Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 11:46

"And he said, Woe unto you lawyers also! for ye load men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers." — Luke 11:46 (ASV)

Jesus now directs words against the “experts in the law,” many of whom were Pharisees. Their religious legalism explains v.46. They could interpret the OT and the traditions built on it in such a way as to leave little room for personal moral decisions. As “experts,” they could, of course, find ways of circumventing the rules themselves.