C. The results of popular opposition 11:14-54Luke recorded the climax of the rejection of Jesus and His message and then narrated Jesus’ instructions to His disciples about how they should live in view of rejection. read more
5. The climax of Pharisaic opposition 11:37-54 (cf. Matthew 23:1-36; Mark 12:38-40)The theme of opposition to Jesus continues in this section, but the source of opposition changes from the people generally to the Pharisees and, even more particularly, to their lawyers (scribes). Jesus’ responses also changed from warnings and exhortations to denunciations. Jesus condemned the teachings of the Pharisees, the light that was darkness (Luke 11:35), rather than the Pharisees and the lawyers as... read more
Three woes against the Pharisees 11:42-44Jesus now specified two examples of the Pharisees’ spiritual myopia (Luke 11:42-43), and then He compared them to something similar that defiles (Luke 11:44). Emphasis on externals leads to error. When people "concentrate on the trivial they are apt to overlook the important." [Note: Morris, p. 204.] Jesus announced His condemnation with the use of "woe." read more
The Pharisees scrupulously avoided touching graves to avoid ritual defilement. However they themselves defiled other people who contacted them as hidden graves defiled those who unknowingly walked over them (cf. Numbers 19:16). While trying to remain ritually pure themselves, they were defiling many other people who were unaware of the Pharisees’ evil influence on them. Their sins contaminated the whole nation. read more
The lawyers (or scribes) were a distinct group, though most of them were Pharisees. The scribes and Pharisees often acted together. The lawyer who spoke up wanted to distinguish his group from the Pharisees, but Jesus refused to do so because the scribes were as hypocritical as the Pharisees. The lawyers involved themselves more in the interpretation of the law whereas the Pharisees generally advocated and enforced those interpretations. The former group was a professional class and the latter... read more
Three woes against the lawyers 11:45-52 read more
The Lord’s Prayer. The Sign of Jonah1-4. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-15). See on Mt. If the Lord’s Prayer was given only once, St. Luke is probably right as to the occasion. His version, however (as in the case of the Beatitudes), is manifestly inferior to St. Matthew’s. Of the seven petitions he omits two—the third (’Thy will be done,’ etc.), and the seventh (’but deliver us from the evil one’: see the RV). In place of Mt’s beautiful opening, ’Our Father in the heavens,’ he has simply,... read more
(44) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!—The better MSS. give simply, Woe unto you, Pharisees, (See Note on Matthew 23:27.)Ye are as graves which appear not.—The comparison, though drawn from the same object, presents a different phase of it. In St. Matthew the contrast is between the whitened surface and the decaying bones within. Here the whitewash is worn out, and there is nothing to distinguish the graves, and men walk over them without knowing what lies below the surface. read more
(45) Then answered one of the lawyers.—See Note on Matthew 22:35 for the term “lawyer.” We note here the sense at once of distinctness and of class fellowship. Though something more than a scribe, he feels that he stands or falls with them. read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 11:44
44. appear not, c.—As one might unconsciously walk over a grave concealed from view, and thus contract ceremonial defilement, so the plausible exterior of the Pharisees kept people from perceiving the pollution they contracted from coming in contact with such corrupt characters. (See Psalms 5:9 Romans 3:13; a different illustration from Matthew 23:27). read more