Day 57

Luke 11:37–44 (NIV)

³⁷ When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. ³⁸ But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised. ³⁹ Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. ⁴⁰ You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? ⁴¹ But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.

⁴² “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. ⁴³ “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. ⁴⁴ “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without knowing it.”

Helpful Info

Not about physical cleansing but for spiritual cleansing

Jewish tradition made a point of such a practice (Gen. 18:4; Judg. 19:21). Such washing, though described in the OT, was not prescribed. Jesus chooses not to follow it here, even though he is in a Pharisee’s house. This is no neutral matter for the Pharisee or for Jesus, given what it signifies for both. For the Pharisees, the issue is ritual purity before God; for Jesus, it is additional burdens to God’s revelation. It is significant that the host says nothing about what he is thinking and yet Jesus responds to his thoughts. Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke Volume 2: 9:51-24:53. Baker exegetical commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.

vs 44-Nothing spread ritual impurity as severely as a corpse; Pharisees believed that one contracted impurity if even one’s shadow touched a corpse or grave. Inconspicuous tombs (or limestone ossuaries) would be whitewashed each spring to warn passersby to avoid them and so to avoid impurity, but the Pharisees lack this telltale warning sign. They are impure on the inside, but look religious on the outside.Keener, C. S., & InterVarsity Press. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary : New Testament. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

Why did Jesus act the way he did in the Pharisee’s house? Why was it not rude?

What do I put too much importance in when it comes to the outward? Are there rituals that that I put too much importance in, placing them on a level God never intended?

What do I put too little importance in when it comes to the inside?

Notice the importance Jesus places on not being the cause of others to sin? What does it say to us?

Notes

On two other occasions Jesus has been invited to home of Pharisee to eat 7:36, 14:1. Both times the events around the meal cause the differences between Jesus and the Pharisees to show up. This time it is the meal itself and the conversation that cause the division to be shown. Jesus this time is telling the Pharisees they are wrong about everything.

It is highly unusual for a guest to act this way at a host house. The conversation shows that Jesus cannot put up anymore with the harm the Pharisees are causing, not only to themselves but also to others. Remember Jesus remarks concerning the care of little children Matt 18:6. Jesus is trying to stop these he is talking to from doing tremendous harm so the rules of hospitality do not apply. Luke makes this clear by using "Lord" as the way he refers to Jesus beginning his comments in vs 39

vs 38 -39 see helpful info- washing hands had become a ritual of the Jews. Jesus doesn’t follow it and can see the surprise of the others around the table.

Jesus then extends the question of true purity not only to hand washing but to the other ritual of cleaning outside of plates, bowls, etc.

40-41 True purity isn't in keeping a ritual; it is in what is inside you. With both barrels Jesus now attacks the evil in the Pharisees approach to faith. They are all about procedures and customs and have long ago forgotten what these things were meant to point to.

Purity is important, even Jesus isn't saying the outward cannot be done. But never should the outward things be taken for what is important, the heart, the love, the justice inside an individual is what is needed to be truly pure! Caring for the poor is what Jesus brings up as what they need to be focusing on. (always an issue of indictment for God's people Isa 1:17, 3:14)

What do I put too much importance in when it comes to the outward?

What do I put too little importance in when it comes to the inside?

vs 42- in a strange way this is one of the rare verses where Jesus talks about tithing. Tithing involved not just money but also crops and animals. Deut 14:22-29. Jesus uses the example of the Pharisee being so concerned that they even measured out a tenth of their herbs for the tithe! Jesus saying great to tithe but remember why you tithe. It is about an attitude of justice and love! Jesus point the Pharisees doing what can measured but not doing what comes from the heart. similar to the outside cup issue.

Easier to follow a law than to show love!

vs 43- Then he comes to the arrogance of the Pharisees. They want to be noticed for how Godly they are. They take the seats of honor in synagogue and stand in the marketplace so everyone has to pay homage to them. Sign of respect to a superior to greet them first. Pharisee go around in flowing robes so everyone know who they are. (Mark 12:38-39)

Remember humility. 14:7-11

Final condemnation is what really concerns Jesus. Bad enough that Pharisees go wrong way but they also by their false religion cause others to follow and become unclean

Be careful how you lead! Don’t get caught up in little things so that you forget the big picture. Pharisee so concerned about breaking the law of God that they forgot what the law’s intent was.