Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 19:7
And when they saw [it,] they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
7. they all murmured ] Rather, they all began to murmur aloud.
The all’ is very significant as shewing how deep-seated was the national feeling which, because it was unworthy, our Lord at the very zenith of His earthly popularity thus unflinchingly braved. Many of them may not have heard His previous vindication of His object (Mat 9:11-13).
to be guest ] Literally, “to put up” as though at a guest-chamber ( kataluma), Luk 2:7; Mar 14:14.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Murmured – Found fault, complained.
To be a guest – To remain with, or to be entertained by.
A man that is a sinner – All publicans they regarded as great sinners, and the chief of the publicans, therefore, they regarded as especially wicked. It would appear also from Zacchaeus confession that his character had been that of an oppressive man. But the people seemed to forget that he might be a penitent, and that the Messiah came to save that which was lost.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 7. To be guest with a man that is a sinner.] Meaning either that he was a heathen, or, though by birth a Jew, yet as bad as a heathen, because of his unholy and oppressive office. See Clarke on Lu 7:37.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
All here must not be taken for every individual person, that is not to be presumed either of all the inhabitants of Jericho, or, much less, of all that were in Christs company: amongst others Mary Magdalene was at this time in his company, who had no reason to murmur at that. But of what sort of people were these murmurers? The voice is the voice of Pharisees, who had often quarrelled at Christ for this, and of their disciples; for there were multitudes of the Jews that had drunk in the superstitions of that faction, and were more afraid of keeping company with sinners, than themselves being so; of having fellowship with their excommunicates in their houses, than of having fellowship with their, or greater, works of darkness. Our Saviour had before answered this cavil, he will now come to show them they were mistaken in the man; that he whom they counted a sinner, was a better man than themselves generally were.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
7. to be guestor lodge:something more than “eating with” such (Lu15:2).
a sinnerthat was onebut a minute ago, but now is not. This mighty change, however, wasall unknown to them. But they shall know it presently. “Sinner”would refer both to his office, vile in the eyes of a Jew, and to hischaracter, which it is evident was not good.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when they saw it,…. The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions read, “when they all saw this”; that is, as the Persic version, rather paraphrasing than translating, says, “the men and the multitude that were with him”; the “pharisaical” sort, the priests and Levites, of which there were great numbers in Jericho;
[See comments on Lu 10:31].
They all murmured; as the Scribes and Pharisees did, at his eating with publicans and sinners, Lu 15:2.
Saying, that he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner; a notorious one, an abandoned profligate creature; one of the worst of sinners, as being a publican, and the chief of them; who had amassed vast riches to himself, by extortion and oppression; and they thought it was not agreeable to the character of an holy man, and a venerable prophet, which Christ bore, to go into such a man’s house, eat at his table; and have familiar conversation with him; see Mt 9:10.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Murmured (). Imperfect middle of this compound onomatopoetic word –. In Lu 5:30 we have the simple , a late word like the cooing doves or the hum of bees. This compound with – is still rarer, but more expressive.
To lodge (). Jesus was the hero of this crowd from Galilee on their way to the passover. But here he had shocked their sensibilities and those of the people of Jericho by inviting himself to be the guest of this chief publican and notorious sinner who had robbed nearly everybody in the city by exorbitant taxes.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
To be guest [] . More correctly, Rev., lodge. See on ch. Luk 9:12.
A sinner. See on ch. Luk 3:12.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying,” (kai idontes pantes diegonguzon legontes) “And all those beholding murmured, complained, found fault, repeatedly saying,” among themselves, as a reflection of their national prejudice against tax collectors or publicans.
2) “That he was gone to be guest,” (hoti eiselthen katalusai) “That he was gone in to lodge,” to be a guest or as a guest, to accept the hospitality of a wealthy tax collector, Luk 19:2.
3) “With a man that is a sinner.” (para hamartolo andri) “In association with a lawless man,” an immoral and unethical sinner, despised especially by the Jewish rulers, as reflected in Mat 9:11; Mat 9:13. Yet, Jesus came to call sinners to repentance, not good men, Luk 19:10.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
7. And when they saw it, they all murmured. The inhabitants of the town — and, perhaps, some of Christ’s followers — murmur that he goes to lodge with a man who is looked upon as wicked and infamous, even though nobody invited him. It is thus that the world disregards the offer of the grace of God, but complains bitterly (678) when it is conveyed to others. But let us consider how unjust this murmuring was. They think it unreasonable that Christ should bestows so great an honor on a wicked man; for in this passage, as in many others, the word sinner is not taken in the ordinary sense, (679) but denotes a man of disgraceful and scandalous life. Let us suppose that Zaccheus was a person of this description. Still, we ought first to inquire for what purpose Christ chose to become his guest; for, while out of doors men are murmuring, within the house God displays magnificently the glory of this name, and refutes their wicked calumny.
The conversion of Zaccheus was an astonishing work of God, and yet there was no good reason why Zaccheus should be marked with infamy. He had the charge of collecting the taxes. Now to collect taxes was no crime in itself, but men of that class were exceedingly despised and hated by the Jews, because they reckoned it to be in the highest degree unjust that they should pay tribute. But whatever might be the character of Zaccheus, still the kindness of Christ ought not to be blamed, but commended, in not refusing his assistance to a wretched man, to rescue him from destruction, and bring him to salvation. And therefore the offense which was wickedly taken did not hinder him from proceeding to execute his Father’s command. With such magnanimity ought all his ministers to be endued, as to think more highly of the salvation of one soul than of the murmurs which all ignorant persons may utter, and not to desist from their duty, even though all their actions and words may expose them to reproaches.
(678) “ Et cependant est envieux et marri;” — “and yet is envious and offended.”
(679) “ Et ne signifie pas ce que communeement nous appelons pecheur ; ” — “and does not mean what we usually call a sinner. ”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(7) They all murmured.Better, were all murmuring. It is significant that the murmur was not confined to a special section of rigorous Pharisees, but came from the whole crowd. The chief publican was clearly not popular, and probably the priestly tone of the place (see Note on Luk. 19:5) gave additional strength to all caste feelings. We are carried forward in this verse from the promise to the performance. Our Lord was in the house when the murmurs found expression.
With a man that is a sinner.The term was obviously used from the popular Pharisaic stand-point, as attaching necessarily to the calling of Zacchus. He had placed Himself on a level with the heathen or the vilest Jew, and ought to be treated accordingly.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. All murmured Here is the last mutter of the cavillers at our Lord’s dealings of mercy to the outcast publicans. See note on Luk 19:1. It was, however, no murmur of Pharisees alone; but of all the crowd, who, supposing that he is on his way to take possession of the Messianic kingdom at Jerusalem, deem it unbecoming for him to give countenance to an agent of Roman despotism.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He is gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.” ’
But all that the crowds saw was this rapacious and evil man, and that Jesus had gone in to stay with him in his house of crime. And they murmured among themselves. Something was wrong here. Jesus seemed to be putting himself on the side of the sinners. Did He have no thought for all the people who had been wronged by this man? For this man was not just your normal sinner. From the human point of view he was a great sinner. He was a traitor and unscrupulous, and there seemed no good in him. But what they could not see was what Jesus could see, the work that was going on in Zacchaeus’ heart. Had it not been for that Jesus would never have been in that house. But when there was a lost sheep to be found, the Shepherd would go anywhere.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Luk 19:7. Gone to be guest with a man Or, To a man. The phrase , properly signifies, “to bait at a person’s house on a journey;” referring to the laying down their own burdens, or loosening them from theirbeasts, at such times and places.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
7 And when they saw it , they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
Ver. 7. They all murmured ] So corrupt was their judgment concerning the offices and condition of the Messiah; so ill set were their affections, that themselves neglecting the grace of God that was offered, they take it ill that any other should partake of it.
By false accusation ] After the manner of sycophants, . It seems it was his practice, that if any had spoken aught against him; he accused them as wrongers of the law, and that he did nothing to them but what he had law for.
a An informer, tale bearer, malicious accuser; a calumniator, traducer, slanderer. Obs. D
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
7. ] The murmurers are Jews who were accompanying Him to Jerusalem, on the road to which Zacchus’s house lay (see Luk 19:1 ).
. belongs to . His profession in life, and perhaps an unprincipled exercise of his power in it, had earned him this name with his fellow-countrymen. Cf. his confession in the next verse.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Luk 19:7 . : general muttered dissent (not even the Twelve excepted), which Jesus anticipated and disregarded. Note His courage, and how much prejudice the uncommon in conduct has to reckon with. : no reason to think with some ancient and modern commentators that Zacchaeus was a Gentile, a son of Abraham only in a spiritual sense. They thought him unfit to be Christ’s host because he was a “sinner” (Grotius). A sinner of course because a publican, a great sinner because a chief publican.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
murmured = began to murmur aloud.
to be guest = to lodge, or put up. Compare Luk 2:7. Mar 14:14.
with. Greek. para. App-104.
a man that is a sinner = a sinful man. sinner. Greek. hamartolos. Compare App-128.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
7.] The murmurers are Jews who were accompanying Him to Jerusalem, on the road to which Zacchuss house lay (see Luk 19:1).
. belongs to . His profession in life, and perhaps an unprincipled exercise of his power in it, had earned him this name with his fellow-countrymen. Cf. his confession in the next verse.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Luk 19:7. , they all began murmuring) rather from a doubt [as to the propriety of His proceeding] as concerns the greater portion of them [i.e. as distinguished from the Pharisees and the Scribes], than with a feeling of indignation. [Comp. ch. Luk 15:2.-V. g.]-, He went in) and that, too, of His own accord, engaging Himself to be the guest of a publican, a thing which on other occasions He was not wont to do. [This act is going even yet further than the act of eating with sinners in the way which is mentioned in ch. Luk 15:2; Luk 15:5; Luk 15:30.-V. g.]
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
they all: Luk 5:30, Luk 7:34, Luk 7:39, Luk 15:2, Luk 18:9-14, Mat 9:11, Mat 21:28-31
Reciprocal: Mat 5:46 – publicans Mat 10:11 – inquire Mat 11:19 – a friend Mat 20:4 – Go Mat 20:11 – they murmured Mar 2:16 – How Luk 7:37 – which Joh 6:41 – murmured Joh 9:24 – a sinner 1Co 10:27 – bid 1Ti 1:16 – for a
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7
The thing that happened was usual under such circumstances. The people murmured (among themselves after Jesus had gone with Zac-chaeus) because Jesus went to be a guest of one whom they classed as a sinner. That was because he was a publican, most of whom were justly charged with taking unlawful amounts of taxes from the people.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Luk 19:7. They all murmured. Scarcely the disciples, but the crowd of Jews, among whom doubtless were many priests, since Jericho was a priestly city.
To lodge. Not necessarily to remain over night. The same word occurs in this sense in Joh 1:39, but the time of day is there specified, to show that it has that meaning.
A sinner. Zaccheus, as a publican, would be thus termed, whatever his character had been. Especially in a priestly city like Jericho would the chief publican be an object of scorn. But his own confession (Luk 19:8) implies that he deserved the name.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
That is, the Pharisees who were here, were highly discontented that Christ went to a publican’s house, whom they looked upon as the worst of men; their eye was evil, because Christ’s was good. Whither should the physician go, but to the sick? The whole need him not. However, the envious Pharisees censure and condemn him for it. Lord, who can hope to escape the aspersions of censorious tongues, while spotless innocence, and perfect holiness, falls under the lash of them? It is sufficient for the servant to be as the master.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Verse 7
A sinner. It seems that he had been habitually guilty of injustice and extortion in his office.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
19:7 {2} And when they saw [it], they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
(2) The world forsakes the grace of God, and yet is unwilling that it should be bestowed upon others.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
"They" (NASB) were the people in the crowd (Luk 19:3). It was as though Jesus had become the guest of a Mafia godfather (cf. Luk 5:29-30; Luk 15:1-2). However table fellowship implied even more comradeship then than eating in someone else’s home today does. Staying in a person’s home amounted to sharing in his sins. [Note: Marshall, The Gospel . . ., p. 697.]