Steven Carr

Here is what NT Wright says about the matter 'Easy: it’s probably not about clean and unclean at all. Just like not going from house to house. They weren’t supposed to be picky and choosey and move around giving offence to one host because they like the roast lamb next door better.'

I should point out that this was a quick, off-the-cuff answer.

Still, I tend to disagree that it was 'not about clean and unclean at all'.

Telling Jews to eat whatever food is set in front of them when they visit other houses would have been controversial to Jews, especially as Luke 10 omits any instruction to only visit Jewish houses.

The idea that this instruction by Jesus only referred to missionaires being courteous seems very anachronistic.