People who receive hospitality, especially at others' homes. Guests are often invited to special celebrations such as weddings or birthdays. God invites all people as guests at his feast but many refuse.
Occasions for inviting guests
Weddings
Genesis 29:21–22 See also Esther 2:17–18; John 2:1–10
Finally Jacob said to Laban, “Grant me my wife, for my time is complete, and I want to sleep with her.” So Laban invited all the men of that place and prepared a feast.
Birthday celebrations
Genesis 40:20; Matthew 14:6 parallel Mark 6:21–22; Matthew 14:9 parallel Mark 6:26
Other special occasions
1 Samuel 9:22–24; 1 Kings 1:41, 1 Kings 1:49; Esther 1:8
Receiving guests
Receiving Jesus Christ as a guest
Luke 19:7 See also Matthew 9:10 parallels Mark 2:15, Luke 5:29; Matthew 26:6–7 parallels Mark 14:3, John 12:1–3; Luke 7:36, Luke 7:49, Luke 10:38, Luke 14:1, Luke 24:29; John 2:2; Revelation 3:20
And all who saw this began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinful man!”
God's people give hospitality
Acts 10:32 See also 2 Kings 4:8–10; Matthew 10:11 parallels Mark 6:10, Luke 9:4; Luke 10:33–37; Acts 16:34, Acts 21:8, Acts 28:7
Therefore send to Joppa for Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’
Customs associated with receiving guests
Anointing them with oil
Psalm 23:5 Anointing with oil was a customary treatment for honoured guests. See also Psalm 92:10; Luke 7:46; John 12:3
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Washing their feet
Genesis 18:4–5 See also Genesis 19:2, Genesis 24:32, Genesis 43:24; 1 Samuel 25:41; Luke 7:44; John 13:1–17 It was usually the slave's duty to wash away dirt accumulated in travelling.
Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a bit of bread so that you may refresh yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. After that, you may continue on your way.” “Yes,” they replied, “you may do as you have said.”
Guests treated badly
Judges 19:20–23; 2 Samuel 15:11; Jeremiah 41:1–2; Luke 7:44–46
Guests rejecting their hosts
Advice given to guests
Do not promote yourself
Proverbs 25:6–7 See also Luke 14:7–11
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; for it is better to be told, “Come up here!” than to be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,
Do not criticise the food
1 Corinthians 10:27 See also Luke 10:7
If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat anything set before you without raising questions of conscience.
Do not outstay your welcome
God invites people to be his guests
Revelation 19:9 See also Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 11:28; John 7:37; Revelation 22:17
Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Some refuse God's invitation
Luke 14:24 See also Matthew 22:1–7; Luke 14:16–20
For I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will taste my banquet.’”
Some accept God's invitation
Matthew 22:8–10 See also Matthew 9:15 parallels Mark 2:19, Luke 5:34; Luke 14:21–23
Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
Guest rooms
Mark 14:14 parallels Matthew 26:18, Luke 22:11; Philemon 1:22
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.