Luke 11:39 - The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness.
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What does "Luke 11:39" mean?
This verse, Luke 11:39, is part of a broader rebuke Jesus delivers to the Pharisees. It highlights their hypocrisy and misplaced priorities. Let's break down the meaning:
"The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter..." This refers to the Pharisees' meticulous attention to ritual purity and outward appearances. They were very careful about washing their cups, plates, and other utensils to ensure they were ritually clean according to their interpretation of Jewish law. This emphasis was primarily on the external act of cleansing.
"...but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness." This is the core of Jesus' criticism. While they are so careful about outward cleanliness, their inner selves - their thoughts, intentions, and actions - are corrupt. "Extortion" suggests they are greedy and take advantage of others, perhaps through unfair business practices or by abusing their religious authority. "Wickedness" points to a general moral depravity and lack of genuine righteousness.
In essence, Jesus is accusing the Pharisees of focusing on superficial religious practices while neglecting genuine morality and inner transformation. He uses the metaphor of a clean cup and plate concealing a dirty interior to illustrate the disconnect between their outward piety and their inward corruption.
Here's what the verse implies about the Pharisees and the broader implications:
Hypocrisy: Their outward actions do not match their inner character. They appear righteous but are not truly righteous.
Misplaced priorities: They prioritize external rituals over inner transformation and genuine love for God and neighbor.
Superficiality: Their religion is skin-deep. It's about appearances rather than substance.
Moral Corruption: They are actively engaged in unethical and immoral behavior, even while maintaining a facade of piety.
The verse has enduring relevance for Christians today:
It's a warning against legalism: Focusing on rules and regulations without a genuine change of heart.
It emphasizes the importance of inner transformation: True faith involves a change of heart and mind, not just external conformity.
It calls for self-reflection: We must examine our own motives and intentions to ensure that our actions are rooted in love and righteousness, not just outward appearances.
In short, Luke 11:39 is a powerful condemnation of hypocrisy and a call for genuine righteousness that begins within. It reminds us that God is concerned with the state of our hearts, not just our outward actions.
Luke 11:39 - The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness.
What does "Luke 11:39" mean?
This verse, Luke 11:39, is part of a broader rebuke Jesus delivers to the Pharisees. It highlights their hypocrisy and misplaced priorities. Let's break down the meaning:
"The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter..." This refers to the Pharisees' meticulous attention to ritual purity and outward appearances. They were very careful about washing their cups, plates, and other utensils to ensure they were ritually clean according to their interpretation of Jewish law. This emphasis was primarily on the external act of cleansing.
"...but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness." This is the core of Jesus' criticism. While they are so careful about outward cleanliness, their inner selves - their thoughts, intentions, and actions - are corrupt. "Extortion" suggests they are greedy and take advantage of others, perhaps through unfair business practices or by abusing their religious authority. "Wickedness" points to a general moral depravity and lack of genuine righteousness.
In essence, Jesus is accusing the Pharisees of focusing on superficial religious practices while neglecting genuine morality and inner transformation. He uses the metaphor of a clean cup and plate concealing a dirty interior to illustrate the disconnect between their outward piety and their inward corruption.
Here's what the verse implies about the Pharisees and the broader implications:
Hypocrisy: Their outward actions do not match their inner character. They appear righteous but are not truly righteous.
Misplaced priorities: They prioritize external rituals over inner transformation and genuine love for God and neighbor.
Superficiality: Their religion is skin-deep. It's about appearances rather than substance.
Moral Corruption: They are actively engaged in unethical and immoral behavior, even while maintaining a facade of piety.
The verse has enduring relevance for Christians today:
It's a warning against legalism: Focusing on rules and regulations without a genuine change of heart.
It emphasizes the importance of inner transformation: True faith involves a change of heart and mind, not just external conformity.
It calls for self-reflection: We must examine our own motives and intentions to ensure that our actions are rooted in love and righteousness, not just outward appearances.
In short, Luke 11:39 is a powerful condemnation of hypocrisy and a call for genuine righteousness that begins within. It reminds us that God is concerned with the state of our hearts, not just our outward actions.