Book of Luke - Chapter 11 - Verse 46

The verse "And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers" is a powerful rebuke from Jesus to the lawyers or legal experts of his time. In this verse, Jesus is condemning the lawyers for burdening the people with heavy and oppressive laws, while they themselves do not lift a finger to help alleviate these burdens. The lawyers of that time were often seen as hypocrites, enforcing strict legal requirements on others while exempting themselves from the same standards. Jesus is criticizing the lawyers for their lack of compassion and for placing unnecessary and unbearable burdens on the people. This verse serves as a reminder for all of us to treat others with kindness and compassion, and to not impose oppressive rules or expectations on others that we ourselves are not willing to follow.

When examining the theological implications of Luke 11:46, one can see a strong denunciation by Jesus against the lawyers of his time. In this passage, Jesus condemns the legal experts for burdening the people with heavy loads of oppressive laws, while they themselves do not lift a finger to help alleviate these burdens. This rebuke highlights a common theme in the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing the importance of compassion, justice, and humility. The Greek word used for "lawyers" in this verse is νομικός (nomikos), which refers to those who are experts in Jewish law. By criticizing the lawyers, Jesus calls attention to the hypocrisy and lack of mercy displayed by those in positions of authority. This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers to act with fairness and empathy towards others, rather than enforcing stringent rules without considering the well-being of those they govern.