Luke 11:46 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus answers with a woe to the lawyers: they load men with crushing burdens and will not touch the loads themselves.
What Does Luke 11:46 Mean?
Jesus does not retract; he turns to the lawyers directly. Their rulings multiplied requirements until ordinary people staggered under them -- burdens grievous to be borne -- while the experts lifted not one finger to help carry them.
Teaching that adds weight without adding help stands condemned here. The contrast is Jesus himself, whose burden is light and who gives rest to the heavy laden (Matthew 11:28-30). Any voice claiming to speak for God can be tested by this: does it crush, or does it carry?
Luke 11:46 in the Original Language
phortion (φορτίον), 'burdens' -- a load to be carried; freight laid on another.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 11:46
What does Luke 11:46 mean?
Jesus answers with a woe to the lawyers: they load men with crushing burdens and will not touch the loads themselves.