Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 11:38

"And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first bathed himself before dinner." — Luke 11:38 (ASV)

Saw it. Saw that he sat immediately down without washing.

Marvelled. Wondered. Was amazed. It was so unusual, and in his view so improper.

Had not first washed. He wondered particularly, as he had been among a mixed multitude, and they regarded the touch of such persons as polluting. They never ate, therefore, without such washing.

The origin of the custom of washing with so much formality before they ate their meals was that they did not use knives and forks, as we do, but used their hands only. For this reason, since their hands would often be in a dish on the table, it was considered proper that they should be washed clean before eating.

There was no impropriety in the act itself, but the Pharisees made it a matter of ceremony; they placed no small part of their religion in such ceremonies, and it was right, therefore, that our Lord should take occasion to reprove them for it .