Jesus had been condemning a Pharisee as a hypocrite and a lawyer (an expert in Mosaic Law) said ‘You insult us also’.  Luke 11:45
Jesus did not back off when He said:
(NASB) Luke 11:52 “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.’”

A key…a key locks and unlocks doors.  The key of knowledge unlocks our understanding when God’s words are understood and explained clearly.
What is one of the primary keys to knowledge of God?
(NASB) Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

The fear of the LORD – that is the beginning of knowledge – that is the key to God’s treasure house.

People who reject the living God despise godly wisdom and instruction.
(NASB) Proverbs 10:14 “Wise men store up knowledge,
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.”

Where are all of God’s treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden?
(NASB) Colossians 2:2-3 “that their hearts (believers) may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

The religious lawyers could not enter into God’s storehouse of knowledge because they did not use God’s key.  The door to God’s treasury of knowledge was locked and the lawyers hindered themselves and others from entering.  Before anyone can lead another to Christ as Savior and Lord – they need first to experience that reality themselves.

What are the followers of Christ to do?  We are to be growing in the grace of God which comes through Christ Jesus alone.  We are to be growing in the knowledge of our Savior and Lord.  We have been given the key of knowledge.  What are we doing with it?  Are we using it to open God’s treasure house for others to enjoy knowledge of Him?

The key of knowledge opens our understanding of the need to fear the Lord God with reverence and respect and worship.
The key of knowledge opens our understanding of our need of Jesus Christ and belief in Him as our Savior.

Have you used the key of godly knowledge?