Luke 11:45

KJV

Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} answered {G611} one {G5100} of the lawyers {G3544}, and said {G3004} unto him {G846}, Master {G1320}, thus {G5023} saying {G3004} thou reproachest {G5195} us {G2248} also {G2532}.

Complete Jewish Bible

One of the experts in Torah answered him, “Rabbi, by saying these things you are insulting us also.”

Berean Standard Bible

One of the experts in the law told Him, “Teacher, when You say these things, You insult us as well.”

American Standard Version

And one of the lawyers answering saith unto him, Teacher, in saying this thou reproachest us also.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 11:45 captures the immediate, defensive reaction of a legal expert to Jesus' scathing rebukes against the religious elite. Having just pronounced "woes" upon the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and external piety, Jesus' words resonated so deeply that one of the lawyers present felt personally implicated, openly stating that Jesus' condemnation extended to them as well, highlighting the piercing nature of divine truth and the human tendency to resist it.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a larger discourse of Jesus' pronouncements against the religious leaders, specifically following a dinner invitation from a Pharisee ([Luke 11:37](/luke/11-37 "Luke 11:37 - Jesus Dines with a Pharisee")). Jesus begins by condemning the Pharisees for their meticulous external cleanliness while neglecting inner justice and love for God ([Luke 11:39-41](/luke/11-39-41 "Luke 11:39-41 - Jesus Condemns Pharisaic Hypocrisy")). He then delivers three explicit "woes" against them, criticizing their tithing practices that ignore justice and the love of God, their desire for public prominence, and their resemblance to unmarked graves that defile those who walk over them unknowingly ([Luke 11:42-44](/luke/11-42-44 "Luke 11:42-44 - Jesus' Woes Against the Pharisees")). It is immediately after these pointed criticisms, which clearly targeted the religious establishment, that one of the lawyers interjects, feeling the sting of Jesus' words. The subsequent verses ([Luke 11:46-54](/luke/11-46-54 "Luke 11:46-54 - Jesus' Woes Against the Lawyers")) show Jesus extending His condemnation directly to the lawyers themselves, indicating that the lawyer's interjection in [Luke 11:45](/luke/11-45 "Luke 11:45 - The Lawyer's Reproach") serves as a pivot point for Jesus' continued denunciation of their spiritual failings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "lawyers" (Greek: _nomikoi_) were experts in the Mosaic Law, often synonymous with scribes or teachers of the Law (_nomodidaskaloi_). They were highly respected figures in Jewish society, responsible for interpreting, preserving, and applying the Torah. Their role was crucial in maintaining the religious and social order, and they held significant authority. They were meticulous in their study and application of the Law, often developing elaborate traditions and interpretations that, in Jesus' view, obscured the true intent of God's commands. The setting of a dinner, typically a place of hospitality and polite conversation, makes Jesus' direct and public rebukes, and the lawyer's equally public and defensive response, particularly striking. For a lawyer to openly state that Jesus' words "reproach us also" indicates a profound sense of public dishonor and a clear understanding that Jesus' criticisms were not just general observations but direct accusations against their professional and spiritual integrity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Discomfort of Truth** and the **Resistance to Divine Revelation**. Jesus' words, far from being abstract teachings, were piercing and exposed the spiritual bankruptcy of those who outwardly appeared righteous. The lawyer's reaction demonstrates how uncomfortable and offensive divine truth can be when it confronts deeply ingrained self-righteousness and hypocrisy. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Self-Identification with Condemnation**. The lawyer's statement "thou reproachest us also" reveals that the religious leaders understood Jesus' criticisms of the Pharisees to apply equally to their own practices and teachings, indicating a shared culpability in the spiritual failings Jesus was exposing. Lastly, it foreshadows the broader theme of the **Burden of Legalism versus the Freedom of Grace**. Jesus' subsequent woes against the lawyers in [Luke 11:46](/luke/11-46 "Luke 11:46 - Jesus Condemns Lawyers for Burdens") explicitly condemn them for laying "heavy burdens" on people, a stark contrast to Jesus' invitation in [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest") to take His "easy yoke" and "light burden," thereby revealing the oppressive nature of human-made religious rules when divorced from God's heart.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lawyers (Greek, _nomikós'_):** From _nomos_ (law), this term refers to someone who is "according (or pertaining) to law," specifically an "expert in the (Mosaic) law." These individuals were not merely legal practitioners but highly esteemed scholars and interpreters of the Old Testament Scriptures, often acting as teachers and custodians of Jewish tradition. Their role was central to the religious and social fabric of Israel.
* **Master (Greek, _didáskalos'_):** Derived from _didáskō_ (to teach), this word signifies an "instructor," "teacher," or "doctor." While the lawyer addresses Jesus with a title of respect, acknowledging His teaching authority, the context suggests this respect is superficial, quickly giving way to defensiveness rather than genuine submission to His instruction.
* **reproachest (Greek, _hybrízō'_):** This verb means "to exercise violence," "abuse," "use despitefully," "reproach," or "entreat shamefully (spitefully)." It conveys a strong sense of being publicly dishonored, insulted, or treated with contempt. The lawyer perceives Jesus' words not as constructive criticism but as a personal and public affront, a shaming accusation that diminishes their esteemed status.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then answered one of the lawyers":** This phrase indicates an immediate, defensive reaction from a specific individual within the group of legal experts present. The lawyer's response is not a question seeking clarification but an interjection born of personal offense.
* **"and said unto him":** This simple connective emphasizes the directness of the lawyer's address to Jesus, underscoring the confrontational nature of the exchange.
* **"Master, thus saying":** The lawyer addresses Jesus as "Master," a title of respect for a teacher, yet the subsequent words reveal a deep resentment rather than reverence. "Thus saying" refers directly to the series of "woes" Jesus had just pronounced against the Pharisees, implying a clear understanding of the preceding condemnation.
* **"thou reproachest us also":** This is the core of the lawyer's complaint. The use of "us also" signifies that the lawyer and his colleagues (other lawyers/scribes) felt directly implicated by Jesus' criticisms, recognizing that the "woes" against the Pharisees applied equally to their own practices and spiritual state. The word "reproachest" conveys their feeling of being publicly shamed and insulted by Jesus' truthful, yet unsparing, assessment.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's account in [Luke 11:45](/luke/11-45 "Luke 11:45 - The Lawyer's Reproach") effectively employs several literary devices to convey the tension and spiritual conflict. **Direct Address** is evident as the lawyer speaks directly to Jesus, creating an immediate and personal confrontation. The lawyer's use of "Master" followed by a defensive accusation creates a powerful **Irony**, as a title of respect is used to preface a complaint against the very teaching authority it acknowledges. Furthermore, the entire exchange is a vivid depiction of **Conflict**, highlighting the clashing worldviews between Jesus, who emphasizes inner righteousness and divine love, and the religious leaders, who prioritize external adherence to the Law and social status. The lawyer's statement serves as a dramatic turning point, escalating the conflict between Jesus and the legal experts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the human heart's resistance to divine truth, especially when that truth exposes personal hypocrisy and challenges established authority. The lawyer's defensive reaction reveals a profound misunderstanding of God's true demands, prioritizing reputation and external adherence over genuine repentance and inner transformation. It underscores the theological principle that God's word, when faithfully proclaimed, will always divide, revealing the true state of hearts and prompting either humble submission or defiant rejection. The religious leaders, despite their deep knowledge of the Law, failed to recognize the true nature of the Messiah and the essence of the righteousness He proclaimed, which was not about burdensome regulations but about justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

* [John 3:19-20](/john/3-19-20 "John 3:19-20 - Men Love Darkness")
* [Matthew 23:13](/matthew/23-13 "Matthew 23:13 - Woe to Scribes and Pharisees")
* [Romans 2:17-24](/romans/2-17-24 "Romans 2:17-24 - Jewish Boasting and Disobedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The lawyer's defensive outcry in [Luke 11:45](/luke/11-45 "Luke 11:45 - The Lawyer's Reproach") serves as a timeless mirror for self-examination. It challenges us to consider how we respond when confronted with uncomfortable truths, particularly those that expose our own shortcomings or challenge our cherished beliefs and practices. Do we react with defensiveness, pride, and a sense of being "reproached," or with humility, introspection, and a willingness to be transformed? True spiritual growth often begins when we allow God's Word to pierce our hearts, exposing areas where we might be prioritizing outward appearances or human traditions over genuine love for God and neighbor. This verse reminds us that authentic faith is not about external performance or social standing, but about a heart made right with God, willing to receive correction and pursue true righteousness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When God's Word or a prophetic voice challenges my comfortable assumptions, do I react defensively or with humility?**
* **Am I more concerned with my outward reputation and the approval of others, or with the genuine state of my heart before God?**
* **In what ways might I be inadvertently placing "heavy burdens" on myself or others through self-imposed rules or expectations that go beyond the liberating truth of the Gospel?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that welcomes conviction and seeks transformation, even when it feels like a "reproach"?**

### FAQ
**Why did the lawyer feel "reproached" by Jesus' words against the Pharisees?**

Answer: The lawyer felt "reproached" because he understood that Jesus' criticisms of the Pharisees applied equally to his own group, the lawyers or scribes. These two groups, while distinct in some aspects of their roles, shared a common commitment to interpreting and upholding the Mosaic Law, often with a similar emphasis on external observances and traditions. Jesus' "woes" against the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, their love of prominence, and their neglect of justice and the love of God ([Luke 11:42-44](/luke/11-42-44 "Luke 11:42-44 - Jesus' Woes Against the Pharisees")) struck at the heart of the religious establishment, of which the lawyers were an integral part. The lawyer's statement, "thou reproachest us also," is an admission that he and his colleagues recognized their shared culpability in the spiritual failings Jesus was exposing, feeling personally insulted and shamed by the public condemnation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The lawyer's reaction in [Luke 11:45](/luke/11-45 "Luke 11:45 - The Lawyer's Reproach") serves as a poignant illustration of humanity's natural resistance to the truth of God when it confronts our self-righteousness. This defensiveness foreshadows the broader rejection of Christ by the religious leaders, who ultimately crucified Him because His message and very presence exposed their spiritual bankruptcy and challenged their authority. Jesus, the embodiment of truth ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")), came not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save the World")), yet His light inevitably revealed the darkness ([John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Men Love Darkness")). The lawyers, burdened by their own interpretations and traditions, missed the liberation offered by the true Lawgiver, who came to fulfill the Law and offer a righteousness based on faith, not works ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law")). In Christ, the "reproach" of our sin is taken upon Himself, offering grace instead of condemnation, and a light yoke instead of heavy burdens ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation to Rest")). His ultimate sacrifice on the cross became the means by which humanity, once reproached by its sin, can find reconciliation and peace with God ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 6:10

To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear [is] uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the LORD is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.

John 9:40

And [some] of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

Matthew 22:35

Then one of them, [which was] a lawyer, asked [him a question], tempting him, and saying,

Jeremiah 20:8

For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.

John 7:48

Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?

Luke 11:46

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.

John 7:7

The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.