Luke 11:46
Arabic KEH Ketab El Hayat (كتاب الحياة)
فَقَالَ: «وَالْوَيْلُ أَيْضاً لَكُمْ يَاعُلَمَاءَ الشَّرِيعَةِ، فَإِنَّكُمْ تُحَمِّلُونَ النَّاسَ أَحْمَالاً مُرْهِقَةً، وَأَنْتُمْ لاَ تَمَسُّونَهَا بِإِصْبَعٍ مِنْ أَصَابِعِكُمْ!
What Does This Mean?
In this verse from Luke, Jesus criticizes the lawyers for making life difficult by imposing heavy rules on others without helping them carry these burdens themselves. It highlights how unfair it is to burden someone else and avoid sharing in their struggles.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a friend who always gives you chores but never helps with any of them. Jesus says that's not nice, just like when the lawyers made people follow lots of rules without helping them follow those rules themselves.
Historical Background
Luke 11:46 is part of Luke's Gospel, written around 80-90 AD for a predominantly Gentile audience. The verse reflects the cultural setting where Jewish religious leaders were known to impose strict interpretations and burdensome legal requirements on others without offering support or leniency.
Living It Out Today
Today, consider if you are placing unreasonable expectations on others in your workplace or community without being willing to share their load. This could mean expecting someone to work overtime without ever taking a shift yourself.
Topics
justicehypocrisyburden-bearingcriticism of religious leadersfairnesscompassion
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Who exactly were 'the lawyers' that Jesus criticized?
'The lawyers' referred to Jewish scribes or scholars who interpreted and applied the law. They often made interpretations so strict they became burdensome.
What does it mean by touching a burden with one's finger?
It means taking even a small part of someone else’s responsibility, showing support rather than just adding to their load without helping.
How can this verse help me in my community service work?
This verse reminds you not only to set high standards but also to assist others in achieving those goals, ensuring your efforts are supportive and not overly burdensome.
Are there similar teachings about fairness found elsewhere in the Bible?
Yes, passages like Galatians 6:2 and Amos 5:21-24 also emphasize sharing burdens and doing justice rather than just following rituals without compassion.