Read the Passage: Luke 11:29–54

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: Luke 11:29–54

Jesus’ Teaching (11:29–36)

A recurring theme in Luke 11 is unbelief. This theme appears in certain leaders in Luke 11:15–28, and it reappears in the crowds in Luke 11:29–32. While Pharisees and scribes may have been the main focus of Jesus’ comments in this passage (cf. Matt. 12:38), Christ declared to the entire crowd, “This is an evil generation” (Luke 11:29). Note, as was the case in Luke 11:16, so again here the people asked for a sign. Yet, Jesus declared that no sign would be given, except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Here Christ was referring to Jonah’s three days in the belly of the great fish, which foreshadowed His own three days in the grave. The idea is that both Scripture and Jesus’ teaching should have been enough to bring about repentance (cf. Luke 16:29–31). Indeed, Christ taught that those who had previously repented with less revelation would rise up at the judgment and condemn the current unrepentant generation.

In Luke 11:33–36 Jesus gives the parable of the lighted lamp, which only appears in Luke’s Gospel. In this brief story Christ teaches about the peoples’ repeated request for a sign from Him (cf. Luke 11:16, 29), as well as about His own ministry (cf. Luke 11:14). Indeed, in this parable, Jesus’ ministry is represented by the lamp cited in Luke 11:33. Furthermore, Luke 11:34–36 is a commentary about the peoples’ view of Christ’s ministry. In this narrative there are various objects: eyes which represent one’s perception, light which depicts truth, and darkness which represents sin. Here Jesus teaches that people ought to be able to observe Christian teachings and to perceive them as being good. However, because of man’s sinful preconceptions and personal biases, he does not see divine truth clearly. Indeed, natural man is inclined to call “evil good, and good evil . . . [and] to put darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Isa. 5:20).

Pharisees’ Hypocrisy (11:37–44)

Luke 11:37–44 contains one of several accounts in the Gospels where Jesus dines with Pharisees (cf. Luke 7:37–50; 14:1–24). On this occasion, an unnamed Pharisee is offended that Christ did not engage in ceremonial washing of His hands, which was customary before eating a meal. Note that the washing in view here was not related to one’s personal hygiene or even to Old Testament ceremonial laws; rather, this washing was a Pharisaic addition to the law (cf. Mark 7:2–3). In this passage Jesus confronts the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and legalism, for they had made Judaism about external rituals, while neglecting the internal reality of a transformed heart. While Christ gives several examples in this passage, perhaps the easiest one to understand relates to tithes and offerings. Here Jesus says, “Give that which is in you . . . then indeed all things are clean to you” (Luke 11:41).

Lawyers’ Doctrines (11:45–54)

Apparently, there were also lawyers present at the dinner party that Jesus was attending, for in Luke 11:45 certain lawyers objected to Christ’s rebuke of the Pharisees. Note that apart from one passing reference by Matthew, in the Gospels lawyers are only mentioned by Luke. These lawyers were likely a specialized subset of the scribes—a group that is referred to in all four of the Gospels. Whereas in Luke 11:42–44 Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their pretense, their pride, and their hypocrisy; in Luke 11:45–52 Christ judged the lawyers for their legalism, their insincerity, and their errant teaching. Although there are surely nuanced differences between the various woes that Jesus pronounced against the Pharisees and the lawyers, a common theme among them is a hypocritical mindset that elevates a performance-based religion of man above a grace-filled salvation from God.

Jesus’ continues His confrontation of the lawyers by referencing their practice of building tombs for the prophets whom their forefathers had murdered. Christ teaches that the erection of these monuments was actually done to honor their forebears, not to remember the prophets. In other words, the religious leaders secretly loved their forefathers’ sins, and were of the same wicked disposition, as soon would be manifest in their murder of Jesus and in the persecution of the church. In Luke 11:49 Christ references a saying, teaching, “I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute.” This quotation is not found anywhere in the Old Testament, but it is a faithful summary of the Jews’ poor treatment of the prophets. Jesus’ confrontation of the lawyers provoked them to begin assailing and cross-examining Him, as they sought to accused Him of sin.

Application Question:

1. Is confronting false teachers always the best course of action? How can we identify a false teacher?
2. Why do many people who seek supernatural signs seem to have limited knowledge of Scripture?
3. Is a desire to see a supernatural sign inherently sinful? When, if ever, are divine signs helpful?
4. What types of religious activities are you tempted to perform in order to be noticed by others?
5. How can believers avoid making Christianity a works-based religion? What is the relationship between good works and grace?