Better a meal of vegetables where there is love ¹  than a fattened ox where there is hatred. ² 

The ¹  Pharisee was astonished when he saw that Jesus ²  did not first wash his hands ³  before the meal.

So they prepared a dinner for Jesus ¹  there. Martha ²  was serving, and Lazarus was among those present at the table ³  with him.

But Jesus ¹  said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet ²  and invited ³  many guests. ⁴ 

He ¹  said also to the man ²  who had invited him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, ³  don’t invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors so you can be invited by them in return and get repaid.

Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Look! The feast I have prepared for you is ready. ¹  My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.”’

For I tell you, not one of those individuals ¹  who were invited ²  will taste my banquet!’” ³ 

If an unbeliever invites you to dinner and you want to go, eat whatever is served without asking questions of conscience.

As ¹  Jesus ²  was having a meal ³  in Matthew’s ⁴  house, many tax collectors ⁵  and sinners came and ate with Jesus and his disciples.

Although it grieved the king, ¹  because of his oath and the dinner guests he commanded it to be given.

Now one of the Pharisees ¹  asked Jesus ²  to have dinner with him, so ³  he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. ⁴ 

At ¹  the time for the banquet ²  he sent his slave ³  to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, because everything is now ready.’

As Jesus ¹  was having a meal ²  in Levi’s ³  home, many tax collectors ⁴  and sinners were eating with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.

When his daughter Herodias ¹  came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.”

Esther replied, “If the king is so inclined, ¹  let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”

The king replied, “Find Haman quickly so that we can do as Esther requests.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

While they were still speaking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived. They quickly brought Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

Although it grieved the king deeply, ¹  he did not want to reject her request because of his oath and his guests.

Then ¹  Levi gave a great banquet ²  in his house for Jesus, ³  and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others sitting ⁴  at the table with them.

As he spoke, ¹  a Pharisee ²  invited Jesus ³  to have a meal with him, so he went in and took his place at the table. ⁴