The Pharisees ridicule Jesus not just because they are lovers of money, but because the parable exposes their self-righteousness; they believed their observance of the law and their wealth proved God's favor, making Jesus' critique of their values an unbearable insult. Their scorn is a visceral reaction to the idea that their worldly success might be seen as an "abomination" by God, revealing a deep-seated insecurity beneath their proud facade.
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus had just finished teaching a parable about a shrewd steward, highlighting how worldly people often prioritize their earthly gains with more zeal than people of faith pursue eternal things. The Pharisees, who were known for their love of money, overheard this teaching and, feeling personally rebuked by Jesus' critique of their covetousness, responded with scorn and ridicule.
Jesus drops a parable about managing resources, and the religious elite, the Pharisees, react with scorn. Why would a story about a steward make them so angry?
The Pharisees, despite their outward show of piety, were deeply attached to wealth. Jesus calls them 'lovers of money,' a term used only a few other times in the New Testament. This wasn't just a casual preference; it was a defining characteristic that blinded them to Jesus' message. Their adherence to the Law was often a means to gain status and wealth, not a genuine pursuit of righteousness. When Jesus spoke about faithfulness, stewardship, and the dangers of 'mammon' (money or possessions), he was directly confronting their core values and their carefully constructed public image.
The Pharisees didn't just disagree with Jesus; they 'ridiculed' him. What does this kind of reaction reveal about their hearts?
When Jesus' words struck a nerve, particularly concerning their love for money, the Pharisees didn't engage with his teaching. Instead, they resorted to ridicule. This was a way to dismiss his message and protect their own pride and values. The original language suggests a deep contempt, like 'turning up their noses' at him. They saw Jesus, a poor, provincial teacher, as absurd for challenging their understanding of blessings and success, which was tied to wealth. Mockery became their shield against the uncomfortable truth that their values were an 'abomination' to God, even while they appeared righteous to men.
Understand the original words
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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.
kardia · Greek Noun
The internal seat of human personality, encompassing the mind, will, and emotions. God is described as the one who searches and knows the true condition of this center.
hypsēlos · Greek Adjective
That which is highly esteemed, lifted up, or glorified by human standards. It is often contrasted with the humility required by God.
bdelygma · Greek Noun
Something that is detestable, loathsome, or morally repulsive to God. It specifically refers to things that violate God's holy character.
The Pharisees' ridicule stems from their deep-seated materialism and pride in their own righteousness, clashing with Jesus' radical message about the stewardship of wealth and true values.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches in Galilee
Jesus' ministry in Galilee includes parables and teachings that challenge the religious and social norms of the time, often drawing crowds of followers.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus Teaches Parable of Unjust Steward
Jesus tells the parable of the shrewd but dishonest steward, highlighting the worldly wisdom of prioritizing future security and criticizing the mismanagement of God's resources.
c. 27-30 AD
Pharisees React to Jesus' Teachings
Pharisees, known for their wealth and adherence to the Law, hear Jesus' teachings and parables, particularly those that critique their love of money and hypocrisy.
This verse highlights the foolishness of the simple who believe every word, directly contrasting with the ridicule of the Pharisees who refused to believe Jesus' words due to their love for money.
Matthew 6:24This passage directly states that no one can serve two masters, God and money, which is the core issue driving the Pharisees' ridicule of Jesus' teachings.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse warns that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, directly explaining the 'covetous' nature of the Pharisees that led them to ridicule Jesus.
Luke 18:9-14The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector powerfully contrasts true righteousness with self-justification, showing how the Pharisees' outward piety masked their inner covetousness, the very reason they ridiculed Jesus.
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 Jesus not just because they are lovers of money, but because the parable exposes their self-righteousness; they believed their observance of the law and their wealth proved God's favor, making Jesus' critique of their values an unbearable insult. Their scorn is a visceral reaction to the idea that their worldly success might be seen as an "abomination" by God, revealing a deep-seated insecurity beneath their proud facade.
Jesus had just finished teaching a parable about a shrewd steward, highlighting how worldly people often prioritize their earthly gains with more zeal than people of faith pursue eternal things. The Pharisees, who were known for their love of money, overheard this teaching and, feeling personally rebuked by Jesus' critique of their covetousness, responded with scorn and ridicule.
Jesus had just finished teaching a parable about a shrewd steward, highlighting how worldly people often prioritize their earthly gains with more zeal than people of faith pursue eternal things. The Pharisees, who were known for their love of money, overheard this teaching and, feeling personally rebuked by Jesus' critique of their covetousness, responded with scorn and ridicule.
"The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in t…" — The Pharisees ridicule Jesus not just because they are lovers of money, but because the parable exposes their self-righteousness; they believed their observance of the law and their wealth proved God…
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Last reviewed October 2026
