Ever wondered if it’s possible to have angels over for dinner? The Bible tells us that entertaining strangers might just mean we’re hosting angels without even realizing it. This intriguing concept is found in Scripture, where hospitality to strangers is highlighted as a virtue that could unexpectedly bring divine encounters. The idea of entertaining angels speaks to the broader biblical themes of hospitality, kindness, and the mysterious ways in which God works in our lives. It’s a reminder that our acts of love and kindness, even to the least and the unknown, are seen and valued by God, and sometimes, they’re even more significant than we realize.
Curious about the heavenly visitors you might be entertaining? Let’s explore what the Bible reveals about angels among us and the power of hospitality.
What Does the Bible Say About Entertaining Angels?
The Bible presents the idea of entertaining angels in a way that intertwines with the practice of hospitality. Throughout Scripture, angels are often God’s messengers, sent to deliver divine messages, provide protection, or guide individuals in their journey. The concept of unknowingly entertaining angels emphasizes the importance of treating all guests with kindness and generosity, as one might be serving a heavenly messenger.
In the Old Testament, Abraham and Sarah received three visitors, whom they treated with great hospitality. These visitors turned out to be angels, bringing news of God’s promise to Abraham. Similarly, Lot showed hospitality to two angelic visitors in Sodom, unaware of their true nature at first. These stories highlight how acts of hospitality can have implications beyond what is immediately visible, sometimes playing a part in God’s larger plan.
The New Testament further develops this idea, explicitly advising believers to show hospitality because, by doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it. This instruction is rooted in the Christian call to love and serve others, reflecting Jesus’ teachings on caring for the stranger and the needy among us.
Moreover, the concept of entertaining angels speaks to the mystery of God’s work in the world. It suggests that God’s messengers can appear in the most unexpected forms and that divine encounters can occur in the midst of ordinary acts of kindness. This perspective encourages believers to view hospitality not just as a social or cultural practice but as a spiritual discipline that opens the door to divine interactions.
The Bible’s view on angels and hospitality challenges us to look beyond the surface of our interactions with others, recognizing the inherent value and potential significance of every encounter. It teaches that our actions, especially those of kindness and hospitality, are part of the fabric of God’s activity in the world, and through them, we can connect with the divine in profound ways.
Bible Verses About Entertaining Angels
- Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” This verse explicitly mentions the possibility of entertaining angels unawares, emphasizing the importance of hospitality.
- Genesis 18:1-3 – “The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.” This passage describes Abraham’s encounter with angelic visitors, showcasing his immediate response of hospitality.
- Genesis 19:1-2 – “The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. ‘My lords,’ he said, ‘please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.’” Lot’s encounter with angels in Sodom further illustrates the act of welcoming strangers and the significance of such hospitality.
- Matthew 25:35-40 – “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Jesus teaches that acts of kindness to the needy are as if done to Him, reinforcing the value of hospitality and care for others.
- 1 Peter 4:9 – “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” Peter encourages the early Christians to practice hospitality, highlighting it as a key aspect of living in community and serving one another.
- Luke 10:5-6 – “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.” Jesus’ instructions to His disciples as they were sent out emphasizes the peace that comes with godly hospitality, suggesting that the welcome we offer has spiritual significance.
- 3 John 1:5-8 – “Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God.” This passage highlights the early Christian practice of showing hospitality to traveling believers, underscoring the importance of supporting and welcoming those who are doing God’s work.
- Romans 12:13 – “Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Paul’s exhortation to the Romans integrates the practice of hospitality with sharing resources, indicating that opening our homes and lives to others is a tangible expression of God’s love and provision.
- Matthew 10:40-42 – “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.” In this passage, Jesus teaches that welcoming His followers is akin to welcoming Him, and by extension, God the Father, further illustrating the profound spiritual dimensions of hospitality.
- Leviticus 19:34 – “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” This Old Testament commandment establishes a foundation for hospitality towards strangers, grounding the practice in love and the recognition of shared humanity.
These verses collectively demonstrate the deep biblical roots of hospitality, revealing it as an essential aspect of living out one’s faith. They show that welcoming others—be they angels, strangers, or fellow believers—reflects God’s own welcoming heart and serves as a powerful expression of His kingdom on earth.