The early Hebrews ate their meals either squatting in Arab fashion or sitting on chairs. However, by New Testament times, the upper classes copied the Greeks and the Romans and laid down on low couches to eat. In special dining rooms, they rested on cushions or couches and supported themselves on their left elbow. Guests were arranged around three sides of a low table with their body at such an angle so that their head was near to the chest of the person beside and behind them. The fourth side of the table was left open for the food servers. The couch of honor was opposite the empty side of the table. Because Matthew Levi, the tax collector, (see Mark 2:14) had a home equipped with such a table, it suggests that he was a man of means and culture. Children customarily sat on stools at their parents feet. It is obvious that Jesus was familiar with the rules governing such social gatherings. We read in Luke 14 where Jesus advised that people should seek the least honorable "reclining places" and then if it be appropriate, let the host move them up to more honorable places.
For the sake of art, Leonardo da Vinci's famous masterpiece, the Last Supper, places the disciples all on one side of the table sitting in chairs. The painting works wonderfully for art, but lacks accuracy when compared to the historical facts.
So what would have been served at a rich man's feast? It depends. A devout Jew would be careful about clean and unclean food. A not-so-devout Jew probably wouldn't be so careful. Since we are plainly told that the host of the feast described in Mark 2 was a wealthy tax collector, we can draw some interesting conclusions. First, the Jews hated tax collectors and refused to associate with them. They looked upon tax collectors as traitors because they hired out to the Romans to exploit their fellow countrymen. Also, many of the wealthy in the times of Jesus were Jews in name only, preferring to live the "good life" of the Greeks and Romans. Matthew Levi would certainly have been a candidate to be a member of this Jewish elitist class.
On festive occasions, guests received a second invitation as a reminder of their dinner date. Upon arriving guests were greeted with a kiss (see Luke 7:45), and were given water to wash their feet. A master of ceremonies directed the serving of food and entertainment. The banquet might include music, singing, dancing, clowns and riddles. Since everyone ate with their fingers, slaves poured perfumed water over guest's hands after each of as many as seven courses. Food was often dipped from a single serving bowl using the hand to convey it to the mouth. Forks were still unknown. Belching (for Romans) was considered a politeness. Many banquets lasted eight to ten hours and sometimes went on for days. Before serving, wine was mixed with water in a large bowl and either cooled with snow or heated with hot water according to the season. The wine was normally diluted with water by at least one third and sometimes up to four-fifths. Drinking heavy wines straight was considered vulgar.

Blessings in your study of God's Word!

Marvin Hunt

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Marvin Hunt

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