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 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. Jesus exposes the Pharisees' fatal error: self-justification. The phrase 'justify yourselves' (δικαιοῦντες ἑαυτούς, dikaiountes heautous) means they declared themselves righteous based on external conformity to law and human standards. They performed righteousness 'before men' (ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀνθρώπων, enōpion tōn anthrōpōn) to gain human approval and admiration.
But Jesus pronounces devastating truth: 'God knoweth your hearts' (ὁ θεὸς γινώσκει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν, ho theos ginōskei tas kardias hymōn). The verb ginōskei (γινώσκει) indicates thorough, experiential knowledge—God sees past external appearance to internal reality. Human estimation means nothing; divine knowledge exposes everything. The climax is shocking: 'that which is highly esteemed among men' (τὸ ἐν ἀνθρώποις ὑψηλόν, to en anthrōpois hypsēlon)—what culture exalts, like wealth, status, and religious performance—'is abomination in the sight of God' (βδέλυγμα ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ, bdelygma enōpion tou theou). The term bdelygma (βδέλυγμα) means something detestable, disgusting, worthy of God's revulsion.
This reversal of values demolishes human pride. What impresses people—wealth, religious credentials, social status—disgusts God when pursued for self-glory. God values the humble heart, contrite spirit, and genuine faith (Isaiah 57:15, 66:2). Self-justification is the essence of false religion; justification by grace through faith alone is the gospel.
Historical Context
The Pharisees epitomized self-justification. They fasted, tithed meticulously, prayed publicly, and maintained ritual purity (Luke 18:11-12). These practices earned widespread respect—Pharisees were honored as the most righteous people in society. Yet Jesus consistently condemned them as hypocrites (Matthew 23), whitewashed tombs beautiful outside but full of death inside (Matthew 23:27).
The Greek word for 'abomination' (bdelygma) appears in the Septuagint for idolatry and sexual immorality—the grossest sins in Jewish theology. Jesus uses this extreme term for self-righteous religion that seeks human approval while harboring covetousness, pride, and hardness toward the poor. This teaching challenges every form of performance-based religion that trusts external conformity rather than internal transformation. Paul later developed this theology extensively in Romans and Galatians, insisting justification comes by faith, not works.
Questions for Reflection
How do Christians today 'justify themselves before men' through religious performance while God sees covetous or proud hearts?
What things highly esteemed in modern culture might be abomination to God—wealth, success, fame, power, physical beauty?
How does God's knowledge of your heart (not just external behavior) either comfort or challenge you?
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Analysis & Commentary
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. Jesus exposes the Pharisees' fatal error: self-justification. The phrase 'justify yourselves' (δικαιοῦντες ἑαυτούς, dikaiountes heautous) means they declared themselves righteous based on external conformity to law and human standards. They performed righteousness 'before men' (ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀνθρώπων, enōpion tōn anthrōpōn) to gain human approval and admiration.
But Jesus pronounces devastating truth: 'God knoweth your hearts' (ὁ θεὸς γινώσκει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν, ho theos ginōskei tas kardias hymōn). The verb ginōskei (γινώσκει) indicates thorough, experiential knowledge—God sees past external appearance to internal reality. Human estimation means nothing; divine knowledge exposes everything. The climax is shocking: 'that which is highly esteemed among men' (τὸ ἐν ἀνθρώποις ὑψηλόν, to en anthrōpois hypsēlon)—what culture exalts, like wealth, status, and religious performance—'is abomination in the sight of God' (βδέλυγμα ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ, bdelygma enōpion tou theou). The term bdelygma (βδέλυγμα) means something detestable, disgusting, worthy of God's revulsion.
This reversal of values demolishes human pride. What impresses people—wealth, religious credentials, social status—disgusts God when pursued for self-glory. God values the humble heart, contrite spirit, and genuine faith (Isaiah 57:15, 66:2). Self-justification is the essence of false religion; justification by grace through faith alone is the gospel.