“Jesus
Said to the Pharisees.
‘You are those
Who justify yourselves
In the sight
Of others.
However,
God knows
Your hearts.
What is prized
By human beings
Is an abomination
In the sight
Of God.’”
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ὑμεῖς ἐστε οἱ δικαιοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὁ δὲ Θεὸς γινώσκει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν· ὅτι τὸ ἐν ἀνθρώποις ὑψηλὸν βδέλυγμα ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ.
Once again, this is a unique statement of Luke, not found in the other gospel stories. Luke indicated that Jesus reproved the Pharisees. He said to them (καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς) that they tried to justify themselves (Ὑμεῖς ἐστε οἱ δικαιοῦντες ἑαυτοὺς) in the sight of other men (ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀνθρώπων). However, God knows their hearts (ὁ δὲ Θεὸς γινώσκει τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν). What is prized or exalted by humans (ὅτι τὸ ἐν ἀνθρώποις ὑψηλὸν) is an abomination or cursed in the sight of God (βδέλυγμα ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ). Once again, Jesus continued with his diatribe against the Pharisees. The value system of the Pharisees was not in sync with the value system of God. They wanted to look good before their fellow men, so as to be praised. However, whatever humans praise, God does not. Do you love human praise?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 