Luke 16:14

And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

And {G1161} the Pharisees {G5330} also {G2532}, who were {G5225} covetous {G5366}, heard {G191} all {G3956} these things {G5023}: and {G2532} they derided {G1592} him {G846}.

The P’rushim heard all this, and since they were money-lovers, they ridiculed him.

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

And the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things; and they scoffed at him.

Luke 16:14 presents a critical reaction from a specific group to Jesus' profound teachings on stewardship and wealth. The verse states, "And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him." This brief but powerful statement reveals a fundamental clash between divine truth and human materialism.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' teaching on the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13), which emphasizes wise use of worldly wealth for eternal purposes, and culminates in the declaration that no servant can serve two masters, God and mammon. The "Pharisees" were a highly influential religious and political sect in ancient Judaism, known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions. They held significant authority and were often seen as paragons of piety. However, Jesus frequently exposed their hypocrisy and love for worldly recognition and wealth, contrasting their outward religiosity with their inward corruption. Their presence here highlights that Jesus' message was not just for His disciples but also for those who considered themselves righteous leaders.

Key Themes

  • Covetousness (Love of Money): The KJV explicitly describes the Pharisees as "covetous." This is a direct indictment of their character and the root cause of their rejection of Jesus' message. Their desire for wealth and status blinded them to spiritual truth. This theme serves as a timeless warning against prioritizing material gain over spiritual integrity, echoing Paul's later warning about the love of money being the root of all evil.
  • Rejection of Truth: The Pharisees "derided" Jesus, meaning they scoffed at Him, mocked Him, or showed contempt. This reaction was not merely disagreement but open scorn. Their derision stemmed from the fact that Jesus' teaching directly challenged their cherished values and exposed their inner greed, which they had disguised under a veneer of religious observance. They could not reconcile Jesus' call for spiritual devotion with their own love of wealth and worldly acclaim.
  • Hypocrisy Exposed: This verse underscores Jesus' consistent critique of the Pharisees' hypocrisy. While they outwardly appeared devout, their hearts were set on money, a stark contrast to the values of the Kingdom of God. Jesus' teachings often served to peel back the layers of outward show to reveal the true condition of the heart, as He stated that their leaven was hypocrisy.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "covetous" is philargyros (φιλάργυροι), which literally means "lovers of silver" or "lovers of money." This is a very strong and direct descriptor, indicating a deep-seated affection for wealth rather than a mere desire. The term "derided" comes from the Greek ekmukterizo (ἐκμυκτηρίζω), which means "to turn up the nose at," "to scoff," or "to mock with contempt." It implies an open and disdainful expression of ridicule, showing their utter disrespect for Jesus and His message.

Practical Application

Luke 16:14 serves as a powerful reminder for all believers to examine their own hearts regarding wealth and priorities. It challenges us to consider:

  • Our True Master: Are we truly serving God, or are we secretly serving "mammon" (wealth)? Our actions, spending habits, and priorities reveal our true allegiance.
  • The Danger of Hypocrisy: Outward religious observance means little if our inner life is consumed by covetousness or other sins. God looks at the heart, not just external appearances.
  • Responding to Truth: When God's Word challenges our comfortable beliefs or exposes our sin, our reaction matters. Do we humble ourselves and repent, or do we "deride" and reject the truth because it makes us uncomfortable?
  • Spiritual vs. Material Riches: The verse emphasizes the eternal conflict between valuing the things of God and valuing the things of this world. True spiritual wealth often comes at the cost of worldly accumulation, and vice versa.

Reflection

The Pharisees' reaction in Luke 16:14 is a poignant illustration of how deeply entrenched sin, particularly the love of money, can blind individuals to divine truth and lead them to reject the very source of life. Their derision of Jesus underscores a timeless human tendency to resist messages that expose personal failings. This verse calls us to honest self-assessment, ensuring that our hearts are truly devoted to God, free from the entangling grip of covetousness, and open to the transforming power of His Word, no matter how challenging it may be.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 23:35

    And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided [him], saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

  • Luke 20:47

    Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

  • Jeremiah 6:13

    For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one [is] given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

  • Jeremiah 8:10

    Therefore will I give their wives unto others, [and] their fields to them that shall inherit [them]: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

  • Isaiah 56:11

    Yea, [they are] greedy dogs [which] can never have enough, and they [are] shepherds [that] cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.

  • Luke 12:15

    And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

  • Hebrews 11:36

    And others had trial of [cruel] mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

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