Luke 7:30

Pharisees. See pp. 51, 52.

Lawyers. See on Mark 1:22; 2:16. These men were not “lawyers” in the sense that we use the term today. They were students and expositors of Jewish law.

Counsel of God. For each group of people who came to be baptized, John had outlined in detail what they should do to bring forth “fruits meet for repentance” (see on Matt. 3:7, 8; Luke 3:10-14). Though some of the religious leaders were probably baptized, there were at best but few of them who accepted the rite at John’s hands. They refused to admit that they were sinners and in need of repentance (see on Matt. 3:6). Inasmuch as the baptism of John signified repentance, a step for which they felt no need, they were “not baptized of him.”

Against themselves. Better, “for themselves,” or “concerning themselves.”