Recline to Eat

This post was written by Anthony Delgado on September 4, 2008

When we see paintings or think about The Last Supper, we often see Jesus surrounded by His disciples at a large table, sitting in regular upright chairs. What is so interesting is that The Last Supper probably didn’t include upright chairs. It is more probable that Jesus and his disciples “reclined” to eat. What does that mean? To recline to eat is to lay down, usually on the stomach or left side to dine. Special couches were placed around a table in a horseshoe, leaving one side open for servants to bring and clear away food. In some cases, a piece of leather was merely rolled out on the floor as the table and people would lie down around it. The host reclined at the head of the table, and guests were arranged according to their esteem. The closer one was placed to the host, the more greatness and honor given.

The tradition of reclining to eat started as early as 650 B.C. with the more affluent, such as kings and other reigning officials. Reclining to eat on couches was considered privilege and a status symbol. Over the course of time, however, the tradition spread to all people. Dining with people was considered very intimate and marked a fellowship or relation with one another. Therefore, it is no wonder that special circumstances and traditions would be carried out during dining.

There is considerable mention of reclining to eat in the Bible, likely due to being customary at the time. Jesus says that “many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:11 NAS). Remember that eating with someone is fellowship and relation with. Therefore, this is another example of how God desires a relationship with us.

Knowledge of this custom gives great insight and better understanding to the meaning of many scriptures. For example, consider the parable Christ speaks when dining with the Pharisees:

And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’ When one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, ‘Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!’”
Luke 14:7-15 NAS
Other verses where the custom of reclining (often just translated as “dining”) is used:
Amos 6:4
Matthew 8:11
Matthew 26:7
Luke 7:36
Luke 11:37
Luke 12:37
Luke 13:29
Luke 22:14
Luke 22:27
Luke 24:30
John 13:12

Understanding this custom gives clarity to the first half of the parable. When considering others, we should not hold ourselves above them, thinking we are better, for we are often wrong and become humiliated in front of everyone. This reflects the famous idiom “Pride comes before the fall.” Instead, it is much better that we think less of ourselves and let others speak for us, and honor us only if we’re worthy. Those around us are often better judges of our character, for they see our actions.

Not only this, but when we go to heaven- the wedding feast, we should not think ourselves the best of the disciples, taking the seat of honor. For Christ knows our hearts and will judge us and reward accordingly-either moving us to a lesser seat or a more esteemed seat. Those who humbles themselves, and make themselves least, will be regarded by Christ as the most.

Related posts:

  1. A Quick Read through the Gospel of Matthew
  2. Eternal Life and Death
  3. The Parable of the Landowner
  4. God is Light from Creation to the End
  5. Parable of the Sower
  6. The Integrity of Modesty

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