16:14 The Pharisees 1 (who loved money) heard all this and ridiculed 2 him. 16:15 But 3 Jesus 4 said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in men’s eyes, 5 but God knows your hearts. For what is highly prized 6 among men is utterly detestable 7 in God’s sight.
1 sn See the note on Pharisees in 5:17.
2 tn A figurative extension of the literal meaning “to turn one’s nose up at someone”; here “ridicule, sneer at, show contempt for” (L&N 33.409).
3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
4 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
5 tn Grk “before men.” The contrast is between outward appearance (“in people’s eyes”) and inward reality (“God knows your hearts”). Here the Greek term ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used twice in a generic sense, referring to both men and women, but “men” has been retained in the text to provide a strong verbal contrast with “God” in the second half of the verse.
6 tn Or “exalted.” This refers to the pride that often comes with money and position.
7 tn Or “is an abomination,” “is abhorrent” (L&N 25.187).