Luke 11:43
Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.
Original Language Analysis
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Φαρισαίοις
Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαίοις
Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
4 of 17
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
ὅτι
! for
G3754
ὅτι
! for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 17
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρωτοκαθεδρίαν
the uppermost seats
G4410
πρωτοκαθεδρίαν
the uppermost seats
Strong's:
G4410
Word #:
8 of 17
a sitting first (in the front row), i.e., preeminence in council
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συναγωγαῖς
the synagogues
G4864
συναγωγαῖς
the synagogues
Strong's:
G4864
Word #:
11 of 17
an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Synagogue seating reflected social status—prominent teachers sat facing the congregation on elevated platforms. Public greetings used elaborate titles ('Rabbi,' 'Father') that reinforced hierarchical religious culture. Jesus later forbade his disciples to seek such titles (Matthew 23:8-10).
Questions for Reflection
- What modern equivalents to 'chief seats' and 'marketplace greetings' tempt you—social media affirmation, ministry platform, professional recognition?
- How can you cultivate hiddenness and obscurity as spiritual disciplines countering the desire for recognition?
- What motivates your religious activity—God's glory or human applause, internal transformation or external reputation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets (ὅτι ἀγαπᾶτε τὴν πρωτοκαθεδρίαν ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς καὶ τοὺς ἀσπασμοὺς ἐν ταῖς ἀγοραῖς)—the second woe targets pride and status-seeking. Prōtokathedria (chief seats) refers to seats facing the congregation, reserved for honored teachers. Aspasmous (greetings) in the agora (marketplace) means public recognition. They loved (agapaō) honor more than God.
Jesus exposes religion as performance for human applause. The Pharisees' motivation was public honor, not God's glory. This contradicts Jesus's teaching to pray, give alms, and fast in secret (Matthew 6:1-18). Their religion was theater, not worship.