Luke 16:15

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.

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}.

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!

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.

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.

Context of Luke 16:15

Luke 16:15 immediately follows Jesus' parable of the unjust steward and His teaching on the impossibility of serving both God and money. The verse is specifically addressed to the Pharisees, who were covetous and scoffed at Jesus' words. They prided themselves on their meticulous adherence to the Law, often for public display, believing their outward piety justified them before others. Jesus directly confronts their internal corruption and misplaced values.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Self-Justification vs. Divine Judgment: Jesus exposes the Pharisees' tendency to "justify yourselves before men." This highlights the human inclination to seek approval and validate one's righteousness based on external appearances or human opinion, rather than genuine internal transformation. God, however, sees beyond the facade.
  • God's Omniscience and Focus on the Heart: The phrase "but God knoweth your hearts" underscores God's perfect knowledge. Unlike humans who judge by outward show, God penetrates to the deepest motives, intentions, and true spiritual condition. This is a fundamental truth throughout Scripture, as God looks at the heart, not merely the outward appearance.
  • Contrasting Human and Divine Values: The stark contrast "that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God" reveals a fundamental disconnect between human and divine perspectives. What society or religious institutions might praise—wealth, status, outward religiosity without sincerity—can be utterly detestable to God if it stems from pride, greed, or hypocrisy. This challenges conventional wisdom and calls for a re-evaluation of true worth.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "justify yourselves" is dikaioō (δικαιόω), which means to declare righteous, to acquit. Here, it implies declaring oneself righteous, often through outward actions or perceived piety. The term "highly esteemed" comes from hypsēlon (ὑψηλόν), meaning high, lofty, or exalted. The word "abomination" is bdelugma (βδέλυγμα), a strong term signifying something detestable, disgusting, or an idolatrous thing, often used in the Old Testament for practices offensive to God.

Practical Application

Luke 16:15 serves as a profound warning and a call to introspection for believers today. It challenges us to examine our motives: Are we seeking the approval of God or the applause of people? Do we prioritize external displays of religiosity, material possessions, or social status over a genuine, humble relationship with God? This verse reminds us that true spirituality is not about outward performance but about the condition of our hearts. Our actions should flow from a sincere desire to honor God, knowing that He searches the heart and tests the mind, and what truly matters is His approval, not human accolades. As Proverbs 16:5 reminds us, "Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD."

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.

  • 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.
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