Pharisees and lawyers rejected John (Lk 7:30-7:30)

“By refusing

To be baptized

By John,

The Pharisees

And the lawyers

Rejected

God’s purpose

For themselves.”

 

οἱ δὲ Φαρισαῖοι καὶ οἱ νομικοὶ τὴν βουλὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἠθέτησαν εἰς ἑαυτούς, μὴ βαπτισθέντες ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ.

 

Luke uniquely said that the Pharisees (οἱ δὲ Φαρισαῖοι) and the lawyers (καὶ οἱ νομικοὶ) refused to be baptized by John the Baptist (μὴ βαπτισθέντες ὑπ’ αὐτοῦ).  Thus, only they had rejected God’s purpose for themselves (τὴν βουλὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἠθέτησαν εἰς ἑαυτούς).  In other words, the Pharisees and the other followers of the law had rejected John and his baptism.  Thus, they had rejected God’s plan for themselves.  None of the other gospel writers mentioned this.  Clearly, this was an anti-Pharisee statement.  What group of people are you against?