Luke 7:30 - Jesus Testifies about John

But the Pharisees and experts in the law
The Pharisees were a religious group known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and oral traditions. They held significant influence in Jewish society and were often seen as the spiritual leaders of the people. The "experts in the law," also known as scribes, were scholars who interpreted and taught the Jewish law. Their role was crucial in maintaining the religious and legal standards of the time. Both groups were often in opposition to Jesus, as they felt threatened by His teachings and authority, which challenged their interpretations and practices.

rejected God’s purpose for themselves
This phrase indicates a deliberate refusal to accept the divine plan. God's purpose, in this context, refers to the call to repentance and the coming of the Kingdom of God, as heralded by John the Baptist and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The rejection by the Pharisees and experts in the law highlights their spiritual blindness and resistance to change. This rejection is a recurring theme in the Gospels, where religious leaders often oppose Jesus' message. It also reflects the broader biblical narrative of Israel's history, where God's chosen people frequently turned away from His purposes.

because they had not been baptized by John
John the Baptist's baptism was a baptism of repentance, preparing the way for the Messiah. By refusing this baptism, the Pharisees and experts in the law were rejecting the call to repentance and the acknowledgment of their need for spiritual renewal. Baptism by John was a public declaration of one's commitment to God's coming kingdom, and their refusal signified a rejection of both John's message and the one he pointed to—Jesus. This act of non-compliance set them apart from the common people who accepted John's baptism and, by extension, Jesus' message. This refusal is also a fulfillment of the prophecy that the Messiah would be a stumbling block to those who were self-righteous and unwilling to humble themselves.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Pharisees
A religious group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the Law and traditions. They often clashed with Jesus over interpretations of the Law and their self-righteousness.

2. Experts in the Law (Scribes)
These were scholars and teachers of the Jewish Law, often associated with the Pharisees. They were responsible for interpreting and teaching the Law to the people.

3. John the Baptist
A prophet who preached repentance and baptized people as a sign of their repentance. He prepared the way for Jesus and called people to turn back to God.

4. Baptism
A ritual of purification and repentance. John's baptism was a public declaration of repentance and readiness to receive the coming Messiah.

5. God’s Purpose
Refers to God's plan of salvation and the call to repentance and faith, which the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected by not participating in John's baptism.

Teaching Points

Rejection of God’s Purpose
The Pharisees and experts in the law missed God’s purpose because they relied on their own understanding and traditions rather than embracing the new work God was doing through John and Jesus.

The Importance of Humility
Humility is essential in recognizing and accepting God’s work. The Pharisees' pride and self-righteousness blinded them to the truth of John's message and the coming of the Messiah.

The Call to Repentance
True repentance involves a change of heart and action. John's baptism symbolized this, and rejecting it was rejecting the call to prepare for the Messiah.

God’s Sovereign Plan
God’s purpose will prevail, even if individuals reject it. The rejection by the Pharisees did not thwart God’s plan of salvation through Jesus.

Self-Examination
Believers are called to examine their own hearts to ensure they are not rejecting God’s purpose in their lives due to pride, tradition, or self-righteousness.

(30) Rejected the counsel of God against themselves.--The English is unhappily ambiguous, admitting the construction that the counsel which the Pharisees rejected had been "against" them. Better, as in Galatians 2:21, frustrated for themselves the counsel of God.

Being not baptized . . .--We read in Matthew 3:7 that Pharisees and Sadducees came at first to the baptism of John, but they were repelled by the sternness of his reproof, and could not bring themselves either to confess their sins or to bring forth fruits meet for repentance.

Verse 30. - But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. The ruling classes and the highly cultured in Israel, turned a deaf ear to the fervent preaching of the gospel; as a class, they came not to his baptism. The result of the refusal of these powerful and learned men to hear the reformer's voice was that John's mission failed to bring about a national reformation. Rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. The English Version here is not happy, and might lead to a false conception of the words of the original. The Greek would be better and more accurately rendered, "rejected for themselves the counsel of God." Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Pharisees
Φαρισαῖοι (Pharisaioi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5330: Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

experts in the law
νομικοὶ (nomikoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3544: From nomos; according to law, i.e. Legal; as noun, an expert in the law.

rejected
ἠθέτησαν (ēthetēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 114: From a compound of a and a derivative of tithemi; to set aside, i.e. to disesteem, neutralize or violate.

God’s
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

purpose
βουλὴν (boulēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1012: Counsel, deliberate wisdom, decree. From boulomai; volition, i.e. advice, or purpose.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

themselves,
ἑαυτούς (heautous)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

[because] {they had} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

been baptized
βαπτισθέντες (baptisthentes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 907: Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize.

by
ὑπ’ (hyp’)
Preposition
Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).

[John].
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

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