Luke 16:14

Luke 16:14, in plain English

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and sneered at Jesus. Their reaction said more about them than about Him.

Why it's here

When people mock a message about money, it usually means the message hit too close to home.

Who's speaking

Luke gives us the Pharisees' reaction, and it's the reaction of people who've been exposed.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus talks about choosing God over money, and the money-lovers scoff. Sometimes the strongest resistance to truth comes from those it applies to most.

The scholarly reading

The Pharisees, described as 'lovers of money' (philargyroi), respond by 'scoffing' (exemyktērizon, literally 'turning up their noses') at Jesus. Their contempt reveals the intersection of their financial interests and religious hypocrisy.

Language and setting

Luke uniquely characterizes the Pharisees as money-lovers, connecting their theological opposition to Jesus with material self-interest and providing the occasion for Jesus's next teaching.

Voice

Luke narrates the Pharisees' disdainful reaction, transitioning from the discipleship discourse to a direct confrontation with religious hypocrisy.

Significance

The Pharisees — who love money — sneer at Jesus's teaching about choosing God over wealth. Their reaction proves His point perfectly.

12And if you have not been faithful with the belongings of another, who will give you belongings of your own?

13No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

14The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.

15So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.

16The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the gospel of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

Read all of Luke 16 — A shrewd manager, a rich man in torment, and Lazarus at his gate. Jesus draws a straight line between how you handle money and where you end up.