Luke 11:44

“Woe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, etc.] As they are all along called by Matthew; though only here by Luke. The Vulgate Latin only reads, “woe unto you”, leaving out all the rest: but the whole is retained in all the Oriental versions; for ye are as graves which appear not; being covered with grass; “or which were not marked”, as the Ethiopic version renders it; that is, were not whited or covered with lime, as some were, that they might be seen at a distance, and be known what they were; that so men might avoid going near them, and prevent their being defiled with them; (see Gill on “<402327>Matthew 23:27”) and the men that walk over them are not aware of them; and so are…”

“appear not, &c.--As one might unconsciously walk over a grave concealed from view, and thus contract ceremonial defilement, so the plausible exterior of the Pharisees kept people from perceiving the pollution they contracted from coming in contact with such corrupt characters. (See Psa 5:9; Rom 3:13; a different illustration from Mat 23:27).”

“See Matthew 23:6, Matthew 23:27. return to 'Top of Page'”

“For ye are as graves which appear not - Probably in speaking this our Lord fixed his eyes on the scribes. As graves which appear not, being overgrown with grass, so that men are not aware, till they stumble upon them, and either hurt themselves, or at least are defiled by touching them. On another occasion Christ compared them to whited sepulchres, fair without, but foul within; Mat 23:27. Luke 11:45”

“11:44 hidden graves in a field: Touching a grave or a dead body rendered a Jew ceremonially unclean. Jesus accused the religious leaders of being a defiling influence rather than a purifying one. This was a strongly offensive accusation (11:45).”

“for: Num 19:16; Psa 5:9; Hos 9:8; Mat 23:27, Mat 23:28; Act 23:3 Luke 11:45”