Imported boundary: J. C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on Luke from the GraceGems public-domain chapter transcription. Site navigation, audio links, displayed Scripture blocks, and non-source web apparatus are not mirrored; this section preserves the Ryle expository prose for Luke 20:41-47 (Whose Son Is Christ). The transcription remains needs-verification against print editions before reuse.

Primary passage: Luke 20:41-47.

Source heading: Whose Son Is Christ.

This was a bold and remarkable warning. It was a public denunciation, we must remember, of men who "sat in Moses' seat," and were the recognized teachers of the Jewish people. It teaches us clearly, that there may be times when the sins of people in high religious places, make it a positive duty to protest publicly against them. It shows us that it is possible to speak out, and yet not to despise authority.

No sin seems to be regarded by Christ as more sinful than hypocrisy. None certainly drew forth from His lips such frequent, strong, and withering condemnation, during the whole course of His ministry. He was ever full of mercy and compassion for the chief of sinners. "Fury was not in Him" when He saw Zacchaeus, the penitent thief, Matthew the tax-collector, Saul the persecutor, and the sinful woman in Simon's house. But when He saw Scribes and Pharisees wearing a mere cloak of religion, and pretending to great outward sanctity, while their hearts were full of wickedness -- His righteous soul seems to have been full of indignation. Eight times in one chapter (Matthew 23.) we find Him saying, "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites!"

Let us not forget that the Lord Jesus never changes. He is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Whatever else we are in religion--let us be true. However feeble our faith, and hope, and love, and obedience may be---let us see to it that they are real, genuine, and sincere. Let us abhor the very idea of play-acting and mask-wearing in our Christianity. At any rate, let us be genuine.

Let us observe, lastly, in this passage -- that there will be degrees of condemnation and misery in Hell. The words of our Lord are distinct and express. He says of those who live and die hypocrites, "Such men shall receive greater damnation!"

The subject opened up in these words, is a deeply painful one. The reality and eternity of future punishment, are among the great foundation truths of Scriptural religion, which it is hard to think upon without a shudder. But it is well to have all that the Bible teaches about Heaven and Hell firmly fixed on our minds. The Bible teaches distinctly, that there will be degrees of glory in Heaven. It teaches with no less distinctness, both here and elsewhere -- that there will be degrees of misery in Hell.

Who, after all, are those who will finally receive condemnation? This is the practical point which most concerns us. All who will not come to Christ -- all who do not know God -- all who do not obey the Gospel -- all who refuse to repent -- all who continue in wickedness -- all such will be finally condemned. They will reap according as they have sown. God does not will their eternal ruin. But if they will not listen to His voice -- they must die in their sins.

But among those who are condemned -- who will receive the heaviest condemnation? It will not fall on heathen who never heard the truth. It will not fall on ignorant and neglected Englishmen, for whose souls, however sunk in profligacy, no man cared. It will fall on those who had great light and knowledge -- but made no proper use of it. It will fall on those who professed great sanctity and religiousness -- but in reality clung to their sins. In one word, the hypocrite will have the lowest place in Hell! These are dreadful things -- but they are true!