Luke 7:30
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
American King James Version (AKJV)
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
American Standard Version (ASV)
But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were against the purpose of God for themselves, not having had his baptism.)
Webster's Revision
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized by him.
World English Bible
But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.
English Revised Version (ERV)
But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him.
Clarke's Luke 7:30 Bible Commentary
Rejected the counsel of God - Or, frustrated the will of God - την βουλην του Θεου ηθετησαν. Kypke says the verb αθετειν has two meanings: - 1, to disbelieve; 2, despise, or disobey: and that both senses may be properly conjoined here. The will of God was that all the inhabitants of Judea should repent at the preaching of John, be baptized, and believe in Christ Jesus. Now as they did not repent, etc., at John's preaching, so they did not believe his testimony concerning Christ: thus the will, gracious counsel, or design of God, relative to their salvation, was annulled or frustrated. They disbelieved his promises, despised the Messiah, and disobeyed his precepts.
Barnes's Luke 7:30 Bible Commentary
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected ... - It appears from Matthew 3:7 that some of the Pharisees came to John to be baptized; but still this is entirely consistent with the supposition that the great mass of Pharisees and lawyers rejected him.
The counsel of God - The counsel of God toward them was the solemn admonition by John to "repent" and be baptized, and be prepared to receive the Messiah. This was the command or revealed will of God in relation to them. When it is said that they "rejected" the counsel of God, it does not mean that they could frustrate his purposes, but merely that they violated his commands. Men cannot frustrate the "real" purposes of God, but they can contemn his messages, they can violate his commands, and thus they can reject the counsel which he gives them, and treat with contempt the desire which he manifests for their welfare.
Against themselves - To their own hurt or detriment. God is wise and good. He knows what is best for us. He, therefore, that rejects what God commands, rejects it to his own injury. It "cannot" be well for any mortal to despise what God commands him to do.
Wesley's Luke 7:30 Bible Commentary
7:30 But the Pharisees and scribes - The good, learned, honourable men: made void the counsel, the gracious design, of God toward them - They disappointed all these methods of his love, and would receive no benefit from them.