Luke 7:34 – “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, Jesus points out the inconsistency and hypocrisy of the people who rejected both Him and John the Baptist. While John lived a life of self-denial, fasting, and separation from society, Jesus participated in everyday life, eating and drinking with others. Yet, rather than accepting either approach, the people found reasons to criticize both.
Because Jesus shared meals with tax collectors and sinners, He was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard—an accusation meant to discredit Him. By associating with people considered “unclean” or morally corrupt, Jesus offended the religious leaders, who believed that holiness meant separating themselves from sinners. But Jesus’ mission was to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), and eating with sinners was a demonstration of God’s grace and mercy. This verse highlights the rejection Jesus faced, not because He did anything wrong, but because His message of grace challenged the self-righteousness of the religious leaders.
Historical Context
In first-century Jewish culture, sharing a meal was an important social and religious practice. It wasn’t just about eating—it was about fellowship and acceptance. The Pharisees and other religious leaders believed that associating with “sinners” (such as tax collectors, prostitutes, and others who were seen as morally or ritually impure) would make them unclean. For them, holiness meant separation from sinful people.
Tax collectors were particularly despised because they worked for the Roman government and often overcharged people to enrich themselves. When Jesus ate with them, He wasn’t just breaking social norms—He was challenging the religious system that prioritized external purity over a transformed heart. His willingness to eat with sinners showed that God’s love was available to everyone, even those considered the worst of society.
The accusations against Jesus were meant to undermine His authority. By calling Him a “glutton and a drunkard,” His critics were implying that He was morally corrupt and unworthy of being a religious teacher. But these accusations were false and came from a place of resistance to His message of repentance and grace.
Theological Implications
This verse reveals the human tendency to resist God’s work, especially when it challenges preconceived ideas about holiness, sin, and salvation. The religious leaders rejected Jesus because they believed that salvation could only be achieved through strict adherence to the law and separation from sinners. But Jesus’ ministry demonstrated that salvation comes through God’s grace, not through human effort.
The accusations against Jesus also highlight the problem of self-righteousness. The religious leaders saw themselves as righteous because of their external obedience to the law, but their hearts were far from God (Matthew 23:27). Jesus’ willingness to eat with sinners exposed their spiritual pride and their failure to understand God’s mercy.
Theologically, this verse points to the central message of the Gospel: that God’s grace is available to all who repent, regardless of their past sins. Jesus didn’t come to affirm the self-righteous or to condemn sinners—He came to call sinners to repentance and offer them new life.
Literary Analysis
This verse is part of a larger passage where Jesus contrasts the rejection of John the Baptist and Himself. The structure of this passage highlights the people’s inconsistency: they criticized John for being too strict and Jesus for being too lenient. This repetition emphasizes that their rejection wasn’t about the messengers’ behavior—it was about their unwillingness to accept God’s message.
The phrase “glutton and a drunkard” is an exaggeration used by Jesus’ critics to paint Him in a negative light. This technique of false accusation was common in biblical times and is used here to show how desperate the religious leaders were to discredit Jesus. The irony is that their accusations actually highlight the very thing that made Jesus’ ministry unique—His willingness to reach out to sinners.
The reference to Jesus as a “friend of tax collectors and sinners” is significant because it was meant as an insult, but it actually reveals a profound truth about Jesus’ mission. What His critics saw as a flaw was actually evidence of His compassion and His role as the Savior.
Biblical Cross-References
- Matthew 9:10-13 – Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners, and when criticized, He responds that He came to call sinners, not the righteous.
- Luke 15:1-2 – The Pharisees and teachers of the law grumble because Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them, leading to the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son.
- Deuteronomy 21:20 – The term “glutton and drunkard” is associated with rebelliousness in the Old Testament, showing the seriousness of the accusation.
- Luke 19:10 – Jesus states that His mission is to seek and save the lost.
- John 3:17 – Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world but to save it through Him.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christians, this verse is a reminder to be wary of self-righteous attitudes that can cause us to reject God’s work in unexpected places. Just as the religious leaders rejected Jesus because He associated with sinners, we can sometimes fall into the trap of judging others or thinking that certain people are beyond God’s grace. But Jesus’ example teaches us that no one is too far gone for God to reach.
It also challenges Christians to be bold in sharing the Gospel, even when it means associating with people who are marginalized or looked down upon by society. Jesus wasn’t afraid of criticism because He knew that His mission was to reach the lost. As His followers, we are called to do the same, even if it means facing rejection or misunderstanding.
Additionally, this verse reminds believers to be grateful for God’s grace. Just as Jesus welcomed sinners, He welcomes us despite our past mistakes and failures. His willingness to associate with those considered “unclean” shows that His love is unconditional and His mercy is available to all who repent.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in Jesus’ willingness to befriend sinners and extend His grace to those who were rejected by society. His critics saw this as a weakness, but it was actually a demonstration of God’s compassionate heart. Jesus didn’t distance Himself from sinners—He came to them, ate with them, and offered them forgiveness. This shows that God’s love isn’t reserved for the “righteous” but is available to anyone who turns to Him in faith.
God’s love is also evident in His patience with those who reject Him. Even though the religious leaders accused and rejected Jesus, He continued to teach, heal, and offer them opportunities to repent. His love is persistent, even when people resist it.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse directly connects to Jesus’ mission to bring salvation to sinners. His willingness to eat with tax collectors and sinners was a reflection of His role as the Savior who came to seek and save the lost. The accusations against Him reveal the tension between human expectations of righteousness and God’s true plan of salvation through grace.
Jesus’ actions demonstrate that His kingdom is open to all who recognize their need for Him. By associating with sinners, He showed that salvation isn’t earned through good behavior—it’s a gift given to those who repent and trust in Him. His critics misunderstood this, but their rejection didn’t stop Him from fulfilling His mission on the cross.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there people in your life or community whom you are tempted to judge or dismiss as beyond God’s reach? How can you change your attitude toward them?
- How does Jesus’ example of associating with sinners challenge you to be more compassionate and willing to reach out to those who are marginalized?
- In what ways can self-righteousness or pride prevent you from fully experiencing God’s grace?
- How can you remain faithful to God’s calling, even when you face criticism or rejection for sharing the Gospel?
- What does this verse teach you about God’s love and His desire for all people to be saved?
Luke 7:34 is a powerful reminder of God’s grace, mercy, and love for sinners. It challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes, to be humble in recognizing our need for grace, and to follow Jesus’ example of reaching out to others with compassion and the hope of salvation.