Luke 16:14-15

More Warnings about the Pharisees

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.

[16:14]  ¹ sn See the note on Pharisees in 5:17.

[16:14]  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).

[16:15]  ³ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

[16:15]  ⁴ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[16:15]  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.

[16:15]  ⁶ tn Or “exalted.” This refers to the pride that often comes with money and position.

[16:15]  ⁷ tn Or “is an abomination,” “is abhorrent” (L&N 25.187).