Luke 11:47
Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
! for
G3754
ὅτι
! for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
3 of 14
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οἰκοδομεῖτε
ye build
G3618
οἰκοδομεῖτε
ye build
Strong's:
G3618
Word #:
4 of 14
to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνημεῖα
the sepulchres
G3419
μνημεῖα
the sepulchres
Strong's:
G3419
Word #:
6 of 14
a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφητῶν
of the prophets
G4396
προφητῶν
of the prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
8 of 14
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρες
fathers
G3962
πατέρες
fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
11 of 14
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
Historical Context
First-century Judaism venerated prophetic burial sites—elaborate tombs in the Kidron Valley commemorated prophets traditionally buried there. This tomb-building demonstrated national repentance for ancestors' prophetic rejection. Yet Jesus exposes this as performative—they claimed to honor prophets while rejecting prophetic authority, precisely their fathers' sin.
Questions for Reflection
- How might modern Christians similarly honor dead saints while rejecting living prophetic voices calling for repentance?
- What does it mean to truly honor biblical prophets—building theological memorials or obeying prophetic calls to justice and holiness?
- In what ways do you participate in your spiritual 'fathers' sins while claiming you would never do what they did?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them (ὅτι οἰκοδομεῖτε τὰ μνημεῖα τῶν προφητῶν, οἱ δὲ πατέρες ὑμῶν ἀπέκτειναν αὐτούς)—the fifth woe exposes hypocritical prophet-honoring. They oikodomeō (built) elaborate mnēmeia (tombs, monuments) for the prophets their pateres (fathers, ancestors) apekteinan (killed). This appears to honor the prophets, but Jesus sees continuity, not repentance—they're completing their fathers' work by rejecting him, the ultimate Prophet.
Honoring dead prophets while rejecting living ones is safe religion. The lawyers beautified prophets' tombs while preparing to kill the Prophet they announced (Jesus). This pattern continues: every generation honors yesterday's prophets while persecuting today's. True honor would mean heeding prophetic messages, not constructing impressive memorials.