Luke 11:45-46

11:45 One of the experts in religious law ¹  answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things you insult ²  us too.” 11:46 But Jesus ³  replied, ⁴  “Woe to you experts in religious law as well! ⁵  You load people ⁶  down with burdens difficult to bear, yet you yourselves refuse to touch ⁷  the burdens with even one of your fingers!

[11:45]  ¹ sn That is, an expert in the interpretation of the Mosaic law. They worked closely with the Pharisees.

[11:45]  ² tn For this term, see Matt 22;6; Luke 18:32; Acts 14:5; 1 Thess 2:2.

[11:46]  ³ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[11:46]  ⁴ tn Grk “said.”

[11:46]  ⁵ tn Here “as well” is used to translate καί (kai) at the beginning of the statement.

[11:46]  ⁶ tn Grk “men.” This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo"), referring to both males and females.

[11:46]  ⁷ tn Grk “you yourselves do not touch.” This could mean one of two things: (1) Either they make others do what they themselves do not (through various technical exceptions) or (2) they make no effort to help the others fulfill what they are required to do. Considering the care these religious figures are said to have given to the law, the second option is more likely (see L&N 18.11).