Luke 11:47

Amharic Bible (መጽሐፍ ቅዱስ (የብሉይና የሐዲስ ኪዳን መጻሕፍት))

አባቶቻችሁ የገደሉአቸውን የነቢያትን መቃብር ስለምትሠሩ፥ ወዮላችሁ።

What Does This Mean?

Jesus is speaking to the scribes and Pharisees, criticizing them for honoring prophets by building tombs but forgetting that their ancestors killed those same prophets.

Explained for Children

Imagine if your parents decorated a friend's room with pictures of heroes but then remembered that great-great-grandpa used to chase those heroes away. Jesus is saying it’s not enough to just honor good people; we also need to learn from them and do the right things they taught.

Historical Background

This verse comes from the Gospel of Luke, written around 60-85 AD. It captures an interaction between Jesus and Jewish religious leaders who were known for their strict adherence to the law but often missed its spirit.

Living It Out Today

In a modern context, this could apply to someone who praises past activists or leaders on social media but ignores real-world issues these figures fought against, like poverty or injustice. It's about living up to ideals rather than just admiring them from afar.

Topics

• judgment
• hypocrisy
• faithfulness
• remembrance
• prophets
• ancestors

Related Verses

• Matthew 23:29
• 1 Kings 18:4-5
• Jeremiah 50:27
• Acts 7:56-57
• Hebrews 11:35

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Jesus criticize building sepulchres?

Jesus criticized this act because it showed a disconnect between outward honor and inward action. Building tombs for prophets while ignoring their teachings was hypocritical.

Does Luke 11:47 apply to modern leaders too?

Yes, just as the Pharisees honored prophets but missed the deeper meaning of their messages, modern leaders can also honor historical figures without truly following their principles.

How does this relate to honoring ancestors?

Honoring ancestors should inspire us to live by the values they believed in. Simply commemorating them without practicing those values misses the point of remembrance.

What is the main lesson from Luke 11:47?

The verse teaches that true honor and respect come not just through outward actions, but also by living according to the teachings of respected figures in our history.