Luke 11:47

Authorized King James Version

Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
οὐαὶ
Woe
woe
#2
ὑμῖν
unto you
to (with or by) you
#3
ὅτι
! for
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#4
οἰκοδομεῖτε
ye build
to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm
#5
τὰ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
μνημεῖα
the sepulchres
a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)
#7
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
προφητῶν
of the prophets
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
#9
οἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
δὲ
and
but, and, etc
#11
πατέρες
fathers
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
#12
ὑμῶν
your
of (from or concerning) you
#13
ἀπέκτειναν
killed
to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy
#14
αὐτούς
them
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Luke. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Luke Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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