Luke 16:15 “So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before me…”

Luke 16:15

So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

American Standard Version

And 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.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then he sayde vnto them, Yee are they, which iustifie your selues before men: but God knoweth your heartes: for that which is highly esteemed among men, is abomination in the sight of God.

Darby Translation

And he said to them, Ye are they who justify themselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what amongst men is highly thought of is an abomination before God.

Young's Literal Translation

and he said to them, 'Ye are those declaring yourselves righteous before men, but God doth know your hearts; because that which among men is high, [is] abomination before God;

Bible in Basic English

And he said, You take care to seem right in the eyes of men, but God sees your hearts: and those things which are important in the opinion of men, are evil in the eyes of God.

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Cross references

“Ye”

Luke 11:39 Luke 10:29 Romans 3:20 Proverbs 20:6 Matthew 23:5 Matthew 23:25–27

Luke 11:39 · BSB

Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.

Luke 10:29 · BSB

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Romans 3:20 · BSB

Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

Proverbs 20:6 · BSB

Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?

Matthew 23:5 · BSB

All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

Matthew 23:25–27 · BSB

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

“God”

1 Samuel 16:7 1 Corinthians 4:5 Jeremiah 17:10 Acts 15:8 1 Chronicles 29:17 Revelation 2:23

1 Samuel 16:7 · BSB

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

1 Corinthians 4:5 · BSB

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from…

Jeremiah 17:10 · BSB

I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

Acts 15:8 · BSB

And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.

1 Chronicles 29:17 · BSB

I know, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness. All these things I have given willingly and with an upright heart, and now I have seen Your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to…

Revelation 2:23 · BSB

Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

“for”

Proverbs 16:5 1 Peter 3:4 1 Peter 5:5 Psalm 49:13 Psalm 49:18 Isaiah 1:10–14

Proverbs 16:5 · BSB

Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.

1 Peter 3:4 · BSB

but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.

1 Peter 5:5 · BSB

Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Psalm 49:13 · BSB

This is the fate of the foolish and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah

Psalm 49:18 · BSB

Though in his lifetime he blesses his soul— and men praise you when you prosper—

Isaiah 1:10–14 · BSB

Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!

Also

Proverbs 21:2

Proverbs 21:2 · BSB

All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

14The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.

16The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the gospel of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

Read Luke 16