The term "guest-chamber" refers to a room or space designated for hosting guests, particularly in the context of biblical times. This concept is most notably mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the accounts of the Last Supper. The guest-chamber is a significant location in the narrative of Jesus' final days before His crucifixion.

Biblical References:

1. Mark 14:14-15 : "Wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there."

2. Luke 22:11-12 : "and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room, already furnished. Make preparations there."

In these passages, Jesus instructs His disciples to find a guest-chamber where they can prepare and partake in the Passover meal. The term "guest-chamber" is translated from the Greek word "kataluma," which can also mean an inn or lodging place. However, in this context, it specifically refers to a private room within a house, set apart for special occasions or visitors.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In first-century Judea, it was customary for homes to have a designated space for hosting guests, especially during significant religious festivals like Passover. The guest-chamber mentioned in the Gospels is described as a "large upper room," indicating it was spacious enough to accommodate Jesus and His twelve disciples. This room was likely located on the second floor of a house, accessible by an external staircase, a common architectural feature in ancient Jewish homes.

The preparation of the guest-chamber for the Passover meal involved setting up the space with necessary furnishings, such as couches or cushions for reclining, as was the custom during meals at that time. The room would also be equipped with the required elements for the Passover celebration, including unleavened bread, wine, and other traditional foods.

Theological Significance:

The guest-chamber holds profound theological importance as the setting for the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist. During this meal, Jesus broke bread and shared wine with His disciples, symbolizing His body and blood, which would be sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins. This event marks the establishment of the New Covenant and is commemorated by Christians worldwide as a central act of worship and remembrance of Christ's sacrificial love.

The guest-chamber, therefore, is not merely a physical location but a sacred space where Jesus imparted crucial teachings and shared an intimate moment with His disciples. It serves as a reminder of the hospitality and provision of God, who prepares a place for His people to commune with Him.

Symbolic Interpretations:

In a broader sense, the guest-chamber can be seen as a symbol of readiness and hospitality in the Christian life. Just as the room was prepared and furnished for Jesus and His disciples, believers are called to prepare their hearts and lives to receive Christ and His teachings. The guest-chamber invites reflection on the importance of making space for God in our daily lives, ensuring that we are always ready to welcome His presence and guidance.

Overall, the guest-chamber is a significant element in the biblical narrative, rich with cultural, historical, and theological meaning, serving as a backdrop for one of the most pivotal events in Christian faith.The spare room on the upper floor of an Eastern dwelling (Mark 14:14; Luke 22:11). In Luke 2:7 the word is translated "inn" (q.v.). GUEST-CHAMBER

gest'-cham-ber: The translation of

(1) (lishkah) (1 Samuel 9:22, the King James Version "parlor"), and

(2) (kataluma) (Mark 14:14 parallel Luke 22:11).

The lishkah was probably a room in which the sacrificial feasts were held. Kataluma is derived from kataluo, which means "to slacken," i.e. the ropes of the beasts of burden, and hence, "to lodge." Kataluma has accordingly often the sense of "inn," but as used in Mark and Luke it has the narrower meaning of a room in which to eat.

2646. kataluma -- a lodging place
... guest chamber, inn. From kataluo; properly, a dissolution (breaking up of a journey),
ie (by implication) a lodging-place -- guestchamber, inn. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2646.htm - 6k

The Traitor
... a pitcher of water: follow him; and wheresoever he shall enter in, say to the goodman
of the house, the Master saith, Where is My guest-chamber, where I shall ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 14 10-16 the traitor.htm

A Secret Rendezvous
... to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where
I ... One reading is 'my guest-chamber,' and that makes His claim even more emphatic ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/a secret rendezvous.htm

A Prince's Bride
... Chapter IA PRINCE'S BRIDE. The chief merchant of Ascalon stood in the
guest-chamber of his house. Although it was a late winter day ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter i a princes bride.htm

Thursday --The Day of Fellowship.
... Where is my guest-chamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?' And
he will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready: and there ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his last week/thursdaythe day of fellowship.htm

On the Road to Jerusalem
... peril by the death of one of their own number, Philip of Tyre with the courage of
affection and loyalty stood on the threshold of the guest-chamber informed of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter ii on the road.htm

Jesus' Farewell to his Friends.
... of water,"a most unusual occurrence,"and the messengers silently followed him, and
thus were led to the house in which was the guest-chamber which Jesus ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter xiii jesus farewell to.htm

Despised and Rejected by Friend and Foe
... And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the good man of the house, 'The Master
saith, "Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xiv despised and rejected.htm

The Betrayal Foretold at the Supper
... evidenced by the words of the text (v: 23 and 25), which are only compatible with
the supposition that on the present occasion the guest-chamber was furnished ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/the betrayal foretold at the.htm

B. The Last Supper. Ch. 22:7-38
... follow him into the house whereinto he goeth.11 And ye shall say unto the Master
of the house, The Teacher saith unto thee, Where is the guest-chamber, where I ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the last supper ch.htm

Dissolving views.
... One must rest surely. But this man Jesus seemed to have another way of resting in
addition to sleep. Probably He occupied the guest-chamber in Peter's home. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/dissolving views.htm

Guestchamber (2 Occurrences)
... In Luke 2:7 the word is translated "inn" (qv). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
GUEST-CHAMBER. ... Multi-Version Concordance Guestchamber (2 Occurrences). ...
/g/guestchamber.htm - 8k

Guest-chamber (4 Occurrences)
Guest-chamber. Guestchamber, Guest-chamber. Guest-room . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
(ASV). Guestchamber, Guest-chamber. Guest-room . Reference Bible.
/g/guest-chamber.htm - 8k

Goodman (6 Occurrences)
... Mark 14:14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The
Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with ...
/g/goodman.htm - 10k

Inn (7 Occurrences)
... In Luke 2:7 the word there so rendered denotes a place for loosing the beasts of
their burdens. It is rendered "guest-chamber" in Mark 14:14 and Luke 22:11. ...
/i/inn.htm - 17k

Guest (24 Occurrences)
... so that a special apartment was set aside for the guests. See GUEST-CHAMBER.
In the Old Testament only 3 times is the word itself ...
/g/guest.htm - 15k

Chamber (73 Occurrences)
... hall toward the street. This was the "guestchamber" where entertainments
were prepared (Mark 14:14). There were also "chambers ...
/c/chamber.htm - 36k

Householder (9 Occurrences)
... Mark 14:14 and wherever he may go in, say ye to the master of the house -- The Teacher
saith, Where is the guest-chamber, where the passover, with my disciples ...
/h/householder.htm - 9k

Guest-room (2 Occurrences)
Guest-room. Guest-chamber, Guest-room. Guests . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Guest-chamber, Guest-room. Guests . Reference Bible.
/g/guest-room.htm - 7k

Wheresoever (17 Occurrences)
... Mark 14:14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The
Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with ...
/w/wheresoever.htm - 11k

Tobiah (14 Occurrences)
... that he was an ally of Eliashib, the high priest who had the oversight of the chambers
of the house of God and had prepared for him as a guestchamber the room ...
/t/tobiah.htm - 13k

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