Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.” 46 And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them. 47 Woe to you! You build the memorials of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. 48 Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. 49 Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ 50 in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! 52 Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” 53 When he left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, 54 for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.
While still dining at the Pharisee’s house where Jesus pronounced woes on the Pharisees, He now addresses the “scholars of the law” (scribes), legal experts who interpreted the Mosaic Law and its traditions. Luke presents a set of woes that expose leaders who burden others, honor prophets without obeying them, and block access to God’s truth.
A scribe objects that Jesus’ words also insult them. Jesus accepts the point and speaks directly. “You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger.” He condemns teaching that multiplies rules without mercy or practical help. Leadership that adds weight but withholds assistance distorts God’s Law, which was given for life with God, not for prestige.
“You build the memorials of the prophets whom your ancestors killed.” They honor the graves of God’s messengers but refuse their message. By continuing their ancestors’ resistance to God’s call, they “bear witness and give consent” to the same pattern. Monuments without repentance become a public sign that the old rejection still lives.
“Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles; some they will kill and persecute.’” Here, “the wisdom of God” means God Himself speaking in His wise plan—a divine verdict now voiced through Jesus (cf. Prov 1; 8; Sir 24; Mt 23:34; 1 Cor 1:24). Luke shows that opposition to God’s messengers fulfills a judgment foreseen in salvation history. “This generation” will be charged because it stands in continuity with earlier violence and now rejects Jesus and His emissaries. The charge spans “from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah,” a sweep from Genesis to Chronicles in the Hebrew canon, indicating the full story of prophetic rejection. The Zechariah in view is most likely the priest “son of Jehoiada,” killed in the temple court (2 Chr 24:20-22).
“Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge.” The “key” signifies true understanding of God’s revelation that opens the way to life with Him. By misreading Scripture and binding people with human additions, they did not enter the way to life with God (the kingdom opened by true knowledge) and hindered those who were trying to enter. Leadership meant to open the door has instead blocked it.
After Jesus left the house, the scribes and Pharisees, thereafter, acted with hostility. They pursued Him with hostile questioning about many things, plotting to catch Him in something He might say. The reaction confirms His diagnosis: a hardened leadership resists God’s truth and seeks to silence it.
Lord Jesus, guard our minds from pride and hardness of heart. Keep us from laying burdens that You did not command, and from honoring truth in words while resisting it in practice. Give us right understanding of Scripture and the courage to live it. Open the door of knowledge for us, and make us humble servants who help others enter. Amen.
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Sources and References
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011).
- The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. Chiu et al. (Paulist Press, 2018), on Lk 11:37-54.
- The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition (Four Courts/Scepter, 2008), notes on Lk 11.
- The New Jerome Biblical Commentary, ed. Brown et al. (Prentice Hall, 1990), §43: Luke.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al., A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture (1953), notes on Lk 11.
- St. John Chrysostom (c. 349–407), Homilies on Matthew (on burdensome traditions and true obedience).
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