Luke 11:37-42

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 11:39

Ye - make clean the outside - See on Matthew 23:25 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 11:40

Did not he that made that which is without - Did not the maker of the dish form it so, both outwardly and inwardly, as to answer the purpose for which it was made? And can it answer this purpose without being clean in the inside as well as on the outside? God has made you such, both as to your bodies and souls, as he intended should show forth his praise; but can you think that the purpose of God can be accomplished by you while you only attend to external legal purifications, your hearts... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 11:41

Give alms of such things as ye have - Meaning either what was within the dishes spoken of before; or what was within their houses or power: or what they had at hand, for so τα ενοντα is used by the purest Greek writers. Cease from rapine: far from spoiling the poor by wicked exactions, rather give them alms of every thing you possess; and when a part of every thing you have is sincerely consecrated to God for the use of the poor, then all that remains will be clean unto you; you will have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 11:42

Ye tithe mint and rue - See on Matthew 23:23 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 11:37

Verse 37 This narrative agrees in some respects, but not entirely, with the doctrine laid down by Matthew, (Matthew 10:1,) that Christ, in order to correct the superstition of the people, and particularly of the scribes, intentionally disregarded outward ceremonies of human invention, which the Jews were too solicitous to observe. God had prescribed in his Law certain kinds of washings, that by means of them he might train his people usefully to the consideration of true purity. The Jews, not... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 11:39

Verse 39 39.Now you Pharisees Christ does not here charge the Pharisees, as in Matthew, (Matthew 15:1,) and Mark, (Mark 12:2,) with serving God in an improper manner by human inventions, and breaking the law of God for the sake of their traditions; but merely glances at their hypocrisy, in having no desire of purity except before the eyes of men, as if they had not to deal with God. Now this reproof applies to all hypocrites, even to those who believe that righteousness consists in ceremonies... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 11:41

Verse 41 41.But out of what you have, give alms. Christ, according to his custom, withdraws the Pharisees from ceremonies to charity, declaring that it is not water, but liberality, (285) that cleanses both men and food. By these words he does not disparage the grace of God, or reject the ceremonies of the Law as vain and useless; but addresses his discourse to those who feel confident that God will be amused by mere signs. “It is the lawful use alone,” he says, “that sanctifies food. But food... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 11:37-42

Piety out of perspective. We have seen pictures in which no regard whatever has been paid to the laws of perspective, and in which, as the consequence, the mountain has appeared as small as the men, the men as large as the mountain. These have been objects of amusement, but not of admiration. Unfortunately, there was nothing either amusing or admirable in these practical pictures of piety which the Pharisees were drawing, wholly out of perspective, in the time of our Lord. In them were— ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 11:37-54

In the Pharisee ' s house. The Lord ' s stern denunciation of the Pharisee teaching and life. The day was not far advanced, and the Master was probably weary and faint after the long and exciting discussion just related; taking advantage, probably, of this evident weariness, some of the Pharisee emissaries from the capital, to whose presence we have before alluded, suggested to one of their friends, who had a residence in the town where the events just related had taken place, that he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 11:37-54

Pharisaism and legalism rebuked. Our Lord, who was eminently social in his habits, accepts an invitation to dine with one of the Pharisees, and meets many Pharisees and lawyers there as guests. Such scenes were, to his pure and philanthropic mind, important opportunities, and as such he entered upon them. In this case he breaks ground at once by deliberately neglecting the usual preliminary ablutions. This was through no slovenliness in his personal habits, we may be sure; for if... read more

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