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Luke 11:46

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 11:46 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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.
Luke 11:46 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
43Woe unto you Pharisees! for ye love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces.
44Woe unto you! for ye are as the tombs which appear not, and the men that walk over [them] know it not.
45And one of the lawyers answering saith unto him, Teacher, in saying this thou reproachest us also.
46And 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.
47Woe unto you! for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
48So ye are witnesses and consent unto the works of your fathers: for they killed them, and ye build [their tombs].
49Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send unto them prophets and apostles; and [some] of them they shall kill and persecute;
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said, woe unto you also, ye lawyers, etc.] Christ was so far from calling back what he had said or suggested, that he repeats and confirms it, and more particularly names them, and enlarges on their evil practices: for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers; (see Gill on “<402304>Matthew 23:4”).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“burdens grievous, &c.--referring not so much to the irksomeness of the legal rites (though they were irksome, Act 15:10), as to the heartless rigor with which they were enforced, and by men of shameless inconsistency.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 23:4. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:46 unbearable religious demands: This refers to the oral tradition with all its intricate details on living according to torah (God’s instruction in the books of Moses). The oral tradition placed a great burden upon the Jewish people.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Woe: Isa 10:1; Mat 23:2-4; Gal 6:13 ye yourselves: Isa 58:6 Luke 11:47”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 11 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification