Luke 11:43
New International Version
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.

New Living Translation
“What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you love to sit in the seats of honor in the synagogues and receive respectful greetings as you walk in the marketplaces.

English Standard Version
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.

Berean Standard Bible
Woe to you Pharisees! You love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.

Berean Literal Bible
Woe to you Pharisees, for you love the first seat in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.

King James Bible
Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

New King James Version
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.

New American Standard Bible
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the seat of honor in the synagogues and personal greetings in the marketplaces.

NASB 1995
“Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and the respectful greetings in the market places.

NASB 1977
“Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the front seats in the synagogues, and the respectful greetings in the market places.

Legacy Standard Bible
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and the respectful greetings in the marketplaces.

Amplified Bible
Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the best seats in the synagogues and to be respectfully greeted in the market places.

Christian Standard Bible
“Woe to you Pharisees! You love the front seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Woe to you Pharisees! You love the front seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.

American Standard Version
Woe unto you Pharisees! for ye love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces.

Contemporary English Version
You Pharisees are in for trouble! You love the front seats in the synagogues, and you like to be greeted with honor in the market.

English Revised Version
Woe unto you Pharisees! for ye love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"How horrible it will be for you Pharisees! You love to sit in the front seats in the synagogues and to be greeted in the marketplaces.

Good News Translation
"How terrible for you Pharisees! You love the reserved seats in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces.

International Standard Version
How terrible it will be for you Pharisees! You love to have the places of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted in the marketplaces.

Majority Standard Bible
Woe to you Pharisees! You love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.

NET Bible
Woe to you Pharisees! You love the best seats in the synagogues and elaborate greetings in the marketplaces!

New Heart English Bible
Woe to you Pharisees. For you love the best seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces.

Webster's Bible Translation
Woe to you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

Weymouth New Testament
Alas for you Pharisees! for you love the best seats in the synagogues, and you like to be bowed to in places of public resort.

World English Bible
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Woe to you, the Pharisees, because you love the first seats in the synagogues and the salutations in the marketplaces.

Berean Literal Bible
Woe to you Pharisees, for you love the first seat in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.

Young's Literal Translation
'Woe to you, the Pharisees, because ye love the first seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the market-places.

Smith's Literal Translation
Woe to you, Pharisees! for ye love the first seat in assemblies, and greetings in market-places.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Woe to you, Pharisees, because you love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the marketplace.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Woe to you, Pharisees! For you love the first seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the marketplace.

New American Bible
Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces.

New Revised Standard Version
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love to have the seat of honor in the synagogues and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Woe to you Pharisees! for you love chief seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the streets.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Woe to you Pharisees who love first class seats in the synagogues and greetings in the streets!”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Alas for you, Pharisees! for you love the chief seat in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

Godbey New Testament
Woe unto you, Pharisees! because you love the front seat in the synagogues, and salutations in the forums.

Haweis New Testament
Wo unto you, Pharisees, for ye love the first seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the places of public concourse.

Mace New Testament
wo unto you Pharisees, for you affect to have the first rank in the synagogue, and to be complimented in publick places.

Weymouth New Testament
Alas for you Pharisees! for you love the best seats in the synagogues, and you like to be bowed to in places of public resort.

Worrell New Testament
"Woe to you Pharisees! because ye love the first seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces!

Worsley New Testament
Wo unto you pharisees; for ye love the chief seat in synagogues, and salutations in public places.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Woes to Religious Leaders
42Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. 43Woe to you Pharisees! You love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces. 44Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing.”…

Cross References
Matthew 23:6-7
They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, / the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi’ by which they are addressed.

Matthew 23:27-28
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Mark 12:38-39
In His teaching Jesus also said, “Watch out for the scribes. They like to walk around in long robes, to receive greetings in the marketplaces, / and to have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.

Matthew 6:1-2
“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. / So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

John 5:44
How can you believe if you accept glory from one another, yet do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

Matthew 23:5
All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

Matthew 23:13
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Matthew 23:25
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

Matthew 23:29-30
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. / And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’

Mark 7:6-7
Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’

John 12:43
For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Romans 2:29
No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.

Isaiah 1:23
Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.

Isaiah 3:9
The expression on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster upon themselves.


Treasury of Scripture

Woe to you, Pharisees! for you love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.

for.

Luke 14:7-11
And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, …

Luke 20:46
Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

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Luke 11
1. Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly;
11. assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him.
14. He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees;
27. and shows who are blessed;
29. preaches to the people;
37. and reprimands the outward show of holiness.














Woe to you Pharisees!
This phrase begins with a strong denunciation, "Woe," which is a term of lament and judgment. In the Greek, "ouai" is an expression of grief or denunciation. Jesus uses this term to express sorrow over the Pharisees' spiritual blindness and the consequences of their actions. The Pharisees were a religious group known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions. Historically, they were influential in Jewish society, often seen as the epitome of religious piety. However, Jesus criticizes them for their hypocrisy and legalism, which overshadowed the true spirit of the Law.

For you love the best seats in the synagogues
The phrase "you love" indicates a deep-seated desire or preference. The Greek word "agapate" suggests a strong affection or attachment. The "best seats" in the synagogues were places of honor, often reserved for those of high status or authority. Synagogues were central to Jewish community life, serving as places of worship, teaching, and gathering. The Pharisees' love for these seats reveals their desire for recognition and status, prioritizing outward appearances over genuine humility and service.

and greetings in the marketplaces
"Greetings" in this context refers to the public acknowledgment and respect given to individuals of status. The Greek word "aspasmous" implies formal salutations that were customary in public settings. Marketplaces, or "agorai," were bustling centers of commerce and social interaction in ancient Jewish society. The Pharisees' desire for greetings in these public spaces highlights their craving for public admiration and validation. This behavior contrasts with the humility and servant leadership that Jesus exemplified and taught.

(43) Ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues.--See Notes on Matthew 23:6-7.

Verse 43. - Ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues. These seats were in a semicircle round the pulpit or lectern of the reader; they faced the congregation. And greetings in the markets. The love of these Jews in the time of our Lord for exaggerated titles of respect and honor is well known.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Woe
Οὐαὶ (Ouai)
Interjection
Strong's 3759: Woe!, alas!, uttered in grief or denunciation. A primary exclamation of grief; 'woe'.

to you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

Pharisees!
Φαρισαίοις (Pharisaiois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5330: Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.

You love
ἀγαπᾶτε (agapate)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

chief seats
πρωτοκαθεδρίαν (prōtokathedrian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4410: A chief (most honorable) seat. From protos and kathedra; a sitting first, i.e. Preeminence in council.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

synagogues
συναγωγαῖς (synagōgais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4864: From sunago; an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish 'synagogue'; by analogy, a Christian church.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

greetings
ἀσπασμοὺς (aspasmous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 783: A greeting, salutation. From aspazomai; a greeting.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

marketplaces.
ἀγοραῖς (agorais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 58: From ageiro; properly, the town-square; by implication, a market or thoroughfare.


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