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Luke 7

Luke 7:33

Jesus Testifies about John · Luke 7:24–35
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Translations

Modern
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’
Traditional
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
Literal
For John the Baptist has come neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’
Latin
Venit enim Joannes Baptista, neque manducans panem, neque bibens vinum, et dicitis: Dæmonium habet.

Original

Greek
English
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’

Notes

Luke 7:33

John the Baptist did not spend his time eating bread or drinking wine. He lived a simple life of self-denial that fit his role as a prophet. He announced God’s kingdom, the coming judgment of God, and the need for repentance and cleansing from sin.

Luke 7:31–35

To what, then, can I compare the men of this generation?: Jesus compares Israel to fickle children in the marketplace who play games of make-believe. They called John the Baptist to dance (a wedding game), but the serious prophet refused. Instead, he called them to mourn and repent of their sins.

Then they called on Jesus to mourn (a funeral game), but he was the bridegroom who announced the joyful celebration banquet of the kingdom of God. It would not have been appropriate for him to mourn (compare Mark 2:19–20).

Theme notes and profiles

John the Baptist

Events

Parallels

Malachi 3:1–5 Matthew 11:7–19

People

John: The Baptist, a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Jesus Christ John the Baptist Luke, Gospel of Prophecy

Topics

Asceticism: The Practice of John the Baptist Epicureans: Reject John the Baptist Jesus, the Christ: Receives the Message from John the Baptist (In Galilee) Jesus, the Christ: Rejected John: A Nazarite John: Jesus Discourses Upon Nazarite: John the Baptist Stoicism: Scripture Analogies to Came |Neither Eating Nor Drinking| Total Abstinence: John the Baptist Unbelief: General Scriptures Concerning