Devine Scripture

Luke 11:53

What does Luke 11:53 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 11:53 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 11:53 means

As Jesus leaves the Pharisee's house after these fiery denunciations, the scribes and Pharisees react with intense hostility. They "began to press upon him vehemently," indicating aggressive questioning and badgering. They sought to "provoke him to speak of many things," aiming to trap Him in His words or force Him to say something incriminating in their heated discussions.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when he was come out from thence, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press upon him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And 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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when he was come out from thence, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press upon him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when he had come out of that place, the scribes and the Pharisees came round him angrily, questioning him about more things;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And in his speaking these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began fearfully to urge and to press him to speak about many things,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And as he was saying these things to them, the Pharisees and the lawyers began violently to urge him and to oppress his mouth about many things,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And as he said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him urgently, and to make him speak of many things;

Context

This verse describes the immediate, hostile reaction of the scribes and Pharisees after Jesus' pronounced woes against them and the lawyers. It follows the powerful condemnations, indicating a significant escalation in their opposition. This direct confrontation sets the stage for their actively seeking to trap Jesus in His words, as detailed in the next and final verse of the chapter.

v.52Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

v.53This passage

v.54laying wait for him, to catch something out of his mouth.

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 18:18

    Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.

  • Luke 20:20

    And they watched him, and sent forth spies, who feigned themselves to be righteous, that they might take hold of his speech, so as to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor.

  • Jeremiah 20:10

    For I have heard the defaming of many, terror on every side. Denounce, and we will denounce him, say all my familiar friends, they that watch for my fall; peradventure he will be persuaded, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

  • Psalms 22:12

    Many bulls have compassed me; Strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.

  • Luke 20:27

    And there came to him certain of the Sadducees, they that say that there is no resurrection;

  • Isaiah 9:12

    the Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

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