Luke 16:14
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The Pharisees' ridicule wasn't just about Jesus' wealth-shaming; it stemmed from their deeply held belief that being rich inherently meant God's favor, a notion Jesus directly challenged by showing how earthly wealth could be used for eternal gain. Their scorn arose from Jesus' implication that their "successful" stewardship of worldly riches was actually a failure in God's eyes, a truth they couldn't bear to face.
Jesus had just finished a parable about a dishonest steward, intended to teach his disciples about shrewdly using earthly resources for eternal gain. The Pharisees, a religious elite known for their love of money, overheard this entire teaching and Jesus' subsequent pronouncements on serving God versus mammon. Instead of reflecting, they scoffed at Jesus, likely finding his critique of their wealth and his humble status absurd.
Jesus’ words hit a nerve with the religious elite, and their reaction wasn't thoughtful debate, but outright mockery. What does their ridicule reveal about their hearts?
The Pharisees, deeply invested in their own righteousness and status, heard Jesus’ challenging parable about wealth and found it utterly contemptible. The original Greek word for 'derided' paints a vivid picture of extreme scorn – like someone physically turning up their nose in disgust.
They weren't just disagreeing; they were dismissing Jesus entirely. Why? Because Jesus’ teaching directly challenged their core values. As lovers of money, they believed wealth was a sign of God's favor. Jesus, by contrast, was highlighting the dangers of wealth and calling for a different kind of stewardship. Their ridicule was a defense mechanism, a way to dismiss a truth that made them deeply uncomfortable and exposed their own hidden sin.
Jesus calls riches 'unrighteous mammon.' What's behind this loaded term, and why did it so offend the religious leaders?
The term 'mammon' is actually a word borrowed from Aramaic, and Jesus uses it here to represent wealth or material possessions. But calling it 'unrighteous' isn't just a judgment on ill-gotten gains; it points to the inherent danger and potential for corruption that wealth carries. Wealth, by its very nature, often draws people into self-interest, deceit, and a reliance on earthly security rather than on God.
The Pharisees, being 'lovers of money,' were deeply offended because Jesus was essentially saying their cherished possessions were tainted. They saw wealth as a sign of blessing, but Jesus was revealing it as a test. He wasn't saying money itself is evil, but that it has a powerful, often corrupting influence, and that it's incredibly difficult for those who cling to it to truly follow God.
Jesus contrasts the Pharisees' reaction with the 'prudence' of worldly people. What can we learn from those who don't follow God?
In the parable preceding this verse, Jesus notes that 'the children of this world are more prudent in their generation than the children of light.' This wasn't praise for their actions, but a sharp observation about their dedication. The 'unjust steward,' though acting out of self-preservation and deceit, was clever and strategic. He understood his environment and acted decisively to secure his future.
Understand the original words
Pharisaioi · Greek Noun
A Jewish religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Law; often criticized in the New Testament for legalism, hypocrisy, and self-righteousness.
The Pharisees' ridicule stemmed from their deeply ingrained love for money, which clashed directly with Jesus' teachings on stewardship, generosity, and the true nature of wealth. Their opposition highlights the spiritual blindness that prioritizes worldly possessions over eternal values.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches in Galilee
Jesus delivers parables and teachings, including the Parable of the Unjust Steward, in regions like Galilee. His message often challenged the established religious and social norms of the time.
Ongoing during Jesus' ministry
Pharisaic Influence and Opposition
The Pharisees, a prominent religious sect, held significant influence. While some may have listened to Jesus, their deep-seated beliefs and love for wealth often led them to oppose and ridicule his teachings.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Ministry Continues
Despite opposition, Jesus continues his ministry, confronting hypocrisy and calling people to a higher standard of righteousness that includes generosity and detachment from material wealth.
This passage directly states that the 'love of money is a root of all kinds of evils,' echoing Luke 16:14's description of the Pharisees as lovers of money and highlighting the inherent danger in such a disposition.
Matthew 6:24Jesus' teaching that 'no one can serve two masters' directly addresses the conflict between serving God and serving 'mammon' (money/wealth), which is at the heart of the Pharisees' ridicule in Luke 16:14.
Luke 18:11The Pharisee's prayer in this passage, highlighting his self-righteousness and pride, parallels the attitude of the Pharisees in Luke 16:14 who ridiculed Jesus because they justified themselves in their wealth and status.
Proverbs 11:28This verse warns that 'whoever trusts in his riches will fall,' which directly contrasts with the Pharisees' love of money and explains why Jesus' teachings about wealth would provoke their scorn.
calvinLuke 16:1-15: "And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods."
- And he said also to his disciples, There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and he was accused to him that he was wasting his estate. 2. And he called him, and said to him, What is this that I hear of thee? render an account of thy stewardship, for thou shalt no longer have it in thy power to be steward. 3. And the stew…
vincentLuke 16:14: "And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him."
Covetous (φιλάργυροι)Rev. renders literally, according to the composition of the word, lover, of money. Only here and 2 Timothy 3:2. Compare the kindred noun, 1 Timothy 6:10. The usual word for covetous is πλεονέκτης (1 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 6:10).Derided (ἐξεμυκτήριζον)Only here and Luke 23:35. Lit., to turn up the nose at. The Romans had a corresponding phra…
The Pharisees' ridicule wasn't just about Jesus' wealth-shaming; it stemmed from their deeply held belief that being rich inherently meant God's favor, a notion Jesus directly challenged by showing how earthly wealth could be used for eternal gain. Their scorn arose from Jesus' implication that their "successful" stewardship of worldly riches was actually a failure in God's eyes, a truth they couldn't bear to face.
Jesus had just finished a parable about a dishonest steward, intended to teach his disciples about shrewdly using earthly resources for eternal gain. The Pharisees, a religious elite known for their love of money, overheard this entire teaching and Jesus' subsequent pronouncements on serving God versus mammon. Instead of reflecting, they scoffed at Jesus, likely finding his critique of their wealth and his humble status absurd.
Jesus had just finished a parable about a dishonest steward, intended to teach his disciples about shrewdly using earthly resources for eternal gain. The Pharisees, a religious elite known for their love of money, overheard this entire teaching and Jesus' subsequent pronouncements on serving God versus mammon. Instead of reflecting, they scoffed at Jesus, likely finding his critique of their wealth and his humble status absurd.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Luke 16:14 is available in the Sola app.
The Pharisees, hearing this, should have recognized a mirror. They, too, were focused on securing their 'future'—their status, comfort, and wealth in this life. Yet, they lacked the 'prudence' Jesus commended in the parable’s context. Instead of shrewdly using their resources (their 'mammon') to build eternal connections, they clung to them and ridiculed the One who offered a different path. Jesus uses the worldly's focus on their temporary kingdom to shame the spiritually-minded who are often complacent about their eternal one.
"The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him." — The Pharisees' ridicule wasn't just about Jesus' wealth-shaming; it stemmed from their deeply held belief that being rich inherently meant God's favor, a notion Jesus directly challenged by showing h…
