Devine Scripture

Luke 11:37

What does Luke 11:37 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 11:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 11:37 means

The narrative shifts to a direct confrontation. While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee invited Him to dine at his house. Jesus accepts the invitation, enters the house, and immediately reclines at the table, a common practice for eating meals in that culture. This sets the stage for a critical interaction during the meal.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now as he spake, a Pharisee asketh him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now as he spake, a Pharisee asketh him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now, while he was talking, a Pharisee made a request that he would come to a meal with him; and he went in and took his seat at the meal.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And in <FI>his<Fi> speaking, a certain Pharisee was asking him that he might dine with him, and having gone in, he reclined (at meat),

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And as he was speaking, a certain Pharisee prayed him that he would dine with him. And he going in, sat down to eat.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But as he spoke, a certain Pharisee asked him that he would dine with him; and entering in he placed himself at table.

Context

This verse marks a distinct shift in the chapter's setting and content, moving from general public teaching to a private, yet critical, encounter with a Pharisee at a meal. It serves as the immediate prelude to Jesus' stern rebuke of the Pharisees' external religious practices. This invitation and Jesus' acceptance set the stage for His pronouncements of woe in the verses that follow.

v.36If therefore thy whole body be full of light, having no part dark, it shall be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining doth give thee light.

v.37This passage

v.38And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first bathed himself before dinner.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 7:36

    And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.

  • Luke 14:1

    And it came to pass, when he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a sabbath to eat bread, that they were watching him.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:19

    For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.

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