Lexical Summary aristaó: To eat breakfast, to dine, to take a meal Original Word: ἀριστάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dine. From ariston; to take the principle meal -- dine. see GREEK ariston HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 709 aristáō – to eat breakfast or lunch – the "noon" meal eaten roughly in the middle of the day; to eat a meal any time before the 1173 /deípnon ("supper"), i.e. before the main meal, usually eaten in the evening (S. Zodhiates, Dict). See 712 (ariston). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ariston Definition to breakfast, hence to take a meal NASB Translation finished breakfast (1), have breakfast (1), have lunch (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 709: ἀριστάωἀριστάω, ἀρίστω: 1 aorist ἠρίστησα; (τό ἄριστον, which see); a. to breakfast: John 21:12, 15; (Xenophon, Cyril 6, 4, 1; and often in Attic). b. by later usage to dine: παρά τίνι, Luke 11:37; (Genesis 43:24; Aelian v. h. 9, 19). Strong’s Greek 709 (ἀριστάω, aristáō) describes the act of taking the first substantial meal of the day, usually eaten after sunrise but before midday. While sometimes translated “breakfast,” the underlying idea is less about a modern concept of time than about a shared table that begins a day’s labors or teaching. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Luke 11:37 – A Pharisee invites Jesus “to dine,” opening a context in which the Lord confronts religious hypocrisy. Though few in number, these occurrences frame significant moments of instruction, revelation, and restoration. Cultural-Historical Background In first-century Jewish and Greco-Roman settings, the ariston was more than physical nourishment; it was a social event of welcome and status. Hosts demonstrated honor by providing the morning meal, and guests signaled acceptance by partaking. Conversations over the ariston often set the tone for the remainder of the day, making the meal an ideal context for teaching or reconciliation. Theological and Ministry Implications 1. Fellowship with the Messiah – In John 21:12 the resurrected Jesus chooses a simple ariston to reveal Himself. By preparing the meal, He reverses roles: the Master serves the disciples, echoing John 13:1–17. Christological Insights • Service: Jesus habitually sanctifies ordinary meals, turning them into demonstrations of servant-leadership. Practical Application for Ministry • Invite—Mealtimes remain prime opportunities for evangelism and discipleship. Connections with Old Testament Hospitality Meals hosted by Abraham (Genesis 18), Boaz (Ruth 2), and the Psalmist’s shepherd (Psalm 23:5) foreshadow the Messianic practice of welcoming and blessing through food. Aristáō continues this redemptive trajectory, anticipating the eschatological banquet of Isaiah 25:6 and Revelation 19:9. Summary By tracing ἀριστάω through its three New Testament appearances, one sees that breakfast with Jesus is never incidental. Whether exposing hypocrisy, extending fellowship, or empowering future ministry, the ariston becomes a sacred moment where daily life intersects with eternal purpose. Englishman's Concordance Luke 11:37 V-ASA-3SGRK: Φαρισαῖος ὅπως ἀριστήσῃ παρ' αὐτῷ NAS: asked Him to have lunch with him; and He went KJV: him to dine with him: INT: a Pharisee that he would dine with him John 21:12 V-AMA-2P John 21:15 V-AIA-3P Strong's Greek 709 |
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