Devine Scripture

Luke 16:14

What does Luke 16:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 16:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 16:14 means

The Pharisees, known for their love of money, heard Jesus' teachings and responded with scorn and ridicule. Their reaction reveals their hypocrisy; they outwardly professed godliness but inwardly cherished wealth, and Jesus' words exposed their divided loyalties. Their scoffing demonstrates their rejection of Jesus' counter-cultural message that challenged their materialistic values and self-righteousness, indicating their hearts were far from embracing the Kingdom principles Jesus taught.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Pharisees, who had a great love of money, hearing these things, were making sport of him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And also the Pharisees, being lovers of money, were hearing all these things, and were deriding him,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things, and mocked him.

Context

This verse marks a critical shift in the audience's reaction and the direction of Jesus' discourse. Having just delivered a sharp condemnation of serving mammon over God in verse 13, the Pharisees' scoffing reveals their underlying materialism and their opposition to Jesus' teachings. This negative reaction directly prompts Jesus' subsequent rebuke and teaching directed at them in verses 15-18.

v.13No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

v.14This passage

v.15And 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 20:47

    who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater condemnation.

  • Jeremiah 20:7

    O Jehovah, thou hast persuaded me, and I was persuaded; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocketh me.

  • Ezekiel 22:25

    There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in the midst thereof.

  • Psalms 119:51

    The proud have had me greatly in derision: Yethave I not swerved from thy law.

  • Isaiah 53:3

    He was despised, and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we esteemed him not.

  • Isaiah 56:11

    Yea, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these are shepherds that cannot understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.

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