Luke 11:46

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he said {G2036}, Woe {G3759} unto you {G5213} also {G2532}, ye lawyers {G3544}! for {G3754} ye lade {G5412} men {G444} with burdens {G5413} grievous to be borne {G1419}, and {G2532} ye yourselves {G846} touch {G4379} not {G3756} the burdens {G5413} with one {G1520} of your {G5216} fingers {G1147}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said, “Woe to you Torah experts too! You load people down with burdens they can hardly bear, and you won’t lift a finger to help them!

Berean Standard Bible

“Woe to you as well, experts in the law!” He replied. “You weigh men down with heavy burdens, but you yourselves will not lift a finger to lighten their load.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 11:46, Jesus delivers a powerful and scathing "woe" against the lawyers, or scribes, of His day, condemning their oppressive legalism and profound hypocrisy. He accuses them of burdening the common people with an overwhelming array of man-made rules and traditions, making the path to righteousness seem impossibly difficult, while they themselves refused to offer any practical help or even lift a finger to alleviate the very burdens they imposed. This indictment highlights a critical failure of spiritual leadership that prioritized external adherence to complex regulations over genuine compassion, mercy, and the liberating spirit of God's true Law.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a series of "woes" (Greek: _ouaí_) pronounced by Jesus against the religious elite, specifically the Pharisees and lawyers (scribes) in Luke 11. The condemnations begin after Jesus casts out a demon, leading to accusations from His critics that He does so by the power of Beelzebul ([Luke 11:14-16](/luke/11-14-16 "Luke 11:14-16 - Jesus Accused of Casting Out Demons by Beelzebul")). Following a meal at a Pharisee's house, Jesus first rebukes the Pharisees for their meticulous external cleanliness while neglecting inner righteousness ([Luke 11:37-41](/luke/11-37-41 "Luke 11:37-41 - Jesus Rebukes the Pharisees for Hypocrisy")). A lawyer then interjects, feeling implicated by Jesus's words, prompting Jesus to turn His direct condemnation to them. The woes continue, exposing their spiritual blindness, self-righteousness, and rejection of God's true wisdom, culminating in their intense hostility towards Him ([Luke 11:53-54](/luke/11-53-54 "Luke 11:53-54 - The Lawyers and Pharisees Plot Against Jesus")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "lawyers" (Greek: _nomikoi_) in this context were experts in the Mosaic Law and its vast body of oral traditions, often synonymous with scribes. They were not merely legal professionals but scholars, interpreters, and teachers of the Torah, holding significant religious and social authority. Over centuries, these traditions, known as the "Oral Law," had grown immensely, becoming as authoritative as the written Law for many. While intended to safeguard the Law, these interpretations often became an oppressive system of minute regulations concerning every aspect of life, from dietary laws to Sabbath observance. The common people struggled to adhere to these intricate demands, often feeling alienated from God due to their inability to meet the lawyers' standards. Jesus's critique here is not of the divine Law itself, which He came to fulfill ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), but of the human-made additions and the spirit of legalism that had corrupted its original intent.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 11:46 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. A primary theme is **Hypocrisy and Oppression**, as Jesus exposes the religious leaders' pretense of piety while they burdened the people with impossible standards they themselves did not uphold. This echoes similar condemnations found in other Gospels, such as [Matthew 23:4](/matthew/23-4 "Matthew 23:4 - Jesus Condemns the Scribes and Pharisees"). Another crucial theme is the contrast between **Legalism and True Righteousness**. The lawyers' system represented a rigid legalism that stifled spiritual life, standing in stark opposition to the liberating grace and mercy that Jesus embodies and teaches. This is vividly contrasted with Jesus's invitation to the weary and burdened to find rest in Him, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus's Invitation to the Weary")). Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **Lack of Compassion and Empathy** in leadership. The lawyers' unwillingness to "touch the burdens with one of their fingers" reveals a profound disconnect from the struggles of the people, highlighting a self-serving rather than a servant-hearted approach to spiritual guidance, a quality Jesus consistently demonstrated and taught His disciples ([Mark 10:43-45](/mark/10-43-45 "Mark 10:43-45 - True Greatness is Service")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lawyers (Greek, _nomikós'_):** From the Greek _nomikós_, referring to an expert in the (Mosaic) law. These individuals were not merely legal practitioners in a modern sense but highly educated scholars and teachers of the Jewish Law, often synonymous with scribes. They dedicated their lives to studying, interpreting, and applying the vast body of Mosaic Law and its accompanying oral traditions, holding significant authority in religious and societal matters.
* **lade (Greek, _phortízō'_):** From the Greek _phortízō_, meaning "to load up," often used for a vessel or animal. Figuratively, as used here, it means to overburden with ceremony or spiritual anxiety. This word emphasizes the heavy, oppressive weight of the religious requirements and traditions imposed by the lawyers, which were not part of God's original Law but human additions.
* **touch (Greek, _prospsaúō'_):** From the Greek _prospsaúō_, meaning "to impinge," or to lay a finger on in order to relieve. This specific verb implies a minimal effort or assistance. Jesus's accusation highlights the lawyers' complete unwillingness to offer even the slightest help or empathy to those struggling under the weight of their imposed burdens, underscoring their profound hypocrisy and lack of compassion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers!":** Jesus directs a solemn, sorrowful, and condemnatory exclamation ("Woe") specifically at the lawyers, indicating a grave spiritual judgment. The "also" signifies that their condemnation is added to that of the Pharisees, indicating a shared culpability in spiritual malpractice.
* **"for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne":** This clause explains the reason for the "woe." The lawyers are accused of "loading" or "burdening" ordinary people with religious requirements that are "grievous to be borne"—meaning they are extremely difficult, oppressive, and virtually impossible to fulfill. These burdens refer to their intricate interpretations and additions to the Mosaic Law, not the divine Law itself.
* **"and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.":** This striking phrase exposes the lawyers' profound hypocrisy. While they imposed overwhelming demands on others, they themselves made no effort—not even the slightest, symbolized by "one of your fingers"—to help carry or lighten these burdens. This reveals their lack of empathy, their self-serving nature, and their detachment from the real struggles of the people they claimed to guide.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 11:46 employs several powerful literary devices to convey Jesus's condemnation. **Metaphor** is central, as the "burdens grievous to be borne" are not literal physical loads but represent the oppressive weight of the lawyers' legalistic interpretations and traditions. This metaphor vividly portrays the spiritual and psychological toll these demands took on the common people. **Hyperbole** is also evident in the phrase "touch not the burdens with one of your fingers." While perhaps not strictly literal (they might have occasionally offered some form of assistance), it dramatically emphasizes their utter lack of practical help and empathy, highlighting the vast disparity between their demands on others and their own lack of effort. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Irony** at play. Those who were supposed to be spiritual guides and interpreters of God's Law, meant to lead people to life, were instead making life harder and more burdensome, acting contrary to the very spirit of the Law they professed to uphold.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 11:46 is a profound theological statement on the nature of true spiritual authority and the dangers of religious legalism. It critiques a system that, under the guise of piety, became an instrument of oppression, placing human traditions above divine compassion. Jesus's condemnation reveals that true righteousness is not found in meticulous adherence to an endless list of rules, but in a heart transformed by God's mercy and love, expressed through genuine empathy and service to others. The lawyers' failure to "touch the burdens" underscores a fundamental theological disconnect: they understood the Law as a means of control and self-exaltation, rather than a guide to loving God and neighbor. This passage serves as a timeless warning against any religious system or leadership that prioritizes external performance and human regulations over the liberating grace and compassionate heart of God.

* [Matthew 23:4](/matthew/23-4 "Matthew 23:4 - Jesus's Condemnation of Scribes and Pharisees")
* [Acts 15:10](/acts/15-10 "Acts 15:10 - Peter's Address on the Yoke of the Law")
* [Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 11:46 challenges us to critically examine the "burdens" we might impose on ourselves or others, whether in religious practice, personal expectations, or communal life. Are our spiritual disciplines and interpretations of faith truly liberating and life-giving, or have they become oppressive, legalistic, and "grievous to be borne"? This verse calls leaders, in particular, to humility and empathy, reminding us that true leadership, modeled by Christ, involves serving, lightening loads, and walking alongside those we guide, rather than simply dictating from a distance. It prompts us to ask if we are quick to demand but slow to help, or if our faith is characterized by compassion and practical support for those struggling. Ultimately, it invites us to embrace a faith rooted in grace, where the focus is on relationship with God and love for neighbor, rather than on a burdensome list of human-made rules that can lead to hypocrisy and spiritual exhaustion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "burdens" (expectations, rules, traditions) might I, or my community, be placing on others that are not truly from God but are "grievous to be borne"?**
* **In what ways might I be guilty of imposing standards on others that I am unwilling to "touch with one of my fingers" to help them bear?**
* **How can I cultivate a more empathetic and compassionate approach to faith, both for myself and in my interactions with others, moving beyond legalism to grace?**
* **Does my understanding and practice of Christianity truly offer freedom and rest, or does it feel like an oppressive weight?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Jesus's "woe" against the lawyers?**

Answer: Jesus's "woe" (Greek: _ouaí_) is a solemn declaration of judgment and lament, signifying a deep spiritual condemnation. In Luke 11:46, it highlights the severe spiritual malpractice of the lawyers (scribes). It's significant because it exposes their profound hypocrisy: they were experts in God's Law but used their knowledge to create an oppressive system of human traditions, burdening the common people with impossible demands while exempting themselves from the same rigorous standards. This "woe" reveals Jesus's heart for the oppressed and His unwavering commitment to truth and genuine righteousness, contrasting sharply with the lawyers' self-serving legalism. It underscores that spiritual authority, when abused, can become a tool of oppression rather than a source of life and liberation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 11:46, with its stinging rebuke of the lawyers, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who stands as the antithesis of the oppressive legalism He condemns. Unlike the lawyers who "lade men with burdens grievous to be borne" and refuse to "touch" them, Jesus comes as the ultimate burden-bearer and the one who offers true rest. He declares, "[Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus's Invitation to the Weary"). His "yoke is easy, and [His burden is light](/matthew/11-30 "Matthew 11:30 - Jesus's Easy Yoke")" because He fulfills the Law perfectly, not by adding oppressive rules, but by embodying its true spirit of love and grace. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus carried the ultimate burden of sin and judgment, offering forgiveness and freedom that no human legal system could provide. He did not merely touch the burdens with a finger; He bore them fully on the cross, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Thus, Jesus is the compassionate High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way, yet without sin, inviting us to approach His throne of grace with confidence ([Hebrews 4:15-16](/hebrews/4-15-16 "Hebrews 4:15-16 - Jesus Our Sympathetic High Priest")). He liberates us from the impossible demands of legalism, offering instead a relationship of grace and truth that truly sets us free ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - The Son Sets You Free")).

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

Luke 11:52

Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

Matthew 23:2

Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

Matthew 23:4

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers.

Isaiah 10:1

¶ Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness [which] they have prescribed;

Galatians 6:13

For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

Isaiah 58:6

[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Luke 11:45

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