And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

LUKE 14:1KJV
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Luke 14:1 (KJV)

What does Luke 14:1 mean?

Luke 14:1 describes Jesus going into the house of a leading Pharisee to share a meal on the Sabbath, while those present were carefully observing him. The verse sets the scene for what follows, highlighting that Jesus was under close scrutiny by religious leaders during a significant religious occasion.

In this passage, Luke is narrating an event where Jesus is invited by a prominent Pharisee, a member of a respected religious group, to eat together on the Sabbath—a day of rest and worship for Jews. The mention that "they watched him" suggests that the Pharisees were not just being polite hosts but were paying close attention to Jesus, likely looking for reasons to criticize or challenge him, especially regarding Sabbath laws.

The Greek behind Luke 14:1

  • The word for "chief" is ἄρχων (archōn), which means a ruler or leading figure. This tells us the Pharisee hosting Jesus was not just any member, but someone with authority and influence.
  • The verb "they watched him" comes from παρατηρέω (paratēreō), which means to observe closely or watch with intent. This is stronger than casual observation; it implies they were looking for something specific, possibly hoping to catch Jesus in a mistake.

Why Luke 14:1 matters

  • Luke 14:1 prepares the reader for the tension in the following stories, where Jesus' actions and words are closely examined by religious leaders.
  • The verse highlights the social and religious dynamics at play—Jesus is invited into the home of a powerful Pharisee, but the atmosphere is one of scrutiny rather than simple hospitality.
  • Understanding this context helps explain why Jesus’ actions on the Sabbath, which follow in the chapter, are so significant and controversial to his audience.

Where else these words appear

“watched” Greek G3906 · used in 6 verses

  • Mark 3:2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
  • Luke 6:7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
  • Acts 9:24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

“chief” Greek G758 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
  • Luke 23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
  • Acts 4:26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

“sabbath” Greek G4521 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
  • Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
  • John 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

“eat” Greek G5315 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  • Luke 6:4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
  • John 18:28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.