Luke 11:40
New International Version
You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?

New Living Translation
Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside?

English Standard Version
You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also?

Berean Standard Bible
You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well?

Berean Literal Bible
Fools! Did not the One having made the outside make the inside also?

King James Bible
Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

New King James Version
Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?

New American Standard Bible
You foolish ones, did He who made the outside not make the inside also?

NASB 1995
“You foolish ones, did not He who made the outside make the inside also?

NASB 1977
“You foolish ones, did not He who made the outside make the inside also?

Legacy Standard Bible
You foolish ones, did not He who made the outside make the inside also?

Amplified Bible
You foolish ones [acting without reflection or intelligence]! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?

Christian Standard Bible
Fools! Didn’t he who made the outside make the inside too?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Fools! Didn’t He who made the outside make the inside too?

American Standard Version
Ye foolish ones, did not he that made the outside make the inside also?

Contemporary English Version
You fools! Didn't God make both the outside and the inside?

English Revised Version
Ye foolish ones, did not he that made the outside make the inside also?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You fools! Didn't the one who made the outside make the inside too?

Good News Translation
Fools! Did not God, who made the outside, also make the inside?

International Standard Version
You fools! The one who made the outside made the inside, too, didn't he?

Majority Standard Bible
You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well?

NET Bible
You fools! Didn't the one who made the outside make the inside as well?

New Heart English Bible
You foolish ones, did not he who made the outside make the inside also?

Webster's Bible Translation
Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without, make that which is within also?

Weymouth New Testament
Foolish men! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?

World English Bible
You foolish ones, didn’t he who made the outside make the inside also?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Unthinking [ones]! Did He who made the outside not also make the inside?

Berean Literal Bible
Fools! Did not the One having made the outside make the inside also?

Young's Literal Translation
unthinking! did not He who made the outside also the inside make?

Smith's Literal Translation
O foolish, has not he having made the outside, also made the inside?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without, make also that which is within?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Fools! Did not he who made what is outside, indeed also make what is inside?

New American Bible
You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?

New Revised Standard Version
You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
O you shortsighted, did not he who made the outside also make the inside?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Mindless ones! Has not The One who made the outside also made the inside?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Senseless men, did not he who made the outside, make the inside also?

Godbey New Testament
Ye fools, did not the One having made the outside also make the inside?

Haweis New Testament
Ye senseless men! did not he who made that which is without, make also that which is within?

Mace New Testament
do you stupidly imagine that he, who made the outward man, did not make the inward too?

Weymouth New Testament
Foolish men! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?

Worrell New Testament
Senseless ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?

Worsley New Testament
Senseless creatures! Did not He who made the outside, make also that which is within? give alms rather according to your ability:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Woes to Religious Leaders
39“Now then,” said the Lord, “you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well? 41But give as alms the things that are within you, and you will see that everything is clean for you.…

Cross References
Matthew 23:26
Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.

Mark 7:18-23
“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, / because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.) / He continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. ...

Romans 2:28-29
A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical. / No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Matthew 15:16-20
“Do you still not understand?” Jesus asked. / “Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated? / But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. ...

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

Psalm 51:6
Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

Ezekiel 36:25-27
I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. / I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

Jeremiah 4:14
Wash the evil from your heart, O Jerusalem, so that you may be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts within you?

Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

1 Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, / but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.


Treasury of Scripture

You fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

fools.

Luke 12:20
But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Luke 24:25
Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

Psalm 14:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

did.

Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Numbers 16:22
And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

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Luke 11
1. Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly;
11. assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him.
14. He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees;
27. and shows who are blessed;
29. preaches to the people;
37. and reprimands the outward show of holiness.














You fools!
The term "fools" here is translated from the Greek word "ἄφρονες" (aphrones), which implies a lack of understanding or wisdom. In the biblical context, foolishness is often associated with a spiritual blindness or a failure to recognize God's truth. Jesus uses this strong language to rebuke the Pharisees for their superficial religiosity. Historically, the Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the law, yet Jesus points out their failure to grasp the deeper, spiritual truths. This admonition serves as a reminder that true wisdom comes from understanding and living out God's commandments in both spirit and truth.

Did not the One who made the outside
This phrase emphasizes God's role as the Creator. The Greek word for "made" is "ποιήσας" (poiesas), which means to make or create. It reflects the biblical teaching that God is the sovereign Creator of all things, both seen and unseen. The "outside" refers to the physical, visible aspects of life, which the Pharisees meticulously observed through rituals and traditions. Archaeological findings have shown the extent of the Pharisees' focus on external purity, such as the ritual washing of hands and vessels. However, Jesus challenges them to recognize that God's creative power extends beyond the physical realm.

make the inside as well?
The "inside" refers to the inner spiritual life, the heart and soul of a person. The Greek word "καὶ τὸ ἔσωθεν" (kai to esothen) highlights the internal aspect of human existence. Jesus is teaching that God, who created the external world, is equally concerned with the internal, spiritual condition of individuals. This aligns with the scriptural theme that God desires a pure heart over mere outward compliance (1 Samuel 16:7). The historical context of this teaching is crucial, as it contrasts the Pharisaic emphasis on external observance with the biblical call for inner transformation. Jesus' message is clear: true righteousness involves a heart aligned with God's will, reflecting His holiness in both thought and action.

(40) Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without . .?--The question is peculiar to St. Luke, and implies a latent parabolic application of the previous words. Outward, positive ceremonial law, ordering the cleansing of the outside of the cup and of the platter, the eternal moral law requiring truth in the inward parts,--these had, to say the least, the same Maker, and one was not to be neglected for the other.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[You] fools!
ἄφρονες (aphrones)
Adjective - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 878: Senseless, foolish, inconsiderate. Properly, mindless, i.e. Stupid, ignorant, egotistic, rash, or unbelieving.

[Did] not
οὐχ (ouch)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

the [One who]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

made
ποιήσας (poiēsas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

outside
ἔξωθεν (exōthen)
Adverb
Strong's 1855: (a) from outside, from without, (b) outside, both as adj. and prep; with article: the outside. From exo; external(-ly).

make
ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

inside
ἔσωθεν (esōthen)
Adverb
Strong's 2081: From eso; from inside; also used as equivalent to eso.

as well?
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.


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NT Gospels: Luke 11:40 You foolish ones didn't he who made (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 11:39
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