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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Luke 11:39 - 11:39
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39. νῦν ὑμεῖς οἱ Φαρισαῖοι. Doubtless other circumstances besides the mere supercilious astonishment of the Pharisee led to the vehement rebuke. The eightfold woe in Matthew 23. is fuller than here. Jesus denounces their frivolous scrupulosity (39), combined with gross insincerity (42), their pride (43), and their corruption (44).
τὸ ἔξωθεν τοῦ ποτηρίου καὶ τοῦ πίνακος. Mar 7:4, “washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables.” On one occasion the Sadducees seeing Pharisees busied in washing the great Golden Candelabrum sneeringly observed that they would wash the Sun itself if they could get the opportunity.
τὸ δὲ ἔσωθεν ὑμῶν γέμει ἁρπαγῆς καὶ πονηρίας, i.e. of greed, and of the depravity which causes it. A slightly different turn of expression is given in Mat 23:25-26. ἁρπαγὴ is πλεονεξία carried into action. Mar 7:22. See Excursus VI. on Sects of the Jews; and compare these denunciations with those delivered in the Temple on the last day (Tuesday in Passion Week) of the Lord’s public ministry, Mat 23:25-28. The early Christian heretics reflected the character of these Pharisees in their mixture of elaborate profession with real godlessness, Tit 1:15-16.