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The Ancient World Behind the Text: Ideas

The customs, offices and ideas a first reader knew without being told, what each meant then, and the nearest thing you already know.

Hospitality to travelers

Taking in travelers was one of the great virtues of the ancient Mediterranean, above all among Jews. Messengers could travel light because they expected to be housed.

Jewish life and lawMeals and the table

First, in plain English

They knocked on a stranger's door at dusk, and the family set out bread and a bed without being asked. There were few inns, and good ones were rare. Travelers relied on being taken in, and taking them in was a matter of honor and of faith. How a town treated a messenger was how it treated the one who sent him.

What it meant then

Showing hospitality to travelers was one of the most important virtues of Mediterranean antiquity, especially in Judaism. Jewish travelers could count on it even far from home. Old Testament prophets had lodged with the faithful (2 Kings 4:8-11). Josephus says the Essenes "carry nothing at all with them when they travel into remote parts," except weapons against robbers. In every city a member of the group was appointed to look after strangers of their sect. A guest's greeting of peace, shalom, was a blessing on the house. A cup of cold water was what even the poorest could offer. Shaking dust off the feet on leaving a town treated it as pagan ground. The ESV Study Bible calls it "A sign used by Jews after leaving a Gentile region." At the door a good host supplied water for the guest's feet, which servants usually washed. He also gave a kiss of greeting and oil for the head. Abraham's welcome of three visitors in Genesis 18, at least two of them angels, was the model everyone cited (Josephus, Antiquities 1.11.2). In a village, Bailey writes, "the guest is guest of the community, not just of the individual". So the whole village's honor rode on feeding a late traveler, and a guest had to be served a fresh, unbroken loaf. Wright calls the laws of hospitality in the ancient Middle East strict. In Acts, Lydia counted it an honor to lodge Paul's company. Guests rarely stayed beyond three weeks. Jewish travelers avoided inns, which Keener says usually doubled as brothels. The shipwrecked had a special claim on kindness.

The bridge to today

An analogy: an old network of church families who take in traveling ministers. The visitor brings no money and no reservation, and the hosts treat him as they would treat the church that sent him.

What it changes in the reading

Hospitality explains why Jesus can send messengers out with almost nothing, as in Matthew 10:9-11, and why refusing them was serious. Receiving the messenger meant receiving the sender. A host who skips the water, the kiss and the oil, as in Luke 7:44-46, insults his guest in front of the room. Paul's travels in Acts 16:15 depend on a household that takes the visitors in.

Where the analogy breaks

Not a favor kept within one circle. A church network hosts its own people. In the ancient world hospitality was owed to strangers on the road as a public duty, and in a village the whole community's honor rode on how a late traveler was fed. Refusing it was a public failure. Nor was it entertaining friends.

Where scholars disagree

How much bread did a neighbor have for the midnight guest in Luke 11:5-8? Blomberg, following Stern and others, says three hand-sized loaves were the standard evening meal and bread was baked daily. So neighbors knew who had some left. Bailey says village bread is baked in batches and the loaves are large. He rejects both the small-loaf picture and daily baking. Keener's background commentary says many homes had used up the day's bread by nightfall, and a guest needed an unbroken loaf.

Passages where it appears

{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-9-35-10-15\/","n":"Matthew 9:35-10:15, The Twelve sent with nothing","s":"Seeing the crowds as sheep without a shepherd, Jesus sends twelve apostles to the lost sheep of Israel, with no money, bag or staff, to stay with whoever will have them.","r":"Matthew 9:35-10:15"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-10-16-42\/","n":"Matthew 10:16-42, Wolves, floggings, a sword and a cup of water","s":"Jesus warns the Twelve of councils, floggings in synagogues and trials before governors and kings, of family turned against family, and promises that whoever receives them receives him.","r":"Matthew 10:16-42"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/matthew-25-31-46\/","n":"Matthew 25:31-46, Sheep, goats and the least of these","s":"The Son of Man comes in glory with his angels, gathers the nations, and separates them as a shepherd separates sheep from goats, judging them by how they treated the least of his brothers and sisters.","r":"Matthew 25:31-46"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-7-36-50\/","n":"Luke 7:36-50, A sinful woman at Simon's table","s":"At a Pharisee's banquet a woman known as a sinner weeps over Jesus' feet, wipes them with her hair and anoints them. Jesus answers his host's silent objection with a story of two debtors.","r":"Luke 7:36-50"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-10-1-24\/","n":"Luke 10:1-24, Seventy sent out, and Satan falling","s":"Jesus sends seventy others, or seventy-two, ahead of him in pairs, with no purse, bag or sandals, to towns that will welcome or refuse them. They come back rejoicing that even the demons obey, and Jesus says he saw Satan fall like lightning.","r":"Luke 10:1-24"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-10-25-37\/","n":"Luke 10:25-37, The Samaritan on the Jericho road","s":"A lawyer asks what he must do to inherit eternal life and then who his neighbor is. Jesus tells of a man left half dead on the road to Jericho, passed by a priest and a Levite and rescued by a Samaritan.","r":"Luke 10:25-37"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-10-38-42\/","n":"Luke 10:38-42, Mary at the teacher's feet","s":"In Martha's house Mary sits at Jesus' feet listening while Martha works at serving. When Martha complains, Jesus says Mary has chosen the better part.","r":"Luke 10:38-42"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-11-1-13\/","n":"Luke 11:1-13, Father, daily bread and a friend at midnight","s":"Asked to teach his disciples to pray, Jesus gives a short prayer to the Father, then tells of a man who wakes a neighbor at midnight to borrow bread for a guest.","r":"Luke 11:1-13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-14-15-24\/","n":"Luke 14:15-24, The great banquet and the excuses","s":"A guest blesses whoever will eat bread in God's kingdom. Jesus tells of a man whose invited guests all excuse themselves when the feast is ready, so he fills his house with the poor and with people from the roads.","r":"Luke 14:15-24"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-18-35-19-10\/","n":"Luke 18:35-19:10, A blind beggar and Zacchaeus at Jericho","s":"Near Jericho a blind beggar calls Jesus Son of David and receives his sight. In the town Jesus invites himself to the house of Zacchaeus, a rich chief tax collector, who promises to give half his goods to the poor and repay fourfold.","r":"Luke 18:35-19:10"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-24-13-35\/","n":"Luke 24:13-35, A stranger on the Emmaus road","s":"Two disciples walking home to Emmaus are joined by a stranger who explains the Scriptures to them. They press him to stay, and they recognize him when he breaks the bread.","r":"Luke 24:13-35"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-1-35-51\/","n":"John 1:35-51, Come and see","s":"Two of John's disciples follow Jesus and spend the day with him. Andrew brings his brother Simon, Philip brings Nathanael, and Jesus promises they will see heaven opened and angels going up and down on the Son of Man.","r":"John 1:35-51"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-15-22-35\/","n":"Acts 15:22-35, The letter to the Gentile churches","s":"The council sends Judas and Silas with Paul and Barnabas to carry a letter to the Gentile believers of Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. It is read to the church at Antioch, who rejoice at its encouragement.","r":"Acts 15:22-35"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-16-11-15\/","n":"Acts 16:11-15, Lydia at the place of prayer","s":"In Philippi, a Roman colony, Paul finds women gathered by the river on the Sabbath. Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira, believes, is baptized with her household and insists that the missionaries stay at her house.","r":"Acts 16:11-15"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-17-1-9\/","n":"Acts 17:1-9, Another king in Thessalonica","s":"Paul argues from the Scriptures in the synagogue at Thessalonica that the Messiah had to suffer and rise. Some believe; opponents raise a mob, drag Jason before the city officials and accuse the believers of defying Caesar by proclaiming another king.","r":"Acts 17:1-9"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-28-1-10\/","n":"Acts 28:1-10, Malta: the viper and the goddess Justice","s":"The islanders of Malta welcome the shipwrecked with a fire. When a viper fastens on Paul's hand they decide that Justice will not let a murderer live; when he takes no harm they call him a god. Publius, the island's chief man, takes them in, and Paul heals his father and many others.","r":"Acts 28:1-10"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/romans-12-1-21\/","n":"Romans 12:1-21, A living sacrifice","s":"Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice, to see themselves as members of one body, and to love without pretense: honoring one another, welcoming strangers, weeping with those who weep and repaying evil with good.","r":"Romans 12:1-21"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/romans-15-14-24\/","n":"Romans 15:14-24, To Spain by way of Rome","s":"Paul describes his priestly work of offering the Gentiles to God, from Jerusalem round to Illyricum, and his plan to visit Rome on his way to Spain and be helped on his journey there.","r":"Romans 15:14-24"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/romans-16-17-27\/","n":"Romans 16:17-27, Tertius, Gaius and Erastus","s":"Paul warns against those who cause divisions, promises that God will soon crush Satan under the believers' feet, and passes on greetings from Corinth, including his scribe Tertius, his host Gaius and Erastus the city treasurer.","r":"Romans 16:17-27"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2corinthians-1-12-2-4\/","n":"2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4, Changed plans, the seal and the down payment","s":"Accused of fickleness for changing his travel plans, Paul answers that his word is reliable because all God's promises are Yes in Christ, who has anointed and sealed them and given the Spirit as a down payment, and explains that he stayed away to spare them.","r":"2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2corinthians-7-2-16\/","n":"2 Corinthians 7:2-16, Titus arrives and the letter that hurt","s":"In Macedonia Paul is comforted by Titus's arrival and his news that the Corinthians grieved over Paul's harsh letter in a way that led to repentance, and that they received Titus with fear and trembling.","r":"2 Corinthians 7:2-16"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/galatians-1-11-24\/","n":"Galatians 1:11-24, Saul the zealot, Arabia, and fifteen days with Cephas","s":"Paul insists that his gospel came by revelation and not from human teachers, and tells of his zeal as a persecutor, his call, his time in Arabia and Damascus, and a short first visit to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas.","r":"Galatians 1:11-24"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1timothy-3-1-13\/","n":"1 Timothy 3:1-13, Overseers, deacons and the women","s":"Paul lists what is required of an overseer, above reproach, faithful in marriage, hospitable, able to teach, managing his household well, and then of deacons and of the women, who must also be worthy of respect.","r":"1 Timothy 3:1-13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2timothy-1-8-18\/","n":"2 Timothy 1:8-18, Not ashamed of my chains, the deposit, and Onesiphorus","s":"Paul tells Timothy not to be ashamed of the Lord's testimony or of him as a prisoner, but to share his suffering and guard the good deposit; everyone in Asia has deserted him except Onesiphorus, who searched Rome until he found him.","r":"2 Timothy 1:8-18"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/titus-1-1-9\/","n":"Titus 1:1-9, Elders in every town, and God's steward","s":"Paul greets Titus, whom he left in Crete to put in order what was unfinished and to appoint elders in every town, and lists what an elder must be: blameless, faithful to his wife, with believing children, a steward of God's household, hospitable and able to hold to sound teaching.","r":"Titus 1:1-9"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/titus-3-9-15\/","n":"Titus 3:9-15, A divisive person, winter at Nicopolis, and Zenas and Apollos","s":"Titus is to avoid foolish controversies, genealogies and quarrels about the law, and to warn a divisive person twice before having nothing more to do with him; Paul plans to winter at Nicopolis and asks Titus to send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way with everything they need.","r":"Titus 3:9-15"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/philemon-1-7\/","n":"Philemon 1-7, The church in Philemon's house","s":"Paul, a prisoner, and Timothy write to Philemon, to Apphia and Archippus, and to the church that meets in Philemon's house, and Paul thanks God for Philemon's love and faith, his partnership, and the way he has refreshed the hearts of God's people.","r":"Philemon 1-7"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/hebrews-13-1-6\/","n":"Hebrews 13:1-6, Strangers, angels, prisoners","s":"The writer turns to everyday duties: brotherly love, hospitality to strangers, since some have entertained angels without knowing it, care for prisoners as if in prison with them, honor for marriage, and freedom from the love of money.","r":"Hebrews 13:1-6"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/james-2-14-26\/","n":"James 2:14-26, Faith that shudders, Abraham and Rahab","s":"Faith without deeds is dead, James argues. Wishing a hungry brother well helps no one, the demons believe that God is one and shudder, and Abraham and Rahab were counted righteous by what they did.","r":"James 2:14-26"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1peter-4-1-11\/","n":"1 Peter 4:1-11, The neighbors' parties and their abuse","s":"Armed with Christ's attitude, the readers have done with the life of the Gentiles, its debauchery, drinking parties and idolatry, and their old companions are surprised and heap abuse on them; they will give account to God. The end of all things is near, so they must be sober, love one another, be hospitable without grumbling, and use their gifts as stewards of God's grace.","r":"1 Peter 4:1-11"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2john-7-13\/","n":"2 John 7-13, Deceivers at the door, paper and ink","s":"Many deceivers who refuse to confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh are abroad in the world; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Whoever runs ahead and does not keep to Christ's teaching does not have God, and the readers are not to take such a person into the house or greet him. The elder would rather not use paper and ink, and hopes to talk face to face.","r":"2 John 7-13"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/3john-1-8\/","n":"3 John 1-8, Gaius and the traveling brothers","s":"The elder writes to his dear friend Gaius, praying that he is in good health and glad to hear that he walks in the truth. Gaius has been faithful in what he does for the brothers, strangers though they are; he should supply them for the next stage of their journey in a way that honors God, since they went out for the sake of the Name and took nothing from the pagans.","r":"3 John 1-8"}
{"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-3-14-22\/","n":"Revelation 3:14-22, Laodicea, lukewarm and rich","s":"To Laodicea the faithful and true witness says the church is neither cold nor hot but lukewarm, and he will spit it out. It thinks itself rich but is poor, blind and naked; he counsels it to buy gold, white clothes and eye salve, and stands at the door and knocks.","r":"Revelation 3:14-22"}

Sources

Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Matthew 10:9-10, 10:11-13, 10:14-15 and 10:40-42
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on Matthew 10:10, 10:11, 10:12-13, 10:14 and 10:42
ESV Study Bible, study note on Matthew 10:14
CSB Study Bible, note on Matthew 10:11
Josephus, The Wars of the Jews 2.8.4, trans. William Whiston
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Luke 7:43-46 and 11:5-6
Kenneth E. Bailey, Poet and Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes, Poet and Peasant, ch. 6, Exegesis of Luke 11:5-13
N. T. Wright, Luke for Everyone, comment on Luke 11:1-13
Craig L. Blomberg, Interpreting the Parables, 8.1.8 The Friend at Midnight
NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, notes on Acts 15:33, 16:15, 18:3 and 28:2
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Acts 21:4 and 28:7
Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, on Hebrews 13:2
Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 1.11.2, trans. William Whiston

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