Single lesson
The Law and the Prophets in Luke
Luke 16:14–18
This lesson helps students trace Jesus’ reply in Luke 16:14–18. The passage includes a serious teaching on divorce and adultery, so students will discuss it respectfully and generally while following the flow of Jesus’ words.
Before you teach
Luke says the Pharisees heard Jesus and scoffed because they were lovers of money. Jesus answers by speaking about self-justifying before people, God knowing hearts, what people exalt, the law and the prophets, the preaching of God’s Kingdom, and a serious statement about divorce and adultery.
Students will be able to identify Jesus’ main teaching in Luke 16:14–18, explain how verse 18 relates to verses 15–17, and give one careful, text-based application.
Welcome: Listen for the shape of Jesus’ reply
6 minRead all five verses aloud. Ask students to listen for the order of the passage: the Pharisees scoff, Jesus speaks about hearts and human approval, then about the law and the prophets and the preaching of God’s Kingdom, and finally he gives a serious statement about divorce and adultery.
Luke 16:14, Luke 16:15, Luke 16:16, Luke 16:17, Luke 16:18
Read and explain: Human approval and God’s sight
8 minRead verses 14–15 again. Point out that Luke calls the Pharisees lovers of money, and Jesus says they justify themselves in the sight of men. Explain that the passage contrasts public approval with God’s knowledge of the heart. What people highly value can stand opposed to God’s view.
Luke 16:14, Luke 16:15
Discuss: The law, John, the Kingdom, and a difficult phrase
10 minRead verses 16–17 slowly. Observe that verse 16 mentions the law and the prophets, then says the Good News of God’s Kingdom is preached. It also says everyone is forcing his way into it. This passage does not explain that phrase further here. Verse 17 adds that the law remains weighty and enduring.
Luke 16:16, Luke 16:17
Make and respond: Reminder card with a careful application
10 minStudents make a small reminder card from one phrase in the passage. They may choose a line about God knowing hearts, the Kingdom being preached, or the law not falling. Ask them to write a general, realistic application that stays close to the verse. Keep examples general and respectful.
Luke 16:15, Luke 16:16, Luke 16:17, Luke 16:18
Closing: How verse 18 fits the reply
6 minRead verses 17 and 18 together. Explain that in the passage, Jesus moves from saying that even the smallest part of the law will not fall to a direct statement about divorce and adultery. This closing statement shows that his teaching treats God’s law seriously. Review the whole passage, then finish with the optional prayer.
Luke 16:17, Luke 16:18
Questions to explore
Why does Jesus answer the Pharisees by speaking about hearts and human approval?
Link their scoffing and love of money with Jesus’ words about self-justifying before people and God knowing hearts.
Luke 16:14, Luke 16:15
What three ideas appear together in verse 16, and how does verse 17 add to them?
Notice the wording about 'the law and the prophets', the Good News of God’s Kingdom being preached, and 'everyone is forcing his way into it', then read verse 17 beside it.
Luke 16:16, Luke 16:17
How does verse 18 relate to what Jesus has just said in verse 17?
Read the two verses together and describe how Jesus moves from the lasting significance of the law to a direct moral statement about divorce and adultery.
Luke 16:17, Luke 16:18
Make, think or respond
Key Verse Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- scrap paper or index cards
- pens or pencils
- Bibles
- coloured pencils or markers
Try it together
- Ask each student to choose one phrase or verse from Luke 16:14–18.
- On the front, write the reference and copy the chosen words neatly.
- On the back, write one general situation where this teaching matters today, keeping the response text-based and not personal.
- Invite volunteers to share how their card matches Jesus’ reply in the passage.
This activity helps students remember one part of Jesus’ reply and connect it with the whole passage.
Adapt for your group
- For less confident readers, offer three choices to copy: 'God knows your hearts', 'the Good News of God’s Kingdom is preached', or 'it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away'.
- For stronger readers, ask them to write two sentences explaining how verse 18 connects with verses 15 and 17, using careful wording from the passage.
An optional closing prayer
Suggested prayer: Lord Jesus, help us care about what is right in your sight. Help us listen carefully to your words, speak truthfully, and respond with respect. Amen.
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Luke 16
14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they scoffed at him.
15 He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
16 “The law and the prophets were until John. From that time the Good News of God’s Kingdom is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.
17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tiny stroke of a pen in the law to fall.
18 “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.