Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” New Living Translation “What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering.” English Standard Version Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.” Berean Standard Bible Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” Berean Literal Bible Woe to you⁺, the lawyers, because you⁺ took away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter, and you⁺ hindered those entering.” King James Bible Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. New King James Version “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.” New American Standard Bible Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering.” NASB 1995 “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering.” NASB 1977 “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.” Legacy Standard Bible Woe to you, scholars of the Law! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering.” Amplified Bible Woe to you lawyers, because you have taken away the key to knowledge (scriptural truth). You yourselves did not enter, and you held back those who were entering [by your flawed interpretation of God’s word and your man-made tradition].” Berean Annotated Bible Woe to you⁺ experts in the law! For you⁺ have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you⁺ have hindered those who were entering. Christian Standard Bible “Woe to you experts in the law! You have taken away the key to knowledge. You didn’t go in yourselves, and you hindered those who were trying to go in.” Holman Christian Standard Bible “Woe to you experts in the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge! You didn’t go in yourselves, and you hindered those who were going in.” American Standard Version Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. Contemporary English Version You teachers of the Law of Moses are really in for trouble! You carry the keys to the door of knowledge about God. But you never go in, and you keep others from going in. English Revised Version Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. GOD'S WORD® Translation "How horrible it will be for you experts in Moses' Teachings! You have taken away the key that unlocks knowledge. You haven't gained entrance into [knowledge] yourselves, and you've kept out those who wanted to enter." Good News Translation "How terrible for you teachers of the Law! You have kept the key that opens the door to the house of knowledge; you yourselves will not go in, and you stop those who are trying to go in!" International Standard Version How terrible it will be for you experts in the Law! You have taken away the key to knowledge. You didn't go in yourselves, and you kept out those who were trying to go in." NET Bible Woe to you experts in religious law! You have taken away the key to knowledge! You did not go in yourselves, and you hindered those who were going in." New Heart English Bible Woe to you Law scholars. For you took away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered." Webster's Bible Translation Woe to you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye have not entered in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. Weymouth New Testament "Alas for you expounders of the Law! for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you yourselves have not entered, and those who wanted to enter you have hindered." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWoe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” World English Bible Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge. You didn’t enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWoe to you, the lawyers, because you took away the key of the knowledge; you yourselves did not enter; and you hindered those coming in.” Berean Literal Bible Woe to you⁺, the lawyers, because you⁺ took away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter, and you⁺ hindered those entering.” Young's Literal Translation 'Woe to you, the lawyers, because ye took away the key of the knowledge; yourselves ye did not enter; and those coming in, ye did hinder.' Smith's Literal Translation Woe to you, skilled in the law! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye came not in yourselves, and those coming in ye hindered. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWoe to you lawyers, for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you yourselves have not entered in, and those that were entering in, you have hindered. Catholic Public Domain Version Woe to you, experts in the law! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves do not enter, and those who were entering, you would have prohibited.” New American Bible Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” New Revised Standard Version Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWoe to you, scribes! for you have taken away the keys of knowledge; you did not enter, and those who were entering you hindered. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “Woe to you Scribes, because you have taken away the keys of knowledge! You have not entered and those who are entering you have hindered.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAlas for you, lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not go in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you prevented. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament Wo unto you, teachers of the law! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge; ye yourselves enter not in, and those who were entering ye have hindered. Mace New Testament wo unto you, doctors of the law; for after having taken the key of knowledge, you remain still in the dark, and hinder others, who desire to have light. Weymouth New Testament "Alas for you expounders of the Law! for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you yourselves have not entered, and those who wanted to enter you have hindered." Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Woes to Religious Leaders…51from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation. 52Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” 53As Jesus went on from there, the scribes and Pharisees began to oppose Him bitterly and to ply Him with questions about many things,… Cross References Woe to you experts in the law! Matthew 23:13 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. Luke 20:46-47 “Beware of the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, and they love the greetings in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40 In His teaching Jesus also said, “Watch out for the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, to receive greetings in the marketplaces, / and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. / They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.” For you have taken away the key to knowledge. Malachi 2:7 For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts. Nehemiah 8:8 So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read. Isaiah 29:11-12 And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll. If it is handed to someone to read, he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.” / Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.” You yourselves have not entered, Matthew 21:31-32 Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. / For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him. Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ Luke 13:24-28 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. / After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ / Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ … and you have hindered those who were entering.” Matthew 23:15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, / hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them. Galatians 5:7 You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth? Matthew 23:4 They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Matthew 23:23-24 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. / You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Matthew 23:27-28 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Matthew 23:29-33 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. / And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ / So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets. … Treasury of Scripture Woe to you, lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in you hindered. for. Luke 19:39,40 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples… Malachi 2:7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. hindered. Jump to Previous Alas Curse Enter Entered Entering Experts Expounders Hinder Hindered Key Lawyers Teachers Wanted Wo Woe YourselvesJump to Next Alas Curse Enter Entered Entering Experts Expounders Hinder Hindered Key Lawyers Teachers Wanted Wo Woe YourselvesLuke 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. Woe to you experts in the law! This phrase is a direct rebuke from Jesus to the scribes and Pharisees, who were considered the religious authorities and interpreters of the Mosaic Law. The term "woe" is a strong expression of judgment and lamentation, often used by prophets in the Old Testament (e.g., Isaiah 5:8-23). The "experts in the law" were responsible for teaching and guiding the people in spiritual matters, yet they were failing in their duties. This echoes the prophetic tradition of condemning leaders who mislead the people (Jeremiah 23:1-2). For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, addressing the experts in the law with a strong rebuke. 2. Experts in the Law (Scribes) Religious leaders and scholars responsible for interpreting the Jewish law, criticized by Jesus for their role in obstructing true understanding. 3. The Key of Knowledge A metaphorical concept representing the understanding and insight necessary to enter into a true relationship with God. 4. The Audience Primarily the Jewish people who were being misled by the religious leaders of the time. 5. The Setting This event takes place during Jesus' ministry, as He addresses the religious leaders and the people around Him. Teaching Points The Responsibility of LeadersReligious leaders have a duty to guide people towards truth, not away from it. Misleading others spiritually is a grave offense. The Importance of True Knowledge True knowledge is not just intellectual but relational, leading to a deeper understanding of God and His will. Barriers to Faith Legalism and human traditions can become barriers to genuine faith and understanding, preventing people from entering into a relationship with God. Self-Examination Believers should examine their own lives to ensure they are not hindering others from coming to Christ through their actions or attitudes. Pursuing Godly Wisdom Seek wisdom that aligns with God's Word, rather than relying solely on human understanding or tradition. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Luke 11:52?2. How can we avoid being "experts in the law" who hinder others' faith? 3. What does "key of knowledge" mean in Luke 11:52 for believers today? 4. How does Luke 11:52 connect with James 3:1 about teaching responsibility? 5. In what ways can we ensure we are opening doors to God's truth? 6. How can church leaders apply Luke 11:52 to foster spiritual growth? 7. What does "key of knowledge" mean in Luke 11:52? 8. How did the experts in the law hinder others in Luke 11:52? 9. Why does Jesus criticize the religious leaders in Luke 11:52? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 11? 11. What are the kingdom's keys? 12. What is the Bible's perspective on lawyers? 13. What parables did Jesus teach in the Bible? 14. Why does John omit key events like Jesus' baptism and transfiguration found in other Gospels? What Does Luke 11:52 Mean Woe to you experts in the law!Jesus’ opening word, “Woe,” is both a lament and a warning of coming judgment. He addresses the religious scholars who prided themselves on their meticulous knowledge of Scripture yet missed its heart. • Luke has already recorded similar woes (Luke 6:24–26). • Matthew 23:27–28 shows the same people praised outward holiness but were “full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” Christ’s grief is real: those who should have led Israel into truth were instead steering them toward disaster. For you have taken away the key to knowledge The “key” is the clear, God-given revelation that unlocks understanding and salvation. By adding man-made rules and traditions, these experts effectively hid that key. • Jesus contrasts their approach with His own in Luke 24:45, where He “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” • Like a misplaced key, their distorted teaching shut people out of knowing God (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:3–4). When leaders obscure Scripture’s plain meaning, the light meant to guide becomes a locked door. You yourselves have not entered The tragedy deepens: the scholars did not use the key for themselves. They stood outside the very kingdom they studied. • John 5:39–40—They searched the Scriptures yet refused to come to the One of whom they spoke. • Hebrews 3:18–19—Unbelief barred Israel from entering God’s rest; the same principle applies here. Head knowledge without humble faith leaves the door shut. And you have hindered those who were entering Their influence created stumbling blocks for others ready to respond to God’s truth. • Matthew 23:13 offers a parallel indictment: “You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces.” • Romans 14:13 warns believers today not to “put any stumbling block” in a brother’s way. By piling up burdensome regulations (Luke 11:46) and denying Jesus’ identity, they discouraged seekers who were on the threshold of faith. summary Luke 11:52 reveals Christ’s heartache over leaders who held positions of spiritual authority yet misused them. The experts in the law locked away Scripture’s life-giving message, refused to embrace it themselves, and kept others from it. The verse calls every follower of Jesus to handle God’s Word plainly and faithfully, to enter the kingdom by obedient faith, and to clear paths—never block them—for others who long to know the Lord. (52) Woe unto you, lawyers!--The "woe" in this case is uttered against those who were, by their very calling, the professed interpreters of the Law. Its form rests on the fact that each scribe or "doctor of the law," in the full sense of the term, was symbolically admitted to his office by the delivery of a key. His work was to enter with that key into the treasure-chambers of the house of the interpreter, and to bring forth thence "things new and old" (Matthew 13:52). The sin of the "lawyers" of that time, the "divines" as we should call them, was that they claimed a monopoly of the power to interpret, and yet did not exercise the power. Wearisome minuteness, a dishonest and demoralising casuistry, fantastic legends, these took the place of a free and reverential study of the meaning of the sacred Books. Those who "were entering in," answer to the souls not far from the kingdom of God, waiting for the consolation of Israel, pressing as with eagerness to the spiritual meaning of Law and Prophet. Such, at one stage of his life, must have been the Evangelist himself. This, it will be noted, is the third occurrence of the word in St. Luke's Gospel. (See Notes on Luke 8:16; Luke 11:33.) It is obvious that the passage, as a whole, throws light on the promise of the "keys" of the kingdom made to Peter. (See Note on Matthew 16:19.)Verse 52. - Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. The Talmud gives us the clue to the Master's words of bitter reproach here. There were very many, in that restless age of inquiry, waiting for the consolation of Israel, who longed to enter into the real meaning of psalm and prophecy; but the scribe, the lawyer, and the doctor, with their strange and unreal interpretations, their wild and fantastic legends, their own often meaningless additions, effectually hindered all real study of the Divine oracles. The Talmud - in the form we now possess it - well represents the teaching of these schools so bitterly censured by the Lord.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek WoeΟὐαὶ (Ouai) Interjection Strong's 3759: Woe!, alas!, uttered in grief or denunciation. A primary exclamation of grief; 'woe'. to you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. experts in the law! νομικοῖς (nomikois) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 3544: From nomos; according to law, i.e. Legal; as noun, an expert in the law. For ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. you have taken away ἤρατε (ērate) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 142: To raise, lift up, take away, remove. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. key κλεῖδα (kleida) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2807: A key. From kleio; a key, literally or figuratively. to τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. knowledge. γνώσεως (gnōseōs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 1108: Knowledge, doctrine, wisdom. From ginosko; knowing, i.e. knowledge. You yourselves αὐτοὶ (autoi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. have not entered, εἰσήλθατε (eisēlthate) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. you have hindered ἐκωλύσατε (ekōlysate) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 2967: To prevent, debar, hinder; with infin: from doing so and so. From the base of kolazo; to estop, i.e. Prevent. those who τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. were entering.” εἰσερχομένους (eiserchomenous) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter. Links Luke 11:52 NIVLuke 11:52 NLT Luke 11:52 ESV Luke 11:52 NASB Luke 11:52 KJV Luke 11:52 BibleApps.com Luke 11:52 Biblia Paralela Luke 11:52 Chinese Bible Luke 11:52 French Bible Luke 11:52 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Luke 11:52 Woe to you lawyers! (Luke Lu Lk) |
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