Luke 16:14
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 16:14
14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
Chapter Context
Luke 16 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of wisdom, mercy, obedience. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-31: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 16:14
14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
Analysis
And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. Luke records the Pharisees' hostile response to Jesus' teaching on money. The description 'who were covetous' (φιλάργυροι ὑπάρχοντες, philargyroi hyparchontes, 'being lovers of money') exposes their core motivation. The Greek philargyros (φιλάργυρος) combines philos ('lover') and argyros ('silver')—they loved money. Paul lists this vice among disqualifications for church leadership (1 Timothy 3:3) and marks of apostasy in the last days (2 Timothy 3:2).
Their response was to deride Jesus—exemyktērizon (ἐξεμυκτήριζον), 'they were sneering at' or 'mocking' Him. The imperfect tense suggests repeated, habitual mockery. Jesus' teaching on serving God rather than mammon exposed their hypocrisy—they professed religious devotion while serving money. Their derision reveals defensive pride—when truth confronts beloved sin, the natural response is not repentance but attack.
This verse introduces the section culminating in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (vv. 19-31), which directly addresses the Pharisees' covetousness. Jesus will demonstrate that their earthly prosperity doesn't indicate divine favor and that their love of money imperils their souls. The Pharisees' mockery proves Jesus' point: they couldn't serve both God and money, and their response showed which master they'd chosen.
Historical Context
Pharisees were generally middle to upper-middle class, often merchants or skilled tradesmen. Their wealth enabled leisure for extensive Torah study and scrupulous religious observance. However, many had twisted Old Testament prosperity theology—they viewed wealth as proof of God's blessing for righteousness. This created spiritual pride and justified their riches while condemning the poor as sinners suffering divine judgment.
Jesus consistently confronted this distorted theology. He pronounced woes on the rich (Luke 6:24), warned that wealth makes entering God's kingdom nearly impossible (Luke 18:24-25), and taught that the love of money is idolatry (Luke 16:13). The Pharisees' covetousness and mockery demonstrate the blinding power of wealth—they couldn't perceive truth that threatened their treasure. Their derision also fulfills prophecy about the Suffering Servant: 'He is despised and rejected of men' (Isaiah 53:3).
Reflection
- How does covetousness (love of money) specifically blind people to spiritual truth and make them hostile to God's word?
- Why do you think Jesus' teaching on money provoked mockery rather than conviction or repentance from the Pharisees?
- In what ways might modern Christians resemble the covetous Pharisees who professed godliness while serving money?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Luke 12:15, 20:47, 23:35, Isaiah 56:11, Jeremiah 6:13, 8:10