Luke 11:40 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also?

NIV: You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?

NASB: You foolish ones, did He who made the outside not make the inside also?

CSB: Fools! Didn’t he who made the outside make the inside too?

NLT: Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside?

KJV: Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?

NKJV: Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?

A Pharisee has invited Jesus to eat but is astonished that Jesus does not rinse His hands in compliance with the extra-biblical Oral Law. Jesus, appropriately enough, uses the metaphor of a cup and dish: it is of little use to wash the outside if the inside is unclean. In the same way, it does no good for someone to wash their hands if their hearts are filled with "greed and wickedness" (Luke 11:37–39).

The Pharisees seem to think that what matters is their reputation: people seeing what they do, rather than who they really are. The Gospels give several examples, such as washing before they eat, washing after visiting the marketplace, and washing "cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches" (Mark 7:4). They promise donations to the temple (Mark 7:11). They take the place of honor in the synagogue and expect reverence in the marketplace (Luke 11:43). They are so diligent that they tithe even the tiny leaves taken from herbs (Luke 11:42).

What the people don't see is that the money they promise to the temple should be used for their elderly parents (Mark 7:9–13). They expect others to live as they do but do nothing to help (Matthew 23:4). They not only ignore justice (Luke 11:42), but they also steal widow's homes (Luke 20:47).

God made the inside of the person as well as the outside, but it is what we allow in our hearts that determines who we are (Mark 7:14–23). Jesus will say later, "You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean" (Matthew 23:26).

Luke 11:37–44 is a shocking indictment which completes the Pharisees' rejection of Jesus. They appear to be holy, but they are filled with spiritual death. Next, Jesus will turn to the lawyers who claim to follow the Mosaic law but are more faithful to the long tradition of persecuting God's prophets (Luke 11:45–52). While the lawyers and Pharisees attempt to destroy Jesus (Luke 11:53–54), He warns His disciples to stay strong in persecution, knowing the kingdom of God is near (Luke 12:1—13:9). Jesus will speak further about the scribes and Pharisees right before His crucifixion (Matthew 23).

Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray and explains God's intent to give "good" to those who ask. He then exorcizes a demon and refutes the claim that His power is satanic. Jesus explains that unreasonable skeptics will only see the "sign of Jonah." He then criticizes the superficial legalism of the Pharisees. In response, they plot against Him.

In what some scholars refer to as "The Travelogue to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51—19:27), Jesus prepares His disciples for His crucifixion and resurrection and the establishment of the church. The description begins with Christ teaching the disciples how to spread the news of the kingdom of God and reaffirming how they will be blessed, culminating in the Lord's Prayer (Luke 9:51—11:13). Luke 11 finishes with accounts of leaders who reject Jesus. The remainder of the travelogue gives a pattern of teaching on the kingdom of God, miracles, and explanations of salvation. Then Jesus enters Jerusalem to face the cross.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.