Luke 11:29  “…an evil generation. It seeks a sign…”
Lack of faith.  They’d been told over the centuries about the coming of the Messiah, and enough information had been given so they should be able to recognize Him when He arrived.  Here stands Jesus who fulfilled those prophecies and they would not believe.  They demanded proof.  What proof could be given that was greater than what they already had?

32  “The men of Nineveh…”
The men of Nineveh repented at only a word about God.  The people there had Jesus, God, Himself, and they refused to repent.  If heathen people could have faith without sight, why couldn’t the people of God have faith with sight?  Same goes for us who have the whole story presented for us in hindsight.  We may not have been there to see with our own eyes, but we have enough eyewitnesses and the complete Word of God.

35  “Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.”
Eye gives guidance to the body because it can see.  As long as it sees clearly, it provides the body with what it needs to function in the world.  Our understanding is the same.  As long as we understand the truth, we can make right decisions, especially about Christ.  Goes with what He just told them about hearing and receiving the truth.  If they chose to reject Him, they would be full of darkness.

38  “…he marveled that He had not first washed before dinner”
Not a washing to be clean from dirt, but a ceremonial cleaning, one to show you were clean on the inside.

41  “…rather give alms of such things as you have…”
They were concerned with outward appearances while inside they were rotten.  Giving alms would show their heart attitude by generosity toward others, not some fake washing of the hands.

42  “…These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone”
Nothing wrong with tithing and trying to be conscientious about doing what was right.  You just have to be sure you’ve done the most important first.  Then make sure you do the rest.  Salvation is by faith in Christ alone.  Once you have that, then you do the works to show your faith.

44  “…you are like graves which are not seen…”
Touching things in a grave would make you unclean.  If you encountered a grave and didn’t know it, you would still be unclean.  Pharisees were filthy on the inside, but had so cleaned their outside that men didn’t know they were encountering such corruptness by being around them.

46  “…you load men with burdens…do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers”
Only telling people what they did wrong, the law, without also telling them about mercy and forgiveness.

48  “…they indeed killed them, and you build their tombs”
They would build up the tombs of the prophets to say they respected them and weren’t partakers of their forefathers sins in killing the prophets.  Yet they weren’t listening to the message of the prophets any more than their forefathers.  Same sins as before in spite of their claims of righteousness.

51  “…Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple…”
Found in 2 Chronicles 24.  Son of Jehoiada the priest who had been the spiritual advisor to Joash.  After Jehoiada died, the king strayed.  Zechariah tried to warn him, but Joash had him killed.

52  “…You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered”
Not content to not follow God, they made it difficult for others who did.  Like misery loves company.

53  “…scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently…”
Wasn’t a polite discussion or even a war of words where insults are implied.  Total fight.  Jesus was riled and went after them.  They returned the favor.  Forget sometimes the drama of what happened.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.