Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
Read it in contextAt the Pharisee's table
Start reading at Luke 11:37 (Luke 11:37 to Luke 11:54).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The meal becomes a confrontation over hypocrisy and burdensome leadership, ending with intensified efforts to catch Jesus in His words.
11:37And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.
11:38And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
11:39And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
11:40Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?
11:41But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
11:42But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
11:43Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
11:44Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
11:45Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.
11:46And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
11:47Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
11:48Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
11:49Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
11:50That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
11:51From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
11:52Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
11:53And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
11:54Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 11:1–11:54): Jesus teaches His disciples about prayer, addresses crowds and critics, and rebukes Pharisees and lawyers during a meal. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? At the Pharisee's table. Read Luke 11:37 through Luke 11:54 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The meal becomes a confrontation over hypocrisy and burdensome leadership, ending with intensified efforts to catch Jesus in His words. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The account connects events with named rulers and begins before Jesus' birth, continuing through His resurrection and ascension. Those narrative dates do not themselves date composition. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Judea and Galilee and gives sustained attention to the journey toward Jerusalem. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in At the Pharisee's table (Luke 11:37 to Luke 11:54).
Start reading at Luke 11:37. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Luke presents Jesus as the Saviour and records His explanation that the Scriptures concern His suffering and glory. Keep this broad claim alongside the particular passages He and the narrator actually connect. See Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Attend to repentance, mercy, prayer, and faithful response. Identify who is being addressed in a parable or rebuke before applying it to someone else. interpretation
Cited: Luke 11:37, Luke 11:54, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of PaulFrom early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name. Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 11
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Connection to the wholeJesus' model prayer and illustrations encourage persistent dependence on the Father, culminating in His giving the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
Connection to the wholeAccusations and demands for signs are answered with warnings about division, hearing God's word, repentance, and the light within a person.
Connection to the wholeThe meal becomes a confrontation over hypocrisy and burdensome leadership, ending with intensified efforts to catch Jesus in His words.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.