Luke 7:30
but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "rejected the counsel of God for themselves" is key here, meaning they nullified God's gracious plan for their own salvation and well-being. It wasn't that they could thwart God's ultimate purpose, but rather they chose to dismiss His loving provision meant directly for them, especially by refusing John's baptism, which was the gateway to accepting Jesus.
Jesus has just pointed out how people reacted differently to John the Baptist's austere message and His own more social approach, with most rejecting both. This verse explains that the religious elite, the Pharisees and lawyers, specifically chose to ignore God's plan for them, refusing John's baptism and repentance. In doing so, they actively set aside God's way to salvation, ultimately to their own ruin.
What does it mean to 'reject the counsel of God'? It sounds like a monumental decision, but the text shows it's a choice made in specific actions—or inactions.
The Pharisees and lawyers in this passage are accused of rejecting God's 'counsel.' This wasn't just a casual dismissal of advice. The original language implies they actively set aside, annulled, or treated God's plan as worthless.
This 'counsel' was God's gracious invitation, delivered through John the Baptist, calling people to repent and prepare for the Messiah. By refusing John's baptism and his message, these religious leaders weren't just ignoring a suggestion; they were fundamentally rejecting God's intended way for their salvation and for Israel.
Their rejection ultimately worked 'against themselves.' This means their choice had ruinous consequences for them personally, frustrating the very purpose God had for their well-being and salvation.
John the Baptist's baptism was a sign of repentance. Why would respected religious leaders refuse such a seemingly simple act?
The people and the tax collectors, often seen as societal outcasts, 'justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John' (Luke 7:29). They embraced God's plan through John's ministry, showing humility and a willingness to acknowledge their need for repentance.
In contrast, the Pharisees and lawyers, who prided themselves on their knowledge of the Law and their righteousness, rejected this baptism. Their refusal wasn't necessarily about the water itself, but about what the baptism represented: submission, repentance, and acknowledging John as a prophet sent by God. Their sophisticated understanding of the Law ironically blinded them to God's immediate work.
This highlights a powerful truth: true spiritual understanding often requires a humble heart willing to obey even the simplest divine commands, rather than a proud intellect that seeks to justify its own ways.
Understand the original words
Pharisaios · Greek Noun
A prominent Jewish religious group devoted to the strict observance of the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, often characterized in the Gospels by self-righteousness and opposition to Jesus.
nomikos · Greek Noun
Experts in the interpretation and application of the Mosaic Law; they were religious teachers and scholars who played a significant role in Jewish communal and legal life.
atheteō · Greek Verb
To refuse, set aside, or consider as invalid. It describes the active choice to reject the divine call or counsel offered by God.
boulē · Greek Noun
God's eternal plan, intention, or will for humanity. It refers to the divine objective or counsel that He seeks to accomplish in history.
The rejection by the Pharisees and lawyers wasn't just a personal slight; it was a turning away from God's divine plan for salvation as revealed through John the Baptist and then Jesus. Their decision had profound personal consequences, hindering their own spiritual reception of God's message.
c. AD 27-28
John the Baptist begins his ministry
John the Baptist, a prophet announcing the coming of the Messiah, preaches a message of repentance and baptizes people in the Jordan River. His ministry is a direct sign from God calling for preparation.
c. AD 28— this verse
Pharisees and lawyers observe John's ministry
Some Pharisees and legal experts, often leaders of religious thought, came to John's baptism, likely out of curiosity or to scrutinize him. However, they ultimately rejected his message and baptism.
c. AD 28
Crowds and tax collectors embrace John's baptism
In contrast to the religious elite, ordinary people and those often scorned by society, like tax collectors, hear John's message, repent, and are baptized, thus "justifying God" by accepting His messenger.
c. AD 28-29
Jesus begins his public ministry
Jesus, identified by John as the Messiah, begins his own public ministry, teaching and performing miracles. His message often echoes John's call to repentance but is met with similar rejection by the religious establishment.
This passage describes the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to John's baptism, which directly connects to the rejection of God's purpose mentioned in Luke 7:30. It highlights their initial engagement and subsequent rejection, often due to their pride and unwillingness to repent.
Luke 11:47-52Jesus directly condemns the scribes and Pharisees for rejecting the prophets and wisdom, mirroring the rejection of God's counsel in Luke 7:30. This passage shows the severe consequences of their persistent refusal to heed divine messages.
Acts 20:27Paul states that he did not shrink from declaring 'the whole counsel of God,' underscoring the significance and completeness of God's message. This contrasts with the Pharisees' selective and ultimately dismissive approach to John's ministry.
1 Timothy 2:4This verse emphasizes that God 'desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,' showing the salvific intent behind God's counsel. The Pharisees' rejection in Luke 7:30 directly frustrated this divine desire for their own salvation.
Proverbs 1:24-31This passage describes God calling out in wisdom and people refusing, leading to their own destruction. It parallels the situation in Luke 7:30 where the Pharisees rejected God's call through John, bringing ruin upon themselves.
barnesLuke 7:30: "But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him."
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected ... - It appears from Matthew 3:7 that some of the Pharisees came to John to be baptized; but still this is entirely consistent with the supposition that the great mass of Pharisees and lawyers rejected him. The counsel of God - The counsel of God toward them was the solemn admonition by John to "repent" and be baptized, and be prepared to…
calvinLuke 7:29-35: "And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John."
- But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children, who sit in the market-place, and call out to their companions, 17. And say, We have played on the flute to you, and you have not danced; we have sung mournful airs to you, and you have not lamented. 18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19. The Son of man came ea…
The phrase "rejected the counsel of God for themselves" is key here, meaning they nullified God's gracious plan for their own salvation and well-being. It wasn't that they could thwart God's ultimate purpose, but rather they chose to dismiss His loving provision meant directly for them, especially by refusing John's baptism, which was the gateway to accepting Jesus.
Jesus has just pointed out how people reacted differently to John the Baptist's austere message and His own more social approach, with most rejecting both. This verse explains that the religious elite, the Pharisees and lawyers, specifically chose to ignore God's plan for them, refusing John's baptism and repentance. In doing so, they actively set aside God's way to salvation, ultimately to their own ruin.
Jesus has just pointed out how people reacted differently to John the Baptist's austere message and His own more social approach, with most rejecting both. This verse explains that the religious elite, the Pharisees and lawyers, specifically chose to ignore God's plan for them, refusing John's baptism and repentance. In doing so, they actively set aside God's way to salvation, ultimately to their own ruin.
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"but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)" — The phrase "rejected the counsel of God for themselves" is key here, meaning they nullified God's gracious plan for their own salvation and well-being. It wasn't that they could thwart God's ulti…
