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?

Luke 11:48 says that by building tombs for the prophets whom their ancestors killed, Jesus’ listeners are showing agreement with their ancestors’ actions. Even though they honor the prophets outwardly, their actions reveal that they accept what their forefathers did.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to religious leaders, pointing out a contradiction: they build monuments for prophets, yet their ancestors killed those same prophets. The verse highlights how honoring the prophets’ graves does not erase the guilt or change the attitude that led to their deaths. Jesus is exposing a deeper hypocrisy, showing that outward acts of respect can mask an inner agreement with past wrongs.

The Greek behind Luke 11:48

  • “Truly” (ναί, nai, G686): This word is often used to emphasize certainty or agreement. Here, Jesus is stressing the truth and seriousness of His accusation.
  • “Witness” (μαρτυρέω, martyreō, G3140): This means to testify or bear witness. Jesus is saying that their actions serve as a testimony, not just words, showing their alignment with their ancestors’ deeds.
  • “Allow” (συνευδοκέω, syneudokeō, G4909): This word means to approve or consent to. Jesus is not just saying they are passive; He is saying they actively agree with the actions of their ancestors by their behavior now.
  • “Sepulchres” (μνημεῖον, mnēmeion, G3419): This refers to tombs or graves. The act of building these is not just about remembrance but can be seen as a public statement about the prophets’ fate.

Why Luke 11:48 matters

  • Luke 11:48 clears up the idea that honoring someone after their death automatically means rejecting the wrongs done to them; Jesus says actions can actually show silent approval of past violence.
  • The verse reveals Jesus’ focus on the heart and motives behind religious actions, not just the actions themselves.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage where Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for hypocrisy, showing that true righteousness is deeper than outward memorials or traditions.