King James Version

What Does Luke 16:14 Mean?

Luke 16:14 in the King James Version says “And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 16:14 · KJV

Context

12

And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

13

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.

14

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

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.

16

The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Read Luke 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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Historical & Cultural 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 Questions

  1. How does covetousness (love of money) specifically blind people to spiritual truth and make them hostile to God's word?
  2. Why do you think Jesus' teaching on money provoked mockery rather than conviction or repentance from the Pharisees?
  3. In what ways might modern Christians resemble the covetous Pharisees who professed godliness while serving money?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 12 words
Ἤκουον1 of 12

“heard”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

δὲ2 of 12

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ταῦτα3 of 12

“these things”

G5023

these things

πάντα4 of 12

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

καὶ5 of 12

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἱ6 of 12
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Φαρισαῖοι7 of 12

“the Pharisees”

G5330

a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary

φιλάργυροι8 of 12

“covetous”

G5366

fond of silver (money), i.e., avaricious

ὑπάρχοντες9 of 12

“who were”

G5225

to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip

καὶ10 of 12

“also”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐξεμυκτήριζον11 of 12

“they derided”

G1592

to sneer outright at

αὐτόν12 of 12

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 16:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 16:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 23:35Luke 20:47Isaiah 53:3Isaiah 56:11Jeremiah 6:13Jeremiah 8:10

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