Woe to the Pharisees

Luke 11:37–44
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Hypocrisy

There is no place or circumstance that draws a man out and shows what he really is more than at a meal; whether he is surrounded by friends with whom he may have fellowship, or he is in the midst of enemies who are ready to find fault with him. This Pharisee who invited Jesus home for a meal fit into this later category (vv. 37-41). Perhaps he did it just to catch Jesus in something. When they were ready to eat Jesus did not go through the ceremony that was customary with the Pharisees. This did not refer simply to the washing of the hands but an elaborate system of meaningless gestures. Not only did the Pharisees make a public show of their washing, but they also commanded everyone else to follow a practice originally intended only for the priests. Many professing Christians make the same mistake today as they put more stress on outward ceremonies than on the inward life.

Jesus uses this occasion to bring a severe rebuke to formalism and hypocrisy in religion. He pronounces three woes upon the Pharisees:

Wrong Priorities - Because of the way they emphasize tithing and neglected the more important things (v. 42).
Putting Reputation Above Character - Because of their prideful attitude in seeking the uppermost seats in the synagogue (v. 43).
Insincerity - Because of their hidden uncleanness that contaminated the nation (v. 44).

Application

Of the three woes directed to these Pharisees, which one causes me the most problems? What is the greatest lesson I can learn from this passage?

Luke 11:37-44 (English Standard Version)

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