Lucas 14:1

The setting for what follows is secondary to the attitude of the Pharisees who were present. They had already decided to do away with Jesus (Luke 11:53-54). Now the Pharisees and lawyers were watching Him like vultures waiting to pounce on their prey at the first opportunity (Luke 14:3). Views of the Sabbath were a major source of disagreement between Jesus and the Pharisees (cf. Luke 6:1-5; Luke 6:11; Luke 13:10-17). Quite possibly this leading Pharisee, perhaps a member of the Sanhedrin, had set a trap for Jesus by inviting him to his house for a Sabbath meal. Jesus had already violated Sabbath traditions on at least seven different occasions (Luke 4:31-39; Luke 6:1-5; John 5:1-9; Luke 6:6-10; Luke 13:10-17; John 9). Table fellowship implied friendship, but clearly this was hypocritical on this occasion.