The Story Luke Tells by González Justo L.;

Author:González, Justo L.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Published: 2014-12-12T15:10:35+00:00

six

Food and Drink in Luke’s Theology

Look, a glutton and a drunkard.

Luke 7:34

Commentaries have often pointed out that, much more frequently than in any of the other Gospels, in the Gospel of Luke we find Jesus eating. And that there are many other references to food and drink. One commentary offers a list of sixty such references — which comes out to about two and a half references per chapter! So, clearly, the theme of eating and drinking is not peripheral in the Gospel of Luke; rather, it is an element important to the way in which this Evangelist wishes us to understand his message.

It is important to point out, however, that a good number of the banquets and meals that Luke mentions appear also in Matthew and Mark (although not all of them). On this point there is a difference between the writers of the three Synoptic Gospels and John, who seems to be more interested in drink than in food, and who does not even tell us of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples before his crucifixion. And, also in contrast with Luke, the meals that John describes in more detail are not at the homes of Pharisees and tax collectors, nor are they occasions for debate with scribes or Pharisees. Leaving aside the wedding at Cana in John 2, where the wine is more important than the food, there are two meals mentioned in the Gospel of John. In chapter 12, during a banquet in her own home, Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus with perfume, and this leads to the protest of Judas. Then, in chapter 21, after his resurrection, Jesus eats with his disciples. Therefore, in dealing with the subject of food and drink in Luke, we must remember that the same theme appears also in Matthew and Mark, though not with the same emphasis. And we must also remember that in John there are frequent references to Jesus himself as food and drink, but there are few narratives about specific meals.

Eating and drinking are not only a physical necessity, but also an important element in the fabric of any society. Even to this day, when we sit together with someone at a table, this implies some sort of relationship. It may be a matter of friendship, of business, or of simply trying to get to know each other better. But in any case, sitting with another at a table is both a sign and a way to create and develop relationships.

This has been true in every society through the ages. Our present word companion comes from Latin roots which mean “common” and “bread.” Therefore, a companion is someone with whom we break bread. In some societies in which violence is frequent and life is unstable, sharing bread is a sign of friendship or at least of respect. Thus, if one is passing through another’s land and breaks bread with them, this means that there will be no hostilities. Also, we should remember that in every society, great occasions are frequently celebrated with a meal.

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