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Luke 11:40

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[Ye] fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

Ye fools {G878}, did {G4160} not {G3756} he that made {G4160} that which {G3588} is without {G1855} make {G4160} that which {G3588} is within {G2081} also {G2532}?

Fools! Didn’t the One who made the outside make the inside too?

You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well?

Ye foolish ones, did not he that made the outside make the inside also?

Commentary

In Luke 11:40, Jesus delivers a sharp rebuke to the Pharisees, challenging their superficial understanding of righteousness. This verse encapsulates His condemnation of their focus on outward appearance while neglecting the condition of the heart.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse where Jesus dines with a Pharisee who is surprised that Jesus does not perform ritual handwashing before the meal (Luke 11:38). Jesus responds by exposing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who meticulously cleanse the outside of cups and dishes but allow their inner lives to be full of greed and wickedness (Luke 11:39). His strong words, "Ye fools," underscore the severity of their spiritual blindness and misprioritization regarding what truly matters to God.

Key Themes

  • Hypocrisy Exposed: Jesus directly confronts the Pharisees' practice of maintaining an outward show of piety while their internal character is corrupt. This is a recurring theme in Jesus's teachings, notably in His "woes" against the scribes and Pharisees found in Matthew 23.
  • Inward vs. Outward Righteousness: The core message is that God, who created both the external (the physical body, outward actions) and the internal (the spirit, heart, thoughts, motives), is equally concerned with — and indeed prioritizes — the latter. True spiritual cleanliness begins with a transformed heart, not just ritualistic observance.
  • God's Holistic Creation and Standard: The rhetorical question, "did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?" emphasizes God's comprehensive knowledge and authority over all aspects of human existence. As the Creator, He is not fooled by outward displays if the heart is not right; He sees and judges the whole person.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word translated "fools" is aphrones (ἄφρονες), which means "senseless," "unwise," or "lacking understanding." It's not merely an insult but a diagnostic term highlighting their failure to grasp fundamental spiritual truth and divine priorities, despite their religious learning. Their folly lay in thinking God was primarily concerned with external conformity rather than genuine inner devotion.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 11:40 serves as a timeless reminder that genuine faith and spiritual growth must originate from a transformed heart. It challenges us to examine our motives and inner lives, ensuring that our outward actions are a true reflection of our inward devotion to God, rather than mere performance or tradition. As Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." This verse calls us to pursue authentic righteousness, valuing what God values most – a pure heart and sincere faith.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 12:20 (5 votes)

    But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

  • 1 Corinthians 15:36 (4 votes)

    [Thou] fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

  • Matthew 23:26 (3 votes)

    [Thou] blind Pharisee, cleanse first that [which is] within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

  • Proverbs 8:5 (3 votes)

    O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

  • Genesis 2:7 (2 votes)

    And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

  • Proverbs 1:22 (2 votes)

    How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

  • Hebrews 12:9 (2 votes)

    Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?