King James Version

What Does Luke 16:15 Mean?

Luke 16:15 in the King James Version says “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is h... — study this verse from Luke chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 16:15 · KJV


Context

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.

17

And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do Christians today 'justify themselves before men' through religious performance while God sees covetous or proud hearts?
  2. What things highly esteemed in modern culture might be abomination to God—wealth, success, fame, power, physical beauty?
  3. How does God's knowledge of your heart (not just external behavior) either comfort or challenge you?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
καὶ1 of 28

And

G2532

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

εἶπεν2 of 28

he said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς3 of 28

unto them

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

Ὑμεῖς4 of 28

Ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ἐστε5 of 28

are

G2075

ye are

οἱ6 of 28
G3588

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

δικαιοῦντες7 of 28

they which justify

G1344

to render (i.e., show or regard as) just or innocent

ἑαυτοὺς8 of 28

yourselves

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ἐνώπιον9 of 28

before

G1799

in the face of (literally or figuratively)

τῶν10 of 28
G3588

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

ἀνθρώποις11 of 28

men

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

12 of 28
G3588

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

δὲ13 of 28

but

G1161

but, and, etc

θεοῦ14 of 28

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

γινώσκει15 of 28

knoweth

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

τὰς16 of 28
G3588

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

καρδίας17 of 28

hearts

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

ὑμῶν·18 of 28

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ὅτι19 of 28

for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

τὸ20 of 28
G3588

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

ἐν21 of 28

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἀνθρώποις22 of 28

men

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ὑψηλὸν23 of 28

that which is highly esteemed

G5308

lofty (in place or character)

βδέλυγμα24 of 28

abomination

G946

a detestation, i.e., (specially) idolatry

ἐνώπιον25 of 28

before

G1799

in the face of (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ26 of 28
G3588

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

θεοῦ27 of 28

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἐστιν28 of 28

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are


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 16:15 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 16:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study