Devine Scripture

Luke 11:43

What does Luke 11:43 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 11:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 11:43 means

Jesus pronounces a second "woe" against the Pharisees, targeting their pride and love of human recognition. He condemns them for craving "the chief seats in the synagogues" (positions of honor and prestige) and desiring "the salutations in the marketplaces" (public greetings that signify respect and status). This exposes their motivation: their religious actions are often driven by a desire for earthly acclaim rather than genuine devotion to God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Woe unto you Pharisees! for ye love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Woe unto you Pharisees! for ye love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

A curse is on you, Pharisees! for your desires are for the most important seats in the Synagogues and for words of respect said to you in the market-place.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Woe to you, the Pharisees, because ye love the first seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the market-places.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Woe to you, Pharisees, because you love the uppermost seats in the synagogues and salutations in the marketplace.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Woe unto you, Pharisees, for ye love the first seat in the synagogues and salutations in the market-places.

Context

This verse continues Jesus' pronouncements of "woes" against the Pharisees, building on the previous condemnation of their misplaced priorities. It now targets their desire for social status and public honor. This exposure of their outward-focused religion connects with the earlier critique of cleaning only the outside of the cup, and it leads into the next woe that exposes their hidden spiritual defilement.

v.42But woe unto you Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God: but these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

v.43This passage

v.44Woe unto you! for ye are as the tombs which appear not, and the men that walk over them know it not.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Philippians 2:3

    doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;

  • James 2:2

    For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing;

  • Romans 12:10

    In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another;

  • Luke 14:7

    And he spake a parable unto those that were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief seats; saying unto them,

  • Proverbs 16:18

    Pridegoethbefore destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

  • Mark 12:38

    And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, andto have salutations in the marketplaces,

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