Reading through these passages, it might be easier to break them up into the smallest cohesive pieces. Then you perhaps group the pieces. It's up to you where you think the breaks should be, but breaking them up might make them easier to understand. If you look at the passages in various translations, you'll see that translators don't even know where to break them up. The two biggest elements are the condemnation of the ones looking for a sign and the dinner with the Pharisee. But beyond that, you may find it easier to break into smaller pieces. It's up to you, you may not find that easier at all. If not, don't do it.
Once you have the passage grouped in a way that makes sense, focus on the relationships between each element (even if it's only two). Then look at the elements within each, like the woes on Pharisees versus lawyers. How do those relate? And so on, it's like assembling a quilt sort of. Stepping back gives you the sense of how the whole works together. Zooming in helps get a sense of how Jesus addresses what problems He sees. On that note, what problems does He see? What problems seem to draw most of His attention?
Jot down questions and insights you gain from your own study. Then look at commentaries or notes, or whatever you have at hand. Revise your notes and questions. Bring those to the group, Thursday. After you have all that, then go back through with the questions below:
- Verse 29 seems to address those mentioned in verse 16 who were demanding a sign. Jesus says it's wicked to want a sign. What do you think Jesus and the people mean by "sign"? Sign of or for what?
- In Matthew 12:38-42, we have a parallel to verse 29 through 32, but there Matthew explains how Jonah is a sign to the Ninevites. So, how do you think Luke understands Jonah as a "sign" to the people of Nineveh? Is it the time in the fish, or his preaching, or what?
- The "Queen of the South" came to hear Solomon, and Jonah went to Nineveh. She desired to hear Solomon's wisdom and the Ninevites needed to hear from God. How are these two things related to each other? I think it relates to what the people around Jesus are not doing. If that is true, what do you think they are not doing? Do we do these things or are we not doing them either?
- Starting at verse 33, I think we have another separate element that, for Luke, is related to what precedes it. From 33 to 36, Jesus is referring to "light", but what do you think that "light" is a metaphor for here? In other places it refers to other things, but what does Jesus use it for here?
- Jesus says that light is meant to be displayed. How do you think the people around Jesus have been hiding theirs?
- Jesus says that the eye enlightens the body. How do you think the people around Jesus have been "darkening" their vision?
- From the two elements, about signs and about light, what is Jesus trying to get across to the people around Him? What do you think is the unifying truth behind both?
- Next, a Pharisee invites Jesus to a meal. As I've told you in the past, this is always dangerous. Right away, the Pharisee is surprised Jesus doesn't wash. The word used is "baptize". What does that tell you about "baptism"? So why do you think the King James would not, nor does any other translation, use the word "baptize" for this?
- The Pharisee is "astonished" or "surprised" that Jesus doesn't wash. There's nothing inherently negative in this word, so what do you think might have been going on in the Pharisee's mind?
- Jesus launches into a condemnation of the Pharisees. The first condemnation is appearing clean but not being clean on the outside. But what do you think Jesus means when He says, "But give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you."? How are all things "clean"? In what way?
- Jesus then goes into tithing every little thing, but not behaving in just and loving ways. How do you think this is like or unlike us today?
- The Pharisees have come to love the "trappings" of their station. What do you think is the alternative? Luke really doesn't say, so what do you think Luke and his hearers have in mind?
- What do you think is the problem depicted in "hidden tombs"? Why do you think it is a problem to walk over a grave?
- Now a lawyer stands up...again. And this genius claims that Jesus is also insulting them, as if by accident. Why do you think the lawyer would exclude his group from the Pharisees?
- He clearly seems to see some of Jesus' criticisms as applying to lawyers also. What or which ones of Jesus' woes do you think the lawyer thought applied to him and the other lawyers?
- Jesus takes up the challenge to be more direct toward the lawyers, and so begins His woes on them. What do you think are these burdens these lawyers are laying on the people they do not lift themselves? Do you think the lawyers would agree with Jesus assessment of them that they don't lift them either?
- How do you think building the tomb for a prophet makes a person in agreement with those who killed him?
- Literally, the wording of verse 49 says, "Through this also the wisdom of God said..." The NIV reads "God in His wisdom", the NASB has "the wisdom of God", and the ESV has "the Wisdom of God". So, which do you think makes more sense here? Who do you think Jesus thinks said this?
- Why would the blood of Abel be charged to the generation to whom Jesus spoke?
- Why would the blood of Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20-22) be charged to them?
- Lawyers were supposed to be making the law clear to people. So in what way do you think they kept the "key" to it from people?
- Understandably, the lawyers and Pharisees began to plot against Jesus, but what do you think of their "plan"? Considering how much fun everyone had at the meal, does this sound like a great idea to you? Why do you think they wanted this approach?
