Luke 11:53

And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge [him] vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:

And {G1161} as he {G846} said {G3004} these things {G5023} unto {G4314} them {G846}, the scribes {G1122} and {G2532} the Pharisees {G5330} began {G756} to urge {G1758} him vehemently {G1171}, and {G2532} to provoke {G653} him {G846} to speak {G653} of {G4012} many things {G4119}:

As Yeshua left that place, the Torah-teachers and the P’rushim began to oppose him bitterly and to provoke him to express his views on all sorts of subjects,

As Jesus went on from there, the scribes and Pharisees began to oppose Him bitterly and to ply Him with questions about many things,

And when he was come out from thence, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press upon him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things;

Luke 11:53 describes the immediate, hostile reaction of the religious leaders—the scribes and Pharisees—to Jesus' scathing denunciations. Following His powerful condemnations, their animosity intensified, leading them to aggressively challenge and seek to ensnare Him with His words.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' pronouncement of a series of "woes" against the Pharisees and lawyers (scribes) in Luke 11:37-52. Jesus had just exposed their hypocrisy, their love of outward show and public prominence, their disregard for inner righteousness, and their rejection of God's wisdom and prophets. He accused them of burdening people with legalistic rules while doing nothing to help, and of building tombs for the prophets their ancestors had killed, thus affirming their ancestors' deeds. These were not gentle criticisms but direct, piercing rebukes that challenged their authority and exposed their spiritual corruption before the crowds.

Key Themes

  • Escalating Hostility: The verse highlights the growing and increasingly intense opposition Jesus faced from the religious establishment. Their reaction was not repentance or inquiry, but immediate anger and a desire for retaliation. This foreshadows the ultimate conflict that would lead to His crucifixion.
  • Malicious Intent: The phrases "urge him vehemently" and "provoke him to speak of many things" reveal their sinister motive. They were not seeking truth or understanding; rather, they were trying to trick Jesus into saying something that could be used as a legal charge against Him, a common tactic seen throughout the Gospels (e.g., Mark 12:13, John 8:6).
  • Resistance to Truth: Their vehement reaction underscores their deep resistance to the truth Jesus spoke. Instead of humbling themselves in light of His divine authority and exposing their spiritual blindness, they became more entrenched in their opposition. This refusal to acknowledge their sin ultimately led to their plot to crucify Him.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "urge him vehemently" translates a Greek expression that conveys the idea of pressing hard, questioning closely, or setting upon someone with intense hostility. It suggests an aggressive, almost violent, verbal assault. Similarly, "to provoke him to speak of many things" indicates their intent to incite Him to speak carelessly or to make statements that could be twisted and used against Him in a court of law or before the Roman authorities. They sought to create a trap with His words, hoping He would incriminate Himself.

Practical Application

Luke 11:53 offers timeless insights for believers today:

  • Truth Often Provokes: Speaking truth, especially against hypocrisy or spiritual corruption, can often elicit strong, negative reactions from those who cling to falsehood or self-righteousness. Jesus' experience reminds us that not everyone will receive truth with openness.
  • Discernment of Motives: This verse teaches us to discern the motives behind questions and challenges. Not all inquiries are genuine; some are designed to trap, distract, or undermine.
  • Standing Firm in Faith: Jesus' unwavering stance in the face of such intense opposition is a powerful example for believers to remain steadfast in their faith and proclamation of the Gospel, even when met with hostility or attempts to silence them. The ultimate victory belongs to Christ, as seen in His resurrection and the exaltation of His name.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 20:10

    For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, [say they], and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, [saying], Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:5

    Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

  • Jeremiah 18:18

    ¶ Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.

  • Psalms 22:12

    Many bulls have compassed me: strong [bulls] of Bashan have beset me round.

  • Psalms 22:13

    They gaped upon me [with] their mouths, [as] a ravening and a roaring lion.

  • Luke 20:20

    ¶ And they watched [him], and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

  • Isaiah 9:12

    The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand [is] stretched out still.

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