Luke 7:33
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For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
CENTURION'S SERVANT HEALED. (Luk 7:1-10) he was worthy--a testimony most precious, coming from those who probably were strangers to the principle from which he acted (Ecc 7:1).
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. Christ confirming the doctrine he had preached in the former chapter, with two glorious miracles - the curing of one at a distance, and that was the centurion's servant (Luk 7:1-10), and the raising of one to life that was dead, the widow's son at Nain (Luk 7:11-18). II. Christ confirming the faith of John who was now in prison, and of some of his disciples, by sending him a short account of the miracles he wrought, in answer to a question he received from him (Luk 7:19-23), to which he adds an honourable testimony concerning John, and a just reproof to the men of that generation for the contempt they put upon him and his doctrine (Luk 7:24-35). III. Christ comforting a poor penitent that applied herself to him, all in tears of godly sorrow for sin, assuring her that her sins were pardoned, and justifying himself in the favour he showed her against the cavils of a proud Pharisee (Luk 7:36-50).
Open source ↗7:33 John the Baptist didn’t spend his time eating bread or drinking wine: John lived an ascetic’s life of self-denial, appropriate to his prophetic role of announcing God’s Kingdom, the coming judgment, and the need for repentance and cleansing.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”
“Now we know that You have a demon!” declared the Jews. “Abraham died, and so did the prophets, yet You say that anyone who keeps Your word will never taste death.
But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!”
John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
The Jews answered Him, “Are we not right to say that You are a Samaritan and You have a demon?”
It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!