Scripture provides many examples of friendship and generosity towards strangers, and encourages believers to be hospitable in turn.

Genesis 18:2-5

Examples of hospitality in the OT

See also

Genesis 19:1-3
Genesis 24:22-25

Lot entertains visitors from God

Exodus 2:20

Abraham's servant is welcomed in Rebekah's home

Judges 13:15

Moses is welcomed by a priest of Midian

Judges 19:1-4,20-21

Manoah receives the angel of the LORD.

2 Samuel 17:27-29

Shelter is given to a Levite:

1 Kings 17:7-16

hospitality shown to David and his people

2 Kings 4:8-10

The widow of Zarephath cares for Elijah despite her poverty

Nehemiah 5:17

a Shunammite provides for Elisha

Nehemiah shows hospitality to fellow Jews.

Matthew 9:10

Hospitality shown to Jesus Christ

pp Mk 2:15

See also

pp Lk 5:29

Matthew 8:14-15

Jesus Christ received hospitality from people of all social backgrounds.

pp Mk 1:29-31

pp Lk 4:38-39

Matthew 26:6-7

at Peter's house

Jesus Christ anointed at Bethany:

John 12:1-3
Luke 7:36

pp Mk 14:3

Luke 10:38

at the house of Simon the Pharisee

Luke 14:1

at the home of Mary and Martha

Luke 19:5-7

at the house of a prominent Pharisee

Luke 24:29

at Zacchaeus' house

John 2:2

with disciples in Emmaus

at the wedding at Cana

Matthew 10:11-12

Hospitality assisted the mission of the apostles

Hospitality shown to the disciples

pp Mk 6:10

See also

pp Lk 9:4

Luke 10:5-7

Jesus Christ sends out the Twelve.

Acts 10:32

Hospitality shown to Peter

Acts 10:48

at the home of Simon the tanner

Acts 16:15

with Cornelius and his family

Hospitality shown to Paul and his companions

Acts 16:34

at the home of Lydia

Acts 18:2-3

at the house of the Philippian jailer

Acts 21:8

with Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth

Acts 21:16

at the house of Philip

Acts 28:2

at the home of Mnason in Jerusalem

Acts 28:7

on Malta

Romans 16:23

at the home of Publius

Philemon 1:22

with Gaius

as a guest of Philemon

1 Corinthians 16:19

Christians opened their homes for gatherings of believers

See also

Acts 2:46
Romans 16:3-5
Colossians 4:15
Philemon 1:2
1 Samuel 25:10-11

Examples of inhospitable behaviour

See also

Numbers 20:18
Numbers 21:21-23

Edom

Deuteronomy 23:3-4

Sihon

Judges 19:15

Ammonites and Moabites

Luke 9:52-53

Gibeah

See also

a Samaritan village

2339 Christ, example of
2357 Christ, parables
4440 fig-tree
4478 meat
5340 house
5356 irony
5977 waiting
7021 church, OT anticipations
7950 mission of Christ
8344 servanthood in believers