Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 14:1

"And it came to pass, when he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a sabbath to eat bread, that they were watching him." — Luke 14:1 (ASV)

It came to pass. It so happened or occurred.

As he went, etc. It is probable that he was invited to go, being in the neighbourhood (Luke 14:12); and it is also probable that the Pharisee invited him for the purpose of getting him to say something that would involve him in difficulty.

One of the chief Pharisees. One of the Pharisees who were rulers, or members of the great council or the Sanhedrin. (See Barnes on Matthew 5:22).

It does not mean that he was the head of the sect of the Pharisees, but one of those who happened to be a member of the Sanhedrin. He was therefore a man of influence and reputation.

To eat bread. To dine. To partake of the hospitality of his house.

On the Sabbath day. It may seem strange that our Saviour should have gone to dine with a man who was a stranger on the Sabbath; but we are to remember:

1. That he was travelling, having no home of his own, and that it was no more improper to go there than to any other place.
2. That he did not go there for the purpose of feasting and amusement, but to do good.
3. That as several of that class of persons were together, it gave him an opportunity to address them on the subject of religion and to reprove their vices.

If, therefore, the example of Jesus should be pleaded to authorize accepting an invitation to dine on the Sabbath, it should be pleaded just as it was. If we can go just as he did, it is right.

If, when away from home, we go to do good, and if we make it an occasion to discourse on the subject of religion and to persuade people to repent, then it is not improper.

Further than this we cannot plead the example of Christ. And surely this should be the last instance in the world to be adduced to justify dinner parties and scenes of riot and gluttony on the Sabbath.

They watched him. They malignantly fixed their eyes on him, to see if he did anything they could seize upon to accuse him.