The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner.
Christ here says many of those things to a Pharisee and his guests, in a private conversation at table, which he afterwards said in a public discourse in the temple (Mt. 23); for what he said in public and private was of a piece.
Commenting on Luke 11:37-54
Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without,.... That is, made clean that which is without, or the outside of the cup and platter; make that which is within also? does not he make the inside clean likewise? whoever washes a cup or platter, but washes and makes clean the inside, as well as the outside?
Verse 38. Saw it. Saw that he sat immediately down without washing. Marvelled. Wondered. Was amazed. It was so unusual, and in his view so improper. Had not first washed. He wondered particularly, as he had been among a mixed multitude, and they esteemed the touch of such persons polluting. They never ate, therefore, without such washing.