Pharisees and Experts in the Law
Category: Failure of sincerity & truth
Could endure: Practice justice and love of God.
“But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.” (Luke 11:41)
Cross-Refs: Micah 6:8; Matthew 23:23.
Chose wrongly: Focused on outward appearances, neglected justice.
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth… but you neglect justice and the love of God.” (Luke 11:42)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:7–9.
Endured (negatively): Condemned as hypocrites.
“You load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” (Luke 11:46)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 6:13–15; Galatians 6:13.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, self-righteousness.
“You love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces.” (Luke 11:43)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 6:2; John 12:43.
Result: Brought judgment on themselves.
“This generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets.” (Luke 11:50)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 23:35; Acts 7:52.
The Rich Man (Parable)
Category: Failure of compassion
Could endure: Care for Lazarus and the poor.
“But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.” (Luke 11:41, principle)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 15:11; James 2:15–16.
Chose wrongly: Lived in luxury, ignored Lazarus.
“In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.” (Luke 16:23)
Cross-Refs: Amos 6:4–6; 1 John 3:17.
Endured (negatively): Eternal torment.
“He called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me… for I am in agony in this fire.’” (Luke 16:24)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 25:41–46; Revelation 20:15.
Why (wrong motive): Selfishness, indulgence.
“He lived in luxury every day.” (Luke 16:19)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 21:13; Philippians 3:19.
Result: Irreversible separation from God.
“Between us and you a great chasm has been set in place.” (Luke 16:26)
Cross-Refs: Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 22:11.
Judas Iscariot
Category: Failure of loyalty
Could endure: Remain faithful as apostle.
“When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.” (Luke 6:13, context)
Cross-Refs: John 6:70; Acts 1:17.
Chose wrongly: Betrayed Jesus with a kiss.
“Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48)
Cross-Refs: Zechariah 11:12–13; Matthew 26:15.
Endured (negatively): Guilt, despair, destruction.
“Woe to that man who betrays him!” (Luke 22:22)
Cross-Refs: Acts 1:18; John 17:12.
Why (wrong motive): Greed, Satan’s influence.
“Then Satan entered Judas.” (Luke 22:3)
Cross-Refs: John 13:27; 1 Timothy 6:10.
Result: Apostleship lost, name disgraced.
“Judas left, and it was night.” (John 13:30, echo)
Cross-Refs: Acts 1:25; Psalm 109:8.
Pilate and Herod
Category: Failure of justice & conscience
Could endure: Uphold innocence of Jesus.
“I find no basis for a charge against this man.” (Luke 23:4)
Cross-Refs: John 19:6; Acts 13:28.
Chose wrongly: Mocked and handed Him over.
“Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him.” (Luke 23:11)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 27:26; Acts 4:27.
Endured (negatively): Shared guilt in Christ’s death.
“They shouted, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’” (Luke 23:21)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 53:8; Acts 2:23.
Why (wrong motive): Fear of people, political compromise.
“Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting.” (Luke 23:20–21)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 29:25; John 19:12.
Result: Eternal infamy as unjust rulers.
“You disowned the Holy and Righteous One.” (Acts 3:14)
Cross-Refs: Revelation 21:8; Matthew 25:41.
Unbelieving Crowds
Category: Failure of faith
Could endure: Believe the Messiah’s words and works.
“Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Luke 7:23)
Cross-Refs: John 6:29; Hebrews 3:15.
Chose wrongly: Rejected Him, demanded crucifixion.
“But they kept shouting, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’” (Luke 23:21)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 27:20; John 19:15.
Endured (negatively): Judgment on Jerusalem.
“The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you.” (Luke 19:43)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 24:2; Daniel 9:26.
Why (wrong motive): Fickle hearts, swayed by leaders.
“The whole crowd shouted, ‘Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!’” (Luke 23:18)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 23:2; John 12:43.
Result: Destruction in 70 AD.
“They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” (Luke 19:44)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 7:34; 1 Thessalonians 2:15–16.
rejection, Judas’ betrayal, Pilate’s compromise, unbelieving crowds)?