Luke 11:28

μενοῦν μακάριοι οἱ�. ‘Yea truly, but &c.’ In classical Greek μὲν οὖν (or μενοῦνγε, immo vero) never begins a sentence, as it does here and in Romans 9:20; Romans 10:18. With the thought compare Luke 8:21. Our Lord invariably and systematically discouraged all attempt to exalt the merely human relationship or intercourse with Him, and taught that the Presence of His Spirit was to be a nearer and more blessed thing than knowledge of Him “after the flesh” (John 14:16; 2 Corinthians 5:16).

καὶ φυλάσσοντες. Hearing without obedience was more than valueless, Matthew 7:21; Matthew 12:50; Romans 2:13.