Luke 11:38

“And when the Pharisee saw it, etc.] That Christ laid himself down on one of the couches and began to eat: he marvelled; that so great a prophet as he was, and a man of so much religion and holiness, should show no regard to a common custom with them, and which was one of the traditions of their elders, and which they put upon a level with the commands of God. The Vulgate Latin version, and so Beza's most ancient copy, and another exemplar, read, “he began to say, thinking” (or judging) “within himself”: he was “moved” at it, as the Persic version renders it; he was filled with astonishment and indignation, that he had not first washed before dinner; especially since he had been in a crowd of…”

“DENUNCIATION OF THE PHARISEES. (Luke 11:37-54) marvelled, &c.--(See Mar 7:2-4).”

“Saw it - Saw that he sat immediately down without washing. Marvelled - Wondered. Was amazed. It was so unusual, and in his view so improper. Had not first washed - He wondered particularly, as he had been among a mixed multitude, and they esteemed the “touch” of such persons polluting. They never ate, therefore, without such washing. The origin of the custom of washing with so much formality “before” they partook of their meals was that they did not use, as we do, knives and forks, but used their hands only. Hence, as their hands would be often in a dish on the table, it was esteemed proper that they should be washed clean before eating. Nor was their impropriety in the thing itself, but the…”

“11:38 the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom: The Pharisees had developed elaborate washing rituals to ensure ceremonial purity (see Mark 7:1-5).”

“he marvelled: Mat 15:2, Mat 15:3; Mar 7:2-5; Joh 3:25 Luke 11:39”