1. Woe to those who burden others (45-46)

Jesus gives a stern warning to those who teach the Bible only with head knowledge. Jesus is not pleased when Bible teachers teach rules and regulations instead of helping people to know the living God. Christianity is not based on legalistic rules, but on grace and the gospel.

2. Woe to you who build tombs for prophets (47-51)

By rejecting Jesus, these teachers of the law put themselves in the stream of history of those who had rejected God's word and killed his prophets. This history started with Cain who killed Abel. The Pharisees of Jesus' day would climax that history by killing God's Son.

3. Woe to you who have taken away the key (52-54)

Bible teaching which does not lead people to repent before God and have faith in Jesus hinders those who earnestly seek God, those who want to know and obey him.

Application: Lord, help me to come to you through Bible study.
One Word: A Bible teacher who pleases God