Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers
Luke 11:37-54
Luke.11.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εν: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- λαλησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ερωτα: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- Φαρισαιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- οπως: CONJ
- αριστηση: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- παρ᾽αυτω·εισελθων: PREP+PRON,dat,sg,m;VERB,aor,act,ptc,masc,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ανεπεσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Luke 7:36 (verbal): A closely parallel scene: a Pharisee invites Jesus to eat and Jesus goes into the Pharisee's house and reclines — similar wording and social setting, though the subsequent interaction differs (the anointing/forgiveness episode).
- Luke 14:1 (thematic): Another Lucan scene where Jesus dines at the house of a leading Pharisee (on the Sabbath), using the dining setting as the context for teaching and confrontation with Pharisaic hosts.
- Mark 2:15 (thematic): Mark describes Jesus reclining at table with tax collectors and sinners after being invited to eat; parallels the motif of Jesus accepting invitations to eat and the social/theological implications of table fellowship.
- Matthew 9:10 (thematic): Matthew records Jesus sitting at table in a house with tax collectors and sinners — a parallel instance of Jesus' table fellowship used to highlight controversies over his associations and mission.
Alternative generated candidates
- While he was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him; he went in and reclined at table.
- While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him, and he went in and reclined at table.
Luke.11.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Φαρισαιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ιδων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- εθαυμασεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- πρωτον: ADV
- εβαπτισθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- προ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 7:2-4 (verbal): Pharisees and some scribes notice that Jesus' disciples eat with unwashed hands and appeal to the tradition of the elders about ceremonial hand-washing—directly parallels the Pharisee's astonishment that Jesus had not washed before the meal.
- Matthew 15:1-2 (verbal): Pharisees question Jesus about his disciples transgressing the tradition by not washing their hands—another Synoptic parallel addressing the same ritual washing issue reflected in Luke 11:38.
- Luke 7:36-39 (thematic): A meal in a Pharisee's house where Simon the Pharisee is critical of Jesus' conduct; parallels the social setting and Pharisaic scrutiny of Jesus' behavior at meals.
- Luke 14:1 (thematic): Jesus is invited to dine in a Pharisee's house and is observed by the guests, echoing the motif of Pharisaic watching and judgment during meals found in Luke 11:38.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the Pharisee saw this, he was surprised that he had not first washed before the meal.
- The Pharisee was astonished to see that he had not first washed before the meal.
Luke.11.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- αυτον·Νυν: PRON,acc,sg,3,m
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Φαρισαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εξωθεν: ADV
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ποτηριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πινακος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- καθαριζετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- εσωθεν: ADV
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- γεμει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αρπαγης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- πονηριας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 23:25 (verbal): Direct verbal parallel — Jesus condemns Pharisees for cleaning the outside of the cup and platter while inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
- Matthew 23:27 (structural): Closely related denunciation of Pharisaic hypocrisy: outwardly clean/beautiful but inwardly full of corruption (whitewashed tombs imagery); same structural critique of external piety vs inner corruption.
- Mark 7:6 (cf. Matthew 15:8) (quotation): Jesus cites Isaiah ('These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me') to criticize external religiosity without inward faith — parallel theme attacking outward observance disconnected from inner righteousness.
- Isaiah 1:16-17 (thematic): Prophetic admonition to cease empty ritual and pursue inward cleansing, justice, and care for the oppressed — thematically parallels the call to inward moral purity over mere external cleanliness.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but within you are full of greed and wickedness.
- And the Lord answered him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.
Luke.11.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αφρονες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- ουχ: PART,neg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ποιησας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εξωθεν: ADV
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εσωθεν: ADV
- εποιησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 23:25-26 (verbal): Directly parallels Luke's rebuke of Pharisaic hypocrisy; both contrast outside-cleanliness with an unclean inner life and urge cleansing the inside first.
- Matthew 23:27-28 (thematic): Uses the image of outwardly attractive but inwardly corrupt (whitewashed tombs) to condemn religious hypocrisy, echoing Luke's inside/outside contrast.
- Luke 6:42 (thematic): Same Lucan concern with inner moral condition versus outward appearance—remove the plank from your own eye before judging another's speck.
- Mark 7:6-7 (allusion): Jesus cites Isaiah to criticize those who honor God outwardly while their hearts are far away, paralleling Luke's charge against external piety and inner corruption.
- Romans 2:21-23 (thematic): Paul's denunciation of teachers who commit the very sins they condemn parallels the critique of people who appear righteous outwardly but are corrupt within.
Alternative generated candidates
- Fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?
- You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also?
Luke.11.41 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πλην: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ενοντα: ADJ,acc,pl,neut
- δοτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- ελεημοσυνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ιδου: PART
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- καθαρα: ADJ,nom,pl,neut
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Luke 11:42 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same rebuke: after urging to give alms (ἐλεημοσύνη), Jesus criticizes Pharisees for tithing herbs while neglecting justice and the love of God—shows how almsgiving cleans the inner life.
- Matthew 23:23 (thematic): Parallel denunciation of Pharisees who meticulously tithe minor things but neglect weightier matters (justice, mercy, faith); echoes the call to prioritize inward righteousness expressed by giving mercy/aid to others.
- Matthew 6:1-4 (thematic): Jesus' teaching on giving alms (ἐλεημοσύνη) in secret emphasizes internal motives and inward purity rather than outward show—connects almsgiving with true moral/ritual cleanliness.
- Mark 7:19 (verbal): Uses similar language of things being 'clean' (καθαρόν/καθαρίζει), linking Jesus' broader teaching about inner purity to declarations about what is clean; Mark applies the term to foods, while Luke applies it to the effect of inner generosity.
Alternative generated candidates
- But give as alms what is within, and behold, all things are clean to you.
- But give as alms the things that are within, and behold, all things are clean for you.
Luke.11.42 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αλλα: CONJ
- ουαι: INTJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- Φαρισαιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- αποδεκατουτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ηδυοσμον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πηγανον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- παν: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- λαχανον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- παρερχεσθε: VERB,pres,mp,ind,2,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κρισιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αγαπην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου·ταυτα: NOUN,gen,sg,m;PRON,acc,pl,n
- δε: CONJ
- εδει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ποιησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- κακεινα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- μη: PART
- παρειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Matthew 23:23 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: Jesus reproves the Pharisees for tithing small herbs while neglecting justice, mercy and faithfulness, and says they should do the one without omitting the other.
- Micah 6:8 (allusion): Old Testament ethical summary—'do justice, love kindness (or mercy), walk humbly'—echoes Luke's emphasis on justice and the love/mercy God requires beyond mere ritual observance.
- Amos 5:24 (thematic): Prophetic demand that righteousness and justice take precedence—'let justice roll down like waters'—serves as a background critique of ritual piety unaccompanied by justice.
- Isaiah 1:11-17 (thematic): Isaiah condemns empty sacrifices and calls for learning to do good, seek justice and defend the oppressed, paralleling Jesus' rebuke of ritual tithing when justice and love are neglected.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and you pass over justice and the love of God. These things you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
- Woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and you pass over justice and the love of God; these things you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
Luke.11.43 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουαι: INTJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- Φαρισαιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- αγαπατε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πρωτοκαθεδριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- συναγωγαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ασπασμους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- αγοραις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
Parallels
- Matthew 23:6-7 (verbal): Almost identical denunciation in Jesus' 'woes' to the Pharisees: they love places of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces—direct verbal parallel and shared Matthean Lukan tradition.
- Matthew 23:5 (thematic): Part of the same series of 'woes' emphasizing outward displays and seeking public approval ('they do all their deeds to be seen by men'), connecting hypocrisy and desire for honor.
- Luke 14:7-11 (structural): Jesus' teaching on humility at banquets—do not seek the place of honor—provides a direct ethical counterpoint to loving prominent seats and public greetings.
- John 12:43 (thematic): States that some would not confess Jesus because they 'loved the glory of men more than the glory of God,' echoing the motive of seeking human honor criticized in Luke 11:43.
Alternative generated candidates
- Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.
- Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
Luke.11.44 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουαι: INTJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- οτι: CONJ
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- ως: ADV
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- μνημεια: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- αδηλα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ανθρωποι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- περιπατουντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- επανω: PREP
- ουκ: PART,neg
- οιδασιν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 23:27-28 (verbal): Direct verbal and thematic parallel — Jesus calls the leaders 'like whitewashed tombs' (outwardly clean, inwardly full of dead men's bones), echoing Luke's 'unmarked tombs' condemnation of outward piety and inner corruption.
- Matthew 23:29-31 (thematic): Same woe-discourse theme — leaders accused of honoring the dead prophets' graves while being culpable for the prophets' deaths; connects to Luke's charge of hidden, contaminating tombs and hypocritical leadership.
- Mark 7:6-7 (cf. Matthew 15:8-9) (quotation): Jesus cites Isaiah ('These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me') to condemn external religion that hides inner unfaithfulness — parallels Luke's critique of external appearance vs inner uncleanness.
- Acts 7:52 (thematic): Stephen's indictment of Jewish leaders for persecuting the prophets and resisting the Righteous One echoes the Matthean/Lukan theme that religious leaders are guilty before God despite religious façades (links to the 'tombs' imagery of honoring the dead while rejecting God's messengers).
Alternative generated candidates
- Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and those who walk over them are unaware.
- Woe to you! For you are like unmarked tombs, and people walk over them without knowing it; outwardly you appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Luke.11.45 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αποκριθεις: VERB,part,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- νομικων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Διδασκαλε: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- λεγων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,m,sg
- και: CONJ
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- υβριζεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
Parallels
- Luke 11:46-52 (structural): Immediate continuation: Jesus answers the lawyer’s protest and pronounces woes against the experts in the law—directly connected response to the complaint that Jesus insults them.
- Matthew 15:12 (verbal): After Jesus’ harsh words about the Pharisees, the disciples report that the Pharisees were 'offended'—a similar reaction of religious leaders feeling insulted by Jesus’ criticism.
- Mark 7:5-13 (thematic): Pharisees and scribes challenge Jesus over his words and teachings about tradition and the law; like the lawyer’s objection, leaders react defensively to Jesus’ critique of their practices.
- Matthew 23:13-36 (allusion): Extended series of 'woes' against scribes and Pharisees that parallels Luke’s rebuke of the lawyers—both passages denounce hypocrisy and the mistreatment of others by religious authorities.
- Luke 20:45-47 (thematic): Jesus warns his disciples to 'beware of the scribes' who seek honor and exploit the vulnerable—another Luke passage criticizing legal experts and echoing the tension behind the lawyer’s accusation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then one of the lawyers answered, "Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also."
- One of the lawyers answered and said to him, “Teacher, when you say these things you insult us also.”
Luke.11.46 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ειπεν·Και: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- νομικοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- ουαι: INTJ
- οτι: CONJ
- φορτιζετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ανθρωπους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- φορτια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- δυσβαστακτα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,3
- ενι: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- δακτυλων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- ου: PART,neg
- προσψαυετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- φορτιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,n
Parallels
- Matthew 23:4 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel condemning scribes/Pharisees for laying heavy, hard-to-bear burdens on people while not moving them with a finger.
- Matthew 23:2-4 (structural): Contextual parallel in which Jesus contrasts the heavy demands imposed by the scribes with their own failure to practice what they teach.
- Luke 11:52 (thematic): Same train of 'woes' against lawyers in Luke: accuses them of depriving people of the key of knowledge and hindering those who seek it—another form of burdening/obstructing the people.
- Acts 15:10 (thematic): At the Jerusalem Council, Peter argues against putting a 'yoke' (burden) on Gentile believers—language and concern about imposing unbearable obligations on others.
- Galatians 5:1 (thematic): Paul's warning not to submit again to a 'yoke of slavery' echoes the motif of liberation from burdensome legal requirements imposed by others.
Alternative generated candidates
- He replied, "Woe to you also lawyers! For you burden men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves will not lift a finger to touch those burdens.
- And he said, “Woe to you lawyers as well! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves will not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.
Luke.11.47 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουαι: INTJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- οτι: CONJ
- οικοδομειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- μνημεια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- προφητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- πατερες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- απεκτειναν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 23:29 (verbal): Nearly identical saying in Matthew: Jesus reproaches the scribes/Pharisees for building the tombs of the prophets—same image and denunciatory formula ('Woe to you').
- Luke 13:34 (verbal): Jesus laments over Jerusalem: 'How often I wanted to gather your children... and you were not willing' and accuses the city of killing the prophets and stoning those sent to it—same charge against Israel for persecuting prophets.
- Acts 7:52 (allusion): Stephen's speech echoes the charge that the fathers persecuted and killed the prophets, linking that history of violence to rejection of God's messengers and the coming Righteous One.
- Matthew 21:35-41 (thematic): Parable of the wicked tenants: the tenants beat, killed, and stoned the master's servants and son—thematic parallel about Israel's mistreatment and murder of the prophetic messengers and the Son.
Alternative generated candidates
- Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
- Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers built them.
Luke.11.48 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αρα: PART
- μαρτυρες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- συνευδοκειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- εργοις: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πατερων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- οτι: CONJ
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,3
- μεν: PART
- απεκτειναν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- δε: CONJ
- οικοδομειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Luke 11:47 (structural): Immediate context/closely linked verse; the woe continues—accuses them of building the tombs of the prophets and aligns their action with their fathers' crimes.
- Matthew 23:29-31 (verbal): Parallel saying in Matthew's Woes: condemns scribes/Pharisees for building the prophets' tombs and declares they prove themselves to be sons of those who murdered the prophets.
- Acts 7:52 (thematic): Stephen's speech echoes the charge that the forefathers persecuted and killed the prophets who announced the Righteous One—connects ancestral violence to present culpability.
- Luke 13:34-35 (thematic): Jesus laments that Jerusalem has killed or rejected the prophets and predicts judgment—same theme of rejecting God's messengers and the consequences that follow.
Alternative generated candidates
- So you bear witness and consent to the deeds of your fathers; for they killed them, and you build their tombs.
- Thus you bear witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
Luke.11.49 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δια: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- σοφια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ειπεν·Αποστελω: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg + VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- εις: PREP
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- προφητας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- αποστολους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εξ: PREP
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- αποκτενουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- διωξουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 23:34 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: Jesus says he will send prophets/wise men/teachers and that some of them will be killed and persecuted—same tradition as Luke 11:49.
- Acts 7:52 (allusion): Stephen charges his audience with resisting the Holy Spirit and persecuting/killing the prophets, echoing Luke’s claim that God's messengers are slain by the people.
- Matthew 10:17-18 (structural): In the commissioning of the Twelve Jesus warns they will be handed over to councils and dragged before rulers—structurally parallels the theme of apostles being sent and persecuted.
- John 15:20 (thematic): Jesus tells his disciples that because he was persecuted, they will be persecuted also—reinforces the theme that those sent by God will face killing and persecution.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore also the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute.'
- Fill, then, the measure of your fathers.
Luke.11.50 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ινα: CONJ
- εκζητηθη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αιμα: NOUN,nom,sg,neut
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- προφητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εκκεχυμενον: PART,perf,pass,nom,sg,n
- απο: PREP
- καταβολης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γενεας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ταυτης: DEM,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 23:35 (quotation): Almost identical indictment—Jesus says that ‘all the righteous blood’ shed (from Abel to Zechariah) will come on this generation; verbal parallel and shared prophetic denunciation.
- Luke 11:51 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same saying identifying the shedding of Zechariah’s blood ‘between the altar and the sanctuary’—closely tied in context and wording.
- Acts 7:52 (thematic): Stephen’s speech accuses his hearers of persecuting and killing the prophets and the Righteous One—the theme of generations held responsible for slain prophets echoes Luke 11:50.
- Genesis 4:10 (thematic): God’s declaration that Abel’s blood ‘cries out from the ground’ provides an early biblical motif of sacrificial/innocent blood demanding account, echoed in the language of prophets’ blood being required.
- 2 Chronicles 24:20-22 (allusion): Account of Zechariah son of Jehoiada being stoned in the temple (his blood shed in God’s house) is commonly linked to the ‘Zechariah’ referenced in the prophetic denunciations (background for the charge against the generation).
Alternative generated candidates
- That the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
- Therefore also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and persecute,’
Luke.11.51 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απο: PREP
- αιματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- Αβελ: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εως: CONJ
- αιματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- Ζαχαριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- απολομενου: PART,pres,pass,gen,sg,m
- μεταξυ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θυσιαστηριου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- οικου·ναι: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εκζητηθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- απο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γενεας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ταυτης: DEM,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 23:35 (quotation): Jesus’ saying in Matthew includes the same tagline ‘from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah,’ directly paralleling Luke’s formula as a denunciation of the murderous history of Israel’s leaders.
- Genesis 4:10 (verbal): God’s report that Abel’s blood ‘cries out’ from the ground provides the archetype for Luke’s reference to Abel’s blood as the beginning point of a history of innocent bloodshed.
- 2 Chronicles 24:20-22 (allusion): The account of Zechariah son of Jehoiada being struck down in the temple courtyard between the sanctuary/altar and the house is the likely historical referent for Luke’s ‘blood of Zechariah...between the altar and the house.’
- Hebrews 12:24 (thematic): Hebrews contrasts Jesus’ blood with ‘the blood of Abel,’ treating Abel’s slain blood as a paradigm of a blood that speaks; this reflects the theological motif Luke invokes about accountable bloodshed in Israel’s history.
Alternative generated candidates
- from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the sanctuary—yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation.
- so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation—
Luke.11.52 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουαι: INTJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- νομικοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ηρατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κλειδα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γνωσεως·αυτοι: NOUN,gen,sg,f+PRON,nom,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εισηλθατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- εισερχομενους: PART,pres,mid,acc,pl,m
- εκωλυσατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 23:13 (verbal): Nearly identical woe: condemns scribes/Pharisees for shutting the kingdom/knowledge, neither entering themselves nor permitting others to enter; close verbal parallel to Luke 11:52.
- Luke 11:53-54 (structural): Immediate context: the following verses describe the hostile reaction of the lawyers and Pharisees to Jesus’ rebuke, showing the practical effect of their obstruction and Jesus’ confrontation.
- Isaiah 22:22 (allusion): Uses the metaphor of a 'key' to denote authority to open and shut access; Luke’s 'key of knowledge' echoes this symbolic language of controlling access to an important domain (house/knowledge).
- Matthew 23:15 (thematic): Another woe in Matthew’s 'woes' against the scribes/Pharisees: accuses them of misleading and harming seekers (making proselytes 'twice as much a son of hell'), thematically related to preventing true access to God/knowledge.
Alternative generated candidates
- Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.
- from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation.
Luke.11.53 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Κακειθεν: ADV
- εξελθοντος: VERB,aor,act,part,gen,m,sg
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ηρξαντο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- γραμματεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- Φαρισαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- δεινως: ADV
- ενεχειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- αποστοματιζειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- περι: PREP
- πλειονων: ADJ,gen,pl,n
Parallels
- Matthew 12:14 (verbal): Pharisees depart and plot against Jesus (they took counsel against him), paralleling Luke's depiction of scribes and Pharisees opposing and seeking to silence him.
- Mark 3:6 (verbal): The Pharisees immediately conspire with the Herodians to destroy Jesus—similar language of hostile plotting and intent to stop his activity.
- John 11:53 (structural): After the raising of Lazarus the chief priests and Pharisees resolve to put Jesus to death; a parallel episode where Jewish leaders escalate from opposition to active plotting.
- Luke 6:11 (thematic): On another occasion Luke notes that opponents were filled with rage and plotted what they might do to Jesus, echoing the theme of hostile leaders seeking to silence or destroy him.
Alternative generated candidates
- As he went out from them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile and to interrogate him on many things,
- Then the scribes and the Pharisees became very hostile and began to question him about many things, lying in wait to catch something from his mouth, that they might accuse him.
Luke.11.54 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ενεδρευοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- θηρευσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- στοματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 22:15 (verbal): Pharisees plot to entangle Jesus in his words—language and intent closely parallel (seeking to trap him in speech).
- Mark 12:13 (verbal): Enemies watch and send representatives to 'catch him in his words'—near verbal and situational parallel to Luke 11:54.
- Luke 20:20 (verbal): Very close Lucan parallel: spies/watchers sent to feign righteousness and seize his words—same tactic and wording.
- Luke 6:7 (verbal): Opponents 'watched' Jesus to see if he would act (heal on the Sabbath) 'that they might accuse him'—same verb and accusatory intent.
Alternative generated candidates
- seeking to catch something from his mouth that they might accuse him.
- And when he left there, they began to plot against him, asking when they might seize him.
While he was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; and he entered and sat at the table.
When the Pharisee saw it, he was surprised that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. But the Lord said to him, "You Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of extortion and wickedness."
"You fools! Did not the one who made the outside also make the inside? But give as alms the things that are within; and behold, all things will be clean for you.
"Woe to you, Pharisees! For you tithe mint, rue, and every herb, and you pass over justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
"Woe to you, Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
"Woe to you! For you are like unmarked tombs, and people walk over them without knowing."
Then one of the experts in the law answered and said, "Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also."
He said, "Woe also to you, experts in the law! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves will not lift a finger to move them.
"Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. So you bear witness and approve the deeds of your fathers; for they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.
Therefore the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute.'
so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary — yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation.
"Woe to you, legal experts! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering."
As he went out, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard, and to question him about many things.
They kept watch for him, seeking something from his mouth that they might accuse him.