Bible Study Thread: Luke

[unsafe]

Todays Scripture ----

unsafe says -----Luke 11:5-13 -----is a very important piece of scripture ---if we are to go in Prayer to God we are to seek Him in prayer with persistence and holy boldness -----we are to come to God with confidence that what we ask for we will receive as long as it is His Will and not our will ---and if the answer doesn't come in due time we are to keep asking and seeking the answer ------There are definite conditions in scripture to get answered prayer --------Jesus always had His Prayers answered and so today all who have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit should expect to have their Prayers answered if we are praying God's Will for our lives ------

This is an interesting read for those interested -------

Prerequisites for Answered Prayer | Bible.org

Though it is clear from Scripture that God always answers our prayers in some manner (as we mentioned above) there are also some guidelines for effective praying. Certain practices or attitudes can hinder your prayers and, in such cases, God will not respond to them. The passages below help us...

bible.org

Luke 11:5-13 (NKJV)
A Friend Comes at Midnight
5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for [a]bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”


unsafe says ---Elijah praying for rain come to mind in 1Kings 18 ----he sent Ahab to ---Just posting this part for reference ------

And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he crouched down to the earth and put his face between his knees, 43 and he said to his servant, “Go up, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” Elijah said, “Go back” seven times. 44 And at the seventh time the servant said, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.”


unsafe says -----Elijah was persistent and patience and expected to be answered ----He went to God fervently and with confidence that the rain would come -----


unsafe says ----So we see in the first part of this scripture today ---Jesus tells a small parable which tells us to keeping asking ---the man goes at midnight to request bread from his friend -----the friend says he is in bed and the door is shut and he can't come ----Jesus says ---just because he is a friend he won't come to help but if one keeps on asking in persistence he will finally get up and give you what you need -----


unsafe says -----When Believers come to God in prayer for our needs like a friend will go to another friend for help in their need --If God doesn't answer when we expect He should answer we are to be patient in our waiting as God will answer ---God knows the right time to answer His children -----


-Verses 9-

9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you

unsafe says ----So if we take the first letter from each word of ask --seek ----knock we get ASK ----so -ask is their twice then we see the words ---it Will ---which is a Promise ----so if believers keep asking it will be open -----answered Prayer is a Promise if believers meet the conditions set out in scripture ------God knows our needs and He will answer us in His time and His way -----


unsafe says ----verses 11and 12 -----are about where our Heart is when we ask -----

11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?


unsafe says ---So if the father would give his son a stone instead of bread then his father has a hardened heart and this is the same for verse 12


Verse 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”


unsafe says --This verse here referring to evil is referring to iniquity in the natural man ----

Strong's Concordance
ponéros: toilsome, bad
Usage: evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.

of persons Luke 11:13


unsafe says ----So verse 13 is saying -----this is the difference between begging and asking ------the friend had to beg for his bread we need not beg God to receive the Holy Spirit --God gives freely to those who are fervently asking --seeking and knocking in True Faith for The Holy Spirit ----


Just a Note here ---God does not just give the Holy Spirit to anyone just because they ask ---Today we have to receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour to have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit -----there are conditions for this and the scripture spells them out for us -----There are many people today who believe the Holy Spirit just flies around and land upon them just because they believe God loves them -----this is false Doctrine ----- and is wrongly dividing the Word of God -----

 

[paradox3]

Summary: Luke 11: 14 - 28

Jesus casts out a demon from a man who was mute and the crowds are amazed.

Some say that Jesus casts out demons by Beelzebul. Others, to test him, keep demanding a sign from heaven.

Jesus answers that a kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert and a house divided against itself falls.

Jesus states that he casts out demons by the finger of God. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when stronger than he attacks and overpowers him, he loses his armor and his property.

"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." (v. 23)

Jesus goes on to say that when an unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders for a while and then returns. It brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself and they enter and remain.

A woman in the crowd raises her voice and says, "Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!" (v. 27)

Jesus counters, "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it!" (v. 28)

 

[paradox3]

Reflection: Luke 11: 14 - 28

Today's text certainly cautions against demons and unclean spirits. They are too smart to destroy themselves and will always seek to return.

Jesus is able to cast out a demon by the power of God.

Whoever is not with me is against me, says Jesus. Whoever does not gather with me, scatters.

The gospel writer gives us a rather exclusive Jesus in today's text. Yet he is not seeking credit for himself and his call is to obey God's word.

 

[Carolla]

Jesus answers that a kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert and a house divided against itself falls.

An important reminder in today's increasingly divided world.

 

[unsafe]

Todays Scripture ----

Luke 11:14-28 GW

Jesus Is Accused of Working with Beelzebul
14 Jesus was forcing a demon out of a man. The demon had made the man unable to talk. When the demon had gone out, the man began to talk. The people were amazed.

15 But some of them said, “He can force demons out of people only with the help of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons.” 16 Others wanted to test Jesus and demanded that he show them some miraculous sign from heaven.

17 Since Jesus knew what they were thinking, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is ruined. A house divided against itself falls. 18 Now, if Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom last? I say this because you say Beelzebul helps me force demons out of people. 19 If I force demons out with the help of Beelzebul, who helps your followers force them out? That’s why they will be your judges. 20 But if I force out demons with the help of God’s power, then God’s kingdom has come to you.

21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own mansion, his property is safe. 22 But a stronger man than he may attack him and defeat him. Then the stronger man will take away all the weapons in which the strong man trusted and will divide the loot.

23 “Whoever isn’t with me is against me. Whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters.

24 “When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it goes through dry places looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find any. Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to the home I left.’ 25 When it comes, it finds the house swept clean and in order. 26 Then the spirit goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself. They enter and take up permanent residence there. In the end the condition of that person is worse than it was before.”

The Sign of Jonah
27 While Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd shouted, “How blessed is the mother who gave birth to you and the breasts that nursed you.”
28 Jesus replied, “Rather, how blessed are those who hear and obey God’s word.”


unsafe says -----We see Jesus casting out a demon from a man ------Jesus is showing here His power to defeat Satan by the Power of God --and the crowd is amazed but can't understand it so some hurl slanderous words to Him by ----accusing Him of having the power of Satan -----and some want to test Jesus by asking Him to show them some miraculous sign from heaven.

unsafe says ----this shows us that every unconverted sinner is the devils house and where he lives and rules ----Satan has all the power without Jesus ----

We see Jesus answers with a double crushing answer ---- He says to them ----If Satan can cast out himself then his kingdom wouldn't stand ------ 19 If I force demons out with the help of Beelzebul, who helps your followers force them out? That’s why they will be your judges. ---

unsafe says ----So in verse 19 we see that Jesus says ----If I force demons out by Beelzebul who helps your followers who cast out demons it must be the power of Beelzebul also so then Beelzebul will be your Judge -----not God ---

So here He is Questioning in respect to those professed Jewish exorcists who go around professing to cast out demons ---who's power are they using ------

verse 20 ---20 But if I force out demons with the help of God’s power, then God’s kingdom has come to you.

unsafe says -------So here we see Jesus saying that if He forces demons out with God's Power then you see that the Kingdom of God who you are waiting for and looking for has come to you ---


Verse 21 and 22----- 21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own mansion, his property is safe. 22 But a stronger man than he may attack him and defeat him. Then the stronger man will take away all the weapons in which the strong man trusted and will divide the loot.


unsafe says ----the strong man here is Satan -----Just like God looks after His Children ---Satan looks after his own ----In 22 we see Jesus is the stronger man who is the only one able to defeat the strong man -----Jesus takes away
Satan 's Power --Jesus then divided his loot to those who are possessed and rescues them from their destroyer ---

How Powerful is That !


verse 23 -----23 “Whoever isn’t with me is against me. Whoever doesn’t gather with me scatters.


unsafe says ---This goes with the verse that says no one can serve 2 masters ------you can't serve the world that Satan is the god of and serve God and His Kingdom at the same time ------your either under the power of Satan or your under the Power of God ----there is no inbetween -----


verses 24-25-26------24 “When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it goes through dry places looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find any. Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to the home I left.’ 25 When it comes, it finds the house swept clean and in order. 26 Then the spirit goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself. They enter and take up permanent residence there. In the end the condition of that person is worse than it was before.”


unsafe says -This says to me ----These verses are speaking of people who appear to be Christians but are really in the world where they remain children of the devil and their hearts reign in disobedience and unbelief of who Jesus is and His message they appear on the outside to be clean but on the inside they are unclean ---Satan hates the Gospel being preached and is afraid of Jesus who has the power to drive him out so for a time he leaves but can come back more powerful than before if no one listens and grasps what the Gospel Message is and they don't believe who Jesus really is ----The Pharisees and scribes are great examples of this they were so blinded and filled with such anger over Jesus and His Message that they left themselves and others open for Satan to return and cause greater havoc because of their unbelief of Jesus being the Messiah and their pride and arrogance of rejecting the Gospel

Without Jesus we are left in the hands of Satan and Jesus is the only one who has the power over Satan to drive him out for good -----Today we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so the power of God is now is in all those who are Born Again ---Satan has no power over us ----either in possession or in us committing sin -------


Born Again People need to know who they are in Christ and just how much power they have with God dwelling within -- Satan is crushed


Verses 27-28 -----
27 While Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd shouted, “How blessed is the mother who gave birth to you and the breasts that nursed you.”
28 Jesus replied, “Rather, how blessed are those who hear and obey God’s word.”


unsafe says ---nothing more to say here Jesus has made the message very clear -----


unsafe says ----True Statement here ----

 

[blackbelt1961]

Furthermore knowinly attributing God's power to Beelzebulb is the unpardonable sin

 

[Witch]

Furthermore knowinly attributing God's power to Beelzebulb is the unpardonable sin

Or the other way 'round....

Either is just as likely...or neither.

 

[paradox3]

Luke 11: 29-32 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Sign of Jonah

29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! 32 The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!

 

[paradox3]

Reflection: Luke 11: 29 - 32

Today's text is not very familiar to me although we had a version of it on the Matthew thread.

Matthew's gospel has Jesus spelling out that Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster. So will the Son of Man spend three days and nights in the heart of the earth.

Jesus is quite critical of the generation which is asking for a sign. He calls it an evil generation and predicts harsh judgement for this reason.

In reference to the Hebrew scriptures, Jesus states that both the people of Nineveh and the Queen of the South will condemn this generation.

The Queen of the South traveled far to hear the wisdom of Solomon and the people of Nineveh repented at the proclamation of Jonah. Something greater than Solomon and Jonah is here, says Jesus.

 

[paradox3]

Here is an interesting interpretation from The Message:

Luke 11:29-32 The Message (MSG)

Keep Your Eyes Open

29-30 As the crowd swelled, he took a fresh tack: “The mood of this age is all wrong. Everybody’s looking for proof, but you’re looking for the wrong kind. All you’re looking for is something to titillate your curiosity, satisfy your lust for miracles. But the only proof you’re going to get is the Jonah-proof given to the Ninevites, which looks like no proof at all. What Jonah was to Nineveh, the Son of Man is to this age.

32,31 “On Judgment Day the Ninevites will stand up and give evidence that will condemn this generation, because when Jonah preached to them they changed their lives. A far greater preacher than Jonah is here, and you squabble about ‘proofs.’ On Judgment Day the Queen of Sheba will come forward and bring evidence that condemns this generation, because she traveled from a far corner of the earth to listen to wise Solomon. Wisdom far greater than Solomon’s is right in front of you, and you quibble over ‘evidence.’

 

[unsafe]

Todays Scripture ---

Luke11:29-32 ERV

Some People Doubt Jesus’ Authority

29 The crowd grew larger and larger. Jesus said, “The people who live today are evil. They ask for a miracle as a sign from God. But no miracle will be done to prove anything to them. The only sign will be the miracle that happened to Jonah.[a] 30 Jonah was a sign for those who lived in Nineveh.[b] It is the same with the Son of Man. He will be a sign for the people of this time.

31 “On the judgment day, you people who live now will be compared with the queen of the South,[c] and she will be a witness who shows how guilty you are. Why do I say this? Because she traveled from far, far away to listen to Solomon’s wise teaching. And I tell you that someone[d] greater than Solomon is right here, but you won’t listen!

32 “On the judgment day, you people who live now will also be compared with the people from Nineveh, and they will be witnesses who show how guilty you are. I say this because when Jonah preached to those people, they changed their hearts and lives. And you are listening to someone greater than Jonah, but you refuse to change!


unsafe says ----The first part of this scripture is all about People wanting a Sign to prove that Jesus was who He said He was -----This is no different today for a lot of unbelievers -----they just can't get their head around Jesus being human and being God ---Many Today believe that Jesus was just a human Prophet who shows us moral ways to live --like Love your neighbour --love your enemies ----etc -----and they believe that they don't need Jesus in their lives to do this ----they can accomplish these goals on their own power -----even though the Word of God says it is the Word of God and it is the Truth -----

Some believe the Bible which contains the Word Of God is just a bunch of stories not truth that were written by man as they were passed down from one generation to another or shared by a campfire in a time of leisure -----So many today are no different in the way they need to see the proof that the Bible is for certain the Word of God -----

unbelievers today need a Sign -----

Here is the thing ---The People saw a man who could not speak and then he spoke ---Jesus had just drove out a demon from this man ----you would think this would be sign enough ----but their hearts were hardened and their minds blinded by Satan to understand what they witnessed ----and this is no different today ---Satan still blinds the minds of unbelievers because he can -----He has full reign in this unbelieving world -----and because people are in unbelief their hearts are hardened to the message of the Word of God -----


verse 29 -30----- The crowd grew larger and larger. Jesus said, “The people who live today are evil. They ask for a miracle as a sign from God. But no miracle will be done to prove anything to them. The only sign will be the miracle that happened to Jonah.[a] 30 Jonah was a sign for those who lived in Nineveh.[b] It is the same with the Son of Man. He will be a sign for the people of this time.

unsafe says -----Here we see Jesus saying ------- Jesus said, “The people who live today are evil.


unsafe says ----This word evil here refers to the sinful human nature of mankind ----Jesus is referring here to all unbelievers who's hearts are unregenerate ----and that is the Pharisees and Scribes here ---they claim to love God but they only love God with their lips -----They are hindering their Church from knowing the truth ------they are blinded and arrogant of having their Messiah in their presents -----

Strong's Concordance
ponéros: toilsome, bad
Usage: evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.
of a bad nature or condition of persons: Luke 11:29

We see ----Jesus refuses to give the people the sign they ask for and He says this -------In verse 30 ----Jesus says Jonah was a sign for those who lived in Nineveh.[b] It is the same with the Son of Man. He will be a sign for the people of this time.


unsafe says -----this is an important verse as the Pharisees and Scribes knew of a Jonah who was cast into the belly of the whale for 3 days and nights and came out alive and that was a Sign ----and Jesus is saying that it will be the same for Him lying in a tomb for 3 days and nights and coming out alive and that will be their sign for their time -----


Verse 31 ---Jesus is speaking of one who is the Queen of Sheba who did not believe in God but when she heard of Solomon's wise teaching travelled a long distance to see and hear what he had to say ----she was not a Jew and therefore was a foreigner but she came to believed him and she also believe in God ---and Jesus is saying their is one greater than Solomon here now and they still don't believe ------

see 1 Kings 10 about the Queen of Sheba if interested -----


verse 32 ----is about the people of Nineveh who also believe and repented after the preaching of Jonah -----and Jesus is greater than Jonah ----but the Pharisees and Scribes after all they have witnessed still don't believe -----


unsafe says ---in verses 31and 32 ----it says this ------ “On the judgment day

This word judgment that is used in 31 and 32 means this ------

Strong's Concordance
krisis: a decision, judgment
Usage: judging, judgment, decision, sentence; generally: divine judgment; accusation.

the day appointed for the judgment, at the time of the judgment, when the judgment shall take place, Luke 11:31

unsafe says ---So we see here in 31-32 that on the day the Pharisees and Scribes are judged these people will stand up and condemn this generation for their steadfast unbelief in who Jesus was and His Gospel as the Queen of Sheba and Jonah were unbelievers at one time and were not Jews and they became wise and opened their hearts to the message and became believers and the ones who were the chosen ones even though they saw and heard they remained in unbelief ------

unsafe says ---Again nothing New Here ---this still goes on today -----even thought we have the Word of God many crush it and mock it and remain steadfast in unbelief of who Jesus was and His Message of Salvation ------

Sad but True ------great saying here

 

[paradox3]

Summary: Luke 11: 33 - 36

Jesus says, no one lights a lamp and puts it in the cellar, but on a lamp-stand so others can see.

Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light. If it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness.

Consider the light in you. If no part of your body is in darkness, your body will be as full of light as a lamp that gives you light with its rays.

 

[paradox3]

Reflection: Luke 11: 33 - 36

What does it mean to have a healthy eye? And to fill our bodies with light?

Is Jesus referring to faith here? The way we look at the world? Something else?

Does darkness mean sin?

Others will be able to see the light in us, Jesus seems to be saying. And this is a good thing.

 

[Redbaron]

I know some people who claimed once that their eyesight was 'just fine, thanks'... until they saw an optometrist, and saw how much more clearly they could see with the right lenses. I see part of the meaning here as those who live in darkness (in ignorance, as much as in sin), because they think they can see all things clearly on their own, not realizing how much they miss, by being stubbornly blind, and trying to depend on limited (in)sight.

 

[unsafe]

Todays Scripture -----

Luke 11:33-36 GW

Jesus Talks about Light
33 “No one lights a lamp and hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand so that those who come in will see its light.

34 “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is unclouded, your whole body is full of light. But when your eye is evil, your body is full of darkness. 35 So be careful that the light in you isn’t darkness. 36 If your whole body is full of light and not darkness, it will be as bright as a lamp shining on you.”


unsafe says ---This is such an important scripture -------if one gets this scripture in the Spiritual sense it will make all the difference in how things are seen and understood -------

Our eyes are the entrance to our Hearts and mind -----when the light is present we not only see well we perceive well and this makes the difference of how we see godliness and ungodliness and between light and darkness in understanding the Spiritual sense of the scripture ----we are secure and stable in this life we live ----

The Holy Spirit dwelling in us is the only way to have the light shine in our Heats and mind through our eye gate today

unsafe says ----When the eyes remain dull and in darkness our hearts and mind are stumbling and failing to grasp on to what is secure ----Peoplecan't understand the light -----as they are blinded by the darkness -------

Satan and ignorance and a hardened heart against God and His word is the cause of the light being put under a table to hide the real truth of what the light can reveal -----

Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light and is able to dupe many into thinking they have the light in their eyes ----Satan's goal is to keep peoples eyes clouded over and dull so they can't get wind of the truth that the Light can bring -----

unsafe says ----Even believers can be duped by Satan's craftiness so we believers need to be on the alert as well keeping our eyes focused on God and His word and relying on the Holy Spirit to keep the light strong in our eyes and not be focused on this world and allowing it to penetrate and diminish the light that is in us ------

Which lens our eye is using is critical in where our priorities lie in this spiritual warfare we fight daily ------as soon as we all wake up every morning we are in the fight of our lives as to who will win our soul today ----The Eyes are the Window of Our Soul People ------- both God and Satan are wanting our soul --We chose who we want to let in

Who will win daily ---that is the Question ----the eyes tell us -----

 

[chansen]

Sorry to interject, but that's a very large image to convey the very small idea that thinking for yourself is bad.

Furthermore knowinly attributing God's power to Beelzebulb is the unpardonable sin

I thought blaspheming the Holy Spirit was the unpardonable sin? Is there a list of all the lone unpardonable sins?

Serious question: Is this the unpardonable sin I can actually commit? Because I'm told I can't blaspheme the Holy Spirit due to the technicality that I think it's a crock. But I'm totally willing to attribute God's power to Beelzebulb. I also think it's a fun word to pronounce. Sounds like something Douglas Adams would have come up with.

 

[blackbelt1961]

Summary: Luke 11: 33 - 36

Jesus says, no one lights a lamp and puts it in the cellar, but on a lamp-stand so others can see.

Just before this verse, Jesus says: “Something greater than Solomon is here . . . Something greater than Jonah is here” .which is Jesus himself and His wisdom which exceeds the greatest human wisdom ultimately proven to that generation by the Ressurection.

Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light. If it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness.

The questions is whos standard of Healthy do we use, who is the standard of perfection that we look too? Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12), God the MostHigh is Light, Jesus & God are one, The more we fill our being with the Light of God, the less of darkness with in us.

Consider the light in you. If no part of your body is in darkness, your body will be as full of light as a lamp that gives you light with its rays.

Jesus is our True Light :

John 8:12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life."

Pslams 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Ephesians 5:7-14 Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth

there are much more verses regarding the Light of God and us filling our selves with His Light

 

[blackbelt1961]

 

[Waterfall]

In the second century gnostic book,"Dialogue of the Saviour" Jesus says"The lamp of the body is the mind....as long as you are upright, then your bodies are lights. As long as your mind is darkness, the light that you wait for , will not be.
Of course the gnostic Christians put more emphasis on knowledge and what is within rather than the body.
So maybe theyre just saying the same thing instead of using the eye as a metaphor as Luke does.

 

[paradox3]

Summary: Luke 11: 37 - 54

Jesus is invited to dine with a Pharisee. As He takes his place at the table, the Pharisee is astonished that Jesus does not wash before dinner.

Jesus comments that the Pharisees only see the exterior & inside they are full of greed and wickedness. They must give alms for those things that are inside. There is no sense in giving tithes while neglecting justice and the love of God.

Woe to the lawyers also! They place burdens on people and do not lift a finger to ease them.

Woe to you who build the tombs of the prophets your ancestors killed! This generation will be charged with all of the blood shed by prophets since the world began.

When Jesus goes outside, the scribes and Pharisees become hostile and cross-examine him about many things.

They wait for an opportunity to catch Jesus in something he might say.