A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 3: The Gospe l s : The Man i fes tat i on of Chr i s t , Par t I I 87

c. Luke 16.14-15 – The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. [15] And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”

d. Luke 20.47 – . . . who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

e. Luke 16.14 – The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.”

5. Were active in their proselytizing of others to their practices, and willing to persecute the unconverted, Matt. 23.15; Acts 9.1-2

6. Were generally opposed to Jesus

a. Rejected John’s baptism, Luke 7.29-30 – When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the bap tism of John, [30] but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. b. Early on in Jesus’ public ministry, they sought to have Jesus arrested, John 11.57 – Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

c. Couldn’t stand Jesus’ association with sinners, Luke 15.1-2 – Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. [2] And the Pharisees and