And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 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. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail. Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

Luke 16:14-18

No doubt, the Pharisees recognized their own desires and behaviors as Jesus taught about the unjust steward. Their reaction, however, was not to repent of their sinful ways, but to continue acting just like Jesus described in the parable. As long as they could “maintain face” in the eyes of their friends and the Jewish people they controlled, they felt justified.

These unbelieving Jews derided Jesus. This means they “turned up their noses” and mocked Him for what He was saying. Jesus was not concerned about what men said about Him. In fact, He reminds these men that they should be more concerned about what God knows of their hearts than what other men see them doing. 

Jesus could have mentioned just about any sin, but He mentions the sin of adultery as the example of how the Pharisees skirted around the law of God to justify themselves. Without going into details, they had devised a plan to commit adultery without others seeing it as adultery. But God knew their hearts.

They were acting just like the unjust steward, and like that steward, they knew they were wrong but did everything they could to help their situation except repent. Rather than confessing their sin, they sought to mock the One Who had made clear their sins.

These men, who were supposed to be masters of the Law, obviously forgot the words of David.

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

Psalms 2:1-4

They derided Jesus but God was deriding them at the same time!

God laughs at the intentions of the wicked especially when they think they can outsmart God or avoid the consequences of their sins. To God, their words are like “blah, blah, blah.” They mean nothing!

This is an alarming thought but at the same time it should be of great comfort to those who are trying to serve the Lord. There are people in this world that hate the children of God. They hate them because they hate God. But God will mock and judge them.

Don’t worry, dear Christian. They should bow down to the King while there is still a chance He will spare them. But regardless of what they do, put your trust in Him, and be at peace.

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Psalms 2:11-12