1. The Rebuke of Hypocrisy
37 While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. 38 The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. 39 And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also?
41 But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. Luke 11:37-41 (ESV)
Outwardly the rituals of the Pharisees portrayed them as generous and holy, but inwardly they were full of “greed and wickedness.” (Kent Hughes)
13 And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, Isaiah 29:13 (ESV)
2. The Rebuke of Legalism
42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Luke 11:42 (ESV)
“Woe” is a deep moan uttered in response to personal anguish or prompted by pity for the suffering of another. It can also convey a warning, as if to say, “I deeply pity you if this is true.” (Philip Ryken)
30 “Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD’s; it is holy to the LORD. Leviticus 27:30 (ESV)
The Mishnah states that "Rue, goosefoot, purslane,
hill-coriander, celery and meadow-eruca are exempt from Tithes" (Shebiith 9:1)
8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 (ESV)
3. The Rebuke of Pride
43 Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
Luke 11:43 (ESV)
44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? John 5:44 (ESV)
Hypocrisy craves recognition for spiritual accomplishments. (Philip Ryken)
4. The Rebuke of False Teaching
44 Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.”
Luke 11:44 (ESV)
The Pharisees became agents of defilement rather than mediators of redemption (Chuck Swindoll)