Luke 16:15

KJV

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Ye {G5210} are {G2075} they which justify {G1344} yourselves {G1438} before {G1799} men {G444}; but {G1161} God {G2316} knoweth {G1097} your {G5216} hearts {G2588}: for {G3754} that which is highly esteemed {G5308} among {G1722} men {G444} is {G2076} abomination {G946} in the sight {G1799} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to them, “You people make yourselves look righteous to others, but God knows your hearts; what people regard highly is an abomination before God!

Berean Standard Bible

So 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.

American Standard Version

And he said unto them, Ye are they that justify yourselves in the sight of men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 16:15 delivers Jesus' profound indictment of the Pharisees, exposing the chasm between human and divine values. While they meticulously sought to present themselves as righteous before people, God, with His perfect knowledge, sees beyond outward appearances into the true condition of their hearts. Jesus declares that what is highly esteemed and glorified in human society, particularly when it stems from pride, covetousness, or hypocrisy, is utterly detestable in the eyes of a holy God. This verse serves as a timeless warning against self-righteousness and a call to align one's values with God's.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 16:15 serves as a pivotal statement immediately following Jesus' parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-13) and His subsequent teaching on the impossibility of serving both God and money (Luke 16:13). The parable itself, though complex, highlights the shrewdness of worldly individuals in managing their affairs, implicitly challenging Jesus' followers to exercise similar wisdom in spiritual matters, particularly concerning their use of wealth. Jesus' direct declaration in [Luke 16:13](/luke/16-13 "Serving Two Masters")—"No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon"—provoked a scoffing reaction from the Pharisees, who were described as "covetous" in [Luke 16:14](/luke/16-14 "The Pharisees' Reaction to Jesus' Teaching"). It is in direct response to their disdain and self-assured piety that Jesus utters the sharp words of Luke 16:15, unmasking their true spiritual condition and the fundamental misalignment of their values with God's.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and their oral traditions. They meticulously observed rituals, tithing, fasting, and prayer, often performing these acts publicly to gain recognition and honor from the people. In a society where honor and shame were paramount, public displays of piety were highly valued and contributed significantly to one's social standing. However, Jesus frequently critiqued the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, emphasizing that their outward conformity often masked an inner corruption, pride, and a desire for human praise rather than genuine devotion to God. Their covetousness, explicitly mentioned in [Luke 16:14](/luke/16-14 "The Pharisees' Reaction to Jesus' Teaching"), indicates a love for money and worldly possessions that directly contradicted their claims of spiritual devotion, highlighting the deep-seated conflict between their professed values and their actual priorities.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **true versus false righteousness**, contrasting the Pharisees' self-justifying external piety with God's demand for inner purity. It underscores the **omniscience and penetrating judgment of God**, who sees beyond superficial appearances to the heart's true condition, a recurring motif throughout Scripture (e.g., [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "God Looks at the Heart")). The verse also highlights the **radical inversion of values** inherent in the Kingdom of God, where human esteem often stands in direct opposition to divine approval. This challenges the conventional wisdom of the world and calls for a re-evaluation of what truly matters in God's economy, echoing themes found in Jesus' teachings on humility and the first being last (e.g., [Luke 14:11](/luke/14-11 "Whoever Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **justify (Greek, _dikaióō'_):** From G1344, meaning "to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent." In this context, it refers to the Pharisees' attempt to declare themselves righteous or to appear righteous in the eyes of others, often through outward actions or perceived piety, rather than possessing genuine righteousness that comes from God. It implies a self-validation that seeks human approval.
* **knoweth (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** From G1097, meaning "to 'know' (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications." Here, it signifies God's perfect, intimate, and comprehensive knowledge. Unlike human perception, which is limited to external appearances, God's knowledge penetrates to the deepest motives, intentions, and the true spiritual condition of the heart, leaving nothing hidden.
* **abomination (Greek, _bdélygma'_):** From G946, meaning "a detestation, i.e. (specially) idolatry." This is a profoundly strong and negative term, often used in the Old Testament to describe things utterly detestable, disgusting, or idolatrous in God's sight (e.g., pagan practices, idols, certain immoral acts). Its use here emphasizes the severe divine disapproval of what humans hold in high regard when it is rooted in pride, hypocrisy, or a rejection of God's true values.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men;":** Jesus directly confronts the Pharisees, identifying them as those who actively seek to validate their own righteousness and gain approval from other people. This "self-justification" implies a reliance on outward performance, adherence to external rules, and a desire for public recognition, rather than a humble acknowledgement of sin and a reliance on God's grace for true righteousness. Their focus was horizontal—on human opinion—rather than vertical—on God's judgment.
* **"but God knoweth your hearts:":** This clause introduces a stark contrast and a profound theological truth. While humans may be deceived by outward appearances, God possesses perfect omniscience. He sees beyond the facade of piety and penetrates to the innermost being—the "heart" (Greek, _kardía'_), which in biblical thought represents the core of one's personality, including thoughts, desires, motives, and intentions. This emphasizes that true spirituality is a matter of the heart, not merely external conformity.
* **"for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.":** This is the climactic and most shocking declaration. It reveals a radical inversion of values between the human and divine realms. What society, or even religious institutions, might praise—such as wealth, social status, outward religious displays, or self-righteousness—can be utterly detestable to God if it is born of pride, greed, hypocrisy, or a rejection of His true standards. The term "abomination" (Greek, _bdélygma'_) underscores the severe nature of God's disapproval, equating such humanly esteemed things with idolatry or practices utterly offensive to His holiness.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 16:15 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, creating a sharp contrast between human perception and divine judgment ("before men" vs. "God knoweth your hearts"; "highly esteemed among men" vs. "abomination in the sight of God"). This stark opposition highlights the fundamental disconnect between worldly values and God's standards. There is also an element of **Irony**, as the very people who consider themselves righteous and are esteemed by others are declared an "abomination" by God, revealing the tragic self-deception of hypocrisy. The use of the strong term "**abomination**" itself can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme detestation God has for values that are contrary to His nature, particularly when they mask spiritual corruption.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 16:15 profoundly articulates a core biblical truth: God's judgment is based on the heart, not on outward appearances or human accolades. This verse serves as a powerful indictment of hypocrisy and self-righteousness, warning against the danger of seeking validation from people rather than from God. It underscores that true righteousness is an internal condition, a matter of genuine devotion and humility before God, rather than a performance for human observation. The radical contrast between what is "highly esteemed among men" and what is "abomination in the sight of God" challenges believers to critically examine their own values and priorities, ensuring they align with divine standards rather than worldly ones. This divine perspective often subverts human wisdom, revealing that what appears impressive to the world may be spiritually bankrupt in God's eyes.

* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "God Looks at the Heart")
* [Proverbs 16:5](/proverbs/16-5 "Pride is Abomination to the Lord")
* [Matthew 23:27-28](/matthew/23-27-28 "Woe to Hypocrites")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 16:15 calls us to a profound introspection, challenging us to examine the true motives behind our actions and beliefs. In a world that often values success, status, and outward accomplishments, this verse reminds us that God's perspective is radically different. We must ask ourselves: Are we living to impress others, to gain their approval, or to accumulate what society deems "highly esteemed"? Or are we striving to live authentically before God, knowing that He sees our hearts and delights in truth in the inward parts? This verse encourages humility, urging us to confess our need for God's grace rather than attempting to justify ourselves. It's a call to prioritize a genuine, intimate relationship with God over any external display of religiosity or worldly achievement. Our spiritual health depends not on human applause, but on divine approval, which flows from a heart truly devoted to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be seeking to justify myself or gain approval "before men" rather than God?**
* **What things do I "highly esteem" in my life or culture that might, in fact, be an "abomination in the sight of God" due to their underlying motives or effects?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is truly pleasing to God, prioritizing His knowledge and approval above all else?**
* **What practical steps can I take to align my values more closely with God's, even if it means sacrificing human esteem?**

### FAQ

**What does "justify yourselves before men" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Luke 16:15, "justify yourselves before men" refers to the Pharisees' practice of presenting themselves as righteous and blameless in the eyes of other people. This wasn't about genuine internal righteousness, but about creating an outward appearance of piety through strict adherence to religious laws and traditions, often performed publicly. Their goal was to gain human approval, honor, and social standing, rather than seeking God's approval. Jesus frequently condemned this kind of performative righteousness, as seen in His teachings on prayer, fasting, and giving alms in [Matthew 6:1-6](/matthew/6-1-6 "Jesus on Practicing Righteousness"), where He warns against doing these things "to be seen by men."

**Why is "that which is highly esteemed among men" an "abomination in the sight of God"?**

Answer: This statement highlights a fundamental clash between human and divine values. What is "highly esteemed among men" often includes things like wealth, social status, power, outward religious performance without sincerity, or self-righteousness. God, however, looks at the heart and its motives. If these humanly esteemed things are pursued out of pride, greed, hypocrisy, a desire for self-glory, or if they lead people away from true devotion to God, then they become detestable to Him. The term "abomination" (Greek: _bdélygma_) is a very strong word, often used in the Old Testament to describe idolatry or practices utterly offensive to God. Therefore, anything that takes the place of God in our hearts, or anything that is done with a corrupt motive, even if it appears good to humans, is an abomination in His sight. This underscores the truth that God's ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than ours, as declared in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "God's Thoughts are Higher than Ours").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 16:15, with its stark contrast between human and divine judgment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The Pharisees sought to justify themselves before men through their works, but Jesus perfectly embodied true righteousness, not by human effort or outward display, but by His perfect obedience and humble submission to the Father's will. He never sought human praise or earthly esteem, but consistently glorified God (e.g., [John 8:50](/john/8-50 "Jesus Does Not Seek His Own Glory")). Furthermore, the "abomination" that humanly esteemed values represent is precisely what Christ came to overcome. Humanity's attempts at self-justification are futile and offensive to God; true justification comes only through Christ. He became sin for us, "that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, what is truly "highly esteemed" by God is not human achievement or self-righteousness, but the humble faith that trusts in Christ's finished work on the cross, through which we are declared righteous in God's sight (e.g., [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Righteousness Through Faith")). Jesus, the humble servant who emptied Himself and took on the form of a bond-servant ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Christ's Humility")), perfectly demonstrates that God's esteem is found not in human exaltation, but in divine humility and sacrificial love.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Proverbs 21:2

¶ Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

Jeremiah 17:10

I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

1 Corinthians 4:5

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Proverbs 16:5

¶ Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Acts 15:8

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as [he did] unto us;

1 Peter 3:4

But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.