And the Pharisees also who were covetous
Or lovers of money, the love of which is the root of all evil;
and that they were, is evident from their devouring widows'
houses, under a pretence of making long prayers for them, (
Matthew 23:14 )
heard all these things;
as well as the disciples, being in company with them, ( Luke 15:2 ) even the
parable concerning the unjust steward, and the application of it;
and the directions given about using the things of this world,
and the distributing of them to the poor, and showing a greater
concern for riches of an higher nature:
and they derided him:
lift up their nose, or drew it out to him, as the word signifies,
in a sneering way; they rejected and despised what he said about
their injustice, in their stewardship; the calling of them to an
account for it, and the turning of them out of it; and concerning
the true use of worldly riches, and the contempt of them; they
looked upon themselves safe and secure in the good opinion of the
people, and happy in the enjoyment of worldly things; and looked
upon him as a weak man, to talk in the manner he did.