Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.

LUKE 11:48KJV
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Luke 11:48 (KJV)

What does Luke 11:48 mean?

In Luke 11:48, Jesus tells his hearers that their actions show agreement with their ancestors’ treatment of the prophets, the people who spoke God’s messages. Although they build tombs for the prophets, Jesus sees their conduct as continuing the pattern begun by those who killed them.

Jesus is speaking to experts in religious law. After criticizing them for building the prophets’ tombs in verse 47, he draws a sharp contrast: their ancestors killed the prophets, and they build the burial places. His words turn what might look like an act of honor into a charge against them.

The Greek behind Luke 11:48

  • “allow” — συνευδοκέω (syneudokeō): The Greek carries the sense of agreeing with or approving something. In the KJV, “allow” here means more than simply permitting an action.
  • “witness” — μαρτυρέω (martyreō): This word means to bear witness or give evidence. Jesus says their actions provide evidence of their approval.

Why Luke 11:48 matters

  • Jesus’ charge concerns the experts’ own response to God’s messengers, not just the appearance of the tombs. In Luke 11:49, he speaks of prophets and others being killed or persecuted.
  • The word “fathers” points to earlier generations. The contrast between “they” and “ye” joins those generations in Jesus’ accusation while distinguishing what each did.

Where else these words appear

“allow” Greek G4909 · used in 6 verses

  • Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
  • Acts 22:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

“build” Greek G3618 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
  • Luke 4:29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
  • Acts 7:47 But Solomon built him an house.

“sepulchres” Greek G3419 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 8:28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
  • Mark 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
  • John 11:31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

“Truly” Greek G686 · used in 51 verses

  • Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
  • Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.