What is the meaning of Luke 7:34? The Son of Man “The Son of Man” (Luke 7:34a) is Jesus’ favorite self-designation. • Draws from Daniel 7:13-14 where “One like a son of man” is given dominion and glory—pointing to His divine authority and everlasting kingdom. • Highlights His true humanity; He shares our flesh and blood (Hebrews 2:14). • Underscores His mission: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Taken literally, Jesus stands before His critics as the promised Messiah who fully enters human experience while holding eternal authority. Came eating and drinking “The Son of Man came eating and drinking…” (Luke 7:34b). • Stated in contrast to John the Baptist, who “came neither eating bread nor drinking wine” (Luke 7:33). Jesus is no ascetic hermit; He embraces normal table life. • His presence at meals—weddings (John 2:1-11), banquets (Luke 5:29), and everyday suppers (Luke 24:30)—shows God’s kingdom breaking into ordinary settings. • Acts 10:41 recalls post-resurrection meals, confirming literal bodily resurrection. • By eating and drinking He embodies Psalm 34:8—“Taste and see that the LORD is good.” And you say “…and you say…” (Luke 7:34c). • The religious leaders respond with criticism instead of faith (Luke 7:30). • Their words expose hearts unwilling to receive wisdom’s proof (Luke 7:35). • Similar pattern in John 9:34 and Mark 3:22—when confronted with undeniable works, opponents resort to verbal attacks. • Proverbs 18:2 warns that a fool “takes no pleasure in understanding, but in expressing his own opinion.” ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard’ “‘Look at this glutton and drunkard…’” (Luke 7:34d). • The insult evokes Deuteronomy 21:20, where a rebellious son is called “a glutton and a drunkard,” implying Jesus deserves judgment. • Accusation is false; Jesus never sinned (1 Peter 2:22), yet He shares meals with joy, allowing slander to grow. • Similar smear in John 10:20—“He is demon-possessed and out of His mind.” • Isaiah 5:20 speaks of those who call good evil; here, gracious fellowship is twisted into immoral excess. ‘A friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ “…a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” (Luke 7:34e). • Meant as contempt, yet it captures gospel beauty: He “welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). • In Luke 5:30-32 Jesus explains: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” • Zacchaeus rejoices when Jesus stays at his house (Luke 19:7-10), proving friendship leads to transformation. • Romans 5:8 affirms the same heart: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” • The title that condemned Him describes the very grace that saves us. summary Luke 7:34 reveals Jesus as the promised Son of Man who deliberately enters ordinary life, sharing meals to extend God’s kingdom. Critics misread His fellowship as excess and His mercy as compromise, labeling Him a glutton, drunkard, and friend of sinners. Their slurs, however, spotlight His sinless compassion: He befriends the lost to redeem them. The verse invites us to recognize that table fellowship with Jesus is where repentance, joy, and salvation meet. |
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