Luke 11:38 Meaning and Explanation
“And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Pharisee marvels that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.
What Does Luke 11:38 Mean?
The host is inwardly astonished: Jesus has not performed the ceremonial rinsing customary before eating. This washing was not a command of Scripture but a tradition of the elders, a ritual of purity.
Jesus' omission is not carelessness; it is teaching. He sees the silent verdict forming in his host's mind and will answer thought with word, as he did earlier in the chapter (Luke 11:17). The stage is set for a lesson on which kind of cleanness God actually requires.
Luke 11:38 in the Original Language
baptizo (βαπτίζω), 'washed' -- to dip or rinse; here the ceremonial washing before meals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 11:38
What does Luke 11:38 mean?
The Pharisee marvels that Jesus did not first wash before the meal.