Luke 7:36 Meaning and Explanation
“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus accepts a meal at the table of one who is unsure of Him, opening the door to grace.
The Context of Luke 7:36
This sets the scene for the story of the woman who washes Jesus' feet with her tears (verses 37 to 50). The host is Simon, a Pharisee, a member of the strict religious party often at odds with Jesus. Yet here he invites Jesus to dine, and Jesus goes in and reclines at the table.
What Does Luke 7:36 Mean?
The invitation is quietly remarkable. The Pharisees were among those most suspicious of Jesus, and Simon's welcome may have been more curiosity than warmth, as the rest of the story will show. Yet Jesus goes. He "went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat," accepting a seat at a table where He was not entirely trusted. He did not wait for hosts who would honor Him perfectly. He came in, and in coming made room for what was about to happen.
This is the way of Christ: He shares tables with tax collectors and sinners, and also with Pharisees, going wherever a door is opened. Into this very room a broken woman would soon come weeping, and Jesus would speak the words she had waited her life to hear. He sat down at Simon's table, and grace walked in behind Him. He is still willing to enter, wherever He is asked, even where the welcome is uncertain.
How to Apply Luke 7:36 Today
Jesus accepted a place at the table of someone who only half-believed in Him, and grace came in through that open door. We need not have everything sorted out to invite Him in; He comes where He is welcomed, even when our welcome is unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 7:36
What does Luke 7:36 mean?
Jesus accepts a meal at the table of one who is unsure of Him, opening the door to grace.
What is the context of Luke 7:36?
This sets the scene for the story of the woman who washes Jesus' feet with her tears (verses 37 to 50). The host is Simon, a Pharisee, a member of the strict religious party often at odds with Jesus. Yet here he invites Jesus to dine, and Jesus goes in and reclines at the table.
How can I apply Luke 7:36 today?
Jesus accepted a place at the table of someone who only half-believed in Him, and grace came in through that open door. We need not have everything sorted out to invite Him in; He comes where He is welcomed, even when our welcome is unsure.