Luke 11:52 Woe to you, lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you entered not in yourselves… The last woe pronounced by our Saviour against the Scribes and Pharisees, is for perverting the Holy Scriptures, and keeping the true sense and knowledge of them from the people: this St. Luke here calls, "the taking away the key of knowledge from men"; alluding to a custom among the Jews, in admission of their doctors. Those that had authority given them to interpret the law and the prophets, were solemnly admitted into that office, by delivering to them a key and a table-book; so that by the key of knowledge is meant the interpretation and understanding of the Scriptures, and by taking away that key is signified — 1. That they arrogated to themselves the sole power of understanding and interpreting the Holy Scriptures. 2. That they kept the true knowledge of the Scriptures from the people, especially the prophecies which concern the kingdom and coming of the Messias; and so they hindered men from embracing our Saviour's doctrine, who were otherwise well enough disposed for it.Learn — 1. That the written Word is the key whereby an entrance into heaven is opened unto men. 2. That the use of this key, or the knowledge of the Word of God, is absolutely and indispensibly necessary in order to salvation. 3. That great is the guilt, and inexcusable the fault of those who deny the people the use of this key, and deprive them of the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, which alone can make them wise unto salvation. 4. That such as do so, shut the kingdom of heaven against men, endeavouring what in them lies to hinder their salvation. Men may miscarry with their knowledge, but they are sure to perish for lack of knowledge. (W. Burkitt.) Parallel Verses KJV: Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. |
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