Which Old Testament prophecies align with Jesus' actions in Luke 7:34? Study Text “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ ” Prophetic Title: “Son of Man” • Daniel 7:13-14 — The promised Ruler is explicitly called “One like a Son of Man,” receiving universal dominion. Jesus’ use of the title identifies Him with this Messianic figure. Eating and Drinking: The Foretold Messianic Banquet • Isaiah 25:6 — “On this mountain the LORD of Hosts will prepare a banquet of rich food… a feast of aged wine.” • Isaiah 55:1-3 — Invitation to “eat what is good” and “delight in the richest of foods,” anticipating Messiah’s welcome table. • Isaiah 65:13-14 — The servants of the LORD “will eat” and “drink,” while the unfaithful go hungry and thirsty. Jesus’ table fellowship fulfills these pictures of a royal feast opened to all who come by faith. Friend of Tax Collectors and Sinners: Mercy for the Marginalized • Isaiah 61:1-3 — The Anointed One brings “good news to the poor,” binds up the brokenhearted, and liberates captives. • Ezekiel 34:11-16 — God Himself searches for lost sheep, rescues them, and feeds them in good pasture. • Psalm 146:7-9 — The LORD “executes justice for the oppressed… sets prisoners free… lifts up those who are bowed down.” These prophecies describe the Messiah’s compassionate pursuit of outcasts; Jesus embodies that pursuit by sharing meals with them. Falsely Accused: The Righteous One Slandered • Psalm 69:10-12 — “When I wept and fasted, I was scorned… I am the song of drunkards.” • Psalm 35:11 — “Malicious witnesses rise up; they question me about things I do not know.” • Isaiah 53:3-4 — The Servant is “despised and rejected” and considered “stricken by God.” Jesus’ critics echo these ancient taunts, calling Him a “glutton and drunkard” despite His sinless life. Summary Connections • Daniel 7 grounds the Messianic authority behind the title “Son of Man.” • Isaiah’s banquet prophecies explain why Jesus’ ministry centers on eating and drinking. • Isaiah 61 and Ezekiel 34 demonstrate that welcoming sinners is exactly what Scripture said the Messiah would do. • Psalm 69 and 35 and Isaiah 53 predict the slander and rejection He experiences. Every facet of Luke 7:34 aligns seamlessly with Old Testament expectation, confirming Jesus as the prophesied Messiah who feasts with the lost, offers mercy, and endures false accusation to accomplish God’s redemptive plan. |
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