Luke 11:46

11:46 But Jesus replied, “Woe to you experts in religious law as well! You load people down with burdens difficult to bear, yet you yourselves refuse to touch the burdens with even one of your fingers!

Luke 11:52

11:52 Woe to you experts in religious law! You have taken away the key to knowledge! You did not go in yourselves, and you hindered those who were going in.”


tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

tn Grk “said.”

tn Here “as well” is used to translate καί (kai) at the beginning of the statement.

tn Grk “men.” This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both males and females.

tn Grk “you yourselves do not touch.” This could mean one of two things: (1) Either they make others do what they themselves do not (through various technical exceptions) or (2) they make no effort to help the others fulfill what they are required to do. Considering the care these religious figures are said to have given to the law, the second option is more likely (see L&N 18.11).

sn You have taken away the key to knowledge is another stinging rebuke. They had done the opposite of what they were trying to do.

tn Or “you tried to prevent.”