King James Version

What Does Luke 11:47 Mean?

Luke 11:47 in the King James Version says “Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.”

Luke 11:47 · KJV

Context

45

Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

46

And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

47

Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

48

Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.

49

Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them (ὅτι οἰκοδομεῖτε τὰ μνημεῖα τῶν προφητῶν, οἱ δὲ πατέρες ὑμῶν ἀπέκτειναν αὐτούς)—the fifth woe exposes hypocritical prophet-honoring. They oikodomeō (built) elaborate mnēmeia (tombs, monuments) for the prophets their pateres (fathers, ancestors) apekteinan (killed). This appears to honor the prophets, but Jesus sees continuity, not repentance—they're completing their fathers' work by rejecting him, the ultimate Prophet.

Honoring dead prophets while rejecting living ones is safe religion. The lawyers beautified prophets' tombs while preparing to kill the Prophet they announced (Jesus). This pattern continues: every generation honors yesterday's prophets while persecuting today's. True honor would mean heeding prophetic messages, not constructing impressive memorials.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Judaism venerated prophetic burial sites—elaborate tombs in the Kidron Valley commemorated prophets traditionally buried there. This tomb-building demonstrated national repentance for ancestors' prophetic rejection. Yet Jesus exposes this as performative—they claimed to honor prophets while rejecting prophetic authority, precisely their fathers' sin.

Reflection Questions

  1. How might modern Christians similarly honor dead saints while rejecting living prophetic voices calling for repentance?
  2. What does it mean to truly honor biblical prophets—building theological memorials or obeying prophetic calls to justice and holiness?
  3. In what ways do you participate in your spiritual 'fathers' sins while claiming you would never do what they did?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
οὐαὶ1 of 14

“Woe”

G3759

woe

ὑμῖν2 of 14

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι3 of 14

“! for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οἰκοδομεῖτε4 of 14

“ye build”

G3618

to be a house-builder, i.e., construct or (figuratively) confirm

τὰ5 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μνημεῖα6 of 14

“the sepulchres”

G3419

a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)

τῶν7 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

προφητῶν8 of 14

“of the prophets”

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

οἱ9 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ10 of 14

“and”

G1161

but, and, etc

πατέρες11 of 14

“fathers”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

ὑμῶν12 of 14

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἀπέκτειναν13 of 14

“killed”

G615

to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy

αὐτούς14 of 14

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 11:47 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 11:47 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Thessalonians 2:15Acts 7:51Matthew 23:29-33

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