DINNER WITH A PHARISEE

Passage: Luke 11:37-44

Key verse: 41

NIV

Woes on the Pharisees and the Experts in the Law

37 When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table.(A) 38 But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.(B)

39 Then the Lord(C) said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.(D) 40 You foolish people!(E) Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor,(F) and everything will be clean for you.(G)

42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth(H) of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God.(I) You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.(J)

43 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.(K)

44 “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves,(L) which people walk over without knowing it.”

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers

37 While Jesus[a] was speaking, (A)a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. 38 The Pharisee was astonished to see (B)that he did not first wash before dinner. 39 And the Lord said to him, (C)“Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of (D)greed and wickedness. 40 (E)You fools! (F)Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But (G)give as alms those things that are within, and behold, (H)everything is clean for you.

42 (I)“But woe to you Pharisees! For (J)you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect (K)justice and (L)the love of God. (M)These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! For (N)you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you! (O)For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 11:37 Greek he
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Real cleanliness (37-41)

Jesus did not follow the religious custom of dipping his hands in a bowl of water for ceremonial cleansing. When his host, a Pharisee, was surprised, Jesus taught him about real cleanliness. One whose heart is full of greed and wickedness cannot be called 'clean', even though he takes a shower every day. A clean heart is full of love and is eager to give to others. It is not a selfish beggar's heart, that always seeks to get something.

2. Justice and the love of God (42-44)

A hypocrite is one whose inner life is quite different from the impression given by his words and actions. Even if he engages in many religious activities, if he doesn't love God, he only offends God. If we love God from the heart, we will also care about people and want to see justice for all. Activities not based on God's love become ways of seeking self-glory.

Prayer: Lord, purify my heart and fill me with love for you and for others.

One Word: Love God and practice justice