Rebuking the Pharisees and Experts in the Law

11:37 As he spoke,114 a Pharisee115 invited Jesus116 to have a meal with him, so he went in and took his place at the table.117 11:38 The118 Pharisee was astonished when he saw that Jesus119 did not first wash his hands120 before the meal. 11:39 But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees clean121 the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.122 11:40 You fools!123 Didn’t the one who made the outside make the inside as well?124 11:41 But give from your heart to those in need,125 and126 then everything will be clean for you.127

11:42 “But woe to you Pharisees!128 You give a tenth129 of your mint,130 rue,131 and every herb, yet you neglect justice132 and love for God! But you should have done these things without neglecting the others.133 11:43 Woe to you Pharisees! You love the best seats134 in the synagogues135 and elaborate greetings136 in the marketplaces! 11:44 Woe to you!137 You are like unmarked graves, and people138 walk over them without realizing it!”139

11:45 One of the experts in religious law140 answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things you insult141 us too.” 11:46 But Jesus142 replied,143 “Woe to you experts in religious law as well!144 You load people145 down with burdens difficult to bear, yet you yourselves refuse to touch146 the burdens with even one of your fingers! 11:47 Woe to you! You build147 the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors148 killed. 11:48 So you testify that you approve of149 the deeds of your ancestors,150 because they killed the prophets151 and you build their152 tombs!153 11:49 For this reason also the wisdom154 of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ 11:50 so that this generation may be held accountable155 for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning156 of the world,157 11:51 from the blood of Abel158 to the blood of Zechariah,159 who was killed160 between the altar and the sanctuary.161 Yes, I tell you, it will be charged against162 this generation. 11:52 Woe to you experts in religious law! You have taken away163 the key to knowledge! You did not go in yourselves, and you hindered164 those who were going in.”

11:53 When he went out from there, the experts in the law165 and the Pharisees began to oppose him bitterly,166 and to ask him hostile questions167 about many things, 11:54 plotting against168 him, to catch169 him in something he might say.