hindering others from entering heaven

We learn, lastly from our Lord’s words, how great is the wickedness of keeping back others from religious knowledge. He says, “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter, and you hindered those who were entering.”

The sin here denounced is awfully common. The guilt of it lies at far more doors than at first sight many are aware. It is the sin of the unconverted Protestant minister who warns his people against “extreme views” and sneers at the idea of conversion. It is the sin of the ungodly husband who dislikes his wife becoming serious about religion. It is the sin of the worldly-minded mother who cannot bear the idea of her daughter thinking of spiritual things. All these, wittingly or unwittingly, are bringing down on themselves our Lord’s emphatic “Woe!” They are hindering others from entering heaven!

—J.C. Ryle, ‘Expository Thoughts on Luke’