Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 11:53

"And when he was come out from thence, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press upon [him] vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things;" — Luke 11:53 (ASV)

To urge him vehemently. To press upon him violently. They were enraged against him. Therefore, they pressed upon him, asked him many questions, and sought to entrap him, so that they might accuse him.

Provoke him, and so on. This means that they put many questions to him about various matters, without giving him proper time to answer. They proposed questions as quickly as possible, and about as many things as possible, so that they might get him, in the hurry, to say something that would be wrong, so that they could then accuse him. This was a remarkable instance of their cunning, malignity, and unfairness.