Luke 6:11

And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

And {G1161} they {G846} were filled {G4130} with madness {G454}; and {G2532} communed {G1255} one with another {G4314}{G240} what {G5101}{G302} they might do {G4160} to Jesus {G2424}.

But the others were filled with fury and began discussing with each other what they could do to Yeshua.

But the scribes and Pharisees were filled with rage and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

But they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

Context of Luke 6:11

This verse immediately follows Jesus' healing of a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath in the synagogue. The scribes and Pharisees were intently watching Jesus, hoping to find an accusation against Him (Luke 6:7). Jesus, knowing their thoughts, challenged them: "Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?" (Luke 6:9). When they remained silent, He healed the man. This act of compassion and divine authority, performed on their sacred day, infuriated them because it directly contradicted their rigid interpretations of Sabbath law and exposed their lack of true compassion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Escalating Opposition: Luke 6:11 marks a significant turning point in the Gospels where the religious leaders' opposition to Jesus moves beyond mere questioning and criticism to active plotting. Their "madness" signifies a deep-seated hatred and determination to eliminate Him. This foreshadows the ultimate conspiracy that would lead to His crucifixion.
  • Legalism vs. Compassion: The Pharisees' reaction highlights the stark contrast between their rigid, rule-bound legalism and Jesus' emphasis on love, mercy, and genuine human need. Their indignation stemmed from a perceived violation of their traditions, not from concern for the healed man or the divine power displayed.
  • The Threat of Truth and Authority: Jesus' actions consistently challenged the established religious order and exposed the hypocrisy of its leaders. His authority, evident in His healings and teachings, was a direct threat to their power and influence, provoking their extreme reaction.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "filled with madness" translates the Greek thymou (θυμοῦ), which signifies intense anger, furious rage, or wrath. It's not just annoyance or disagreement, but a passionate, violent indignation. This word underscores the irrational and vengeful nature of their response to Jesus' compassionate act. They were consumed by a desire to harm Him, reflecting the depth of their spiritual blindness and hardened hearts.

Practical Application and Reflection

Luke 6:11 serves as a powerful reminder that following God's truth, especially when it challenges human traditions or self-righteousness, often incurs opposition. The "madness" of the Pharisees illustrates how spiritual pride and legalism can blind individuals to divine compassion and lead them to actively resist God's work. For believers today, this verse encourages us to:

  • Prioritize Love and Mercy: Like Jesus, we should always value compassion and genuine human need over rigid adherence to non-essential rules or traditions.
  • Expect Opposition: Just as Jesus warned His disciples that the world would hate them, those who truly live out biblical principles may face resistance, even from within religious circles, when their actions challenge the status quo or expose hypocrisy.
  • Discern True Righteousness: This passage helps us distinguish between outward religious observance and the inward righteousness of the heart that God truly desires. The Pharisees' "madness" led them to plot against life itself, while Jesus sought to give life.

Similar accounts of the religious leaders plotting against Jesus can be found in Mark 3:6 and Matthew 12:14, highlighting the growing intensity of their animosity.

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.

  • Acts 5:33

    When they heard [that], they were cut [to the heart], and took counsel to slay them.

  • Psalms 2:1

    ¶ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

  • Psalms 2:2

    The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, [saying],

  • Ecclesiastes 9:3

    This [is] an evil among all [things] that are done under the sun, that [there is] one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness [is] in their heart while they live, and after that [they go] to the dead.

  • John 7:1

    ¶ After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.

  • Acts 4:15

    ¶ But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

  • John 11:47

    Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

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