Luke 11:37-38

Many of Jesus’ teaching opportunities arose during meals (cf. Luke 14:1-24; Matthew 15:1-20; Matthew 23:1-36; Mark 7:1-22). This was one such occasion. Jesus offended His host by not washing ritually before eating. Luke omitted an explanation of the Jewish custom (cf. Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-4) and only recorded the reason for the Pharisee’s objection. The Mosaic Law did not demand this washing (Gr. baptizo), but it had become customary, and the Pharisees viewed it as a safeguard against defilement.