Luke 11:48
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Luke 11:48
48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
Chapter Context
Luke 11 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of faith, righteousness, holiness. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-54: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides essential context for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 11:48
48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
Analysis
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).
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.
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?
Cross-References
- Witness: Matthew 23:31
- Parallel theme: 2 Chronicles 36:16, James 5:10