Luk 11:39-44 | RWP | e4.org | The Lord ( ο κυριος ). The Lord Jesus plainly and in the narrative portion of Luke. Now ( νυν ). Probably refers to him. You Pharisees do now what was formerly done. The platter ( του πινακος ). The dish. Old word, rendered "the charger" in . Another word for "platter" ( παροψις ) in means "side-dish." But your inward part ( το δε εσωθεν υμων ). The part within you (Pharisees). They keep the external regulations, but their hearts are full of plunder ( αρπαγης , from αρπαζω , to seize) and wickedness ( πονηριας , from πονηρος , evil man). See for a like indictment of the Pharisees for care for the outside of the cup but neglect of what is on the inside. Both inside and outside should be clean, but the inside first.

‏ Luke 11:39-44

The Lord ( ο κυριος ). The Lord Jesus plainly and in the narrative portion of Luke.

Now ( νυν ). Probably refers to him. You Pharisees do now what was formerly done.

The platter ( του πινακος ). The dish. Old word, rendered "the charger" in Mt 14:8. Another word for "platter" ( παροψις ) in Mt 23:25 means "side-dish."

But your inward part ( το δε εσωθεν υμων ). The part within you (Pharisees). They keep the external regulations, but their hearts are full of plunder ( αρπαγης, from αρπαζω, to seize) and wickedness ( πονηριας, from πονηρος, evil man). See Mt 23:25 for a like indictment of the Pharisees for care for the outside of the cup but neglect of what is on the inside. Both inside and outside should be clean, but the inside first.

Howbeit ( πλην ). See Lu 6:24. Instead of devoting so much attention to the outside.

Those things which are within ( τα ενοντα ). Articular neuter plural participle from ενειμ, to be in, common verb. This precise phrase only here in the N.T. though in the papyri, and it is not clear what it means. Probably, give as alms the things within the dishes, that is have inward righteousness with a brotherly spirit and the outward becomes "clean" ( καθαρα ). Properly understood, this is not irony and is not Ebionism, but good Christianity (Plummer).

Tithe ( αποδεκατουτε ). Late verb for the more common δεκατευω. So in Mt 23:23. Take a tenth off ( απο- ). Rue ( πηγανον ). Botanical term in late writers from πηγνυμ, to make fast because of its thick leaves. Here Mt 23:23 has "anise."

Every herb ( παν λαχανον ). General term as in Mr 4:32. Matthew has "cummin."

Pass by ( παρερχεσθε ). Present middle indicative of παρερχομα, common verb, to go by or beside. Mt 23:23 has "ye have left undone" ( αφηκατε ). Luke here has "love" ( αγαπην ), not in Matthew.

Ought ( εδε ). As in Matthew. Imperfect of a present obligation, not lived up to just like our "ought" ( οwεδ, not paid). Παρεινα, as in Matthew, the second aorist active infinitive of αφιημ. to leave off. Common verb. Luke does not have the remark about straining out the gnat and swallowing the camel (Mt 23:34). It is plain that the terrible exposure of the scribes and Pharisees in Mt 23 in the temple was simply the culmination of previous conflicts such as this one.

The chief seats in the synagogues ( την πρωτοκαθεδριαν εν ταις συναγωγαις ). Singular here, plural in Mt 23:6. This semi-circular bench faced the congregation. Mt 23:6 has also the chief place at feasts given by Luke also in that discourse (20:46) as well as in 14:7, a marked characteristic of the Pharisees.

The tombs which appear not ( τα μνηνεια τα αδηλα ). These hidden graves would give ceremonial defilement for seven days (Nu 19:16). Hence they were usually whitewashed as a warning. So in Mt 23:27 the Pharisees are called "whited sepulchres." Men do not know how rotten they are. The word αδηλος ( α privative and δηλος, apparent or plain) occurs in the N.T. only here and 1Co 14:8, though an old and common word.

Here men walking around ( περιπατουντες ) walk over the tombs without knowing it. These three woes cut to the quick and evidently made the Pharisees wince.