. Nor was their impropriety in the thing itself, but the Pharisees made it a matter of ceremony; they placed no small part of their religion in such ceremonies; and it was right, therefore, that our Lord should take occasion to reprove them for it. Comp. Mk 7:4.
(x) "when the Pharisees" Mk 7:3.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 11:37-54
We should all look to our hearts, that they may be cleansed and new-created; and while we attend to the great things of the law and of the gospel, we must not neglect the smallest matter God has appointed. When any wait to catch something out of our mouths, that they may insnare us, O Lord, give us thy prudence and thy patience, and disappoint their evil purposes. Furnish us with such meekness and patience that we…
Luke 11:38 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Luke 11:38
- Matthew 15:2-3
Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 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.
- Mark 7:2-5
And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 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?
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Luke 11:37
And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.
- Luke 11:38
And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
- Luke 11:39
And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
Luke 11:38 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Y el Fariseo, como lo vió, maravillóse de que no se lavó antes de comer. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Mais le pharisien, voyant cela, s’étonna parce qu’il ne s’était pas premièrement lavé avant le dîner. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Als aber der Pharisäer es sah, verwunderte er sich, daß er sich nicht erst vor dem Essen gewaschen hatte. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Pharisæus autem cœpit intra se reputans dicere, quare non baptizatus esset ante prandium. |