Devine Scripture

Luke 11:46

What does Luke 11:46 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 11:46 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 11:46 means

Jesus immediately pronounces a "woe" upon the lawyers as well. He condemns them for imposing heavy, restrictive, and "grievous burdens to be borne"—an allusion to their intricate interpretations of the Law and added traditions—upon the common people. Yet, in their hypocrisy, they themselves refuse to lift a single "finger" to help bear these same burdens, highlighting their spiritual oppression and lack of compassion.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said, Woe unto you lawyers also! for ye load men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said, Woe unto you lawyers also! for ye load men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, A curse is on you, teachers of the law! for while other men are crushed under the weight of the rules you make for them, you yourselves do not put so much as one finger to them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he said, `And to you, the lawyers, woe! because ye burden men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves with one of your fingers do not touch the burdens.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he said: Woe to you lawyers also, because you load men with burdens which they cannot bear and you yourselves touch not the packs with one of your fingers.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, To you also woe, doctors of the law, for ye lay upon men burdens heavy to bear, and yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.

Context

This verse begins Jesus' pronouncements of "woes" specifically directed at the lawyers, serving as a direct response to their interjection. It exposes their hypocrisy in creating burdensome legalistic demands for others while exempting themselves. This critique of their oppressive legalism leads into further woes that condemn their historical complicity in rejecting God's prophets.

v.45And one of the lawyers answering saith unto him, Teacher, in saying this thou reproachest us also.

v.46This passage

v.47Woe unto you! for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 11:45

    And one of the lawyers answering saith unto him, Teacher, in saying this thou reproachest us also.

  • Isaiah 10:1

    Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers that write perverseness;

  • Luke 11:52

    Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

  • Galatians 6:13

    For not even they who receive circumcision do themselves keep the law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

  • Matthew 23:2

    saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat:

  • Isaiah 58:6

    Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

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