Luke 11:48
Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
Original Language Analysis
ἄρα
Truly
G686
ἄρα
Truly
Strong's:
G686
Word #:
1 of 20
a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows)
μάρτυρεῖτε
ye bear witness
G3140
μάρτυρεῖτε
ye bear witness
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
2 of 20
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
that
G2532
καὶ
that
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
συνευδοκεῖτε
ye allow
G4909
συνευδοκεῖτε
ye allow
Strong's:
G4909
Word #:
4 of 20
to think well of in common, i.e., assent to, feel gratified with
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔργοις
the deeds
G2041
ἔργοις
the deeds
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
6 of 20
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρων
fathers
G3962
πατέρων
fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
8 of 20
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
10 of 20
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 20
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
μὲν
indeed
G3303
μὲν
indeed
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 20
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
οἰκοδομεῖτε
build
G3618
οἰκοδομεῖτε
build
Strong's:
G3618
Word #:
17 of 20
to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm
αὐτῶν
their
G846
αὐτῶν
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 20
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
Cross References
James 5:10Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.Matthew 23:31Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.2 Chronicles 36:16But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern tomb-building often functioned as reparation for injustice—subsequent generations honored those their ancestors wronged. Yet Jesus sees no genuine repentance. The lawyers' tomb-building was nationalist pride ('our prophetic heritage') not penitential acknowledgment of ongoing rebellion against God's messengers.
Questions for Reflection
- How might Christian veneration of biblical heroes or Reformation figures mask ongoing rejection of their actual teachings?
- What is the difference between honoring past saints and perpetuating the sins that martyred them?
- In what areas might you be 'building tombs' (external honor) while rejecting the message that got the prophets killed?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres (ἄρα μαρτυρεῖτε καὶ συνευδοκεῖτε τοῖς ἔργοις τῶν πατέρων ὑμῶν, ὅτι αὐτοὶ μὲν ἀπέκτειναν αὐτούς, ὑμεῖς δὲ οἰκοδομεῖτε αὐτῶν τὰ μνημεῖα)—Jesus interprets their tomb-building as martureo (bearing witness) that they suneudokeō (approve, consent to) their fathers' prophet-killing. They think they're distancing from ancestral sin, but actually confirming it. The structure 'autoi men...humeis de' (they indeed...but you) presents building tombs as completing rather than repenting of the fathers' murder.
This devastating logic exposes how religious activity can perpetuate sin while appearing to repent of it. They finish the prophet-rejection their fathers began—killing the prophets, then entombing them, then rejecting the Messiah the prophets announced. Jesus will soon quote them saying, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him' (20:14).