Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

LUKE 11:43KJV
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Luke 11:43 (KJV)

What does Luke 11:43 mean?

Luke 11:43 describes Jesus warning the Pharisees that they are too focused on seeking honor and recognition, loving the best seats in the synagogues and special greetings in public places. The verse points out their desire for status rather than genuine devotion to God.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to the Pharisees, a respected religious group in first-century Judaism, while others are listening. He criticizes their love of public honor—wanting the most prominent seats during worship and enjoying being greeted with respect in the marketplace. The verse highlights how their outward actions are driven by pride and a hunger for attention, not by sincere faith.

The Greek behind Luke 11:43

  • "Woe" (οὐαί, ouai): This word is an expression of deep sorrow or warning. Jesus uses it here to signal serious trouble or judgment for the Pharisees’ attitudes.
  • "Love" (ἀγαπάω, agapaō): The Greek word here means more than just liking something; it often refers to a strong, committed affection. In this context, it shows the Pharisees’ deep attachment to public honor.
  • "Seats" (πρωτοκαθεδρία, prōtokathedria): This word refers to the best or most important seats, usually reserved for people of high status in the synagogue. It highlights the Pharisees’ desire for visible recognition.
  • "Greetings" (ἀσπασμός, aspasmos): This word means formal, respectful greetings, often given to people of importance. The Pharisees enjoyed being publicly acknowledged in the marketplace, which was a central place of daily life.

Why Luke 11:43 matters

  • Luke 11:43 clears up the idea that religious leaders in Jesus’ time were always humble; it shows that even respected figures could be motivated by pride and a desire for public status.
  • The verse emphasizes that outward religious behavior can hide selfish motives, helping readers see the difference between genuine faith and seeking approval from others.
  • Luke 11:43 fits into a larger section where Jesus challenges the Pharisees’ hypocrisy, showing that God cares more about the heart than about public displays of religion.

Where else these words appear

“seats” Greek G4410 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
  • Mark 12:39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
  • Luke 20:46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

“greetings” Greek G783 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
  • Luke 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
  • 1 Corinthians 16:21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.

“markets” Greek G58 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 11:16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
  • Mark 6:56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
  • Luke 7:32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

“Woe” Greek G3759 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
  • Matthew 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
  • Luke 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!